In the morning of October 23 we received a call from a hunter who shot a deer the previous evening at 5:30 pm. He was sure that the deer was gut shot. We started to track at 10:30 am and John handled a two-year-old Bernie. When Bernie had problems with carrying the line, we went back to the car and got more experienced Billy. Billy found a deer but unfortunately coyotes got there first.
The picture shows John putting a tracking collar on Billy.
It was not an easy task for Billy to track through the terrain already trampled by three people and one dog. I was getting a bit discouraged as we could not find more blood and advance the trail. I could not believe that the deer, which was bleeding so much, all of sudden would stop leaving any blood behind.
While John was working with Billy, the hunter and I decided to look a bit to the right of the track - the only direction not explored yet. We were successful and found more blood at the edge of another golden rod field.
We marked the blood and called John with Billy. This time we were very optimistic about finding this buck. This new blood trail was not disturbed by us or another dog and in the very thick cover Billy should not have problems with following it. We were right! Now Billy was pulling with great strength and acted very sure of himself.
Forty yards later (and two hours from the start with Bernie) we found the deer. It was a very sad site as unfortunately coyotes got there first! The damage was severe. Another lesson that these days in our area a hunter risks losing a wounded or dead deer to coyotes if he chooses not to track at night.
Billy got his reward by tugging a deer...
...and getting a piece of venison.
Good boy Billy!
Good boy Billy!
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