What should a hunter do when tracking a wounded animal?

When tracking a wounded animal, marking the blood trail with blaze orange flagging tape is a vital practice. By using flagging tape, a hunter can visually indicate where the animal has traveled, which can be crucial for both tracking the animal's path and returning to spots of interest if the trail becomes difficult to follow. This technique enhances the chances of locating the animal quickly and efficiently after it has been wounded, especially if the blood trail leads to dense foliage or difficult terrain.

Keeping noise levels to a minimum is also important, but the primary focus should be on ensuring that the trail is clearly marked for further tracking. Leaving the area immediately would not help in locating the animal, and calling for help may be useful later but does not assist in the immediate tracking process.