Ruby’s Recoveries

08/13/2026

Here’s the map of all the IDTN trackers. If we can’t get to you this fall. Someone on this map may be able to. Click and save this map in your phone!

🦌🐾 THE MAP IS HERE. KNOW WHO TO CALL.

The official 2026–2027 Illinois Deer Tracker’s Network map is ready.

These aren’t just names on a map.
They’re vetted. Certified. Proven. Trusted.

Trackers spread across Illinois, working together as one network to give hunters the best chance of recovering the deer they worked so hard for.

📍 SAVE THE MAP. SHARE THE MAP.
Because you never know when you’re going to need the nose that can finish the job.

Illinois Deer Trackers Network
🦌 One network. One mission. Recover more deer. 🐾

www.ildeertrackersnetwork.com

08/13/2026

Here is a short video of Leroy’s first liver drag with me. My make shift string collar and long lead was a bad idea…he stopped mid track and scratched until I had to take it off. My little helper Lyle is learning to let the dog work and not distract him. He made quick work of the short line if you don’t count the scratching episode. We’ll continue to extend the lines distance and age. I will introduce more interdigital scent from the deers hooves over time. Overall this was just quick puppy fun and getting a baseline for my expectations.
I also worked with my command word “search” with him tonight. For this I use a scent can with anise inside and will reward and mark him every time he touches his nose to the can as I say “search”. It is a very repetitive exercise and it is training him to put his nose to the scent when I tell him to. Eventually I will add the command “find it” meaning follow the scent I just told you to put your nose to.
Some people use different commands but this is what I started Ruby with and it has worked well. My hopes are I will be able to train Leroy to look for what ever scent I say “search” to.

08/10/2026

We Love our Illinois Deer Tracking Network!

Joe you should be really proud that Ruby is as famous as she is, there were zero wrong guesses again.

Please meet Joseph Roberts of Ruby’s Recoveries and his bloodhound Ruby. Ruby is UBT1 & UBT2 certified. There has also been a four pawed new addition to their team named LeRoy who we are excited to watch develop into a tracking machine just like Ruby.

This team tracks out of Woodford County and when time allows travels to neighboring counties as well. Joe is a very active member of the IDTN and if he can’t make it to you he is sure to help you find someone.

Joe & Ruby: 309-310-7072

08/08/2026

Everyone welcome LeRoy to our team! Leroy comes from a great working line of IDTN member’s hounds. His dad, Stitch, is UBT-2 certified, and has had 100s of deer recovery’s over the last 10 years. His mom, Pixie, is UBT-3 certified and UBT Off Lead certified.

He’s had a busy day of travel, eating, and socializing with his new family and neighbors. He’s one tired pup at the moment.

Follow along as I start to train him up to follow in his parents footsteps and be one heck of a team member with Ruby and I.

07/25/2026

Ruby and I headed over to Ashkum, IL this morning to run a practice line with our friends and IDTN members, Ray Holohan Triple R Tracking and Zack Stone Tracking Hyde Recoveries. Ray showed me his wiener(s) and sent me home with a moose knuckle. 😂
This afternoon we visited the old folks home to see Granny and my dad. Not sure what she likes more getting pets from granny or tracking. 🤣

07/13/2026

Ruby’s back! This was the first practice track I laid for her since her spay and gastropexy surgery. 350 yards, 13.5 hours aged, two 90s. Had a little distraction with a bedding area but got right back on track.

Ruby got spade, and had a gastropexy in June. We haven’t done any t...

06/30/2026

Ruby got her stitches out this afternoon. She’s just as sassy as ever. About a week left of antibiotics and it’ll be back to our regularly scheduled programming.

06/23/2026

Ruby’s recovering great after her surgery. Still keeping her separated from her dog brother Cliff and keeping her in my shop to keep her stitches clean. We’ll get the stitches out in about a week.

06/19/2026

After Ruby’s last heat cycle and irritableness during, we decide to get her spayed. I was at one time dreaming of having a litter with her but with as busy as I already am I just couldn’t see that in my future any longer. She also got a gastropexy at the same time today, as bloodhounds are more susceptible to bloat. She’s in pain and sleepy but we’ve got lots of medication for the couple week recovery. ❤️‍🩹

06/11/2026

Lyle sporting his sisters logo helping out with a game of fetch!