Deer Tracking and Recovery

TALE OF OPPORTUNITIES WITH A DEUTSCH KURZHAAR

DAVE TRAHAN, On Point Kennel

Deer season has started in New Hampshire, so I wonder how many calls will I get this year...I have found it interesting that each time I get a call for a downed deer to track, that particular deer is always the biggest, and it always has at least 8 points on it. Most of the calls I get are 24 hours or later from the time the deer is shot, so it makes it challenging to find them. In our state you must be licensed to track deer with dogs, so if you are interested in doing this type of work, please check the regulations in your state. Some states do not allow it at all, while others have particular requirements regarding leashes or no guns being carried, amongst other requirements.

When I received my first call this year, I asked the hunter some initial questions first. For instance: when and where did the person shoot the deer, what does the blood look like (it’s the shade or color that I’m interested in, as this will tell me for the most part what kind of wound it is). I also like to know what sort of terrain and area we’re dealing with, how many folks have been out looking and for how long.

I will tell you right off the bat that my success rate is about 50 percent recovery. When I arrived at the site I got all information possible from the hunter. Next we went to the start of the blood trail and began the track. I am always asking the hunter how many people walked around looking for the deer before my arrival, as I have found that the blood trail sometimes gets moved around from people trying to look for the deer. That kind of thing makes it even more challenging. I worked my way down to the last point where they stopped looking, and then I told the hunter to stay back so I am the only one out front of the end of their trailing.

Next, the dog and I both began searching to find the deer, looking for blood and other signs. As I began to move forward following my dog, she took me down a hill into a steep area. The hunter kept saying, “I do not think the deer went down the hill.” I ignored him and trusted my dog, instead. Since I have begun blood trialing deer for recovery, I have discovered that a wounded deer will go just about anywhere to hide, and will often circle back into the most unlikely of spots.

Briar On Point with a recovered doe

Ultimately, the dog and I found the deer only about 800 yards away from where it had been shot. As we approached the deer, I said to the hunter: “Nice deer. I guess the chipmunks must have eaten those 8-point antlers.” We had found a doe.


“	Each trailing and recovery outing gives me new opportunities to explain the DK breed and its history, our club and its testing system, and the versatility of my dogs.”

Aside from the obvious, some of the things I enjoy about doing this type of recovery work with my dog are being in the outdoors, I find new and more grouse cover areas, and, I enjoy seeing people’s faces when I let out my DK to find a deer. Without fail, they always ask me, “How I can get one of those dogs?” Each trailing and recovery outing gives me new opportunities to explain the DK breed and its history, our club and its testing system, and the versatility of my dogs. When they find out that they can hunt with the dog in addition to using him or her for recovery work, they are always surprised. Seeing their reactions makes it even better.

Taken from “NADKC eNews | December 2009”