MODULE 12 - TRACKING & BLOODTRAILING

The first elk I shot with a bow only ran 40 yards. The tracking job was easy, and I would say that tracking didn’t contribute in any way to the success of that hunt. However, a few years later, when I shot my next elk with a bow, I quickly realized just how important tracking was. There is no doubt in my mind that solid tracking skills absolutely contribute to success. In fact, tracking can often be the difference – and the last link – between success and failure.

Tracking an elk after the shot isn’t simply the art of following a highly visible bloodtrail. In fact, tracking usually becomes critical when the bloodtrail is very sparse, or completely non-existent. There are several elements that make up the topic of tracking:

• The anatomy of the elk (i.e., where are the vitals)
• The shot (quality and angle of shot)
• Analyzing the bloodtrail
• The basic tracking strategy
• Common retreats for wounded elk
• Methods for staying on the trail when the blood stops
• And much more!

In this module, we’ll break tracking down into two chapters: The Anatomy of an Elk and The Tracking Strategy.

Click ‘Next Chapter’ Below to Continue to Chapter 1: The Anatomy of An Elk