Tracks are a valuable sign to a hunter, chiefly as an indication of the frequency and the deer's direction of travel. Generally, they provide a lot of the same information as do droppings. Some hunters claim they can distinguish tracks of bucks from those of does, but other experienced hunters discount this. Generally, the tracks of bucks and does look identical, although a hunter tracking a deer might surmise he's on the trail of a buck if it is traveling alone and sticking to more secluded or secretive haunts. Following a set of tracks in hopes of getting a shot at the deer making the tracks is an iffy game, and is a tactic mastered by only a few specialists.
Most hunters follow a trail too slowly or make too much noise to be successful.
And, a lot of hunters cannot distinguish a really fresh track, and thus may take up on a trail half a day old or more. Most hunters following deer tracks pay way too much attention to the impressions themselves and almost forget to look for the deer standing in the tracks. Experienced trackers look for the most distant visible sign, giving it just a glance while keeping their eyes on cover ahead, while being ready for a shot. They also look behind, because deer often double back on their trail to see if they are being pursued. About the only time most hunters will need to track a deer is after they have taken a shot at one.