What’s up, fellow hunters! If you’re reading this, you’re probably a beginner looking to master the art of tracking wounded deer. I feel you—it can be tricky trying to follow those blood trails through dense woods when you have no idea what you’re doing. Well, don’t worry; I’ve got your back. I’ve been hunting deer for over 20 years, and I want to share everything I’ve learned about tracking wounded deer based on their blood trail patterns. This is going to be a wild ride, so buckle up and get ready to become a tracking pro!
How to Assess the Initial Shot Placement
Before you even start tracking, you need to check out where exactly your arrow or bullet hit the deer. The entrance and exit wounds will determine a lot about how the blood trail will look.
Let’s break it down:
- A perfect broadside heart shot will give you blood on both sides of the trail. That’s because the arrow went straight through the deer’s body, causing bleeding from the entry and exit wounds.
- A quartering-away shot means your arrow entered the deer at an angle from the back and exited from the front. You’ll see more blood on the side the arrow exited.
- A gut-shot deer might not give you much external blood at all. But you’ll see intestines and stomach contents on the trail, which are sure signs you got a lethal hit.
The amount and color of blood can also tell you how badly the deer is wounded:
- Bright red, frothy blood – This means you likely hit an artery. That’s a deadly hit, for sure!
- Large pools of dark blood – The liver was probably hit, which is also very lethal.
- Small drops of brown blood – muscle hit that might not be fatal.
Before starting your track job, take a second to analyze the blood at the hit site. It’ll give you an idea of what to expect down the trail.
Hit the Trail – Following the Blood Drops
Alright, time to get tracking! Following even the faintest blood trail takes patience and an eagle’s eye. One tiny speck of blood can lead you to your downed buck if you put in the work. Here’s what to look for:
Check Blood Splatter Patterns
Examine the blood splatter on leaves and branches near the trail. The shape and direction of the splatter can tell you which way the deer went and how severely it was wounded.
- Long, running splatters – The deer is moving quickly
- Large circular spots – Arterial wound, you’ll likely find the deer close by
- Light misty spray – A less serious flesh wound
Watch for Footprints
Scan the ground for hoof prints mixed in with the blood drops. They can confirm the direction while also telling you if the deer is limping or dragging a leg.
Notice Changes in Blood Amount
Marked changes in the amount of blood mean the deer’s condition is worsening. More blood = better shot placement.
- Increasing blood means You’re gaining ground on a mortally wounded deer
- Decreasing blood means The deer is slowing blood loss and might live
Consider the Color
The color of the blood indicates the severity and age of the wound.
- Bright red means a Fresh wound
- Dark red means Older injury
- Brown means Clotting blood from a non-lethal hit
Reading the signs along the blood trail takes practice, but it gets easier over time. Before long, you’ll be able to accurately track a wounded deer like a pro!
Use Optical Enhancers to Follow Faint Blood Trails
When the blood trail starts to fade, it’s time to break out the special gear every tracker packs. This stuff will take your deer tracking to the next level!
Use a Blood Tracking Flashlight
Blood tracking flashlights shine infrared or UV light that makes blood glow brightly, even if you can’t see it. They turn faint trails into easy-to-follow neon signs!
I recommend the HME Bloodhunter HD. It’s like tracking deer in blacklight!
Bust Out a Spotting Scope
A quality spotting scope allows you to scan ahead and pick up the faintest traces of blood at a distance. I use the Swarovski STR 80, which is crystal clear and perfect for tracking.
Don’t Forget the Luminol!
Luminol reacts with blood to produce a glow visible in total darkness. If you lose a trail at night, Luminol brings it back to life!
Spray it, and blood traces will light up like a Christmas tree. Just be sure to mark the trail since the glow fades quickly.
Analyze Blood Color and Consistency
Here comes the fun part—CSI-style blood analysis! The color and texture of blood drops can reveal a lot about the wound’s severity and the deer’s condition.
Factor in the Environment
Weather and habitat conditions affect blood trail visibility and deer behavior. Rain, wind, heat, and terrain can all impact your ability to recover your deer.
Consider the Weather
- Rain dilutes and washes away blood
- The wind blows leaves and debris over the trail
- Heat causes blood to coagulate faster
Think About Habitat
- Open fields allow deer to run faster and further
- Thick woods cause deer to stagger and leave more signs
- During the rut, bucks focus on breeding over their injury
Taking weather and habitat into account keeps your expectations realistic. Don’t be afraid to call off the search if conditions make tracking impossible.
The deer may go further than expected in open areas. And if it’s rained recently, you may need to wait until the blood trail is replenished. The deer’s survival instincts are heightened when injured. Patience and persistence are crucial!
Get Help from a Blood Tracking Dog
When the trail seems cold, it’s time to call in backup! A trained blood-tracking dog picks up the scent and follows when the visible signs run out.
Their nose knows things we could never detect, making dogs ideal for:
- Confirming hit locations
- Picking up faint or cold trails
- Tracking overnight after losing daylight
- Finding the final resting place
Seriously, dogs are like cheat codes for finding wounded deer. Their nose eliminates so much guesswork.
Just be sure the dog is properly trained to track deer. Some are better than others at this specialized work. And never allow them to make physical contact with the deer when found.
Stay Patient and Persistent
Tracking wounded deer tests your focus, willpower, and endurance. Searching dense woods for blood drops requires zen-like patience. Don’t let frustration set in. Staying positive keeps your senses sharp.
And when the trail seems lost, persistence is key. Grid out from the last blood spot, knowing your trophy buck is likely bedding nearby. He can’t hide forever!
Maintain Focus
Pour your mental energy into identifying and interpreting every twig, leaf, and blood drop on the trail. Over-analyzing leads to confusion, so trust your instincts when deciding on the deer’s direction of travel.
Check Your Emotions
Don’t panic if you lose the trail. Stay calm and double-check your work. Methodically search the area while watching for fresh signs. With level-headedness, you’ll pick the trail back up.
Never Give Up!
When you lose the trail, it’s not over yet! Deer succumb to wounds overnight in the exact spot they bedded. Grid searches the area at dawn, and he’ll be lying within 100 yards. Persistence pays off in the end!
Field Care for Recovered Deer
You finally found your buck—great job! But your work isn’t done until you treat the recovered deer properly and humanely.
- Quickly check for signs of life before approaching
- Use latex gloves when field dressing to avoid contracting diseases
- Make clean, efficient cuts to minimize suffering
- Dispose of entrails responsibly away from water sources
- Get the meat cooled down as soon as possible
Proper care ensures the highest quality venison while also honoring the animal that gave its life. Always show gratitude and respect for the deer that nourishes your family.
Key Takeaways for Tracking Wounded Deer
Alright, my friends, we covered a ton of ground here! Here are the key tips to take with you on your next blood trail:
- Analyze shot angle and blood signs at the hit site
- Follow blood splatter patterns and footprints
- Use flashlights and spotting scopes to detect faint blood
- Consider blood color and texture for clues
- Factor in weather and habitat conditions
- Stay patient, positive, and persistent
- Utilize a trained tracking dog when needed
- Field dress recovered deer properly and respectfully
Master these techniques, and you’ll find your trophy buck in no time. Thanks for sticking with me on this bloody journey! Now get out there, trust your skills, and bring home the venison. Happy tracking!