Okie's East Kansas Deer Recovery

Hopefully some lucky hunters drop a few of these nice ones in their tracks. Secretly, Okie is hoping he's needed in most cases!

I like this video of a realistic mock track. There are lots of good points made here. One main point to me is the importance of learning your dogs behaviors. The only way to do that is to spend time behind them! Thanks for sharing Miller Deer Tracking.

42 hour old mock wounded deer scent trail. 558 yards. Miller Deer Tracking. Michigan. Track was laid with scent shoes and I added blood to the right hoof...

Don't let a blood trail fool you into tracking too soon! It takes a lot of blood loss for a big buck to die from blood loss alone if a vital organ has not been hit. Imagine 6 or 7 pop cans of blood spilled!! On the other hand, lack of blood does not necessarily mean the deer is not fatally wounded as all bleeding could be internal, and vital organs could be damaged.

The important thing is to be patient, gather all the facts related to the shot, and make an informed recovery plan. If you want us to come out this season, or just have questions, give us a call. Good luck!!

How much blood does a deer actually have to lose? 🩸#RWF #Whitetail How much blood does a deer actually have to lose? 🩸

Some good points here. Of course there are many variables, but you should never rush to track.

A gut-shot whitetail survived for as long as seven days after being hit. In one study, researchers followed 80 radio-collared bucks. Three unrecovered deer died from abdominal wounds: two died within 24 hours, but the third survived for five days. A heart or solid double-lung hit will usually kill a deer within seconds or minutes, while a liver hit can take several hours and a gut shot can take far longer.

A single-lung hit can also be incredibly unpredictable. Last season, my daughter hit one slightly low and caught only one lung, and that deer was still alive 12 hours later. That shocked me and was a reminder of just how tough these animals are. Deer season will be here before we know it, so make sure you’re out there practicing. None of us is perfect, but we all owe it to the animal to be as prepared and ethical as possible when the opportunity comes.

— Stephen Ziegler
Outdoor writer | Rack Junkies Podcast

Okie and I love to help out at CK Outfitters Kansas, and look forward to checking out the new lodge this season! Openings tend to fill up quickly there, so look into one of those 2029 spots soon if you are interested in a fully guided Kansas hunt.

Okie’s East Kansas Deer Recovery, led by tracker Brent Dale

Brent and his tracking partner are an experienced recovery team based in Olathe, Kansas, serving a 1-hour radius and beyond depending on the situation. Their passion for tracking, dedication to ethical recovery, and commitment to helping hunters make them a valuable resource for the hunting community.

We encourage hunters to connect with Brent before the season begins. Having a tracker’s contact information ahead of time and discussing your hunting plans can make a big difference when a recovery situation arises.

Follow their work and see their recoveries on Facebook at Okie's East Kansas Deer Recovery

Looking for a qualified tracking team in Missouri or surrounding state? Find a tracker near you at MoBloodtrackers.com

Good luck this season, hunt responsibly, and remember — a call to a tracking team could be the difference between a lost animal and a successful recovery.

It's this guy's 5th Birthday. He's still a pup at heart! I've sure enjoyed our 5 years together, and looking forward to many more. HBD Okie.

We just got Okie's rattle snake bite booster vaccine today. Professional opinions differ on its efficacy, but I figure if it doesn't hurt him, and might help, why not. It is supposed to reduce the impact of the bite allowing more time to get antivenom, and require less antivenom. We do a little snake avoidance training as well. The antivenom is available at the Topeka emergency vet and Blue Pearl emergency vet of Olathe.

The vaccine is very hard to find in these parts. Wi******er Pet Care in Olathe went out of their way to get us a vile - We really appreciate that. Thank you so much!

Send a message to learn more

This is pretty well put together I think. Thanks Rosentreter Recoveries.

🦌 Tracking Truths: What’s The Toughest Part of Deer Hunting?
…………..Waiting….and waiting some more 🫠

You just made the shot. Your heart is pounding. Your buddy is already saying, “I think I saw him fall!” And suddenly everyone becomes a professional blood tracker with a flashlight and zero patience. 😅

But here’s the truth: following recommended wait times gives you the best chance of recovering your own deer before you ever need to call a tracking team.

A mortally wounded deer will often bed down and expire in its first bed if left alone. Push it too soon, and that deer may decide it’s training for a marathon, cross three fence lines, a creek, and possibly apply for residency in the next county….been there, not fun!

Waiting helps:
🩸 Keep the deer in its first bed.
🐾 Leave a cleaner trail for a tracking dog if one is needed.
🚧 Reduce the chances of crossing onto neighboring properties.
🐺 Make it less likely that coyotes join the recovery party.
🏹 Increase the odds of a successful recovery—whether you find it yourself or with help from a tracking team.

Remember, wait times aren’t meant to punish hunters. They’re meant to help you put your hands on the deer you worked so hard to harvest.

So after the shot, take a breath, replay the hit, mark the spot, and resist the urge to charge into the woods like you’re starring in a hunting show. Sometimes the smartest tracker is the one sitting quietly at the truck eating a snack and letting the deer do the hard part. 😉

Patience kills more deer than excitement ever will.