All our tracking teams are located on our interactive map. Each team is assigned a logo based on their level of testing or experience. Check out the legend to see what each logo represents. On the home page click the “Find a Tracker!” button.

Each of our trackers are independent entities, so we don’t set their price. That said, many of our trackers track on a tip only basis, while others have a set fee. We recommend that you check with the trackers surrounding the areas that you hunt to get an idea of what each tracker might charge in the event that you need them. All of our trackers in training can only accept tips, and are not allowed to charge an upfront fee. Keep in mind that these teams are a lot less experienced than our “full tracker” teams, and success rates will generally be a bit lower as well.

Yes. The Missouri Department of Conservation has a specific set of rules which govern the use of a tracking dog in the recovery of big game animals. MBTA has been instrumental in protecting this method of game recovery and worked directly with MDC in crafting the current regulations.

There are two situations that should prompt you to call a tracker ASAP. First, if you know you made a questionable shot. If the deer reacted funny after being hit, or walked off slowly, then there is a good chance that your shot was off. Before you do any investigation, get a tracker on the phone. Phone calls and advice are free. Our trackers have a lot of experience in errant hits and can help guide you through the next part of the process. Just because you called a tracker doesn’t mean that you must use one. We are here to help you out! Secondly, if the blood from the hit is sparse, and you must search out beyond 50 yards to find next blood, it’s a good idea to get a tracker involved. Keep in mind that random searching or grid searching to find sign can greatly diminish the ability of a tracking team to work the scent line of your wounded animal and will reduce the odds of a successful recovery.

Absolutely! In fact, rain often improves a dog’s ability to follow a scent trail. Do not let a heavy rain or lack of visible sign deter you from giving your tracking team a call. The dog’s nose can “see” things that are no longer visible to the human eye after a rain.

Obviously, getting a tracking team involved as soon as possible is the best advice. Scent does degrade over time, and the amount of damage done to a scent line by hunters randomly searching decreases the odds of recovery. However, it is not uncommon for tracking teams to recover deer at 48 hours and beyond.

We have a link to training tips on our website as well as our Missouri Blood Trackers FB page (under featured). We also recommend getting the book, “Tracking Dogs For Finding Wounded Deer,” by John Jeanneney. Lastly, there is nothing better than direct mentorship. Most of our trackers are happy to invest some time into people who have a serious interest in starting into tracking. MBTA also has an annual tracking symposium loaded with information and hands on training. We also have regional events for testing and training. Follow our pages for up to date information.

United Blood Trackers (UBT) is the national organization that kicked off tracking across the US. They have developed a set of standardized testing certifications that help gauge a team’s level of training and “usefulness” in the field. UBT 1 is the basic test, while UBT2 and UBT3 are advanced level tests.

Yes, MBTA has several UBT judges. -Brady Hesington +1417 229 1571 Monnet, MO -Tom Monehan +1 636 485 2425 Villa Ridge, MO -Mary Wilson +1 314 941 0027 Troy, MO -Maron Casey +1 217 440-3983 Warsaw, IL You can also Find judges on Unitedbloodtrackers.com