Tracking Leads - What do you use?

[ruger 243]

i know its off track what the op is asking but why get these crazy breeds that you cant control without a bloody long bit of rope ? iv been stalking with a lab for 40 years when i didnt know anyone else that went with a dog , then the gwhp started to become popular to catch the one s badly shot . then the teckles and other sausage type dogs that wouldnt last 5 mins in the heather or terrain i used to stalk came along because they were all the rage because some guy wrote about them in the shooting times . and now leaders ?
its so simple train a lab to walk beside you or behind they can smell a deer 100 yards or more and will indicate their presence. after the shot send them on and they will wind them or blood trail just like a running pheasant and if too far infront stop them till you catch up just jot to train them to wait for you . never had a leader for any of my dogs over the years when in the field

 

[ruger 243]

The places I shoot have very busy roads going straight though the middle of the estates. My GWP is a hard hunting type that once it gets 100 plus yards in front of me and it 10 yds from a deer it is tracking hard then yes it will go deaf and recall will not be instant but I can stop her . If you are willing to gamble your dog on crossing a busy road carry on. I will keep mine on a long lead in those areas. I have watched her on the GPS following on to close to a mile from me. It does not take long to travel those distances.

a mile ?what were the tracking a motorbike

 

[Jon P]

a mile ?what were the tracking a motorbike

If you shoot enough deer you will get one that goes tits up. This actually ended ok as I had time to phone a friend who was shooting that end of the estate and he shot the deer with my dog hanging in its rump just before they jumped the boundary fence. The GWP was under 12 month old then. She will be 3 years old next June.

 

[Jon P]

i know its off track what the op is asking but why get these crazy breeds that you cant control without a bloody long bit of rope ? iv been stalking with a lab for 40 years when i didnt know anyone else that went with a dog , then the gwhp started to become popular to catch the one s badly shot . then the teckles and other sausage type dogs that wouldnt last 5 mins in the heather or terrain i used to stalk came along because they were all the rage because some guy wrote about them in the shooting times . and now leaders ?
its so simple train a lab to walk beside you or behind they can smell a deer 100 yards or more and will indicate their presence. after the shot send them on and they will wind them or blood trail just like a running pheasant and if too far infront stop them till you catch up just jot to train them to wait for you . never had a leader for any of my dogs over the years when in the field

I like GWP this is my 3rd one now, they are challenging on times, but that part of the fun - I have another softer one that will work deer but also work with a Harris Hawk. They can vary in drive a lot- I do not expect the young GWP to make old bones TBH as it has very little self preservation skills.

 

[ruger 243]

If you shoot enough deer you will get one that goes tits up. This actually ended ok as I had time to phone a friend who was shooting that end of the estate and he shot the deer with my dog hanging in its rump just before they jumped the boundary fence. The GWP was under 12 month old then. She will be 3 years old next June.

aye jon in 40 year ive had my share go tits up. wouldnt let my dogs chase them tho . 12 month old no recall, no wonder you lads need a washing line

 

[Jon P]

aye jon in 40 year ive had my share go tits up. wouldnt let my dogs chase them tho . 12 month old no recall, no wonder you lads need a washing line

I not sure if your Lab will hang onto a deer or just indicate it still moving on. Majority of the deer I shoot are high neck or head shot. If it does go wrong I want a dog that will hang on or hold it at bay for a second shot, As i said in my previous reply , there is recall but it will not be on a single peep on a whistle like on pheasant shoot, so if I am close to a road I will run the dog on a long lead to avoid any incidents., prior to the shot the GWP will happily walk in front of me indicating deer and as soon as the rifle goes up on the sticks she will sit down and won’t move until told to do so. Similar to your lab at guess?