1.  How much do your tracking services cost?

I have changed to a simpler fee schedule beginning in the fall of 2018.  My services are set up to be very reasonable for the average hunter, but time and travel play a role in tracking costs.  

Tracks within 30 miles of Monett, MO --- $50 to show, $50 recovery fee if deer is found.

Tracks between 31-60 miles of Monett, MO --- $100 to show, $50 recovery fee if deer is found.

Tracks between 61-90 miles of Monett, MO ---$150 to show, $50 recovery fee if deer is found.

All tracks beyond 90 miles of my local area will have to be discussed with the hunter prior to the track. For tracks outside of my local area, I typically charge about one dollar a round trip mile to your destination with  a  $100 recovery fee.  On the rare occasion that an overnight stay is required, the hunter will be responsible for reasonable overnight costs.  These costs will be discussed BEFORE I come out to track.

During the peak of tracking season (Mid-November) I receive a LARGE volume of calls.  Destination fees may vary slightly depending on my travel schedule and call volume.  If there is any change in the above noted fees, those changes will be discussed clearly BEFORE I come out to track.  There should be no surprises on the cost of your track.  

2. How much do you charge for training?

Each training plan is individualized to the dog and dog owner, based upon desires and progress.  An individual training plan will be discussed with the dog owner prior to accepting a dog.  Please call or email me for details if you are interested in setting up a training plan.

 3. How far do you travel to track?

Most of my tracks are within 3 hours of my home in Monett, MO as my schedule allows.   I occasionally travel longer distances to track, but overnight accommodations are typically required.  These tracks will be done on a very selective basis.  

 4.  Can your dogs track after a rain?

Absolutely!  With light rains, tracks actually get easier for the dogs to track.  With harder down pours, the quality of the track can vary, but the dogs often recover game after significant amounts of rain.

5.  What happens if the track comes to a property boundary that I don't have permission to cross?

The track ends right there.  Please make every effort to secure permission from neighbors prior to the track.

6. How long will you run the track before giving up?

That depends on a lot of factors.  The average track lasts about 2 hours.  Many animals are recovered much more quickly than that, but tough tracks may run longer.  We will exhaust every reasonable effort to recover your game, however if the sign does not indicate a mortal wound the track will be discontinued after a thorough search has been done, as determined by the tracker.  

7. What percentage of deer do you actually recover?

Our recovery rates are typically around 30-35% year in and year out.  This is pretty consistent with other SERIOUS, EXPERIENCED TRACKERS across the country who use leashed tracking dogs.  Of the deer not recovered, many are seen alive at a later time.  Most of the deer not recovered are living whether they are seen again by the hunter or not.  It is difficult to convince a hunter that his animal is still alive when there is a reasonable amount of blood at the start of the track, but I have numerous hunters each season send pictures of their "has to be dead" deer, live on camera some weeks later.  In all the tracks I have performed since 2009, only a couple of deer that we were unable to find were later recovered, both within 50 yards of where I called the dogs off the track.

8. Can I kill the deer if it is still alive?

Unfortunately, not with your firearm or bow.  At this time,  in the states where we track, firearms or bows can not be used by the hunter to dispatch wounded game when a tracking dog is used. Knives are allowable in most areas, and can be used to end the suffering of severely debilitated animals.  All game laws will be followed during a track. 

9.  Does the dog have to be on a leash when he tracks?

Yes,  all states where we track require tracking dogs to be leashed.

10. Do you use more than one dog at a time?

Almost never.  I will decide which dog is best for each track, and bring that dog along to track your animal.  Occasionally I will bring 2 dogs to a distant track in case one dog runs into difficulty.  Rarely will one of my dogs recover a deer that the first dog was unable to recover.  They are all trained similarly to track at top level.  

11. Can you track on public land?

Yes

12. What happens if you don't find the deer.

You owe only the destination fee.

13.  How long after the track can your dogs smell a track?

We train on 24-48 hour old tracks routinely.  Obviously, the older the track, the more difficult it is for the dogs, depending on the amount of blood and scent deposited.  Typically tracks less than 24 hours old are "bread and butter" work for the dogs.

14. Do you raise tracking dogs or train tracking dogs for others?

No and No.  I can occasionally connect people with breeders of quality tracking dogs, but to function at its best a tracking team has to learn to track TOGETHER.  There are no shortcuts.  Tracking is a team effort that requires both the dog and handler to learn to work out a track together.  It is difficult to hand a trained dog to someone, and expect them to track very successfully.  I do some consultation work for trackers getting started.  I am happy to answer basic questions on how to get started, and help you pick a breed that is suited for you.  For more detailed consultation, including laying tracks, and evaluating your dogs strengths and weaknesses, as well as developing a training plan, I would be happy to discuss fees on a case by case basis. 

15. What if you are unable to help me track?

I have a list of other trackers who I will try to refer you to.  If I am still unable to get you in touch with a tracker, I will help you evaluate the shot and sign by phone, in an effort to improve your odds.  I have helped lead several hunters to successful recoveries in this manner, and I do it at no charge to the hunter.  

16.  Do you accept tips?

Absolutely.  I track because I love to track, and my fees are menial for the amount of time and money invested into each animal.  Tips are appreciated from satisfied clients.