We in the archery world know that a successful bow hunt also comes with a successful job of tracking. Sure there are those few instances where our target animal expires within sight but it's rare and should be celebrated. So, let's talk about the other 95 percent of the time where our animal runs and we are left only with a trail of blood to follow. I'm no expert in tracking but I will say I've had my share of trails to follow and consider myself pretty dang good at it. But I'm good at it only because of experience and some tools I've learned to use at night that were suggested to me by other bow hunters. So, let's try to help other bow hunters here by listing the tools you've learned to use for a successful track, day or night.
(Let's leave the obvious suggestion of "Dogs" out of it as my goal for a successful track is to not have to call for a dog, but certainly wouldn't hesitate to do so.)
Tool #1 - a good headlamp and it doesn't get any better(imo) than the 40KAP from Sniper Hog Lights(thanks Rob and Joe at Sniper) I've tracked side by side with folks using what they'd call "a light" and they usually just give up their search and follow along. A good head lamp is as important as the bow in your hand. Why are you gonna spend $20 to find your trophy bow kill?? Seriously??
Call or order from the Sniper guys.
I'll leave a story at the bottom of this post to tell y'all how I seriously believe the headlamp kept me from being in quite a predicament lately.
Tool #2 - Glow sticks. These things are the bomb. (Thanks big brother Cull). I like to use them to hang on my starting point or feeder. I'm usually hog hunting at night. The chance to use these has been frequent this year. I will also hang them along the trail for last blood or simply to find my way. Let's be honest, we all can become turned around occasionally. (A few of my spots get zero cell service for phone use) I do prefer the battery powered sticks but only because that's all I've tried. Go to WalMart or order off the www. These things are pure greatness.
Now, let's hear yalls suggestions. I'm eager to learn more about tracking and especially at night.
Here's that story I promised. I thank God my hands were free to deal with Lumpy and yes, I'm looking for a bigger pistol.
Lumpy (250ish lb boar)got shot and here's how it ended...
I hit him straight in the leg. Trailed him 150 yards to a creek bottom in the dark. I Could tell I was getting close by the pools of blood where he'd laid down. Close enough I drew my pistol and began to follow. I'm creeping and look up at about 3 yards and he's there sitting on his rear end like a dog. I pulled the hammer back on the pistol and he heard it. That's when all hell broke loose. He was on me in no time at all. But not til I'd fired 5 rounds at him. By then, he was at my feet and I was literally pushing on his back to get away. As he passed by, I put my last two bullets in his side from pin point range. After all that, he just kept trucking down thru the creek bottom
At that point I was somewhat panicked at what had happened but glad to still be upright. I had no more bullets. I had a tank of a pig that had either just charged me or just wanted to leave the way he came. I decided to retreat and come back the next day.
The following day, all I found of Lumpy was where he'd crossed a fence about 300 yards from where we'd had our little encounter. All the respect to Lumpy. Guess you could say he won the battle but probably lost the war. I don't see any way he could survive but...stranger things.
(Let's leave the obvious suggestion of "Dogs" out of it as my goal for a successful track is to not have to call for a dog, but certainly wouldn't hesitate to do so.)
Tool #1 - a good headlamp and it doesn't get any better(imo) than the 40KAP from Sniper Hog Lights(thanks Rob and Joe at Sniper) I've tracked side by side with folks using what they'd call "a light" and they usually just give up their search and follow along. A good head lamp is as important as the bow in your hand. Why are you gonna spend $20 to find your trophy bow kill?? Seriously??
Call or order from the Sniper guys.
I'll leave a story at the bottom of this post to tell y'all how I seriously believe the headlamp kept me from being in quite a predicament lately.
Tool #2 - Glow sticks. These things are the bomb. (Thanks big brother Cull). I like to use them to hang on my starting point or feeder. I'm usually hog hunting at night. The chance to use these has been frequent this year. I will also hang them along the trail for last blood or simply to find my way. Let's be honest, we all can become turned around occasionally. (A few of my spots get zero cell service for phone use) I do prefer the battery powered sticks but only because that's all I've tried. Go to WalMart or order off the www. These things are pure greatness.
Now, let's hear yalls suggestions. I'm eager to learn more about tracking and especially at night.
Here's that story I promised. I thank God my hands were free to deal with Lumpy and yes, I'm looking for a bigger pistol.
Lumpy (250ish lb boar)got shot and here's how it ended...
I hit him straight in the leg. Trailed him 150 yards to a creek bottom in the dark. I Could tell I was getting close by the pools of blood where he'd laid down. Close enough I drew my pistol and began to follow. I'm creeping and look up at about 3 yards and he's there sitting on his rear end like a dog. I pulled the hammer back on the pistol and he heard it. That's when all hell broke loose. He was on me in no time at all. But not til I'd fired 5 rounds at him. By then, he was at my feet and I was literally pushing on his back to get away. As he passed by, I put my last two bullets in his side from pin point range. After all that, he just kept trucking down thru the creek bottom
At that point I was somewhat panicked at what had happened but glad to still be upright. I had no more bullets. I had a tank of a pig that had either just charged me or just wanted to leave the way he came. I decided to retreat and come back the next day.
The following day, all I found of Lumpy was where he'd crossed a fence about 300 yards from where we'd had our little encounter. All the respect to Lumpy. Guess you could say he won the battle but probably lost the war. I don't see any way he could survive but...stranger things.
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