goos_blues

I have a makita 18 volt flourescent light, it really works well to light the whole area in front of you. I take my makita light and axenonbulb flashlight with me, its been a pretty good combination for me.

davidmil

Awe heck, I've been killin' deer for 50 years, I can sniff 'em out. I don't need no dang hi tech lazer lights or annual educational dissertations on recovery. Just get down and dirty... them buggers stink.[8D] I do have a big firemans light in my car all through the season, but I usually just use a little Cyclone by Streamlight.

HUNGAR

This should be high lighted since it seems to be often over looked, great example of a "little" thing that issometimes over looked. I know everyone wants a short and easy blood trail, but it isn't always the case and you might need more time than you've alloted for.

I swear I have a flashlight fetish, I carry atleast a dozen lights in my tub. I have 2 rechargable spotters, 2 Cabelas head lamps, a 3 cell surefire (small and scary bright), a 2 D cell mag, a 3 D cell mag, a mix of atleast 6 AA and AAA mini mags, a new LED 3 AAA from Wally world that is pretty bright and a few others that I have amassed over the years.

I use that smaller mags for getting through the woods, when I track I go get a couple fresh battery mini mags, a spotter, the surefire and a headlamp. I use the smaller lights and head lamp when I am down and dirty focusing. When I stand up, need a break or think the deer is close I will use the surefire or spotter to light up the area.

Wow, this thread got me excited for the season.

Chris

txjourneyman

Don't forget Fido or Spot. One of my dogs has gotten pretty good at trailing. I've worked with her using pieces of hide and scraps of meat. If I need to I won't hesitate to bring Pepper out to the woods. Shes a good dog.

_Dan

I realize that was a joke, but for the newer hunters TP is a good thing to use to mark last blood. Easy to see and is biodegradeable.

Another good tip there Bry. I will only take 2 other people out with me when I'm tracking a deer or bear. During bear season I give my customers specific instructions not to look for their bear after the shot. They must come get me. Then I head up the search and give specific instructions on how the track is going to go. My number 1 rule is, no one is supposed to walk out in front of me, ever. I find that a lot of the people that hunt with me have no clue how to track and I don't want them stepping on blood or turning leaves over that may have the key peice of evidence I am looking for.

GMMAT

Thanks, Dan. I realize people here know a lot more than I about tracking. I just thought this would be a good reminder to freshen up your tracking equipment.

And about the TP....although it's bio-degradeable....I still go back and pick it up.

_Dan

So do I. But if someone were to leave it out there, it would look a whole lot better in a couple weeks than a bunch of flagging tape hanging from trees.

Speaking of flagging tape, have I ever told you how much I hate it?[:@] That's a whole different thread.

bloodcrick

Good thread GMMAT, its about that time of year boys and girls. Im usually pretty prepared in that area with the gear. Had something happen last year that might be of intrest.While Tracking a slickhead with a massive bloodtrail thanks to the muzzy The trail just dead ended, after a little confusion, i started backtrailing and realized she had backtrailed her own bloodtrail for about 20 yards and vered off in another direction. found her with a perfect double lung entry and exit hole, BUT she decided to swim into the middle of a large pond before expiring[]There was a distinct bubble trail in the water where she had swam, and all you could see was her side sticking up out of the water. Just some tips on things to look for.
Also, we always hear of them traveling a trail or going down hill when hit, and they do alot of times, but this one traveled up and down quite a few hills that was not the path of least restance. Have a great season people!!

huntingson

My tracking list includes3 things: my dad, my wife, and my dogs.

I am colorblind and cannot follow a blood trail to save my life.

m9a9g9i9c

I used to track live animals for hunters to shoot, I stopped doing that when the average age of the hunters started to go up and the caliber of the pellets as well....
I've seen some pretty amazing dogs find shot birds and wild boar, I once saw a dog catch every pigeon shot out of the sky before it hit the ground...
My pack on scoutingtrips or hikes always contains this
a kit with bandaids and disinfectant
two cereal bars, salt and a bar of chocolate
three glosticks
a head LED light
a flashlight LED ( both batterychecked before leaving )
two knives
a compass
a magnesium stick ( easy firestarter )
10 meters of rope
fishinghooks and line
a travel towel
and yes, some toiletpaper....

got me out of some serious trouble more than once....


F.