Major Deer Tracking

This is a 26-hour-old track Raven and I ran a few days ago, and we had a lot of fun with this one.

Strong storms were moving in, we had rain overnight, and temperatures in the 90s made for some very challenging scenting conditions. The first third of the track looks like a mess—and truthfully, it was—but the way Raven worked it out was beautiful to watch.

Because of the thermals and wind direction, she had to deal with strong hide odor for the entire first third of the track. It wasn't until we reached the north end and started dropping in elevation that she was finally working primarily hoof odor. Watching her dig deep for that foot scent and sort through all of the hide odor was incredibly impressive.

Once she got out of the hide odor, she cleaned things up and moved the line much faster. Then, at the very end, she caught wind of the hide again, threw her nose up, and went straight to the prize.

It takes a tremendous amount of mental fortitude for a dog to stay committed to an older scent line when they can smell the end for much of the track. Raven is smart enough to know that the hide odor means the finish is close, but she's also smart enough to understand that I want her to follow the foot odor and stay true to the track.

Every day out, she continues to make incredible progress and gives me another glimpse of what she's going to become. I'm excited to see where her journey takes us.

Alright folks, Zirc and Raven wanted to remind everyone that we’re officially T-minus 114 days until Michigan bow season opens!

The hounds want to make sure you’re already practicing your shots—both from the ground and from elevated stands. Now is also a great time to talk with your neighbors about tracking permissions and to reach out to your local deer tracking team with any questions you may have before the season starts.

Many times, we can offer guidance and help without ever needing to drop the hounds. At the end of the day, we’re all working toward the same goal: recovering your deer if it’s dead and ensuring every reasonable effort is made to put your hands on it.

A little preparation now can make all the difference this fall. Good luck with your scouting, stay safe, and keep those arrows flying straight!

- Zirc and Raven

Ps. Enjoy the photo of Zirc pulling dad through the woods after a big buck. (Ai)

The Bloodhound Gang reunited this morning for a ridiculously productive session, and it was pure joy watching those goofy dogs sniff out some great tracks and developments. Big thanks to Zack Shaw and John Stewart for laying some lines and having a fun Sunday stroll through the woods behind all of our hounds. Zach picked up Zirc after taking crocky home and let him ride with the sunroof open.

I was trying to have AI edit a completely different photo (not even tracking related) and it decided to spit out this gem instead. Definitely not what I was asking for or even close for that matter. But this is pretty cool.

Raven Tracking Update – 06/03/26

White line: 3‑day‑old used line from another team
Green: Garmin laid track
Pink: Raven (TT25 collar)

Raven worked a 490-yard track aged out to 27 hours, all hoof. This one was a blast to watch.
Most of the track ran through 3-foot-tall grass that was well over her back. At times, I could barely see her, but watching her methodically sift through the grass and hunt for scent was impressive.
The track included two thermal bowls, a used line, and countless deer trails. Nothing overly extreme, but it provided a great learning opportunity for her as she continues to develop.
We’re focused on making every track better than the last—and this one was a solid step forward.

This is what happens when you're walking three bloodhounds and someone yanks the dinner bell, sending them into total chaos with me spinning around trying to restore some semblance of order.

We had the pleasure of attending the 3rd Annual Illinois Deer Trackers Haven event this weekend, and it did not disappoint. Organized by an incredible group of people, the event brought together a large crowd of dedicated trackers, supporters, and friends from across the region.

The weekend offered a perfect blend of entertainment, fellowship, and outstanding food, including the famous Amish Beachy home-cooked meals that everyone looks forward to. We truly enjoyed reconnecting with familiar tracking teams, meeting new friends, and sharing stories with fellow dog handlers and trackers.

One of the highlights was gathering for a group photo with all of the Doc/Jewel pups that were in attendance. Seeing these dogs and their handlers together was something special.

A huge thank you to everyone who worked so hard to make this event possible. This is truly a one-of-a-kind gathering, and the Illinois Deer Tracking Network should be incredibly proud of what they have built. The camaraderie within the IDTN is remarkable, and it’s clear that as a network they are more than just fellow trackers—they are family, always willing to help and support one another.

We are already looking forward to next year!
Illinois Deer Tracker’s Network

Ravens line from today. What a great weekend out of her. Fortunately we still have a long time before season gets here to work on some things with this young girl. She did fantastic in the valley, working the line scent and ignoring the hide scent draw at the end. I could tell as soon as she hit the lower third that she could smell the hide. It was laid this way by design to force her through a massive scent pool and keep her on ground scent. She made quick work of this 890 yard track in just 36 minutes.