I have kept up with most of the discussion about people needing a dog more often these days and suppose there are many reasons for this, assuming it’s even accurate. One thought that came to my mind is how people probably owned more land (family farms), less subdivisions, etc. in the past. If you made a marginal shot it was quite easy to give it overnight and go check the next day. I wonder if more hunters are traveling to hunt these days and have more of a time crunch to recover and more apt to call for help (dog). Also more have a job to get to away from their hunting land.

Other factors such as not being taught how to track, being impatient in an “immediate fulfillment” world we live in today and so on certainly contribute too.

Thoughts?

I THINK that it’s a multitude of reasons. I’m not saying it’s one particular reason. I believe it’s a combo of not waiting long enough, not KNOWING how to track, laziness, shot placement,...I’m sure there are more. I’m not in anyway saying one person does it for any of the reasons but the reasons I listed do happen.

I’m sure the dog trackers would be the ones that have the most insight and input here. They’re the ones that deal with it.

I agree and I think it sucks for the people that can do all that and need a dog but one isn't available cuz 1500 people need one at same time..ive never needed one but I won't hesitate if conditions r right

I think the need is close to the same. I also think the perceived difference is due to social media making the need and solutions more well known.

I think people dont spend enough time practicing their shot and making sure their gun is zeroed in. You dont know how many people I have met that think being bore sighted is zeroed in! They dont shoot their gun before each season to make sure it is still on and the scope didn't get bumped. I think its a lack of preparation and marksmanship! Ive seen a lot of guys get buck fever and see the deer in the scope and pull the trigger. They dont focus on getting the crosshairs on the point of impact.

Shot placement( poor placement or not concentrating on the crosshairs through the shot) is a lot of it I think. I get stressed , right or wrong, to make time to zero all the rifles I use each year. I have talked to several folks who shot a gun they have not zeroed in multiple seasons, much less before opening day of the current season. I just can't go to the woods wthout knowing. That way I know a bad shot is "operator error"....

Global warming is to blame.

Not knowing how to track...

An above average mutt can smell blood and follow it to a dead animal. I never have understood why people feel the need to call some third party dog to smell a deer.

You’re about to understand just as soon as CNC sees this post😉

I know its not a popular opinion to some but imho its partially due to lack of learning or not being taught the necessary basic hunting skills from a young age.
Ya stick a youngster in a shooting house at 4 or 5 years old and rush them into getting their first deer. Most of them never learn or get taught anything about woodsmanship and hunting other than sitting in a shooting house waiting on deer. So when they are older and the time comes to track one they dont have a clue.

Best blood dog I ever had didn’t have a lick of training but if there was hair or blood, he’d find that deer. If that poor deer was alive when Gus got ahold of him he wouldn’t be alive for long. He’s grab them by the neck and give one big shake. I miss that dog, RIP Outlaw Caesar Augustus ... Gus.

Laziness. No shooting range estimation or tracking skills either

I have certainly thought the same.

That’s a big dog.