Training

Demonstrated Ability Levels developed by Alaska Game Search provide a framework for training dogs and handlers, to influence public perception of blood tracking activities (particularly game management officials and hunters), and to serve as the basis for blood tracking field tests.

These levels of demonstrated ability add credibility to the demonstrated skills of specific dog/handler teams. The system is not intended for use as a basis for excluding any individual from participating in live blood tracking, or to serve as the basis for giving any individual priority over another in responding to live blood tracking requests.

Selecting a blood tracking dog:

Note: Blood tracking is only one of many skills possessed by the talented versatile hunting dog. The activity requires a fair amount of training and a small investment in equipment and training resources. It can also be a time-consuming training activity, depending upon how much assistance is available for setting tracks, obtaining blood, etc. However, the end result is the opportunity to engage in a challenging and rewarding activity that is particularly useful in the Alaskan environment.

A variety of hunting dogs are used for blood tracking, some more effectively than others. The more common breeds are Wirehaired Pointing Griffons, German Wirehaired Pointers, Drahthaars, and Wirehaired Daschunds.

The key skill for a blood tracking dog, aside from desire, cooperation and an excellent nose, is the ability to distinguish between a blood track associated with that animal's natural body scent, and a similar scent when there is no blood from a wound or injury.

Dogs can begin blood tracking training at less than a year old. Training for this activity can certainly be woven into a variety of other skills typically demonstrated by versatile hunting dogs, such as retrieving, pointing and tracking birds.

Concepts and Definitions:

   These definitions and procedures apply only to requirements for DAL certification, and may not necessarily apply to blood tracking activities in general.

Ø       Demonstrated Ability Levels apply to a team consisting of a specific dog and a specific handler.

Ø       A handler may hold more than one DAL, and a dog may hold more than one DAL.

Ø       All training and live runs used to qualify for DAL’s must be logged using any format that includes the necessary corroborating information (e.g., dates, times, track lengths, track ages, etc.). Logging runs not used to qualify for DAL’s is not necessary, but is encouraged as a contribution to the blood tracking body of knowledge.

Ø       The quantity of blood used on a training track will not exceed 1 ml per meter, not counting the blood used at the start point.

Ø       Observed runs may be validated by any person present for the entire run.

Ø       The format for oral assessments is at the discretion of the judge(s).

Ø       Run lengths may be measured using approximations based on pacing. Length is measured along the line, not directly from the start point to the end point.

Ø       During a down-stay, the handler must remain at least five meters from the dog and must change position at least three times. The lead may be held the entire time.

Ø       Live runs may be conducted on a track already run by one or more other dogs, including finding the same animal, with no delay between runs. However, one run may not commence until the previous run is completed. Neither a handler nor a specific dog may run the same live track more than once.

Ø       Training tracks may be run by a second dog/handler team if at least one hour separates the completion of the first run and the initiation of the second run. The same team may not make a second run. The same training track may not be used for a 2-4 hour aged track and subsequently for a 20-hour or 40-hour aged track. A 20-hour aged track may not be used subsequently for a 40-hour track.

Ø       An animal may be considered “found” if it flushes or is otherwise encountered within sight of the handler and within 50 meters of the dog, and it can be determined that the animal is the specific animal being tracked. It is not required that the animal be harvested at that time or later.

Ø       The format and content of the field navigation assessment is at the discretion of the judge(s).

Ø       The animal being tracked on a live track may be a moose, caribou, bear, sheep, goat, wolf, coyote, fox or deer. Rodents (rabbits, marmot, squirrels) will not be used.

Ø       Planned distractions for the Level 2 event will be spaced along the training track, near but not on the line itself. The live bird will be caged. The human and distraction dog will be together at a location separate from the bird, stationary, quiet and offset from the line by at least ten meters.

Ø       For the Level 2 sort event, the area will be prepared by laying an ample quantity of blood and hair in a confined area. A line will be laid from the center of the area to a point at least 50 meters away in a straight line with an inconspicuous marker at the end. One or more persons will then repeatedly walk through the blood to points 15 meters from a central point in various directions and returning by a different path, and will then remain at the 15-meter perimeter of the area while the sort is conducted.

Ø       The Level 3 night training run must be conducted in legitimate darkness, not twilight. Moonlight and snow cover are acceptable.

Ø       The Level 3 run without a dog is intended to evaluate the handler’s ability to track using visible signs. Blood, hair and other signs should be conspicuous to the careful observer but not blatantly visible. This run evaluates the handler’s ability to verify that the dog is on a blood track, to assist the dog when a line is lost, and to participate in a track sort.

Ø       E-collars may be used during a training or live track. Pinch collars and choke collars may not be used.

Ø       Blood tracking runs conducted at JGHV or NITC events may be used to qualify for specific Alaska Game Search DAL events to the extent that the runs meet these requirements. A prize earned at these events does not translate directly to certification at a DAL.

Ø       Judges certified by Deer Search, Inc., JGHV or NITC may serve as judges at Alaska Game Search events. Criteria used by these judges will be those of Alaska Game Search, not those of other blood tracking organizations.

Ø       Should Alaska Game Search elect to conduct a JGHV or NITC-sanctioned event, then the rules of those organizations would apply.

Alaska Certification program:

Summary of qualifications

Summary of Experience Events (Level 1 through Judge)

This concept was developed in September 2004. Nothing in this set of guidelines is binding on any individual, nor are there any consequences for conducting blood tracking activities outside these guidelines. Changes in these guidelines may be made at any time at the discretion of the participants.

Field Testing:

Dogs used in the Alaska Game Search program are trained throughout the year using methods gleaned from other blood tracking and hunting dog organizations.

Demonstrated Ability Levels:

          Except where noted, all requirements for DAL certification apply to a specific handler and dog. All requirements for a DAL must be accomplished by the same handler and dog, including certification at the previous DAL.

            [O] = Observed event

            [E] = Experience

            [J] = Judged event

Level 1: (eligible to be an Apprentice Judge)

Ø       [J] Demonstrate the blood tracking process

Ø       [J] Pass an oral assessment of knowledge regarding Alaska blood tracking laws and restrictions

Ø       [E] Conduct three training runs of at least 400 meters, aged 2-4 hours

Ø       [J] Pass an oral assessment of knowledge regarding wound types and blood evaluation

Ø      [J] Demonstrate acceptable situation assessment, to include game management official coordination, hunter interview, and tracking termination decision.

Ø       [J] Pass an oral assessment of tracking dog care and canine first aid knowledge

Ø       [J] On a training run, demonstrate a down-stay of at least ten minutes, and a lost lead recovery using any form of call-back or whoa command.

Level 2: (eligible to be an Interim Judge)

Ø       Qualify at Level 1

Ø       [E] Conduct five training runs of at least 1000 meters aged 2-4 hours and two runs of at least of at least 400 meters aged at least 20 hours

Ø       [E] Conduct one live blood track of at least 200 meters (if animal is found) or 400 meters (if animal is not found)

Ø       [J] Demonstrate acceptable wilderness navigation skills with compass, GPS and general situational awareness, including map reading.

Ø       [J] Conduct one training run with planned distractions including, but not limited to, a live game bird, a human and a dog.

Ø       [J] Conduct a successful sort in an area which has been deliberately prepared to simulate a disturbed area where an animal was initially wounded and the hunter conducted a fruitless search. Success is defined as establishing the path of the animal to at least 25 meters from the center of the disturbed area.

Level 3: (eligible to be a Judge)

Ø       Qualify at level 2

Ø       [O] Conduct one night training run of at least 400 meters aged 2-4 hours using a light

Ø       [E] Conduct three training runs of at least 1000 meters aged 20 hours

Ø       [J] One training run of at least 1000 meters aged 40 hours

Ø       [E] Conduct four live runs of at least 400 meters with at least one animal found

Ø       [J] Conduct one 200-meter training run without a dog. Blood and other sign may be laid with consideration for the nature of this event.

Judge:

Ø       Qualify at Level 3

Ø       [J] Conduct an evaluation of a Level 1 candidate

Ø       [J] Conduct an evaluation of a Level 2 candidate

Ø       [J] Conduct an evaluation of a Level 3 candidate

Ø       [O] Conduct ten observed live or training runs of at least 400 meters aged at least 2-4 hours. All runs need not be made with the same dog to accumulate this experience. Runs made for Level 1, 2 or 3, if observed, may count toward this requirement.