Blood trail ???

[ydouask]

I just got back from spending a week prowling the hills with the pointy stick. Very hot. Very dry. Few animals seen and none heard. The Elk fed at night and would not come out to play during shooting light. Where we were anyways.

I did see something interesting that I've probably seen many times before, but hadn't really taken note of. This should be of interest to anyone tracking wounded game.

So, here are some normal looking Maple leaves, some green, and some getting yellowish and some already dead. There are a few darkish spots to be seen, no big deal.

http://i877.photobucket.com/albums/ab337/Ydouask/DSC00623.jpg?t=1315586379

There were other leaves with the odd brownish spot like these

http://i877.photobucket.com/albums/ab337/Ydouask/DSC00624.jpg?t=1315586797

Then I noticed these beauties... RED... BLOOD?? Better check them with a wet finger.. fresh blood should come off right? Top side, under side.. RED, but NOT BLOOD ! One might be be led astray in the excitement of the hunt... and fading light. Double check, go slowly, mark your trail and Good Luck out there tomorrow and for the rest of the season. Hank.:-D

http://i877.photobucket.com/albums/ab337/Ydouask/DSC00632.jpg?t=1315587337

[adamgarbett]

nice, good point. i would follow that in the heat of the moment. Thanx

[Big Lew]

Yes, I've seen similar foliage with red or brown spots at about the same height as would be from a wounded animal. A lot of early autumn ground cover leaves also are blood red, as well as over-ripe berry stains, and moist red or orange fungi.(which has fooled me more than once) Testing it with a finger works. I always carry kleenex or toilet paper for testing, especially if is raining, as it can detect minute spots of blood on the underside of wet leaves etc.

[Shooter]

A spray bottle with some peroxide will work wonders. That does look like blood tho.

[doubled]

Also certain flash light show blood very well too.

[BiG Boar]

Do the flashlights actually work amazingly? Or are they a gimmick

[Bow Walker]

Certain colored lights int he flashlights do show blood as bright spots/splashes. I think it's the blue ones that show blood the best, although i could very well be wrong.

Shooter's method of a spray bottle with hydrogen peroxide in it works best for me. My hunting buddy (who has color blindness) showed/told me of that trick. Even dried blood will foam up when hit with the peroxide. It works on very small spots, big splashes, or sprays.

It works on the ground, on leaves, or on anything. It works in the rain too. All that is required is for a bit of blood to be present and it will react to the peroxide spray.

I used it to 'blood trail' in the dark, on my hands and knees, through some very thick brush, for over 800 yards. Without the peroxide spray I would have lost the trail within 50 yards.

[doubled]

Do the flashlights actually work amazingly? Or are they a gimmick


BB, no gimmick at all. A buddy had one (thought it was a UV light but not sure). Worked unreal.

http://www.xenopuselectronix.com/xeled/index.html

DD