What are the opening hours?

Monday 9am - 8pm Tuesday 9am - 8pm Wednesday 9am - 8pm Thursday 9am - 8pm Friday 9am - 8pm Saturday 9am - 8pm Sunday 9am - 8pm

https://www.facebook.com/105689487717489/

J&M Whitetail Recovery, Staunton, IL (2025)

09/11/2025

So, I have been asked a few times what “J&M” stands for. Ironically it is my intials but I dont think highly of myself.

Just a quick back story. In September of 2002 my sister and I told our dad goodbye and left the hospital and went with our grandparents to their house. Sadly, that was our last goodbye. I was 10 at the time. Since then, I always dreamed of having a boy of my own to carry out and live the “father and son” hunting and fishing life that was cut short for me.

In 2015, my wife, Kacie and I headed to an appointment for an ultrasound. I vividly remember seeing that little thing. I fought hard to hold back the tears while in the office but as soon as we got in the car, they all came out. Before we made it home, his name was already chosen. It is Jackson. For whatever reason, my dad called me Jackson when I was young. So, there’s the J.

In 2018, Kacie was pregnant with our second. We found out she was carrying a boy as well. Being there was no compromise on Jackson, she had a wide open court for our youngest ones name. Michael is the name she picked. Michael was inspired by Kacie’s brother, my grandfather and also my dad who all shared the name of Michael. There’s the M.

Jackson & Michael J&M

23 years later, my little family and I enjoy spending time at our cabin on the Mississippi right up the road from where dad had lived. We run the same water fishing and hunt on the same islands I did with dad.

Another useless fact; we had a bloodhound growing up named, Jack. He was the reason I decided to track with bloodhounds. Both pictures were taken in the same exact spot 20 years apart.

09/07/2025

As some may have saw, we got shirts made! We have a few extras left over. So, let’s give one away. We have large and extra large leftover. If interested, like and share the original post and comment a guess on Clydes weight on his 5 month weigh in on the 16th of September. On the 16th we will weigh Clyde and closest 2 guesses will have a shirt sent to them.

09/07/2025

I wanted to try and get Clyde tested before this coming hunting season. We made arrangements to make that happen. Being I was going to be going 3 hours away, I thought I might as well let Bell have a go at it as well.

This morning we loaded up and headed to meet with our apprentice and judge. I was a little nervous for Clyde because this would be the longest he’s been in the dog box for.

Clyde was my priority so he was up first. I got him out and got him ready. I was quickly alarmed. Clyde started slow which I have yet to see out of him. I feared the long ride in the box had potentially threw the young pup off. As hard as it was I remained patient. After many restarts I was close to being done trying to push him and gave him one more shot before i was going to call it. I gave him a strong firm restart. He started slow but quickly began to pick up the pace with confidence. He came to his first 90 and over shot it by a whole 5 yards but it didn’t take him long to make that correction. The rest of the test was ran step for step.

Bella, Clyde’s “aunt” was up next. I felt good about Bells chance of passing but she was still a wild card for me. This test line was the 3rd line she’s ever ran. She locked on flawlessly and went for it. Her first 90 took just a little more work than Clyde’s but once she figured it out, the rest was history.

I am the proud to have these two dogs in my truck. I can’t wait to see what the future holds for the two of them!

Thank you so much, Marissa and Ray! I appreciate you both taking time out of your day for us! It was an honor testing and standing with you!

09/07/2025

They say everyone has that one supporter. I definitely have that one supporter! My wife, Kacie Ann, is a vital key in this team. She gives the push when it’s needed. As some know, fall is the busiest time for me at work. Somehow, I still manage to track. Kacie will load up the dog and bring them clear across the county to my work place. When I get off work, my dog box is topped off with essentials and the dog is in its hole ready to hit the road to meet a hunter in need. My Garmin, collars and headlamp always have a full charge thanks to her. Every dog is feed, watered, vet appointments and meds stay up to date thanks to Kacie. This morning is no different as she loads dogs in the box so we can head out for the day. Thank you, Kacie Ann. We would not be where we are without you. We all love you and appreciate you!

09/02/2025

Last nights training program was just a little different than before for me. I worked two dogs and added a new factor into the mix.

Up to the plate first was Bella. I was curious on what she had in her and were she stood. I laid her a short easy line with little lay time. I had zero expectation for what was in store. We all loaded up and headed out. I put a harness on her and clipped her lead. We walked to the flag in which her line started. I told her to sit and she planted her but at my feet. After some time I pointed at the ground and told her “find it.” She stood up and put her nose to the ground and locked on. With in the first 15 yards or so she bracketed really hard and I was curious how it would go. I was not expecting what would happen after that. Bella was like a train running on the rails. (Her line is the one pictured) She ran the line at an easy steady pace and never left it. Once she got to the end to her leg she didn’t show much excitement but from what have have saw in the few hours we have had her, I wasn’t surprised by that. When I say she is a very calm relaxed dog, it is an understatement. However, I made sure she knew how I felt about what she just done.

Clyde’s turn at bat. Clyde’s line was much further and had much more lay time. The last time Clyde was in the woods it seemed that hardest part for him was in the creek so two creek crossing were incorporated in this line. We did our normal down, sit, stay before giving the “find it” command. Once given, Clyde locked on and went. Clyde worked the line at a slow steady pace as normal. He doesn’t like being off of it more than a couple feet or so and when he gets out of that zone he’s turning around and retracing his steps until he’s back on top of it. He seemed to not want to enter the creek bed on his first crossing. This is were team work comes in. He knew where the line was and he knew where he needed to go but he didn’t trust himself to take his big clumsy puppy paws on down. I climbed down the steep bank to show him it was ok to help build trust in himself. Once in the creek, he worked the scent pool quickly and figured it out. He climbed the other side with out issues and carried on. Shortly after, puppy brain started to take over and he started to loose focus. I made in my opinion what a mistake as a handler. I restarted him. He took to the line and went another 75 yards to his next creek crossing. He crushed it this time spending less time working the scent pool. Once he climbed to the other side he had 50 yards to go. In this 50 yards, puppy brain was getting bad. He wouldn’t drift and leave the line but his interest was as close to zero as it could get. Instead of just restarting him, telling him to “find it” quickly stapped him back into the game. It wasn’t long before he had his leg in his mouth. He is one proud dog when he gets to the end of the line. I can’t wait to see him on some fur this fall.

Tonight, we put the dog box in the truck as the dogs will be riding to and from the woods this fall in it. Scarlett is a fairly big dog but Bella is much taller and I figured that she would be the hardest to get to go in so she was up first. I picked her up and put her on the tail gate. She went straight in like a rocket. The only issue, she was not able to turn around. I thought “well, we just worry about tha down the road when I go to get her out” as I close the door. I sat Clyde on the tail gate and the first half of him went in freely but his rear half took a push of encouragement. Over all, they did great on that part.

I wish I remembered to hit record when I started Clyde’s line but I didn’t. I wish I could have gotten more pictures but I was working with a finger that I trimmed up with a knife the day before and had no working Garmin so the other hand kept a tight grip on the lead. I could not be happier with these two dogs. Bella clearly needs a more advanced line and Clyde just needs to go for a few walks in the woods to simply get new smells and sights off brain before continuing on training lines.

09/01/2025

A few months ago several tornadoes ripped through Southern Illinois. One the the few sent a dog house flying with a dog in it. Her name was Bella. Bella took several hundred ride in her dog house. A few hours later her house was found laying against a wadded up swimming pool. Both the dog house and pool were topped with tree that took a ride as well. When the dog house was approached, Bella stuck her head out. No broke bones, no scratches and no bruises. Her owners house was destroyed so she went to our friends kennel.

Once I heard this, my heart hurt for this dog. I wanted to drive down there and get her then. Fast forward to a week ago, she was still in the kennel and she was really pulling on my heart strings. After thinking, I couldnt take it. I talked to Kacie about it then we made the decision.

Yesterday we brought Bella home. She is a 6 year old bloodhound. Ironically she is a littler mate to Clyde’s mom. She is a sweet, gentle hearted dog. She listens to commands surprisingly well for just showing here last night.

The plan is to work with her and see if she will track. I would feel a lot better a lot having a back up dog. We were given word from our vet that Scarlett is NOT to track anymore. I was hoping to run here her and there relieving a young puppy from being pushed too hard. If Bella doesn’t show any sign or care of tracking…. Well, we will just have two big lazy couch hounds.

Welcome home, Bell!

08/25/2025

500 yards, 1oz of blood, 6 hours of lay time, 3rd time in the woods and carried off two deer legs.

When I’m telling you this puppy has me speechless, I’m not kidding!

And you go home and you go into your room and you think, "Now, when—and how—am I ever going to get away from this?"- Clyde Barrow

08/24/2025

I want to take a minute and say 6th Happy Birthday, Scarlett! Thank you for your hard work over the past few years! You have made an impact on many lives and an even bigger one in our house hold! We love you Scarley Dog!!! 🎉 🎈 🎉

08/23/2025

🦌…………..🐕

11/02/2024

Meet Chris or “The Chris” if you’re talking to our youngest kiddo.

Chris has been a close friend well before I got into tracking. Yesterday evening he called and being we are friends, I didn’t know what he needed or wanted. I proceeded to answer and he asked me what the availability of the dogs were. I told him that we had one track to do and then after that I had nothing. He replied “perfect, a little extra time isn’t going to hurt him”

He had told me that the original shot the deer was a relatively short shot and he did not like it. The arrow entered in high and to the rear. He knew as soon as it hit, it was in the gut. The deer ran about 10 yards or so and stopped in some brush. He said being he didn’t like the first shot and he had a small window in which he could see only some of the front shoulder region he decided to knock another arrow and fire it. Sometime after the second shot he climbed down and gathered his two arrows. The second one looked good but being he was not 100% sure about it, he backed out and head home to give the deer some time and treat it more of a gut wound.

We arrive to the hit sight roughly 7 hours post shot (because I felt confident in the second shot) and I started Delta. Had this been a gut wound only, this deer would have far more time. She worked well. There were moments that I had to take a deep breath and remind myself that she’s a pup. The second wound ended up being double lung. The total track was roughly 70 yards.

Tracking wise there is not too much to brag on but at the end of the day Delta recovered this deer and there were a few take aways. One being that it was a huge confidence boost for Delta. The second one is that this is a good reminder to me that I’m working with a puppy and patience is everything right now. The third is beyond tracking. As life has gotten busy for both Chris and I as our kids get older, we don’t get to talk or do as much anymore. Chris doesn’t have “prime ground” to hunt and has passed countless bucks over the years. This was the first set of horns he drew back on in over 10 years. It was nice to get to hang out and be apart of this even if the drag out of the timber sucked!

10/29/2024

An arrow that looks like this doesn’t usually make a handler jump for joy. Then when you see a few pictures of the deer on the hoof you get excited..

Today at work I got a text from a hunt with a picture of his arrow and thought “oh boy, here we go…” he also included several trail cam photos of the deer which may have swayed my thoughts a little.

I spoke with him on the phone and during the interview process I asked him if he reached out to any other handlers and he said he did. I then reached out to the handler he spoke to and compared notes. He said that he had other things he needed to do. I told him if he wasn’t able to make it that I would go, just let me know either way.

I heard from him later on and he let me know he was going to back out.

I got stuck at work about 4 hours longer than I hoped. Finally at 8 tonight I was headed over an hour south. Given the short time frame I had to work with I decided to run Scarlett. Not that I didn’t have confidence in Delta but she requires far more time and patience due to the lack of experience. This evening I did not have time nor patience.

I met the hunter and we started. Right off the bat we were hit with a hurdle or what I thought out be a hurdle. The deer made a 600 yard dash across a stubble field. Wide open areas aren’t the best for scent. Then you add on warm, dry and strong winds.. I had my doubts but Scarlett changed my mind on this whole situation in this stubble field. Even in 15mph wind she locked on held the line tight making it across the field flawlessly in a very short time. I then felt confident that we may just find this deer.

She then took us through a hedge row into thick crp for several hundred yards. As we went through the crp when I saw blood it wasn’t too high and it wasn’t too low and the best part it was sprayed out.

We came to thick brush with a couple ditches. I start to feel more confident yet. Here Scarlett needed a break. After sitting her for a few minutes and having her drink water I restarted her. At this point we were in this track at roughly 1,300 yards and it was a straight line. At the last blood we were resting at she made a hard left and it was a straight line that way for 50 yards or so. She then slowly started looping to the right. Once we made 180, I thought “J hook, he’s dead and we are about to find him”. Right at that thought, I walked up to his first wound bed. I leaned down to look at it briefly and when I looked back up at Scarlett a few yards in front of me I saw a kicker just over her head.

I screamed “good girl, Scarlett” I turned around to see the hunter jumping for joy. Tonight, another hunter was made a believer in dogs.

Thank you Derek for reaching out and trusting us with your trophy! This one is another “you never know until you go”

10/26/2024

It’s hard to believe how slow season has been in our area. Hopefully as we close in on the end of October things start to pick up here are a few things to remember.

1) Wait times are critical. Especially as the rut takes off. A mature buck can potentially live longer from the shot due to high testosterone levels. Make sure to give him plenty of time to expire. A dead deer goes no where, a live deer goes somewhere. Even if you have an issue with coyotes, unless they find him, they will not make him die any faster. A coyote will track a wounded deer just the same as our dogs. If you bump your deer you only have that much more of a scent line for a coyote to run across.

2) Pay attention to every detail after the shot. The reaction reaction of the deer to the hit is a big clue for us handlers to try and make an educated guess as to what happened and come up with a game plan to help you.

3) Rain in the forecast? No issue for a dog. Contrary to belief, moisture actually refreshens and holds scent.

As things start to heat up in the woods.. Good luck and stay safe! I can’t wait to hear everyone’s stories to go with their pictures!

J&M Whitetail Recovery

09/11/2025

09/07/2025

09/07/2025

09/07/2025

09/02/2025

09/01/2025

08/25/2025

08/24/2025

08/23/2025

11/02/2024

10/29/2024

10/26/2024

Address

Opening Hours

Telephone

Website

Alerts

Shortcuts

Share

Monday	9am - 8pm
Tuesday	9am - 8pm
Wednesday	9am - 8pm
Thursday	9am - 8pm
Friday	9am - 8pm
Saturday	9am - 8pm
Sunday	9am - 8pm