As you will find, aminal blood has a huge capicity to coagulate, but only once after the blood has been drawn. By blending the blood, you will break down the coagulation for the most part and you will not need to deal with it again (well there might be a little that will still coagulate, but not much at all). Add a little ice cold water while you are blending it.

Yes, I take the dog out in the dark, but not often. I am not able to run the dog and only train with a leash.

As long as the dog has a starting basis, he will be able to track the deer even if the deer does not bleed (at least not visable to your eyesight), that the main reason you would want a trailing dog. I also collect deer hair that I also lay on the training trails. But the animal will lay other scents other then blood on the trail. The dog will be able to differentiate between the wounded deer and "hot deer" that have crossed the trail.

Hey thanks alot for all of the information BobCo19-65!

I can't wait to get started with this. I just gotta figure out what kind of dog I want to get. I want to start with this ASAP, but i don't know if it is very easy to find puppies right now. I can't see myself owning a dachshund, but we'll see.

How old should a dog be before you start training?

Here is the thing, if you are really serious about this, find a line of dogs that are breed for this purpose. It will makes things much easier. Like some people say, any dog can be trained, but some dogs can excel. If you get a dog that is guaranteed (money back) to track, you will be better off in the longrun. Puppies can be trained very early.

Check out this site, there is also a forum there that deals with tracking and there are people there that can help you select a breed and maybe help you fnd a breeder:

http://www.thetroutbum.com/hundesideulv.htm

Very interesting thread Bobco! Too bad you don't live close to me. You could do all the training, take care of feeding the dog, housing it, pay for the vet bills and then if I ever needed it to help me out....I could just give you a call.

LOL!

Thanks again for the info! I checked out that other site, and that will be really helpfull! I can't wait to get started.

I just got a big let-down when i realized I probobly better wait until spring to start this huh? Are the snowy winter months gonna mess up my training if i would get one soon?

supa, relax, get the book first, read it, it will help you decide on a breed, and whether you really want to do this, then talk to some breeders. Most of the time they will require a deposit and you will get placed on a list. It could take some time to get your dog. Even if you get it in the winter, you can still train.

My friends dad has a little weiner dog...just lets him go after first blood...All you do is follow the dog....it is pretty nice.

http://www.geocities.com/az1f/1.html?989889391530

Here's the link to a board members site about his tracking dogs...I'm really praying the bill passes in PA....a little entrepeneurism and a guy could make a buck or two...I'd only ask for gas money if I had to travel too far but I'd do it for free just to recover the animals similiar to our friend Kevin's site here. AND, I'd tip a guy to come find any of my unrecovered down game animals...any, including does.

thanks for that link Rob. I emailed them to get some more info on there dogs.

I got that book in the mail on sat.. I am only about 30 pages into it. Can't wait to get more of it read.

Does anyone else have any contact info for other breeders? I would like to find more options. I found some pups in the area with good blood lines that are for sale, but none of them have tracking in there blood line, I'm sure it would be fine training one of those dogs, but if i can find a good pup from a breeder, I would probobly be a little better off.

Thanks