Gundog Training Forum

Two HPR, one young bitch of two and another male of five. Both LM. Both 'pets'.

Was just reading about Judy, and her love / hate relationship with the 'long line', and it reminded me that on forest walks, and round here I'm surrounded by forest in every direction, I use bear bells on their collars, in winter when the bracken and brambles are navigable by my two. I turn them, or more often than not recall them, when I can't hear their tinkling.

I've been doing this for years, but of course mine are pets, and what works for me would be useless for a some one actually trying to put dinner on the table!

I've never seen or heard anyone else doing this, and it would be counterproductive in the hunting situation I know. I gets many comments, specially round Christmas time!

The use of hunting bells on pointing breeds is common practice in Europe and the States, especially when working dogs in cover and woodland. I’ve hunted dogs with bells myself on the odd occasion. Bleeper collars are also in common use and a relatively cheap alternative to gps tracking collars.

Naj

I use special bells (can be heard pretty far in quiet weather) and GPS collars when I hunt American woodcock (Canada) and just GPS for grouse hunting (longer days, fewer contacts etc).

I used a bell on my old GSP, but found I couldn't hear it, though my friends could!

I probably have them on my spaniels about half the time they are afield. I use them most extensively early in the season when cover is thick and leaves still on the trees. They are a big help at this time to keep track of where the dog is in the type of cover I hunt for grouse, woodcock and pheasant. As the cover gets knocked down later in the season and birds are less naïve I tend not to use them.

When I go north to hunt grouse I also use them on the dog for their other indented purpose. Don't want them surprising a bear!