Recently found two blood trails and did some tracking. On one I jumped the does. No blood in the bed but just a little as it ran off, then nothing. Funny I tracked it al the way to it's bed following blood which was getting lighter and lighter. It had bedded earlier on the trail. Same thing, blood had tapered off up to the bed, some blood in the bed, and then as it moved off just a little blood to start. Blood trail was lighter than before the first bedding and as I said it slowed down but got to the deer.

Second blood trail I just notice blood in tracks. Found a bed with just a touch of blood. Circled area but never found blood more than 20 yards from bed on the exit trail only.

This all happened 4 days after the close of our season. I quessed the sign to be older rather than recent, but our snow was melting daily.

Tried back tracking the first track I found but lost it in a heavy weed field.

WHat are your thoughs?

The experts say yes but I have never seen this

If you think about it most female mammals have some form of cycle.

Yes, I have seen it.  Took me some time to figure it out.

Now I just follow her off to the side and wait for the buck to show up.  

No luck with that yet but I keep trying.

Bob

Never have seen dripping blood ,but have seen blood in the urine on snow. Always stayed close to that track when I saw it and kept an eye on the wind and my back trail.

they do when I send a arrow through them.sorry I could not help myself.LOL

Ive also seen it mixed in urine
Almost a dribble as the walked in snow

Seen it once a long time ago.  Didn't really look like a blood trail, just blood colored urine.

I've seen it mixed in the urine as well ,and as (ronw) says play the wind and hang close the bucks will show up.

Only in urine when they're "ripe" and ready to breed.

Other blood trails with live bright or dark red blood is something else.

Like others here have stated, Does in peak of estrus will leak blood in their urine. The blood is usually an off red from being diluted from the urine. Pure dark blood is evidence of a wound.

Sometimes deer get injured in the field, could have been a cut, puncture or scrape wound from wire or brush.  I would imaging they bleed during a cycle as well.

Sometimes bucks drop antlers and drip a bit of blood, maybe you went the wrong way, may be a shed the other direction....  

Could also be the start/end of an aborted pregnancy. There was a picture on here that was removed of an aborted fawn fetus some time back. It wasn't trad related and was pulled at the time.

I did notice they were extra cranky during the rut.

I have seen it many time here in Saskatchewan in the rut.  lots of pee spots and blood dripping, have even seen it in hand (I mean dead deer).  If you have dogs that have gone into heat, same for deer and many other mammals.

Only animals that have a true menstrual cycle will discharge the unused cells and bleed. Deer do not have this cycle. They have a seasonal or yearly estrous cycle. This means that they re-absorb the unused cells, and do not bleed.   It is however, possible for a very small amount of blood to be released during this process, although uncommon. A does urine will be much darker during her peak estrous.  An orange to dark brown color, but I do not believe it is blood. If there is blood in her tracks, it is likely from a wound on her leg or hoof.

Ive seen both Mule deer and Elk cows do it.I jumped a bedded cow elk this year,that had I believe just been bred and it was a mess.There wasnt much doubt in my partner and my mind what had happened as the bull was just down the hill a bit more tearing the heck out of the place.I definately used some of it for scent to try and fool him.

If it was on crusty snow they can cut their feet and they bleed a bit until they can bed down and lick their wounds.

Bucks that have shed there antlers will leave some blood as well