Hem
Well-known member
Yep, I'm color blind, so all my gutting and gilling knives are dressed down by fluorescent tape on the handles.
TX Trophy Hunter
Well-known member
- Joined
- Apr 19, 2023
- Messages
- 286
np307
Well-known member
First deer my boy has been able to see while we were hunting.
He dropped and spun some at the shot and left no discernible blood trail. I did see where he left my hayfield onto adjacent lands. I secured permission to retrieve and did a brief search to see over a rise in the soybean field with hopes of finding him there. I decided the best way to find him would be to contact a tracker.
I’ve watched three different dog trackers work during OutdoorMentors.org hunts. It is truly amazing to watch a handler/dog team follow along and find their target deer. There have been live deer that needed a coup de grace, as well as recently expired deer found on these tracks.
I got onto the UnitedBloodTrackers.org website and looked up Kansas trackers. My eye caught on to a guy with a same last name as me, that was fairly close to my location.
Landon couldn’t come out that night with a Christmas party to attend, but he did know of a tracker that was even closer. A little later Brandon called and we arrange to meet at 8 am Sunday morning.
On our phone call Brandon had a series of questions regarding the shot distance, hit location, direction of travel and if I saw any offside blood. I told him I had attempted to locate any sign of blood in the tall hay, but told him that my hopes were pinned on starting a track at the treeline crossing.
I texted him back later that evening, and asked if he wanted me to bring a breakfast sandwich. He said that’s the first time anyone has offered to do that.
Meeting at the gate, I got to meet Brandon and his beagle Nikko. Brandon told me that I was welcome to walk along with him as Nikko was searching ahead, or I could trail back behind as far as I wanted. One rule to be followed for sure: if Nikko stopped, I was to stop also.
We were getting closer to the fence crossing slot when Nikko froze. He lifted his snout into the wind, taking in some big huffs. Brandon said, “we’ve got a dead deer“.
Nikko advanced a couple of more steps and once again lifted his head. Brandon: “He’s close”
They both turned towards the treeline and within 10 steps Brandon said, “we got your deer dude!”
At some point that buck that I had seen leave the property had come back and laid down and died, less than 40 yards from where he made his escape after the shot.
Colberjs
Member
Is this an OK pronghorn? Public or private?
