Movement in the trees caught my attention, and a glimpse of black hair made my heart race. A big black bear appeared under a spruce tree and searched the area with its eyes and nose. When it stepped forward, my crosshair found its vitals, and I pulled the trigger. The bear spun and, in an instant, disappeared into the trees. What happened next was critical to finding the bear with no snow on the ground, and the steps were methodical and strategic.

The exact spot where the bear had stood when I shot was marked in my mind. The trees were carefully looked at, and the spruce tree, a downed aspen, and three smaller trees helped me triangulate the spot in my mind. Things never appear the same from a tree stand, and even at eye level, after a few steps. Always make notes of where an animal was to find the exact location after you move toward it.

A compass bearing can be helpful. If hunting on foot, mark where you shot from to get a bearing or line of sight when trying to locate where the animal was shot. Getting excited and rushing forward could mean looking in the wrong spot or having confusion about where the animal was when struck by a bullet or arrow. Take a picture on your phone. It will help identify markers downrange.

When you find the point of impact, there is usually hair and hopefully the start of a blood trail. Every step you take is essential. Try not to walk on any of the spoor, which is blood, hair, or tracks left by the fleeing animal. A speck of blood can be destroyed by stepping on it and can prevent you from finding the escape route the animal took.

Walk beside the trail the animal took. If you lose the trail, stop. Look at the surroundings and try to determine where the animal ran. Look down and then ahead. If you see blood or hair ahead, go to it. If you don’t find more sign, mark the last spoor. Make sure to examine any vegetation, including grass and shrubs, as the underside of a leaf may provide a clue with blood. An animal running down the trail can push vegetation out of the way, hiding some of its spoor.

Mark sign as you go. Flagging tape or biodegradable toilet paper makes excellent markers. Place the visual indicators on branches, tall grass, or lay them on the ground if needed. The markings tell a story and help predict the escape path. When you look back, you can see the trail the animal has travelled, and it is often a straight line that can help predict which trail it took moving forward.

A mortally wounded animal usually takes the easiest trail to travel, but that can change as they get lightheaded and drift off the trail. The exit points off the main trail are critical to find. Hopefully, there will be plenty of crimson red blood to follow, but if not, look for tracks or indented ground from running feet. Moss, soil, or other debris is often kicked up and can be a great way to stay on track.

Don’t get overconfident and rush forward. Get one piece of the puzzle at a time. Slow, steady, and methodical is your best bet. The longer you wait, the more likely it is that the animal has expired. Never rush in after the shot, and always give an animal 15 or 20 minutes. It can mean they escape more slowly after the initial hit and being startled. If an animal runs into cover and stands, it will require time to expire before it is spooked, forcing it to start running again.

There are specialized tools that can help with tracking. There are highlighting glasses that make even a tiny dot of blood glow fluorescently. The glasses can be extremely helpful to individuals who are colour blind. Specialized lights, like the Primos Bloodhunter, also illuminate any blood the light can find. There are sprays to find and illuminate blood, or make it froth. Thermals are also handy and can reveal blood or the animal, which may be partially hidden by vegetation. A thermal can also pick up heat signatures from an animal's foot, depending on the ambient temperature and ground cover.

Good tracking skills are critical to finding game and filling your freezer. It is something we owe to our quarry to make sure it is never lost or wasted. To help hone your skills. Always backtrack an animal that is easy to find. Pay attention to the trails they took, noting when and if blood is visible, and whether you can see tracks, altered vegetation, or disturbed soil. Every opportunity is a learning opportunity, so make the most of it.