Hunting With Man’s Best Friend: SportDOG TEK 2.0 GPS Collar Review

One of the most exciting sounds to hear as a hunter is the cry of a beagle on a hot scent.

I was fortunate enough to have a dad (Patrick McGrath) who kept beagles and taught us to hunt over them at a very young age. Passing that tradition down through the generations is something truly special.

For Christmas one year, when I returned from working away, my daughter Meaghan had a massive surprise waiting for me. It was Leonard—the absolute best gift I have ever received.

We became best friends very quickly. As soon as he bonded with me, we hit the woods. Each morning I would grab a coffee (and a Timbit for Leonard), and we would head into a local clearing close to home. I would sit on a stump and sip my coffee while Leonard figured out his nose and chased nature’s scents.

The Spark of a True Hunter

At only about four and a half months old, on a cool, frosty morning, everything clicked.

As I sat on my usual stump watching Leonard roam around the bushes, I saw a quick flash of white out of the corner of my eye. I knew right away he had flushed an Arctic hare.

I made my way to where I saw the rabbit and got Leonard to follow the line. What happened next was one of the most exciting times I have ever had in the woods.

Leonard’s tail started wagging the way only a beagle’s tail does when they catch that scent. Next came the cries and pure excitement from him. It only lasted for about three or four minutes, but they were minutes I will never forget.

From that day onward, his experience grew, and so did our hunting bond. Anytime I grabbed a gun, camo, or my hunting boots, I wasn’t getting out of the house without Leonard.

Yes, Leonard is a house pet who sleeps in our bed, but he is still an amazing hunter. Beagles truly give you the best of both worlds.

Safety First: He is One of Us

Like hunting with our two-legged buddies, safety in the woods is always our number one priority. Whenever I take someone new out hunting over beagles, the first thing I tell them is straightforward: He is one of us.

We treat our dogs just like we treat each other. If a shot is too risky, we don’t take it. Just as we wear blaze orange ourselves, there are some great safety devices we can use to keep our four-legged buddies safe, too.

Why I rely on the SportDOG TEK 2.0 GPS Tracking System

One of my very first purchases after Leonard “broke” (trained) was a GPS tracking collar. By chance, I happened upon the SportDOG TEK 2.0 Tracking System.

I stand by this brand completely. Not only because of how well the technology works, but especially because of their customer service. They have supported any issues I’ve ever had immediately and without giving me any grief. They are incredibly quick to solve a problem, and if they can’t fix it, they send you brand-new equipment right away.

Only one other company in all my experience compares to SportDOG’s customer service, and that is Vortex Optics—but that’s a story for another time!

The SportDOG TEK 2.0 has given me peace of mind so many times that it has easily paid for itself over and over. Sometimes you get on a wild rabbit and it runs a straight line.

I remember one morning I could hear Leonard’s barks getting more and more distant. By the time I lost the audio completely, my SportDOG handheld GPS showed he was 700 meters away and gaining distance fast. Because of the handheld screen, I was able to follow Leonard’s exact trail, catch up, and end the chase for him.

Navigating Backcountry Risks: Coyote Snares

Real-time tracking isn’t just about losing a dog; it’s about active hazards in the backcountry.

Fortunately, I haven’t experienced a dog getting caught in a snare firsthand, but I have heard many stories with very sad endings. Coyote snaring has become incredibly popular in many areas where I hunt rabbits, which brings a whole new layer of risk for our hunting dogs.

Always knowing where Leonard is—and knowing I can get to his exact location right away—means I can be there to rescue him immediately if he ever gets into trouble.

The Finishing Touch: The Genuine Swiss Beagle Bell

Another piece of Leonard’s safety kit is his beagle bell.

I originally had mixed feelings about using bells just because of how annoying I thought they might be for a dog’s sensitive ears. However, it is an invaluable safety feature when the chase is on and your hound is heading right toward you hot on a rabbit’s scent.

Sometimes when the barking stops, it doesn’t mean the chase is over. The distinct sound of a bell lets you know exactly how close the dog is and if a shot is safe to take.

I have tried many brands, but the best I have ever used is the Genuine Swiss Bell.

These bells ring loud and the sound travels a long way. They are also the least susceptible to plugging up with forest debris, snow, or ice.

I get immense comfort using these bells because I see how excited Leonard gets when he hears the jingle as I pull it off the shelf. He will come running from three rooms away the minute it rings. That tells me he associates it with the joy of the hunt, and he’s completely okay with it!

Family First, Hunting Buddy Second

Hunting with beagles tops all other hunting for me, but as I mentioned before, our dogs are pets and our best friends first. Making sure he comes home safely with me is my number one priority. After all, he is family.

A few years back, my uncle, Darrin McGrath, passed away. Darrin was a well-known Newfoundland author who wrote many books, a lot of them about the backcountry and the animals that live there. He had a deep love for beagles and was a huge supporter of the rescue organization Beagle Paws.

When Darrin passed, we took in his girl, Maggie. She quickly became family as well. Maggie doesn’t get many days in the woods anymore; she prefers her role as neighborhood watch from the comfort of the couch. But I know if she ever catches the hot scent of a rabbit the chase is on!