Floppy Ears Deer Tracking

This past weekend was our youth rifle season, our neighbors grandson shot a deer and his dad Chris called and asked if Whiskers wanted to track a deer. I said yes, absolutely.

As I was getting Whiskers ready my youngest son said dad can I go with you. I said heck yeah! On our ride down he said dad do you think I could track this deer, and I said I would love that.

We started Whiskers at the hit site and there was a pretty big pile of blood and she had to lick it all up before she would start tracking. Once I got Whiskers started in the right direction I handed the lead to my son. He said what do I do? Just follow the dog buddy. Whiskers made short work of the track. The Buck was quartered too and a well placed bullet made it an easy job. If I remember correctly this deer only went 175 yards and my son did a great job tracking his very first deer. Thanks again Chris for the call and allowing us to work Whiskers. Congratulations again Jeremiah!

Video in comments

Just don’t do it folks, the recover rate is less than 1%. It just isn’t worth it.



Day four of the ETHIC countdown.One of the most unfavorable calls we trackers receive from a hunter in need is, the frontal or quartered to shot.

Please do not attempt the frontal or quartered to archery shot on a deer, yes even if you have a crossbow! While I'm sure there are a few out there that will say that they have killed deer with a frontal shot or quartered to shot with their archery equipment, those type of shots are not an optimal shots. I can tell you for myself and from what many other trackers have encountered, we almost never recover (I never have) the frontal or quartered to shot deer. Almost every tracker I know would highly advise against such a shot, especially with archery equipment. WAIT for the deer to turn to expose its vitals to optimize your shot placement. If the deer does not turn, simply let it walk! Tomorrow is another day!

A couple of days ago I made a survey post on a closed network FB page of trackers that reside from all over. In the survey I had asked trackers to their opinion on the frontal/quartered to shot. The results were unanimous to the almost 100 comments, NO DO NOT TAKE FRONTAL SHOTS!!! Some of those commenting had many more years tracking experience than myself. It’s from experience that the voice of reason speaks! This post is meant to be shared.