| One of the most impressive things to be introduced | | | | terrain, high cover or very large areas easy. The only |
| into dog training has been the ability to track your | | | | draw back to the radio frequency systems, in my |
| dogs by either radio frequency equipment or by the | | | | opinion, is that you have to always be fiddling with |
| newest GPS. When I was training, and this will | | | | buttons (dials). Now that doesn't make them any less |
| probably put a date on me, the only way you had to | | | | proficient in finding and tracking your dog but there is |
| train a big running dog was by putting spotters at | | | | still a lot of fiddling as far as I'm concerned. Now, the |
| different places along a section of land or by using | | | | NEW GPS Tracking Systems that have just been |
| horses and scouts. Well, for various reasons the | | | | introduced into the training arena are just absolutely |
| horseback idea wasn't really viable so therefore you | | | | unbelievable. You are able to track several dogs at |
| had to have some really great friends with enormous | | | | once. Course you could track several dogs at once |
| senses of humor. Now with the introduction of | | | | with the radio frequency systems also. But with the |
| tracking equipment you are able to spend a lot more | | | | GPS you can keep track of locations, game, and your |
| time actually training your dog not hunting for them. | | | | dogs' actual trail. You are able to hunt areas that you |
| Almost all Field Trialers know what I'm talking about | | | | have never hunted before no matter how large |
| and a lot of the everyday hunters who hunt heavy | | | | because you can set the GPS up to know exactly |
| cover. | | | | where you are and how to get back. One of the |
| My Brother In-Law had a little Springer Spaniel, and I | | | | best units that I have been associated with and have |
| mean little. That dog could not have weighed in at 25 | | | | actual feedback on is the Garmin Astro Combo. |
| lbs. if you hung a bucket of rocks from her collar. | | | | There are a couple of others out there but I |
| Well there was just no way you were going to hunt | | | | recommend the Garmin because GPS is what they |
| her and keep her out of the cover. Which for all | | | | do. |
| intents and purposes, if your dog won't hit the cover, | | | | In closing I would like to say that it makes no |
| leave it home and go with a friend. Now there isn't | | | | difference whether you are a Pro or Novice. These |
| anything wrong with a dog that hunts the edges, but | | | | tracking systems can really help to make your |
| at some point they have to show the desire to get | | | | hunting experience more pleasurable and rewarding. |
| into it and get it done. Anyway back to point. Once | | | | Let's face it. The days of you and I going out and |
| this little gal got into the cover or high CRP you could | | | | just picking a place to hunt have come to pass. We |
| not tell where she was. You couldn't see her, you | | | | have to travel further and hunt larger areas (Public |
| couldn't hear her so it was extremely hard to stay | | | | Hunting Reserves) or private Hunting Preserves. The |
| with her. There is nothing more frustrating to be out | | | | last thing you want to do is spend several hours |
| of position when your dog flushes. I always hunted | | | | looking for your dog. Even close working dogs can |
| pointers but the same frustrations apply when | | | | get separated from their owners when working high |
| hunting heavy cover or large tracts of ground. | | | | or dense cover. Yes there are those who have dogs |
| The tracking systems have made things much easier | | | | that never get lost. I don't know any of them but I |
| and sooo much less frustrating. The radio frequency | | | | guess there are some. But having a tacking system |
| systems were the first to come on the scene. I | | | | will most assuredly help not only with your hunt but |
| have had several customers tell me that the systems | | | | with your training as well. |
| they purchased have made their hunting in rough | | | | |