What should a hunter do if he or she loses track of a blood trail?

When a hunter loses track of a blood trail, the most effective course of action is to return to the last clear indication of the animal. This approach allows the hunter to reassess and gather more information about the direction the animal was heading or any other signs that might help in relocating the trail. By going back to a point where the trail was evident, the hunter can hopefully find new clues or distinguish features in the landscape that could guide further tracking efforts.

In contrast, continuing to walk without looking back may cause the hunter to miss vital signs that could lead to successfully locating the animal. Utilizing tracking dogs is a great option, but it requires access to trained dogs and might not always be feasible or available in the moment. Waiting for hours and then searching again could result in losing additional freshness of the trail, making it more challenging to pick up where the hunter left off. Therefore, returning to the most recent clear evidence is the most practical and effective strategy for tracking a wounded animal.