Best Products for Tracking the Deer & Other Game

Have you ever made a shot, maybe on a beautiful buck you've been chasing all season, and you know it was a good one? The deer runs a short distance and disappears into the thick brush. You feel a surge of pride and adrenaline, but as the initial excitement fades, a new feeling sets in: a quiet, building anxiety. You're standing there, looking at a few drops of blood on the ground, and you're thinking, “Where do I even begin?” It’s that universal struggle for every hunter. You’ve done all the hard work to get the shot, but if you can't find the animal after the shot, all of that effort, and the life you've taken, is for nothing.

The truth is, while a good, clean shot is the goal, the reality is that sometimes, things don’t go perfectly. A deer might not bleed much, or a sudden rainstorm might wash away what little blood trail there was. That’s where a good tracking system comes in. It’s the secret weapon that can turn a seemingly impossible situation into a successful, ethical recovery. It's the difference between a long, fruitless search and a triumphant find. But if you’ve ever walked into a sporting goods store or browsed online, you know the feeling of being completely overwhelmed by the sheer number of options. Blood tracking lights, GPS collars for dogs, scent training kits, advanced mapping apps—the list is dizzying. How do you even begin to sort through the technical jargon and find the products that are right for you and your hunting style?

I've learned what truly separates a great product from a good one. I've also learned that the most expensive product isn't always the best one for your needs. In this comprehensive guide, we're going to break down everything you need to know about choosing the best products to track deer and other game. We'll demystify the different types of tools, discuss the features that actually matter, and give you the knowledge you need to make an informed decision. And to top it all off, I’ll share some of my favorite real-world product reviews to help you narrow down your choices and find the perfect gear to help you make every shot count. So, let’s get you ready to not just shoot, but to recover.

The Three Pillars of a Great Tracking System

Before we dive into the specific products, let's lay the groundwork. There are three core principles that should guide your selection, acting like a compass in a sea of options. These aren't just features; they're the very essence of what makes a tracking system effective.

1. Preparation and Planning: The most crucial, and often overlooked, aspect of a successful recovery is what you do before you even get into the woods. A great tracking system starts with a good map, whether it's a paper map or a digital one on your phone. You should have a plan for where you're going to search, a way of marking your trail so you don't get lost, and a variety of tools to help you find the animal. The goal is to have a system in place that will help you stay calm, focused, and methodical when you're in a high-stress situation.
   
   

2. Visual Enhancement: A great tracking system will have a way of helping you see what the naked eye can't. A blood trail can be faint, and in a dense thicket or on a muddy trail, it can be nearly impossible to follow. A great tracking system will have a variety of tools, like a blood tracking light, that can help you see blood in a variety of conditions. A lighted nock on an arrow is also a fantastic tool for a bowhunter, as it can help you see exactly where your arrow hit the animal, which will give you a huge amount of information on the type of wound and the potential for a blood trail.
   
   

3. Advanced Technology and Tools: For a hunter who is serious about making every shot count, a variety of advanced tools and technologies can be a game-changer. This can be anything from a GPS tracking system for a dog to a specialized app on your phone that can help you keep track of your trail. These tools are designed to take all the guesswork out of the most crucial moments of the hunt, and they are a fantastic way to increase your chances of a successful recovery.

Beyond the Basics:
Unpacking Key Features and Considerations

Now that we have our core principles, let's drill down into the details. When you're looking at a tracking product, what should you be looking for?

• Blood Tracking Lights:
  The color of the light is a huge factor. A good blood tracking light will use a special filter or a combination of lights that are designed to make blood stand out against a dark background. A blue light, for example, is often used to make blood appear as a dark, almost black color against a variety of backgrounds. Some lights use a combination of red and blue lights to create a filter that can make a blood trail "pop" in the dark.
  
  

• Mapping Apps:
  A good mapping app on your phone is a must-have for any hunter. Apps like HuntStand, onX Hunt, and BaseMap are a fantastic tool for scouting, but they can also be used for a variety of tracking applications. They can be used to mark your last known blood, to mark your trail as you track, and to keep track of property lines, which is a huge advantage when you're tracking an animal in a new area.
  
  

• GPS Tracking Systems:
  This is a more advanced, and often more expensive, option that is perfect for a hunter who uses a dog to track wounded game. A GPS tracking system, like the ones made by Garmin, is a fantastic tool for keeping track of your dog's location and for a variety of other tracking applications. It's a game-changer for a hunter who is in a large, remote area and can't afford to lose their dog.
  
  

• Scent Training Kits:
  If you're a hunter who wants to train your own dog to track wounded game, a scent training kit is a must-have. These kits come with a variety of training aids, like a scent drag and a variety of scents, that can be used to train your dog to follow a blood trail. A good scent training kit will be designed to be easy to use and will come with a variety of training tips and techniques.
  
  

The Hunter's Arsenal:
Seven Standout Tracking Products

After years of selling and using these products, I've curated a list of seven of my favorite tracking products. Each one offers a great balance of effectiveness, value, and is a proven winner in the field.

Primos Bloodhunter HD Pocket Light

Price Range: $$40 - $50

• Review: The Primos Bloodhunter HD Pocket Light is a fantastic, no-frills, and incredibly effective blood tracking light. It’s a small, compact flashlight that uses a special filter to make blood stand out against a dark background. The light is also incredibly bright and has a variety of other features, like a low-illumination white light that is great for general use. For the hunter who wants a simple, no-fuss, and incredibly effective blood tracking light, the Primos Bloodhunter HD is a top-notch choice.
  
  
  
  

HuntStand Pro GPS App

Price Range: $$30 - $40 (for a yearly subscription)

• Review: HuntStand Pro is a fantastic, all-in-one hunting app that is a favorite of many serious hunters. It’s a mapping app that is a fantastic tool for scouting, but it can also be used for a variety of tracking applications. It has a variety of features, like a a wind direction tool, a deer recovery tool, and a variety of map layers that can be used to mark your trail, mark your last known blood, and keep track of property lines. For the hunter who wants a simple, no-fuss, and incredibly effective mapping app, the HuntStand Pro is a must-have.
  
  
  
  

Pro-Tracker Radio Frequency Archery System

Price Range: $$250 - $350

• Review: The Pro-Tracker Archery System is a revolutionary product that is a game-changer for the serious bowhunter. It's a radio frequency system that is designed to be used with a bow and arrow. The radio transmitter rests in a carrier on the shaft of your arrow and deploys when the arrow penetrates the hide of the animal. The arrow continues to penetrate and the transmitter remains in the hide. The transmitter has a battery life of 18-20 hours and a range of up to 2 miles, which means you can track a fatally wounded animal from a huge distance. For the bowhunter who wants to make every shot count, the Pro-Tracker is an excellent choice.
  
  
  

DogBone Game Recovery System Dog Training Kit

Price Range: $$30 - $40

• Review: The DogBone Game Recovery System is a fantastic, no-frills, and incredibly effective dog training kit. It’s a simple, easy-to-use kit that comes with everything you need to train your dog to track wounded game. It includes a variety of training aids, like a scent drag and a variety of scents, that can be used to train your dog to follow a blood trail. For the hunter who wants to train their own dog to track wounded game, the DogBone Game Recovery System is a top-notch choice.
  
  
  
  
  

NEBO IllumaTrace Blood Tracker Flashlight

Price Range: $$50 - $70

• Review: The NEBO IllumaTrace Blood Tracker Flashlight is a fantastic, no-frills, and incredibly effective blood tracking light. It's a small, compact flashlight that uses a special filter to make blood stand out against a dark background. The light also has a variety of other features, like a low-illumination white light that is great for general use. For the hunter who wants a simple, no-fuss, and incredibly effective blood tracking light, the NEBO IllumaTrace is a top-notch choice.
  
  
  
  
  

onX Hunt App

Price Range: $$30 - $40 (for a yearly subscription)

• Review: onX Hunt is another fantastic, all-in-one hunting app that is a favorite of many serious hunters. It’s a mapping app that is a fantastic tool for scouting, but it can also be used for a variety of tracking applications. It has a variety of features, like a a wind direction tool, a deer recovery tool, and a variety of map layers that can be used to mark your trail, mark your last known blood, and keep track of property lines. For the hunter who wants a simple, no-fuss, and incredibly effective mapping app, the onX Hunt App is a must-have.
  
  
  
  

Garmin Alpha 200i Dog Tracking System

Price Range: $$800 - $1,000+

• Review: The Garmin Alpha 200i Dog Tracking System is a professional-grade, high-end, and incredibly effective dog tracking system. It’s a system that is designed to be used by a hunter who uses a dog to track wounded game. The system includes a GPS collar for your dog and a handheld device that allows you to keep track of your dog's location, its movement, and a variety of other data. For the serious hunter who wants a professional-grade, no-compromise dog tracking system, the Garmin Alpha 200i is a top-notch choice.
  
  
  

Final Thoughts:
Your Responsibility, Your Recovery

Choosing the right products to track deer and other game is a critical decision that every serious hunter must make. It's about finding the right balance between preparation, technology, and a commitment to making every shot count. Don't be afraid to invest in quality. A well-made tracking system will last you for a lifetime, and the confidence it provides is priceless.

Remember to consider your specific needs. Are you a casual hunter who needs a simple, no-frills blood tracking light for a day hunt? Or are you a serious hunter who needs a comprehensive dog tracking system for a large, remote property? The answers to these questions will guide you to your perfect tracking system. So, go out there, find the products that are right for you, and get ready to experience a new level of confidence and success in the field. Your recovery is a serious responsibility, and with the right products, you can ensure you're always one step ahead of the game. Happy hunting!