What to Know About Tracking Wounded Game

Guide for Tracking Wouded Game When Hunting

As an experienced outdoorsman and hunter, I understand the importance of responsible and ethical hunting practices. One crucial aspect of hunting is tracking wounded game to ensure a humane and successful harvest. Tracking wounded game requires skill, patience, and an understanding of animal behavior. This blog will share knowledge and insights on what you need to know about tracking wounded game. From identifying signs of a successful shot to tracking techniques and ethical considerations, this guide will equip you with the tools for effective game recovery.

Understanding the Importance of Tracking Wounded Game

Tracking wounded game until you have exhausted all options is important for several reasons. Firstly, it demonstrates a sense of ethical responsibility and respect towards the animal being pursued. When a hunter wounds an animal, it becomes their moral duty to try to recover it and minimize suffering. By tracking the wounded game persistently, hunters can ensure that no creature is left wounded and in pain, showing respect for the natural world and its inhabitants. Ultimately any hunter that

has spent time tracking wounded game that eludes them, finds a new respect for why shot placement is so important.

Moreover, comprehensive tracking reinforces the principles of fair chase and sportsmanship. It embodies the hunter’s commitment to the pursuit and acknowledges the inherent challenge involved in the hunting experience. Additionally, meticulous tracking allows hunters to gather valuable information about their target species, enhancing their understanding of animal behavior, habitat,

and anatomy. This knowledge can be used to improve hunting practices, promote conservation, and support sustainable wildlife management. Ultimately, tracking wounded game until all options have been exhausted upholds ethical standards, fosters a deeper connection with nature, and contributes to the responsible stewardship of our precious wildlife resources.

Ethical Hunting Practices

Adhering to ethical hunting practices is an integral aspect of any hunting expedition and becomes even more crucial when tracking wounded game. The foremost rule of ethical hunting is always to ensure a quick, humane kill to avoid unnecessary animal suffering. Aim for a shot that will result in immediate death. If an animal is merely wounded, it is your responsibility as a hunter to track and dispatch it as quickly

and painlessly as possible. It’s also important to deeply understand the species you’re hunting – knowing their anatomy, behavior, and habitat can significantly increase the odds of a clean kill. Always use appropriate equipment suitable for the game and your level of skill. Additionally, respecting local wildlife regulations, including hunting seasons and bag limits, is essential in supporting sustainable hunting, helping maintain a balance in the ecosystem, and preserving the sporting tradition for future generations.

Responsible Stewardship

As responsible stewards of the land, we must respect and appreciate the animals we hunt. Tracking wounded games demonstrates respect for the animal’s life and ensures that no part of it goes to waste.

Signs of a Successful Shot

The reaction of the animal: A successfully hit animal may exhibit certain immediate reactions after being shot. These can include a visible flinch, high jump, stumbling, or a sudden behavior change. Depending on how close the animal is to the gunshot sound can also alter their reaction. With a successful shot, some animals may run a short distance before collapsing, while others may drop on the spot. Occasionally,

even with a well-placed shot, an animal can run a good distance on adrenaline. Twenty-five to seventy-five yards is not uncommon. When a shot is misplaced, the animal can run for a very long distance.

Shot Placement

When hunting, aiming for the vitals – the heart and lungs – is the most effective way to ensure a quick, clean dispatch of the game. The vitals are located in the chest cavity, and a well-placed shot here can result in a rapid and humane kill. The photo to the right illustrates, with a red dot, the vital area of a deer. A shot to this area should dispatch your deer cleanly and humanely. If your first shot is off but hits, you should immediately reload and if possible, take a follow-up shot again, aiming for the vitals.

You can better understand the animal’s anatomy by studying diagrams, attending hunting classes, and gaining field experience. It’s also important to note that shot placement can be influenced by the animal’s position and angle relative to the hunter; thus, understanding the best angles for shooting – typically broadside or slightly quartering away – offer a very high percentage shot. You should be patient and wait for the optimal moment to fire. This approach not only ensures a swift end for the game, but also minimizes the risk of wounding and subsequently tracking the animal,

• Vital Organs: Aim for vital organs, such as the heart and lungs, for a quick and effective kill. This minimizes the chances of a wounded animal escaping.

Animal Behavior

• Reaction to the Shot: Observe the animal’s immediate reaction after the shot. A strong and immediate reaction, such as a drop or stumble, indicates a well-placed shot.
• Lack of immediate movement: In some cases, the animal may remain motionless immediately after the shot. This lack of movement can indicate that the shot was effective and that the animal has succumbed to the impact. Either way, reload and prepare for a follow-up shot before assessing.
• Post-Shot Behavior: Pay attention to the animal’s behavior after the shot. An injured animal may exhibit signs of distress, such as limping, labored breathing, or a trail of blood.

Before Starting Tracking

If the game does run, and you are fairly confident you have hit it, you should wait for at least 30 minutes before pursuing it. If it is hit and wounded, it will likely not run far before stopping to rest. In many cases, it may be dispatched from its wound in the same spot if it doesn’t feel the pressure of being pursued. If, after waiting, you track it to where it is bedded down, and it jumps and runs; if you couldn’t shoot again, repeat the waiting process.

If you track slowly and quietly many times, the opportunity may arise for a follow-up shot.

Tracking Techniques for Wounded Game

Tracking Starts at The Point Of Impact

Hair or tissue at the point of impact: Finding hair, bone fragments, or other tissue where the shot was taken can indicate a successful hit. These signs suggest that the projectile made contact with the animal.

Blood Trails: Mark the area where the initial shot impact was and look for blood trails near the site of the shot. Bright red blood indicates an arterial hit, while dark red or brown blood suggests a less severe wound.

Type of Blood Signs

When tracking a wounded animal, understanding the various types of blood signs left behind can provide crucial information about the severity of the wound and the direction the animal is heading. Here are some common blood signs to be aware of:

• Bright Red Blood: This type of blood is typically associated with arterial hits, indicating a well-placed shot that’s severed a major blood vessel. Arterial blood is under higher pressure, resulting in a brighter red color. It often leaves a consistent trail of blood droplets or splatters on the ground or vegetation.
• Dark Red or Brown Blood: Dark red or brown blood indicates a less severe wound, such as a hit to a muscle or smaller blood vessels. It may result in slower bleeding and a less distinct blood trail. This type of bleeding can be seen as smears or patches on the ground, vegetation, or surrounding objects.
• Frothy or Pink Blood: Frothy or pinkish blood is usually associated with a lung shot. The presence of air bubbles in the blood creates a frothy appearance. This type of blood is often found in coughed-up blood on the ground or vegetation where the animal has been.
• Clotting Blood: As time passes, blood may begin to clot and coagulate. Clotting blood can appear as gel-like or jelly-like masses along the blood trail. It indicates that some time has passed since the initial wound, and the animal may have traveled significantly.
• Sprayed or Splattered Blood: In certain cases, when a high-energy shot impacts the animal, blood may be sprayed or splattered in multiple directions. This can indicate a hit to a major blood vessel, resulting in a more dispersed pattern of blood.

Initial Observation and Marking

When tracking wounded game, initial observation and marking are important steps in the process. After taking the shot, remain quiet and still, carefully observing the animal’s reaction and direction of escape. Immediately mark the spot where the animal was at the time of the shot in your mind, or use a physical marker such as a bandana or GPS waypoint if available. Also, take note of any distinctive landmarks, like a large tree or rock, in the direction the animal moved. If it’s safe and feasible, try to mark the last visible point you saw the animal before it disappeared from sight. These markers can provide a starting point for tracking and prove invaluable, especially in dense forests or dwindling light conditions. As we reviewed, waiting before following is also recommended to give the animal time to lie down, minimizing the risk of pushing it further away.

• Mark the Spot: Mark the location where the shot was made. Use visual markers, such as flagging tape or GPS coordinates, to ensure you can return to the spot easily.
• Take Note of the Last Known Location: Observe and remember the last place you saw the wounded animal before it disappeared. This will serve as your starting point for tracking.

Blood Trails and Indicators

• Follow the Blood: Begin tracking by following the blood trail left by the wounded animal. Look for blood droplets, splatters, or smears on vegetation, rocks, or the ground.
• Visual Indicators: Pay attention to broken branches, disturbed vegetation, and other signs of the animal’s passage, which can indicate the direction it is heading.

Tracking Methods

• Slow and Methodical Tracking: Move slowly and carefully, scanning the ground for signs of tracks, blood, or any disturbances that may indicate the path taken by the wounded animal.
• Grid Search: Grid searching for blood is a systematic approach often used when tracking wounded game, particularly when initial visual tracking efforts prove challenging. Start from the last marked spot where you saw the animal or found blood and begin to create an imaginary grid around this area. Carefully inspect the ground for blood, broken branches, trampled grass, or any other signs of disturbance that indicate the animal’s passage. Remember that blood droplets can vary greatly in size and can often be missed if you’re moving too quickly. Utilize tools like a blood tracking light to make the blood stand out, especially in low-light conditions. Moving slowly and meticulously examining each grid section is essential before moving on to the next. If you find a blood trail, follow it in the direction of the tracks, but if the blood trail ends, return to the last blood spot and re-start the grid search. Patience, persistence, and a keen eye are key during this process.

Ethical Considerations and Game Recovery

Patience and Persistence

• Exercise Patience: Tracking wounded games requires patience and persistence. It may take time to locate the animal, especially if it has traveled a considerable distance.
• Be Prepared for the Unexpected: Be mentally prepared for various outcomes. Sometimes the animal may be found quickly, while tracking can take longer or be unsuccessful in other cases.

Ethical Shots and Follow-up Shots

• Make Ethical Shots: Ensure you take ethical shots and aim for vital organs to maximize the chances of a clean kill. Responsible shot placement reduces the likelihood of a wounded animal requiring extensive tracking.
• Follow-up Shots: If the initial shot does not result in an immediate kill, consider taking a follow-up shot to minimize suffering and increase the chances of a successful harvest. However, exercise caution and assess the situation carefully to avoid unnecessary risks.

Caution Approaching Downed Game

It is important to exercise caution and approach with care when confirming the success of a shot. Track and thoroughly investigate all potential signs before assuming success. Proper tracking and recovery techniques should always be employed to ensure a humane and ethical approach to hunting.

Now, for those Africa hunting aficionados out there, this can be far more applicable and important, especially if you are hunting dangerous game. It is one thing to ensure an ethical and humane hunt, but when there is a risk of personal injury in the case of an unsuccessful shot, being thorough and following proper procedure can be the difference between life and death.

Game Recovery and Respect for the Animal

• Recovering the Animal: Once you locate the wounded game, approach it cautiously and ensure it is no longer a threat. Administer a finishing shot to provide a quick and humane end if necessary.
• Proper Field Dressing: Perform proper field dressing to preserve the meat and prevent spoilage. Take the time to remove the internal organs and cool the carcass promptly.
• Utilizing the Animal: Respectfully utilize all animal parts, minimizing waste and honoring its life. This can include using the meat for sustenance, saving hides, and utilizing bones or antlers for various purposes.

What to Know About Tracking Wounded Game Conclusion

Tracking wounded game is an essential skill for ethical hunters, ensuring a clean and humane harvest. By understanding the signs of a successful shot, employing effective tracking techniques, and approaching the process with patience and persistence, we can maximize the chances of recovering the wounded game successfully.

Always prioritize ethical hunting practices, such as proper placement, follow-up shots when necessary, and responsible game recovery. Respect the animals we pursue by utilizing all animal parts and minimizing waste.

Remember, tracking wounded game requires experience, knowledge, and respect for the natural world. Continually hone your tracking skills, learn from each hunting experience, and embrace the responsibilities of being an ethical and conscientious hunter.

Note: It is essential to familiarize yourself with local hunting regulations, obtain necessary permits or licenses, and adhere to ethical guidelines regarding tracking wounded game. Seek guidance from experienced hunters or wildlife authorities to ensure responsible hunting practices and compliance with local regulations.

What to Know About Tracking Wounded Game FAQs