Frequently asked questions
Is tracking with a dog legal?
Yes! Tracking wounded big game with dogs is legal in almost every state in the U.S. In Maryland, handlers must keep their dogs on a leash at all times. All tracks must be called in to the Natural Resources Police (410-260-8888) before and after the track. We can track outside legal shooting hours, but in case we need to dispatch the animal, the same regulations apply as for regular hunts.
What happens if the animal is still alive?
In Maryland, both the hunter and the tracker are allowed to dispatch a wounded animal only during legal shooting hours and by means legal for the current hunting season.
Our goal is always to allow the hunter the opportunity to dispatch their wounded animal if the situation permits. However, depending on the circumstances, we reserve the right to perform the dispatch ourselves. Any animal recovered will always count toward the hunter’s bag limit.
Please keep in mind:
The dog must stay on a leash at all times.
Dogs cannot be used to bay, catch, or physically stop the animal.
The situation must be safe for a dispatch shot.
A running or actively fleeing animal is not a safe shot. In these cases, we will typically abort the track and return at a later time after allowing the animal more time to expire naturally.
Safety first:
Loaded weapons are not allowed during the track.
You may carry your firearm, bow, or cocked crossbow, but you must hand over your ammunition, bolts, or arrows to us before we start. We will return them once it is safe to do so.
How much does it cost?
Our service is completely free.
We do this to help hunters recover their game, minimize suffering, and reduce meat spoilage, regardless of the size or age of the animal.
Tips are appreciated but entirely optional.
Can anyone with a dog track?
Technically, yes. Anyone can attempt to track a wounded animal with a dog. However, a properly trained dog with the right natural abilities is critical for success.
As a handler, you must also be able to read your dog’s behavior to recognize whether it is on or off the track, and to assess whether the animal is likely still alive.
We spend all offseason training our dogs and building strong handler-dog teamwork to offer reliable, professional service.
Can you use drones to recover wounded game?
Drones can be a useful tool for recovering wounded animals, particularly when:
You cannot legally enter a neighboring property and need to verify if the animal crossed over.
You are searching large fields (like cornfields) where working a dog on a long lead would cause significant crop damage.
However, drones have important limitations:
Drones use thermal imaging, which is much less effective during full foliage. In Maryland, effective drone use typically doesn't begin until after leaf drop in November.
No-fly zones exist near airports, military facilities, and other areas. You must be aware of and comply with all applicable regulations.
In some states (ie, Pennsylvania), using drones for game recovery is illegal.
Thermal images cannot confirm if the animal you see is yours or another animal.
Skipping a hit-site assessment (relying only on drones) means missing important clues like shot placement and proper waiting times.
In most cases, a trained tracking dog is more reliable at finding an animal than a drone.
A drone may spot some animals, but it will miss others that a dog could find.
Do you have a drone?
No, we do not offer drone recovery services.
However, if you're interested, we can refer you to trusted trackers who do.
If you hire a drone operator, make sure:
They hold a valid drone operating license.
They have experience in wounded game recovery (ideally with a trained tracking dog available for backup).
They are willing to perform a full hit-site assessment with you before launching the drone.
A proper evaluation at the hit site is essential for an informed and ethical recovery effort.
Does the dog need blood to follow a track?
No. While blood can be helpful for the hunter and tracker as a visual confirmation, the dog doesn’t rely on it to follow the trail.
Tracking dogs use a complex array of scent cues, including the animal’s individual scent composed of skin and hair particles, scent from disturbed ground and vegetation, and most importantly, stress and declining-health pheromones released when the animal is wounded.
We train our dogs using deer hooves without any blood, and they regularly succeed on tracks that are over 24 hours old, even with minimal to no visible blood sign.
Will every track result in a recovery?
The average recovery rate with tracking dogs nationwide is less than 40%, but this number can vary widely based on many factors.
Some key elements that affect recovery include:
Whether the animal was actually hit and fatally wounded
Wait time between the shot and the start of the track
Property boundaries that may limit tracking access
Whether the animal was jumped and is still mobile
Weather conditions such as temperature and humidity
Mating season, when game behavior can change dramatically
Track contamination by search parties or human scent
The condition of the dog on the day of the track
We always strive to give you the best chance of recovery. If needed, we may consult with or refer you to other experienced trackers, especially if we feel the track is unusually challenging or our dog isn't performing at its best that day.
While not every track leads to a recovery, many still provide valuable answers, such as confirming a non-lethal hit, and that clarity is a form of success, too.