If the trainer has introduced the e-collar for whoa then he has introduced the e-collar.
I see no reason not to use it for the recall. 
I used Evan Graham's method and it has worked great.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4BDM78DYARc&feature=related

 Bev I do have a question for you though. At what point did you introduce the e-collar and actually use it?

>>I usually wait until my dogs are at least 8 months to a year

Was the first time you used it when they went to chase deer?

>> No, I first reinforce the recall off leash with the ecollar.  So, I take them somewhere where they can be off leash safely and let them get distracted, and then I call them to me.  If they blow me off I apply the stim with the ecollar and hold until they make a move back to me and then release.  Later I add in distractions like the deer.  They have to first learn that coming back turns off the stim.  I am also assuming that they are conditioned to the collar and you have figured out the appropriate stim level per the ecollar instructions.

You mentioned "if he really knows recall, then I would introduce the ecollar to break him of chasing wild animals". I *think* he knows recall, but I also think he has selective hearing and chooses when to listen....yesterday was a prime example. Obviously the only way to test those situations, is to be in them. So....would you suggest that he starts wearing the e-collar during all of our fun activities...and should that situation occur, I then use it?

>>Yes, but he needs to be conditioned to the ecollar for a while, so let him wear in fun situations for several weeks before you intend to actually use it.  That way he gets used to the collar and hopefully will not associate the collar with the correction.

Or is this something I need to condition him to so he doesn't freak out when he gets a nick and run off? 

>> They rarely freak and run off.  Most of the time the response is to turn back to you and as soon as than happens you stop the stim.

Kelley I was going to suggest the e-collar.  I sure wish I had started Bugsy on it from early on. It took us ages to get him 100% on the invisible fence but we got there. That has been a godsend to us as it allows him to be as nutty as he wants in the yard without us being in a panic as to whether he will bolt after some prey or not.

If I were doing it all over again I would have used an ecollar to train him to our boundaries and used it away from home too.  As you may recall the reason I finally took the plunge with the ecollar is because in the face of some wildlife Bugsy is NEVER going to recall (without the collar and some are a work in progress *cough cough* Geese!)

As for the whining, ugh Bugsy is a terrible whiner when excited, horrible, unstoppable, but hey he doesn't bark

I would start ecollar training asap so that he's good with it in the yard and in the field - 'here' means 'here' wherever you are!

he shouldn't bolt if you do the training correctly.

Two last things - We taught Bugsy when he was a pup to essentially 'point' squirrels, then we tell him good job, we see it and can move forward.  he is allowed to chase them (and has caught them ) in our yard but when out on walks he points them and we acknowledge it and release him to walk again.  Eventually this transferred to deer although that is still a bit tenuous at times.  I always have this moment of 'Dear Lord let him not bolt' when we see deer, crows, bunnies, etc on our walks.

He has never tried to get them from in the house BUT we had a hawk hanging around all winter and he regularly flung his 105lbs into the french doors in an attempt to go after it.

contact me if you want to talk further!