Originally posted by ishoot4thrills:
About how much is the average cost to have someone locally to trail a deer with their dog(s)?
I really don't think there is an average charge. Some state organization don't allow tracker to charge and they cover cost with tips provided by the hunters. This can be a good and bad thing in that if a fellow burns through several hundred dollars in gas and never gets a little help, he is much more prone to stop tracking for people. Even when folks charge there is almost always a very modest charge of $40.00 to $75.00 (depending on distance) to really just cover expenses for fuel. If you think about it, the tracker spent just as much money on gas as the hunter did. I see trackers in the Georgia network routinely drive 5-6 hour round trips to help hunters. Helping them out just makes sense.
Sometimes there is controversy with any $ charge by a tracker but I can tell you from experience that a pro tracker has thousands of dollars invested in purchasing, upkeep and training cost to have a dog ready to help folks. I have never once met a tracker that was in it for the money and they will never break even from a $ standpoint- not even close. Most every one you meet will be doing it for the love of the sport and a genuine passion for helping people and saving a resource.
I try to describe it to people this way... Everyone has seen and felt the heart ache that comes with loosing a big game animal. I see that look on the face of hunters fifty or more times per year when I show up to track. All hope is nearly gone. A couple of hours later I get to see that same sad person with a HUGE grin on their face. They are on top of the world. Now that is a good feeling.
Topic: Wounded deer and bears- let's find them! (Read 700 times)
