Tracking Dogs:

The heavy frost on the orchard grass and the full moon above made it visible enough to make our way across the meadow, even though it was two hours before sunrise. The bulls were already bugling and, as we started into the dark timber, you could hear the soft mewing of nearby cow elk. It was in southern Idaho that three of us had finally started our 5-day archery elk hunt and anticipations were high. Once inside the dark timber, we split up – each of us traversing a different drainage in search of the bulls we had heard throughout the night.

We met up at lunchtime to compare notes as to what we saw and heard, but when Scott entered our spike camp, we knew something was wrong. He had come across a nice 5 X 5 bull, and at 15 yards had made (what he thought was) a great shot on the bull as it stood broadside to him. After much searching, he discovered the branch that had deflected his arrow and now realized that his “great shot” was a clean miss.

Over a hot cup of coffee, we wondered just what we might be able to do if we made a poor shot that resulted in a long search for the animal. At that time, tracking an animal with a dog was not allowed. Since then, for those of us here in Pennsylvania, there is good news!

Earlier this year, a bill was passed and signed into law that allows for the use of leashed tracking dogs to recover big game animals that can’t be recovered by a hunter. The law applies to whitetail deer, black bear, and elk.

Recovering an animal can require special tracking skills, and if rain begins to fall, much of the telltale signs might be wiped out. Further, if temperatures are not cold enough, a delayed recovery could end up in spoiled meat. Either way, it is important to find an animal as quickly as possible to avoid any negative results.

There are a few important things to keep in mind if you are going to use a leashed tracking dog. If the recovery process occurs during hunting hours, big game can be tracked while carrying a sporting arm, which can be possessed only by the hunter. After hunting hours, a sporting arm cannot be used to dispatch downed big game. This includes Sundays and the day after the season closes. In addition, if tracking game after hours, or on Sundays, a hunter is asked to contact the Game Commission regional office serving the county in which the animal will be tracked, to alert the local game warden of the recovery effort. It is possible that the game warden might accompany the tracker.

During tracking, the hunter and the tracker (dog owner) must be licensed for the big game being tracked and meet the season’s fluorescent orange requirements. It is important to respect the rights of private property owners and obtain permission before crossing property boundaries. Remember – the dog must be leashed.

While some might question the restrictions of the process, it is good news that it is finally legal to use a leashed tracking dog to help in the recovery of downed big game animals.
Pesky Mosquitoes:

Hunting in the swamps of New England or the Southeast during the spring gobbler season can turn into a very unpleasant experience at sunrise or nearing sunset as clouds of mosquitoes begin buzzing all around! But, it really is to be expected and is something you just go ahead and prepare for.

But now, we seem to be blessed (LOL) with a similar situation right here in Pennsylvania, and right now during the beginning of our fall hunting season. When you think about it, there should be no real surprise. With the frequent and continual rains that we have had all summer, and with the lack of sunshine to have much drying effect, it makes sense that we are experiencing more and more buzzing insects when we venture outdoors.

Well, there is good news. There really is something you can do about it and turn an otherwise miserable time into a pleasant experience. There is a product known as the “ThermaCell” that has been around for years and is extremely effective in keeping mosquitoes and other annoying flying insects at bay.

No, I am not a paid representative of the product, but yes, I have used one many times over the years and have always found it to be extremely effective. All of the numerous people that I have talked to about the ThermaCell that have used one agree as to its effectiveness. You can find one at your local sporting goods store.