I know exactly what you’re talking about when you describe the dog either being on the scent or searching for it. Otis is the same way. The more you work your dog on these tracks then the more you learn to read them and almost be able to communicate with each other. I’m beginning to be able to read the situation by watching Otis’s body language or how he’s working a track. The GPS collar really helps a lot too. I can watch him even when I can’t see him. He hunts much better too when I give him some space. A good training line to try and run with your pups would be to run a straight line into a thicket……then cut some figure 8’s inside the thicket and exit the area at a 90 degree angle from the original line. Another one would be to run a line out a little ways….stop in your tracks and backtrack the line 20-30 yards and exit at a 90 to the original line. I think these lines will simulate real situations. Getting them to think through these puzzles is your biggest challenge.

Deer have been on their feet all over with this cold air moving in. We must have both been off down in some hollers this morning and not getting good cell service cause as soon as I came out of the woods I got a message from the other tracker in my area to work some of his overflow. By the time I got done with this morning’s track and talked to him though….. he was already headed to it. Lots of folks are slinging lead at 'em this weekend. I wouldn't be surprised to get another call this evening.

That was a stud of a buck 257….Congrats! beers

Folks that know don't shoot old does........ wink