Bloodtrack Training in the Snow? Why Not?!

This was an interesting Sunday in the mountains this training session. I and helper Biz headed out once again to the Uintahs to get some training done. We had intentions of working with Hessian and getting some fishing done. We put down a 430-meter blood track during a light snow. As we progressed along our track we came across a lot of snow and runoff. That didn’t stop us as we progressed along, dropping blood along the way. In the snow, on rocks, on logs, and even placed droplets in the sections of runoff we walked through. I am new to all this but it seemed like this was going to be hard track. The snow on the ground in places and the snow falling had to surely hamper Hessians ability to find the end of this track. Done laying the track we decided to hit the lake and wet a line. Did some “Down” and “Platz” by the lake as we were fishing. It was about 40 degrees maybe and still snowing. Matter of fact the snow never quit. He would whine a little and get in trouble and after a while just gave up on the whining all together. We caught a few little fish, Hessian got to hold and play with one and it was cold. It had been 4 hours since we finished laying the blood track. Headed back to the truck to warm up, dry off and build our stamina for what I was expecting a long track. It has now been 4 ½ hours the blood trail has been down. It is wet and been snowing all day. Not really sticking to the ground but has definitely moistened the ground and our blood track significantly. Never the less this has got to be done. At the start of the track I was able to see some blood so I started him on that. Along we went, I didn’t see much blood along the way and the few drops I did spot were really hard to find. Seemed like Hess lost focus a few times, not sure what happened there. I started him on the track a few times where he lost it, and he would focus a little longer. He really seemed to look hard when he lost the scent, trying to find it again. And I would praise him once he did. We eventually reached the end, this one was hard. Not sure if it was the conditions but pretty sure they had something to do with it. Also as we were on our way back to the truck I let Hess search the timbers as we walked the road, and suddenly Hessian starts barking like crazy! Well as I have learned through training and hunting him, Hess is loud on sight with just about anything. Ducks and especially Rabbits. Sure enough we could see it running away.A Snowshoe hare! After Hess lost sight of it he had to come tell us. Good Boy! Worked on “Heel” back to the truck and called it a day. Again pics are from my phone, but I had to put some up with this post. It’s just not the same without a picture or two. If anyone has comments or tips, advice please go right ahead.