Are you thinking about buying a tracking system for hunting with your dog? There are a few things that you should know before you make your purchase with regard to range and distance. Traditional tracking collars have about 12 miles of sight range. In order to get the maximum range for this tracking collar, you have to be in a totally flat area with nothing between you and your dog. Traditional tracking systems work by sending you a signal to indicate the location of your dog. With GPS tracking collars, you will be able to look at the screen on your hand held unit to find him. This can come in handy if you are hunting where there are trees, ravines, hills and other barriers between you and your dog.
Traditional tracking collars offer longer sight range than GPS tracking collars. GPS tracking collars usually have a maximum sight range of 7 miles. At first, it may seem like a better option to get the traditional collar because it offers longer distance and range. What you may not consider is that the traditional tracking collars will lose their radio signal if your dog goes out of the sight line. Once your dog goes out of range, you’re out of luck and have no idea where to start looking for him.
Traditional tracking collars and range
The range and distance that you will get when you using traditional tracking collars will depend on the area where you are hunting and wherever your dog decides to head. If you hunt in heavily wooded areas, for example, you might only get a few miles of effective range, which will change as your dog moves. This can be problematic if your dog heads out of range. Because traditional tracking collars cannot tell you the exact distance of your dog’s location, once he’s out of range you have to move around and hope to pick up the signal.
Hunt for game not your dog
Radio signals can only go so far and both types of collars have limitations on distance and range. If your dog runs out of range with the GPS tracking collar you can pick up the point where the signal stops better enabling you to find your dog. Traditional tracking collars do not offer this same feature. And no hunter wants to spend valuable time hunting for his dog instead of game. The purpose of using a tracking collar is to be able to track your dog. When you lose a signal on your GPS tracking unit you will be able to find the spot where the signal dropped and start looking from there, giving you a better chance of finding your dog quickly.
Before buying a tracking dog collar, consider the areas where you are likely to hunt. Remember that range and distance is altered whenever the dog moves and depends on any barriers that are between you and your dog. In most cases, you will not be able to get the maximum sight range offered on the dog tracking system.