I'm having a very bad year recovering deer after never having lost one before. My uncle who is somewhat of a tracking expert gave me some advice on what I should have done in hindsight to my loss.

A deer apparently will do a "J" just before it expires. It'll hook around and watch it's own trail to see if it can get a glimpse of what's after it. If a blood trail starts to bend or hook, you're supposed to keep an eye to your sides and behind you as the deer is probably watching you that very moment. My uncle says to place a very visible marker at that bend, then do ever increasing circles around it in 10-20 yard increments. He says often the deer will be back in the direction the hunter originally came.

Had I only known this on my last track......................[&o]

Good luck and keep us posted.