Frequently Asked Questions

No, the BGBTO is a volunteer run service. However if you wish to help your local tracker out to help cover the cost of Gas/Time or even a nice treat for their hard working canines, a little gift would be greatly appreciated.

Usually, yes. Mark the hit site, last blood, and direction of travel, then back out unless safety or access issues make that impossible. The less human traffic on the line, the better.

We need the species, exact shot time, weapon used, where you think the animal was hit, what you saw and heard at impact, what sign you found, how far you followed, whether anyone grid-searched, current weather, and whether you already have permission for all properties we may need to cross.

Mark the hit site, last blood, and direction of travel. Photograph blood, hair, tracks, the arrow or bolt, and any beds or disturbed vegetation. Try not to walk on the trail any more than necessary.

Yes. Do not wash or handle it more than necessary. The arrow, bolt, hair, bone, stomach matter, or blood sign can all help us read the hit and decide how to approach the track.

Yes. We take both bow and firearm calls, but the questions we ask may differ because arrows, broadheads, impact sounds, and wound sign can tell a different story than bullets or slugs.

We focus on wounded big game, especially deer. Depending on season, location, and availability, we may also assist on bear, moose, and elk.” Ontario’s dog-tracking rule is written around wounded bear, elk, deer, and moose, and the current Ontario materials also note that dogs may be used to track a wounded elk even though dogs may not be used to hunt elk.

Sometimes, yes. Lack of visible blood does not automatically mean the track is impossible. We decide case by case based on the shot story, time since impact, weather, ground conditions, and what sign is still available at the start.

Sometimes, but it can make the track harder. If you think you may need a dog, stop early, mark what you have, and call. The cleaner the start site and first line are, the better our chance of success.

Yes. Do not assume recovery gives automatic permission to enter private land. We want permission in place before we cross, and Ontario hunting materials remind hunters that other relevant laws still apply, including trespassing rules and municipal bylaws.

Bring your licence and tag documents, your phone, a charger, a flashlight or headlamp, a map pin or coordinates, and any evidence you recovered such as the arrow, bolt, hair, or photos. Leave extra people at the vehicle unless we ask for help.

In Ontario, yes. When relying on the wound-tracking dog rule, the licensed hunter who wounded the animal must be with the dog and handler.

In Ontario, yes. The current Ontario hunting summary states that if party hunting, the holder of the tag must also be present with the dog team.

If we find the animal alive, we stop and handle the situation lawfully and safely based on who is present, what licences and tags apply, and the conditions on the ground. If we do not recover it, we will tell you honestly why we stopped, document what we found, and explain the safest next step. Not every call ends in a recovery, and it is better to stop than to keep pushing an animal illegally, unsafely, or without useful evidence.

This can depend on a few factors such as the weather, the terrain, the experince of the Tracker and canine. Once you are able to get a hold of a tracker, they can discuss this aspect with you to ensure expectations are set.

In general no. We train our dogs to recogonize the scent of wounded animals which is what they respond to while tracking.