Tracking a deer after the shot is where hunts are either finished cleanly or fall apart fast. Even experienced hunters slip into habits that cost them time, sign, and sometimes the animal altogether.

One of the most significant responsibilities of a hunter is to ensure that the animal is taken down as humanely as possible.

Sometimes a deer will simply drop in its tracks, ending your hunt the moment you squeeze the trigger. Just as often, a deer will run out of sight and start the next chapter of your hunt. Once you ...