Training young blood tracking dogs on real blood trails

Lee Behrens, a member of Deer Search  and very experienced tracker from Long Island, NY wrote recently:

John,
My new little dog, Frenchie, Petit Basset Griffon Verdeen ( PBGV) found this deer tonight.  She is only 4 1/2 months old and has been doing well in training.  We would have found this doe in the morning  without the dog but I thought she did well.  Dark, flashlights and strangers and only about 200 yards through some thick brush.  I have great hopes for her! It was great to see you the other  night. 

Lee with Frenchie and recovered deer

The same training technique was used by Don Dickerson, a member of the United Blood Trackers from Michigan. Don's tracking partner is Gunner (Gunther von Moosbach-Zuzelek, a 2009 Billy/Gilda son).

Hi Jolanta and John,
Attached are a couple of pictures of a 6 pt buck that Gunner found last night, 10-14-2010, I thought you and John might enjoy seeing them.

The deer was shot with a bow by a very good friends' son right before dark. It was a good hit, good blood and the deer went about 400yards. Not a difficult track, but Gunner did a good job and it was good training for him. Gunner was very excited and "claimed" the buck as his own when he found it :-).

Things are about ready to really get rolling here in Michigan, cooler temps are forecast for the weekend so looking forward to a lot of calls.I will keep you posted. Having so much fun with my dog, thank you to you and John for starting all of this for so many.

Don with Gunner at the end of training line

A big thank you to Lee and Don for sharing their stories and pictures.