| 1. |
Deer seldom leave a good blood trail when going up or down embankments of 10 to 30 feet. Look at the embankment's top or bottom for blood. This includes stream banks, ditches and railroad banks. |
| 2. |
If Tracking with a companion, one hunter should always stand beside the point of last blood. He should mark the spot with a stick and flagging tape or a handkerchief, and look ahead for the deer and other sign. |
| 3. |
Bend over or squat beside the trail, if needed. Don't get down on all fours unless absolutely necessary. That will disturb too much ground and cover you hands and clothing with debris. |
| 4. |
Always carry the bow or gun in a safe position. Because you could trip, do not keep an arrow on the string or a shell in the chamber while unraveling the trail. Once the deer is spotted, move in slowly, gun or bow poised, ready to fire a finishing shot. |
| 5. |
Work closely together with your hunting partner. Don't range far from the last blood spot on a tough trail- you have a better chance of finding more blood near the last spot that 40 yards away. |
| 6. |
Don't shout or make loud noises. |
| 7. |
Get permission from landowners before following a deer onto another persons land. |
| 8. |
If it's raining or snowing, push ahead as best you can while maintaining the trail. But remember, most gut-shot deer wont die any sooner. When possible, it's best to wait six to ten hours before trailing a gut-shot deer. |
| 9. |
Warm weather is only a problem if you must leave a deer overnight. Although the rumen will bloat within an hour of death, the rest of the meat will be good for a few hours, even in warm weather. |
| 10. |
If you gut-shoot a deer at dusk and the temperature is expected to be 40 degrees or lower overnight, leave the deer until morning if possible. |
| 11. |
When tracking at night a small flashlight or hand lantern is excellent. The small, direct beam gives you the best possible light for searching the ground. |
| 12. |
Listen carefully. You might jump deer or hear them moving ahead. When you see other deer, watch them carefully. Unless you see a wound, do not shoot. |
| 13. |
Base all your judgments on the evidence found. Don't try to "think like a deer." Many hunters have lost deer because their "deer logic" was more human than they realized. |
| 14. |
Follow only the tracks or blood trail. If you loose both, begin a systematic of the areas you believe the deer might have gone. Conduct ever widening circles from the point of last blood. If that fails, gather some friends and use a line of walkers to fully cover the search area. |
| 15. |
When tracking with one or more hunters, first decide on a signal to alert each other that the deer has been sighted and who is to shoot. Too many guns and/or overanxious people will cause safety problems and possibly more wounded deer. |
| 16. |
If a wounded deer is spotted, watch it carefully and try to determine what it's about to do. If it's close enough and you have a clear shooting lane, take a safe shot. If it's too far, use good still-hunting techniques to get close enough for a shot. |
| 17. |
If the deer is down, approach carefully to see if a final shot is needed. Generally, a deer that can hold up its head, even partially, can get back on its hoofs. Carefully watch it for balance and weakness. |
| 18. |
If the deer is down on its back or side and not moving, approach it from behind. With a stick, or the end of an arrow or gun barrel touch the deer firmly between the shoulders. If the deer is not dead it will move or jerk in response to the touch. |
| 19. |
Be ethical. Even if your buddies voice other plans, or tell you the deer will be fine, follow your own judgment. Shoulder the responsibility that comes with taking a shot. |