GameFinder

[Bearbait]

I've seen a few posts, on other sites, concerning GameFinders (units that sense body heat). Some writers were very impressed in not only using it to locate downed animals, but discovering live ones that they hadn’t seen until pointing the unit around their hunting area. Others expressed total dissatisfaction with the units. Anyone had any experiences using one of these? Personally, I find tracking the downed animal to be as much a part of the hunt as the hunt itself. But I hate not finding them, and have spent many hours helping others look when I really preferred to be hunting. But do see some uses if they really work.

[DaYoop]

I bought my Dad one for christmas but haven't had the time to tinker with it. From what I can tell, if properly used they can be very beneficial. It will take the user some substantial time and effort to become comfortable with the unit, but I think that time will be very well invested.

[Liver and Onions]

Bearbait,
This topic has been discussed at this site and others that I sometimes visit. I have yet to hear of anyone finding a dead deer with on of these units, but I'm sure that some have been recovered. Like you and most other hunters, I have spent many hours looking for deer and sometimes not finding them. That is why some of us have invested a little time into training a deer recovery dog. Some dogs are a natural and really need little training. If you have a dog or would consider getting one, your gamefinder also would like to go for frequent walks.
More info at www.deersearch.org
L & O

[Oct.1]

I have the Jr. model. I've been playing with it for three seasons now. I have found that they work better when its cold or at night. They don't know the difference from the sun warming the side of a tree, or body heat. I guess if someone was to put a meter on it, that had the capability of determining temperature difference, they may be better.
Now watch someone will develop the idea and become a millionaire.
So..... want a buy one???

[mich buckmaster]

I have never used one but have you seen the commercial.

There is this gray haired man that is falling all over the woods, while the next thing you see him walking real slow and the music is slow and great. If you havent seen it is a trip.

I dont know if I would want to use one for tracking but for deer drives they may be beneficial. I really enjoy tracking deer. It is all part of the hunt.

[mondrella]

I have used one before. The very first time I used one I found a deer that had ran into a swamp with water about 2' deep. I lost the blood trail when the deer entered the water. However I have found if the temp is not steady for the day it will read every tree, shrub or any thing that is holding heat from the earlier temps. I have found my neighbor's dog is excellent when I lose a blood trail. She is much more reliable and quicker than the Gamefinder.