The hunting community lost an icon, John Jeanneney, in early July. Starting in 1975, John led the way and pioneered the use of tracking dogs for recovering wounded big game in America using European methods. John started in eastern New York state, where he resided, on a special New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC) permit which then led to the forming of a small group of volunteers called Deer Search. Through the efforts of these men and women, pushing sportsmen clubs, legislators and DEC wildlife officials, a tracking dog license (LTD) was offered statewide in 1990.

John was not done. John was a visionary and realized that hunters in other states should have this resource, and with the help of others with the same vision, formed United Blood Trackers (UBT) whose goal was to help other states adopt tracking dog programs and licensing for recovering big game. Because of John and their efforts, the use of tracking dogs for wounded big game recovery is now used in most of the lower 48 states.

John was a teacher and he believed in the education of hunters. He has shared his wisdom and knowledge by writing two books, one for tracking-dog handlers and one for recovering big game that should be in every hunter’s library. He’s also responsible for putting a lot smiles on hunter’s faces and venison in the freezer and not lost. He was also inducted into the New York State (NYS) Sportsman Hall of Fame.

I can tell you John touched and changed many, many lives across America. He will surely be missed. Godspeed, John.