Alpena, MI
Dog Trackers in Alpena County, Michigan
Tracking a wounded buck through the thick cedar swamps and river bottoms of Alpena County is a difficult task once the blood trail thins out. When a shot doesn't result in a quick recovery, local dog trackers offer the best chance at finding your deer before the coyotes do. These teams are trained to follow scent lines that the human eye simply cannot see, especially in the dense cover found near the Thunder Bay River.
There are currently three tracking services available in the Alpena area, including Chad Pickett. These handlers operate out of the city of Alpena and are ready to assist during the archery and firearm seasons. If you lose the trail, it is best to back out immediately and call for a dog to avoid contaminating the scent further.
3 dog trackers in Alpena County
Serving Alpena.
Alpena, MI
Alpena, MI
Using dog trackers in Alpena County
A blood tracking dog handler works a leashed dog on the wound line to recover a deer that did not go down in sight. Most handlers are volunteers or charge a modest call fee, and most cover a set radius of counties.
What to ask before you commit
- How far will you travel, and what is your call-out fee?
- How long after the shot can you still work the track?
- What should I do — and not do — while I wait for you?
- Do you need the landowner's permission arranged in advance?
- What lighting or help should I have ready?
What it usually costs
Many handlers work for gas money or a modest flat fee; some charge more for long drives or overnight calls. Recovery is never guaranteed, and fees are usually owed either way.
Timing matters
Call early and stop walking the line. The most common reason a track fails is a hunter and friends grid-searching the area first and contaminating the scent.
