Meet Our Coaching Staff
Al Sherman - Indiana
We are thrilled to welcome Al Sherman as a coach for our tracking dog training event! With an incredible 43 seasons of experience, Al brings a wealth of knowledge and hands-on expertise to the field. He tracks deer and bear across five states with his two trusted Catahoula Dogs, Valentino and Phoebe.
Al is not only an accomplished tracker but also a UBT judge, dedicated to upholding the highest standards in tracking evaluation. Known for his incessant rambling, he is passionate about mentoring both tracking teams and UBT judge apprentices, sharing insights that come from decades of experience in the woods and on the trail. Al is also well known for his “undeniable truths” of tracking.
Whether you are new to tracking or looking to refine your skills, Al’s guidance will be an invaluable asset throughout the event. We are honored to have him with us—get ready to learn from one of the best in the business!
Tom Monehan - Missouri
We’re excited to welcome Tom Monehan as a coach for our Handlers Clinic! Tom has been tracking for eight seasons, working an exceptional Black Lab named Bear. He got a new pup another black lab named Hyde. With an impressive 65+ tracks per year, Tom brings a wealth of experience to the field.
His greatest strengths lie in training teams and reading a dog’s tracking behavior, helping handlers understand what their dog is communicating in real time. While he admittedly struggles with knowing when to call it quits on a track, his dedication to the craft is undeniable.
Tom’s passion is in judging UBT tests and investing his knowledge in handlers, ensuring teams are prepared and confident in their work. We’re fortunate to have him here to share his expertise and help elevate everyone’s tracking game.
Eric Jon Peterson - Michigan
We’re thrilled to have Eric Jon Peterson joining us as a coach for this Handlers Clinic! Eric is a seasoned tracker with a deep commitment to continuous learning. He tracks with his Bavarian Mountain Hounds, Picabo and Ketchum, as well as his Stabyhoun who is just beginning the journey. With an impressive 110 tracks per year, Eric has built a wealth of experience in the field.
His strengths include communication, mentoring, reading evidence, and teaching hunters on a track. He excels at working with new trackers, helping them build confidence in both themselves and their dogs. One of his biggest challenges is knowing when to call a track, even when the evidence suggests the deer isn’t mortally wounded—a struggle many trackers can relate to.
Eric has a passion for teaching techniques for handling difficult tracks, helping handlers read their dogs more effectively, recognizing when to restart a track, and understanding the importance of taking breaks. His insight and experience will be an incredible asset to everyone here, and we’re excited to learn from him!
Rachel Crume - Kentucky
Based in Kentucky and Southern Indiana, Rachel Crume has been tracking wounded big game since 2020. With a deep passion for the work and a strong connection to her dogs, she helps hunters recover their harvests using skill, patience, and dedication.
Rachel currently tracks with Sheba, a Bloodhound, and Sherman, a Wirehaired Dachshund. Her first tracking dog, Sookie, had to be retired early due to a back injury, giving Rachel firsthand experience training and handling multiple dogs with different personalities and strengths.
Before she began tracking, Rachel worked in an archery pro shop and was an avid bowhunter herself. She credits her strong interview skills with hunters and her understanding of archery equipment as key assets in her success as a tracker and in supporting her dogs in the field.
Gary Blessing - Illinois
We are excited to welcome Gary Blessing as a coach for our tracking dog training event! A highly dedicated and hardworking tracker, Gary runs an average of 150 tracks per year with his 7-year-old Bavarian Mountain Hound. His passion for tracking extends far beyond the field—he is constantly studying, researching, and refining his knowledge of tracking techniques and dog behavior.
Gary takes a focused approach to training, with a special emphasis on line discipline and appropriate tracking speed—two key factors in developing an efficient and reliable tracking team. His keen eye for detail and commitment to precision make him an excellent mentor for handlers looking to improve their skills.
When he’s not tracking, Gary applies his craftsmanship to his custom woodworking business, where patience and precision are just as essential as they are in the field. His hands-on approach, deep knowledge, and dedication to both dogs and handlers make him an invaluable resource at this event.
We are thrilled to have Gary on board—get ready to learn from his experience and expertise!
Kenzie Taylor - Kentucky
Joining us from Kentucky, Kenzie Taylor brings unmatched dedication and experience to our tracking teams. The 2025 season marks her 8th year tracking and the 6th alongside her Bavarian Mountain Scenthound, Liebe. Together, they average around 100 tracks per season and are a UBT Level 1 & 2 Certified Tracking Team with over 400 tracks completed—200+ of those ending in successful recoveries thanks to Liebe.
Kenzie works part of the year as a travel nurse, allowing her to be on call 24/7 throughout Kentucky’s four-month deer season. She also serves Southern Indiana and Southern Illinois, often tracking daily during peak season. Her medical background brings valuable field expertise, especially in reading blood sign, interpreting hits, and evaluating arrow evidence.
Despite having no prior experience in dog handling before Liebe, Kenzie has built an incredible bond with her, allowing her to read subtle cues and body language on a track. Their reputation for precision and commitment has made them a trusted team in the field.
Kenzie’s calm, thoughtful approach and ability to adapt in the moment are as impactful off the track as they are on it. We’re thrilled to have her guiding and inspiring our attendees this season!
Chad Tate - Mississippi
We are honored to welcome Chad Tate, a highly respected figure in the tracking community and a judge with United Blood Trackers. Hailing from the rugged woods of Mississippi, Chad brings a lifetime of experience in tracking deer and a wide range of wild game. His deep knowledge, steady leadership, and passion for the pursuit make him an invaluable resource for anyone looking to advance their skills in the field.
Chad isn’t just a tracker—he’s a mentor, an educator, and a true student of the craft. Whether it walks, crawls, or runs, Chad knows how to follow it—and more importantly, he knows how to teach others to do the same. With decades of experience under his belt, his insights are rooted in real-world success and time-tested techniques.
When Chad speaks, you’ll want to listen. His down-to-earth style, tireless work ethic, and gift for teaching make him one of the most sought-after voices in the tracking world today. We’re proud to have him join us—and excited for you to learn from one of the very best.
Josh Ross - Missouri
It is our pleasure to introduce one of our dedicated tracking coaches, Josh Ross. Josh has been tracking for seven seasons, running between 30 and 40 tracks per year. He works relentlessly, as his tracking name indicates, to improve not only his own skills but also those of the teams he mentors.
Josh trains with his four-year-old Catahoula, Ransom, and is well known for his commitment to mentoring new teams and his focus on line discipline. As a UBT judge, he brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to every training event. Beyond his personal tracking, Josh spends countless hours planning events and traveling to other states to support their tracking programs, demonstrating his passion for growing and strengthening the tracking community.
We’re fortunate to have him here today, sharing his expertise and helping teams refine their skills. Please join us in welcoming Josh Ross!
Don Carpenter - Illinois
Don brings a wealth of experience, dedication, and heart to the Midwest Tracking Academy. As a seasoned tracker, handler, trainer, and UBT Apprentice Judge, Don has worked with and evaluated dozens of dogs across multiple breeds. His calm demeanor and strong work ethic make him a trusted mentor for teams seeking to advance their skills and sharpen their instincts in the field.
Don's tracking journey accelerated under the mentorship of some of the nation’s top-tier trackers and trainers. Thanks to this hands-on, immersive guidance, he was able to dramatically shorten the learning curve while training his bloodhound, Penny—now a UBT I & II certified tracking dog.
Outside of tracking, Don is also a pastor, committed to service and leadership in every area of his life. He cherishes time spent with his wife and their grandchildren, and brings that same spirit of care and encouragement to every team he works with.
Don’s mission is simple: to pass on the knowledge and opportunities that were generously given to him. Through the Midwest Tracking Academy, he continues to help shape the next generation of confident, capable tracking teams.
Marlee Malmborg - Missouri
Marlee is a respected voice in the world of tracking and conservation, known for her dedication, grit, and deep connection to the natural world. Whether she’s in the woods following a line, training up a new dog, supporting fellow handlers, or working her day job with a conservation nonprofit, the outdoors isn’t just a backdrop—it’s the heartbeat of everything she does. Her passion for wildlife recovery and ethical hunting practices makes her an asset to every team and community she’s part of.
A seasoned veteran in the tracking, training, and event coordination world, Marlee tracks upwards of 70 deer annually, consistently demonstrating exceptional skill, professionalism, and reliability in the field. Her approach is both methodical and intuitive, built on years of real-world experience and a genuine love for the craft.
What truly sets Marlee apart is her ability to see potential where others might not. She has successfully trained and titled mixed-breed dogs—proving that a tracking dog doesn’t need perfect bloodlines to become part of a premier tracking team. Her dog Paisley, a veteran in her own right, holds every United Blood Trackers title available: UBT I, II, III, and OL.
As a UBT Judge, accomplished handler, and respected trainer, Marlee brings a wealth of knowledge and authenticity to the Midwest Tracking Academy. Her hands-on experience and deep-rooted conservation ethic offer a perspective that few others can match—and her commitment to supporting and uplifting others makes her an invaluable part of the MTA team.
