Hunting season is approaching in St. Lawrence County, and local deer trackers are preparing to assist hunters who are unable to locate game after a shot.

Bear season opens Sept. 19, followed by the opening of archery deer season Sept. 27.

Local tracking teams are available to help locate wounded game. Trackers say hunters can improve the chances of a successful recovery by taking a few steps before calling for assistance.

While still in a stand or blind, hunters should make a mental note of or photograph the location where the animal was hit. The area should be marked, and hunters should look for signs such as blood or tracks. The hit site is where a tracking team will begin, and information gathered there can help determine the best approach.

Hunters who find a blood trail should follow it while walking to the side of the trail whenever possible. Marking the trail periodically with ribbon or toilet paper can also help. Trackers say blood can be difficult to relocate, even after only a few hours.

If the trail ends and no additional sign can be found, hunters should mark the location of the last blood and leave the area.

Trackers advise hunters not to conduct a grid search.

Walking through the area can inadvertently place blood or tracks in locations that were not part of the original trail. A grid search can create false trails and make it more difficult for a tracking dog to follow the animal's actual path.

Hunters should also obtain permission for tracking teams to enter neighboring properties. Trackers recommend informing landowners that they are welcome to accompany the team, which can help address concerns and increase the likelihood of receiving permission to continue the search.

During daylight hours, the hunter should carry the weapon permitted for the current season in case the animal is still alive when it is located. Trackers are armed and permitted to dispatch wounded game, but the state Department of Environmental Conservation prefers that the hunter do so during daylight hours. At night, a tracker is permitted to carry a weapon to dispatch wounded game.

Recommended waiting times

The amount of time hunters should wait before beginning a search depends on where the animal was hit, according to local trackers:

•   Leg or shoulder hits: Begin tracking immediately.
•   Liver hits: Wait six hours.
•   Gut shots: Wait at least 12 hours.

Hunters are encouraged to contact a tracking team rather than risk losing the animal or compromising the trail.

Local tracking teams include:

•   Tom Rausch and Luna — Louisville, (315) 854-2044
•   Matt Miller and Liesel — Lisbon, (585) 353-4490
•   Pat Lowery and Gooch — Morristown, (315) 322-8662
•   Kyle Reynolds and Denali — Malone, (518) 651-6261
•   Tim Suiter and Piper — Turin, (315) 542-5598
•   Jordan Besio and Marshall — Jay, (518) 420-8112
•   Eric Waganaar and Champ — Chaumont, (315) 955-4874
•   Tonya McMahon and Copper — Carthage, (315) 783-3720