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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Buck tracker" data-source="post: 190806" data-attributes="member: 5705">Hey all, I was made aware of this thread, and hope I can share some information about tracking wounded game using trained blood tracking dogs.  First off, tracking with a leashed dog is Not yet legal in North Dakota, though many of your neighbor states are already benefitting from tracking services.  Several states have recently adopted legalized blood tracking, and the amount of game that is recovered by hunters has increased significantly.  Other states have been employing the use of blood tracking dogs for decades.  Recovery numbers documented by the organization United Blood Trackers show well over 1000 game animals (if my memory is correct) recovered that may have otherwise gone to waste.  I suspect these numbers are just a fraction of those actually recovered as there are many trackers who don't belong to that group or don't report numbers.  Contrary to the concerns of some, there is no evidence that hunter's in states where blood tracking is legal take any more chances when taking a shot than in states where it is illegal.  Unfortunately, bad things can happen during the shot process, and sometimes excited hunter's just make poor decisions. The question is whether or not that poor shot will result in an untagged animal or not.  Every time an animal goes unrecovered and untagged, another animal may be taken, which is an unnecessary drain on the resource.  Additionally, a leashed tracking dog has little potential to be used in any sort of nefarious manner.  It is not a poaching tool.  Having a dog crashing through the woods on a 30 foot leash certainly gives no advantage to would be poachers.  Furthermore, every state that I am aware of (I track in 4 states), maintains the same trespassing laws as any other time.  Having a tracking dog doesn't give you any special permission.  Many states prohibit carrying weapons during tracking, as well.  Other states require a conservation officer to be notified when taking a track.  There are many potential "safe guards" that can be placed in a statute to alleviate nearly every fear.  However, overwhelmingly, trackers are doing their best to protect a vital natural resource.  I would urge those of you in North Dakota to contact your legislators, and try to get a tracking bill passed.  It is a wonderful resource to hunters, and protects the natural resources of your state.For additional info go to Unitedbloodtrackers.org.</blockquote>

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