If you have a dog that you take out in the field, either for hunting or training purposes, you know the worry of losing your dog and not being able to find them for hours. GPS tracking collars can help solve this problem. There are few things as stressful to a dog owner as not being able to keep track of their animal, but from the viewpoint of practicality, there is one way to keep a hunting dog on a long enough leash. Even more so if your dog is supposed to be tracking prey.
The Concept
Using the same system found in hand-held GPS systems such as cell phones and Tom Tom, a GPS tracking collar will help you maintain contact with your pet. When you place a GPS collar on your dog, you keep hold of the remote. This remote bounces a signal off a satellite orbiting the Earth miles above your head and then sends a signal down to locate the collar. That signal returns through the satellite to the unit in your hand and lets you know in which direction your dog has moved.
As long as you remain in line of sight of your dog, most systems will work for about 10-12 miles. Once you get into the brush and woods, seven miles seems to be the maximum range. That is generally enough for most hunting situations. The real advantage is that you don’t actually have to be within voice distance to find your animal in order to pinpoint their location.
Advantages
One of the greatest advantages, beyond being able to find your dog, is that many systems are complex enough to let you have some idea of what your dog is doing. Movement, barking, and remaining in the same place all give you feedback on how the tracking is going. If you have a dog barking and remaining at one place for a while, you can pretty much be sure that the prey has been treed.
An additional perk of many systems is that you can get several collars connected to one receiver. For those who hunt with a pack of dogs, this is a real advantage. You can switch back and forth through the different dogs and track them as they move.
Antennas are available in either a low profile nub or a standard upright style. For dogs that are going to spend a lot of time in deep brush, the low profile option, while generally a bit more expensive, is well worth it as there is a significantly lower chance of the antenna getting caught up in the brush. You can also opt for a harness mount rather than a traditional collar to make sure that the dog doesn’t shake it off and lose the collar.
Considerations
When purchasing a GPS tracking collar, consider battery life and weight as well as price. You don’t want the unit pooping out on you while out on a day’s hunt. The unit itself should be light enough that it doesn’t place any strain on your dog while it runs and tracks. Each year, newer units are coming out that are smaller and lighter while extending battery life. Comparison shopping will ensure you the best price for you new collar.