Bad experience with paid tracking dogs

[benosmose]

I charge 100 regardless of the situation but I've told many a hunter no charge because it took me 10 minutes to figure out they missed I just can't charge them if that happens unless I've drove over 30 miles and I also get well over 100 calls a year from Hancock county alone I've never had a person fuss about the money because I'm front from the start gonna say it's 100 flat out when they call few say no thanks I respect those who can do it for free but I'm a 34 yearold fella with a lot of stuff to feed and I've never had anyone give me feed or free vet service so I gotta charge.

 

[rvick]

And don't forget the hunters who tell you" I center punched him with my 7mag" He can't be far. If you hit him well with a 7 mag you wouldn't be calling the dog. At this point, the handler knows you're either mistaken or like to lie. Be honest with yourself and the handler.

Hunter on phone last night "slapped him with a 7 mag and got good "dark" lung blood". What we found was a 35 lb. doe with her ham almost blown off. Some sports out there, be careful.

 

[watermedic]

I usually ask them to give what they think the effort was worth. It is almost always more that $50.

A good many are more than $100

I appreciate every cent that they give and I try to do my best on every call.

I think that I enjoy the tracking as much as hunting! Especially the younger hunters when we find the deer they shot. They really get excited!

 

[molly]

Free Deer Tracking

Most Trackers I know don`t have the money to track free. Look at what they drive? I have 5 dogs they have the best care of any.....with the money they earn they don`t go lacking.....every year they get a show nuf physical....blood work alone cost around $90.00 not to mention shots....I spend an average of $220.00 per/dog. I have a kennel house that my dogs sleep in every night...winter its warm...summer its cool. Actually in the summer the AC is never turned off...if it goes bad I go to Home Depot get another...they never sleep hot or cold. Kudo`s for me yes I have my dogs teeth cleaned every 2 years. The money my dogs earn goes toward taking care of them. If you think I`m blowing smoke come to my home and see for your self.

Just last night I gave one of my dogs a bath...(Yes I have a bath station in the kennel house with hot water)
When done with her bath I checked her out and found she had a small cut between her toes left front foot...got her on DA list for a week....but there is where back up dogs come in to play.

 

[Idahomike]

first i have no problem with people charging to track deer,,i understand some people look at deer tracking as a money making business and they provide a service to deer hunters,my situation is different,,tracking is a retirment hobby.i love dogs and have been involved with them for 50 years,professionaly,competively and for pleasure,i belive i know how to care for them i worked part time for a veterinarian and their limitations,
i drove 1 hour and 30 minutes yesterday to track a deer,met some great people,kids,moms,hunters all showed up to watch
told shooter that i didnt charge he said he would like to at least give me some gas money,i said that would be great but not mandatory,he gave me 26$ just watching my dogs work and recovering a hunters deer is enough payment for me,i left that bunch of great ga,hunters happy as can be.topped my gas tank off for 22$ and had enough left over for a couple cokes,
This is my retirement hobby,i can afford to pay my own expenses,tracking for me is not a money making business,i would rather spend my time tracking deer,than sitting in a casino or playing golf,or any of the other things retirees do,i have worked hard all my life and saved for my retitement,deer tracking is my retirment hobby.a guy has to do something with his time after retirement ,needs to stay active.

 

[watermedic]

Kudos to you Mike! I think that it is great that you don't "charge".

But all of us aren't retired. Some have kids at home and in college.

Some of us take off of work to track. So we are spending money in gas, vet bills, food, etc. Plus losing money by taking off of work.

I think that you are looking at this with blinders on. Everyone's situation is different. It is not up to you, me, or anyone else to judge what someone else is doing as long as they are doing it to the best of their ability and within the law.

 

[wildlands]

Yes I charge, do I make money no, do I cover my cost I try too. Anyone who thinks their going to make money (get rich) at this tracking game has a rude awakening.

 

[Idahomike]

Kudos to you Mike! I think that it is great that you don't "charge".

But all of us aren't retired. Some have kids at home and in college.

Some of us take off of work to track. So we are spending money in gas, vet bills, food, etc. Plus losing money by taking off of work.

I think that you are looking at this with blinders on. Everyone's situation is different. It is not up to you, me, or anyone else to judge what someone else is doing as long as they are doing it to the best of their ability and within the law.

i agree with you completely i dont think i am looking at this with blinders,and i am not judging anyone,as i have stated many times,i have no problem with people charging,i understand everyone has different situations, ive already put three kids through college and they are very successful. im still paying off some of their student loans.i just dont think i should be criticized for offering my services for free.i also dont believe a hunter should be denied having their deer tracked because they cant afford the cost,i hate the idea of a hunters deer buck doe,fawn rotting out in the woods because they cant afford to have it tracked..all dog owners have vet bills ,feed bills and all other expenses,related to having dogs,it is a persons decision to have dogs and the expenses that come with ownership.whether they are tracking dogs,bird dogs,hog dogs,or just pets.
if any of you deer trackers get a call to track a deer and the hunter doesnt want to or cant justify or cant afford to pay your fee,have them call me.especially youth hunters,who are my favorite hunters to track for.
again i want to state that i have no problem with trackers charging a fee.
and if i ever get more calls than i can handle i will refer them to you as i have in the past.

 

[rvick]

I didn't really have a set "fee". I have always asked for fuel and a generous tip. The generouser the better. Last week I got $600 for driving 1 hr. and 45 min. to a track.He promised me $1000. We did not recover the bow shot deer. Yesterday, of the 5 tracks that I went on, I received $0, $10 and $30 on 3 of them. From now on I will charge $50 min. and $100 per hour driven one way. Still think of this as a hobby as I can't possibly get to everyone that calls and five tracks a day is rough on any dog especially an 11 year old. Lots of water and rest between tracks. I referred calls to two other trackers yesterday.

 

[Core Lokt]

I had your number on stand by Mr. Randy last Wednesday but thankfully my daughter made a good shot and and there was a short blood trail that a blind man could follow....

If a tracker has a fee and you call him, be ready to pay regardless. If they ask for less or no charge, so be it.

If a tracker doesn't want any money, that's their call and so be it.

Y'all keep up the good work

 

[rvick]

Tommy, congrats to your daughter. We recovered an eight year olds first deer yesterday. A great looking three point. He shot it Sat. Good shot but two drops of blood with a 243. 150 yards or so but it got hidden and no blood trail. Nice young man and I was proud to be a part of his first deer experience.

 

[oyster]

Mr. Randy and Annie came and tracked a buck i made a bad shot on with my bow yesterday, it was a pleasure to be in the company of a great guy and great dog. Annie found my deer which was my biggest ever. I would have never found without the help of buzzards, I gave him every dollar I had in my wallet i think $140 but really it is priceless. Once again Mr. Randy thank you and Annie for all you do.

 

[rvick]

Thanks, Oyster. It's great to meet a family like yours who all do a great job managing their land and wildlife. Now that's priceless! Did Jim get in touch with our new friend?

 

[secondamendment]

My Lab did a great job

Used my 18 month old Lab "Easton" to find a buddies deer the other night. Got there and no blood what so ever. Easton found the deer in 20 min. and the buck had went the complete opposite way they thought. We tried to get Easton to go the way we wanted. Learned my lesson, let him go where he wants, he went right to it. Was so proud of him. Worked with him since he was 6 wks old. Pic is of the buck he recovered.

 

[oyster]

No Mr. Randy he didn't although he did threaten again to go give him a stern talking too. I still can't figure out why that guy would talk to us the way he did some people just aren't worth the air they breath.