DuSupply proudly presents the latest hound-hunting art collection from celebrated wildlife artist and lifelong hounds man Tom Mansanarez. These dramatic prints and giclée canvases bring raw energy, authenticity, and narrative depth to every scene—a perfect match for hunting enthusiasts, collectors, and outdoor art aficionados alike.
🎨 About Tom Mansanarez
Tom Mansanarez isn’t just an artist—he’s a seasoned hound man. With decades of firsthand experience tracking predators across the rugged West, Mansanarez seamlessly merges lived hunting tradition with wildlife artistry. Each piece is informed by real-life encounters and grounded in intimate knowledge of hound behavior, predator traits, and wilderness tension.
Here are a few of the Highlighted artwork you can find Featured at DuSupply
Camp Guardians
A vivid narrative painting capturing a pack of Airedale hounds chasing a grizzly out of a remote wilderness camp. Inspired by a true story from Black Mountain Outfitters, it radiates drama and courage against a rugged backdrop. Available as a canvas giclée in 18 × 24 and 24 × 30 sizes starting around $270
Gathering Storm
A breathtaking standoff between determined hounds and a mountain lion perched precariously on scrub pine over a cliff. The scene pulses with tension as the lion refuses to yield. This giclée captures the raw spirit of the chase and Mansanarez’s expert realism
Stand Off
One of his most iconic cougar and hound confrontations, featuring a mountain lion holding its ground atop a boulder while bayed by relentless hounds below. A striking canvas capturing defiance and drama—available in two premium sizes from around $275
Double Trouble
Among Mansanarez’s earliest cougar-vs-hounds’ pieces, “Double Trouble” evokes classic Western hunting experiences. It showcases traditional wilderness tension and is offered as a high-quality giclée starting at $210
Trouble Bruin
Depicts a black bear that opts to fight rather than flee up a tree, facing down a pack of hounds in a bold encounter. It captures the raw power and determination of both bear and hound in equal measure. Available as 18 × 24 canvas giclée from $270
Spotted Fury
Transport yourself to Africa with this unique piece—Mansanarez captures a leopard bayed by hounds during a tagging expedition. Exotic, intense, and unmistakably authentic, with exquisite detail and emotional resonance. Offered in sizes up to 36 × 27, pricing starts at $270
Come and Get It
A bold standoff scene featuring a fierce cougar against a determined hunting pack. The posture and gaze of the predator and hounds convey mutual respect and tension—the very essence of the hunt. Available from $225
Art Born of Experience: Mansanarez’s firsthand hunting background ensures every pose, expression, and environment rings true.
Collections for Houndsmen: These canvases go far beyond decoration—they’re tributes to tradition, heritage, and respect for predator-and-hound relationships.
Exceptional Quality: Each piece is printed as a museum-grade canvas giclée, carefully packaged and produced on demand with a two‑week lead time
Early on, I thought being a houndsman meant being the boss. I’d demand my hounds obey every command, expecting a pup to know a bear trail from a deer’s right off. If they didn’t, I’d correct hard, sometimes zapping that e-collar too much, thinking it’d make ‘em learn. Years of mistakes showed me I was wrong. Building trust and bonding with a hound isn’t about forcing the outcome—it’s about earning their loyalty with the right touch, patience, and time in the field, especially with young dogs. Here’s what I’ve learned, with a hound that’s your partner, not just your dog.
My Early Mistakes
I used to have alot more expectations from young dogs, more like a machine. The problem was I would sometime Overcorrect a young pup chasing a deer instead of a bobcat with harsh correction—too often with an e-collar that shut ‘em down, Reducing my chance to continue with Positive re-enforcement to train that day. I’d bark orders, missing their signals, and walk away frustrated and disappointed in them, I now understand now that nin reality I should have been disappointed with myself as a trainer. I wasn’t training in a manner that built trust. Trust takes time, and consistency, not a heavy hand. I had to unlearn my ways and start building a real bond, Luckily Dogs are some of the best and most forgiving animals who overlook so many of man’s faults. But when you don’t need your dog over looking your faults as a trainer, you’ll be much quicker to watch and see the true blessing of watching these dogs work with us.
Daily Work to Build Trust
Trust comes from the everyday. Feeding time’s my moment to check my hounds, feeling for sores or burrs, letting ‘em know I’m the one who provides. They don’t snatch food—I expect manners, waiting calm ‘til I say go, setting me as their leader. Grooming after a chase, brushing out mud, feels like a pact, their muscles easing under my hands. Playing in the yard, rough and tumble, makes me part of the pack when not hunting. These routines ain’t chores; they’re how I earn their faith. Feed with purpose, groom with care, and play like you belong—and when it’s time to work put on your working hat. Owning Hounds isn’t a weekend hunt, it’s a full time job that needs attention everyday.
Reading Tails and Eyes
It took years to hear what my hounds were saying without a sound. Tails and eyes tell alot of stories, but every dog’s different. Watch the tales especially when the dog smells a scent. I’m surprised how many times my dogs are watching me and my body language.
Discipline with Patience
Force doesn’t always work, but neither does letting a hound run wild. It’s about the right pressure at the right time. If a pup bolts after a deer, I leave the pup, Me and my older dogs will continue on without it, and force it to come back to the road and notice “his/Her” pack left and had no interest in the deer. Young dogs often don’t want to be alone, so I’m essentially Teaching that young dog will have to “find” us because we left. In this situation, We used non-verbal language to teach the young dog that we aren’t interested. IN the past? I used to overdo e-collar corrections, shutting ‘em down and scolding them getting upset and throwing a fit on the road, Today I still use GPS Training Collars like the Garmin TT25, however now I issue a small correction just enough to stop the bad behavior and guide ‘em right often with non-verbal body language. Hopefully later we find a “good” track and they are in the right mindset to follow the desired scent. In the past the only thing the young dog knew was if it followed a scent it was corrected, Now it has the opportunity to understand there are certain scents we follow, and other others we don’t. It takes time, repetition, to shape ‘em. Correct clear, reward good, and give ‘em years to become the hunter you need. I’m learning that it take consistency and time to shape dogs.
Keep the Bond Strong
Trust and bonding are what make a houndsman’s life—every hunt a partnership, every trail a pact. I stumbled plenty, misusing e-collars, missing cues, but those years of feeding, watching tails, and running with my pack made my hounds my family. Young or old, keep at it, stay patient, and join local hound groups to share the trail with houndsmen who live this life. Head to the BigGameHoundsmen.com forum and share your bonding stories or tips in the “Houndsmen Bonding Stories” thread. Let’s keep our hounds tight and our tradition alive!
Hound hunting is more than a pursuit—it’s a legacy carved through generations, from the bay of a hound on a bear’s trail to the quiet bond between houndsman and dog. But with fewer young hunters taking up the leash and anti-hunting voices growing louder, our tradition risks fading. Mentoring the next generation is our call to action. By passing down the skills, ethics, and grit of houndsmen, we keep the hunt alive for big game hunters following mountain lions, bears, and bobcats. Here’s a how-to guide for new houndsmen, from building trust with hounds to standing tall as conservationists, ensuring our way of life endures.
Building Trust and Bonding with Hounds
Let your mentees trail you to learn the hounds man’s craft—years of running hounds teach you when to give a pat, when to ignore a whine, or when to just stand firm. It ain’t about fawning over a dog like some folks do; it’s about catching that quick glance or tensed muscle in a young hound and answering with the quiet grit of a hunter. Show ‘em daily work—handfeeding after a long day, brushing out mud from a chase, or roughhousing in the yard—to forge a bond that’ll hold tight on a mountain lion’s trail. Be firm when a pup strays, like chasing a bad scent, but never so harsh you break trust; your correction’s gotta sharpen respect, not crack it. That daily grind and steady hand makes a hound your partner in the hunt.
Teaching Basic Obedience and Recall
A hound’s obedience isn’t like a pet’s—forget ‘sit’ or ‘stay.’ Focus on commands that matter for the hunt: ‘no’ to stop a wrong move, ‘leave it’ to drop a bad scent, and a solid ‘come here’ recall to bring ‘em back fast. Use clear commands with rewards, starting in a quiet field before hitting the timber. Show why it’s critical: if a young hound chases deer while your pack trees a bear, that’s a lost day of learning. A strong recall gets that pup back to the action, learning from the older dogs. Practice those commands every day, because calling your hound off a bad trail to the right tree builds a hunter you can trust. Obedience sets up your hound for the real work of the hunt.
Introducing Scent Tracking Skills
Hook a young hound’s nose with scent drags—start short, like a few yards with a drag and hound training scent, then stretch ‘em longer and tougher to sharpen skills, but don’t overplay it. Too many drags can dull a pup’s drive and slow their learning. Watch their spark and get ‘em to the woods fast, where real game trails teach ‘em to lock on tight. Keep those scent games quick and fun, following the lead to hit the field. Chasing a fresh bear track out there builds a nose that hunts hard. Stay sharp, and your hound’s skills will grow quick.
Navigating Terrain and Environmental Challenges
Ease up on young puppies—don’t expect a pup to be a bear-chasing pro at a few months old. Let ‘em stumble over rocks, push through brush, or splash in creeks; that’s training enough to start. Too many folks keep puppies penned in yards ‘til six or nine months, then wonder why they’re not ready for the hunt. Get ‘em out early, exploring rough country, so their legs and confidence are set for the trail. Taking your pup to varied ground to learn balance and grit preps your hound to track a mountain lion when their nose kicks in.
Instilling Conservation Ethics Through Community Involvement
A houndsman’s pride is rooted in conservation, not just the chase. Harvest mature animals—like an old bear over a young one—to keep game thriving and know it’s tough to hold back when a hound first trees. That urge to take a shot fades with experience, so choose wisely. Get into local hound organizations and events, like field trials or advocacy meetings, where you’ll stand with houndsmen fighting for our rights, polishing our image, and protecting the game we hunt. Learn from folks who live this life, picking up how to defend our hunts and keep the woods full of game. Your choices and voice keep houndsmen strong.
Fostering Patience and Resilience
When you hunt with a houndsman, honor the craft behind that treed bobcat or bayed bear. It’s not just a moment—it’s years of training, miles of worn boot leather, countless sleepless nights, and generations of hounds bred for the chase. That houndsman makes it look easy, but don’t mistake it for simple. Early wins might come, a young hound hitting a trail right, but true mastery, the kind that runs consistent through every hunt, takes years to forge. Stay patient, keep pushing through lost trails and tough days, and respect the dedication it demands. That’s the houndsman’s way, a lifetime of grit earning every step on the hunt.
Keep the Tradition Alive
Mentoring young houndsmen isn’t just teaching—it’s passing a torch. Every lesson, from bonding with a hound to standing up for conservation, builds a hunter who’ll carry our legacy forward. Whether you’re a seasoned houndsman or a greenhorn, step up: mentor a kid, seek a mentor, or join a local hound group to learn and fight for our way of life. Share your mentoring stories on the BigGameHoundsmen.com forum in the “Houndsmen Mentor Stories” thread—let’s inspire each other to keep the hounds running and the tradition strong!
In November 2024, Colorado houndsmen roared, crushing Proposition 127—a ballot measure that aimed to ban mountain lion and bobcat hunting. This victory wasn’t just for big game hunters; it was a stand for science, conservation, and the houndsmen lifestyle. Led by Dan Gates and Coloradans for Responsible Wildlife Management (CRWM), our community proved that grit and unity can defeat misinformation. Here’s how houndsmen, backed by the U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance and Howl for Wildlife, won this fight and why you need to join the United Houndsmen of Colorado or your local state Association to keep the momentum.
Proposition 127: An Attack on Our Way of Life
Proposition 127, pushed by animal rights groups like Cats Aren’t Trophies, sought to outlaw hunting and trapping of mountain lions and bobcats, falsely branding houndsmen as “trophy hunters.” It threatened jail time, hefty fines, and license bans for ethical big game hunting, ignoring our role in managing Colorado’s 3,800–4,400 mountain lions and abundant bobcats. Dan Gates, CRWM’s Executive Director, called it “ballot box biology,” a reckless attempt to replace science with emotion. On November 5, 2024, 55.5% of voters rejected it, choosing the North American Model of Wildlife Conservation over propaganda [or.web:1].
Dan Gates and CRWM’s Unstoppable Campaign
Dan Gates and CRWM were the heart of the resistance, rallying outdoorsmen to defend our heritage. Their campaign, Colorado’s Wildlife Deserve Better, raised $1.9 million to counter $2.3 million from anti-hunting groups. Gates, a lifelong sportsman, spent 169 days on the road, delivering 85 podcasts and speeches to expose Proposition 127’s flaws. CRWM, alongside the United Houndsmen of Colorado, hosted events like Colorado Outdoorsman Days in Florence, showcasing ethical hound hunting. On October 18, 2024, Gates led 300 sportsmen at the state Capitol, declaring hound hunting as the most selective, conservation-driven method for managing predators.
CRWM’s ads and the documentary Lionheart swayed suburban voters, debunking myths about houndsmen. Gates leveraged frustration with wolf reintroduction (Proposition 114, 2020), framing Proposition 127 as another attack on sound wildlife management. His decades-long ties with Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) ensured houndsmen’s voices reached decision-makers, making CRWM the campaign’s cornerstone.
Why This Victory Matters
Defeating Proposition 127 preserved the houndsmen lifestyle—where the bond with our hounds and the thrill of tracking big game define us. Justin Angelovich of the United Houndsmen of Colorado called the ballot fight “gut-wrenching,” but the win proved hound hunting is the safest way to manage mountain lions, preventing overpopulation that harms deer, elk, and livestock. Hunting license fees fund CPW’s conservation work, unlike non-hunting activities. This victory sets a precedent, but Gates warns that animal rights groups are planning 2025 attacks, like bobcat trapping bans, making local houndsmen groups critical.
Three Ways to Stay in the Fight
The defeat of Proposition 127 is a call to action. Here’s how you can protect big game hunting:
Join a Local Houndsmen Group: Connect with organizations like the United Houndsmen of Colorado to share knowledge and fight anti-hunting laws.
Use Howl for Wildlife: Visit howlforwildlife.org to send quick letters to legislators opposing new restrictions.
Follow CRWM: Check savethehuntcolorado.com for advocacy tools and hunter education.
Join the Pack Today
Dan Gates and CRWM showed houndsmen are conservation warriors, balancing ecosystems with every hunt. Proposition 127’s defeat is our battle cry, but the war isn’t over. The United Houndsmen of Colorado needs you to keep our hounds running and our rights secure. Join them now at www.unitedhoundsmenofcolorado.com to stand with fellow houndsmen, share the trail, and fight for our future. Don’t wait—sign up, share your story in the comments, and let’s keep Colorado wild!
Sources: U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance [or.web:1], Howl for Wildlife [or.web:2]. Special thanks to Dan Gates and Coloradans for Responsible Wildlife Management for leading this fight.
Washington hunters, it’s time to lock and load. The U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance is calling on Governor Bob Ferguson to fire four Washington Fish and Wildlife Commissioners—Barbara Baker, John Lehmkuhl, Lorna Smith, and Melanie Rowland—for actions that gut our hunting heritage. These commissioners are pushing anti-hunting policies and dodging transparency, threatening the science-based wildlife management hunters depend on. The Sportsmen’s Alliance is drawing a line in the sand, and we need you to join the fight. Here’s why this battle matters and how you can stand with the Sportsmen’s Alliance to protect hunting rights.
Commissioners’ War on Hunters
On May 16, 2025, the Sportsmen’s Alliance Foundation dropped a 118-page petition accusing Commissioners Baker, Lehmkuhl, Smith, and Rowland of “incompetence, misconduct, and malfeasance” . After a lawsuit forced the release of thousands of internal emails, the group exposed violations of Washington’s Open Public Meetings Act (OPMA), with commissioners holding secret “daisy-chain” meetings to exclude hunters and tribes [or.web:1,4,8]. Evan Heusinkveld, Sportsmen’s Alliance President and CEO, slammed their actions as “bad government on steroids,” accusing them of running a “cabal” that mocks public input.
Their anti-hunting record is clear. In 2022, they axed Washington’s spring bear hunt without public notice, ignoring science showing healthy bear populations [or.web:4]. Lorna Smith, a long-time anti-hunting advocate, was caught illegally holding two appointed positions until the Sportsmen’s Alliance’s 2024 Supreme Court win forced her to resign from a county planning board. Yet Smith, Baker, Lehmkuhl, and Rowland keep pushing policies that shrink bear and cougar hunting seasons, sidelining sportsmen.
The Threat to Hunting Rights
These commissioners are strangling hunters’ rights. By slashing bear and cougar seasons, they’re robbing us of our heritage and ignoring the North American Model of Wildlife Conservation, which uses hunters’ license fees to fund wildlife management [or.web:1]. Their secretive meetings—uncovered after a 16-month battle for public records—prove they’re dodging accountability . A 2024 legislative report branded the commission “politically polarized,” citing staff mistreatment and disregard for tribal interests.
If these commissioners stay, expect more hunting bans, like those creeping into other states. This isn’t just Washington’s problem—it’s a warning for all hunters. The Sportsmen’s Alliance’s petition is our shot to demand a commission that respects sportsmen and science.
Your Role in the Fight
Governor Ferguson can remove these commissioners for cause under RCW 43.06.070, and the Sportsmen’s Alliance’s evidence—hundreds of pages strong—is airtight. Hunters, here’s how to back this fight:
Join a Local Hunting Group: Link up with groups like the Washingtonians for Wildlife Conservation to rally sportsmen.
Use Howl for Wildlife: Hit howlforwildlife.org to send letters to Ferguson, demanding he act on the petition.
The Sportsmen’s Alliance is our bulldog, taking on anti-hunting forces with lawsuits and relentless advocacy. Commissioners Baker, Lehmkuhl, Smith, and Rowland want hunters silenced, but we’re louder when we stand together. Join the Sportsmen’s Alliance today at sportsmensalliance.org to fuel legal battles, block anti-hunting bills, and keep our hunting heritage alive. Your membership is the ammo we need—sign up right now, drop your thoughts in the comments, and let’s show Washington hunters won’t back down!
Sources: U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance , Howl for Wildlife.
As a houndsman chasing big game like bear or lion across rugged terrain, you need gear that keeps up with your pack. The Garmin Alpha XL, a vehicle-mounted GPS dog tracking and training system, is built for serious hunters, offering a 10” touchscreen, the ability to track up to 20 dogs, and robust navigation tools. Whether you’re navigating dense forests or training hounds in the field, this guide provides practical tips to get the most out of your Garmin Alpha XL, ensuring you stay connected and in control during every hunt. Available at Double U Hunting Supply, explore the system here or finance it with zero-interest options here.
Step 1: Set Up Your Garmin Alpha XL for Quick Deployment
Getting started with the Alpha XL is straightforward, making it ideal for houndsmen eager to hit the field.
Unbox and Mount: Connect the power adapter and attach the included magnetic roof mount antenna. Use the windshield mount for quick setup or the dash mount for a permanent install in your truck or side-by-side. A direct wire option (sold separately) ensures continuous power, avoiding power port shutoffs in newer trucks.
Power On: The 10” touchscreen boots up in seconds, displaying a bright, sunlight-readable interface similar to the Alpha 300, familiar to seasoned Garmin users.
Tip: Before heading out, fully charge the device and test the mount’s stability to avoid disruptions during fast-paced hunts.
Step 2: Pair Collars for Seamless Tracking
The Alpha XL pairs with compatible Garmin collars (e.g., TT25, T20, TT15X, T5X) using a Phillips screw connection, supporting up to 20 dogs with a 1-3 mile real-world range (compared to Garmin’s 9-mile line-of-sight claim).
Pairing Process: Navigate to the “Track and Control” menu, select “Add Dog,” and enter the collar’s track code. For existing setups, the Alpha XL is backward compatible with most Alpha collars, like TT15 or T5.
Organize Groups: Save up to 250 dogs in the device’s memory, creating groups (e.g., “Bear Pack”) for easy switching between hunts. This is perfect for houndsmen managing multiple dogs across seasons.
Tip: Use vibrant collar colors (available at Double U Hunting Supply) to visually identify dogs in the field, matching them to the Alpha XL’s color-coded tracking display.
Step 3: Optimize Navigation for Big Game Terrain
The Alpha XL’s preloaded TopoActive maps, street maps, and satellite imagery make it a navigation powerhouse for big game hunting.
Select Maps: Choose TopoActive for rugged terrain or satellite imagery for a detailed view. Subscribe to Outdoor Maps+ or use HuntView Plus SD cards for premium hunting maps with landowner data.
Simplify Layers: The Map Layers menu can feel overwhelming with options like POI or PLSS. Stick to essentials—Topo, satellite, or landowner maps—for quick navigation.
Tip: Use pinch-to-zoom and map rotation to focus on key areas, like ridgelines or water sources, where hounds may tree game. Download maps via Wi-Fi before heading into remote areas.
Step 4: Train Effectively During Hunts
With 18 levels of stimulation, tone, and vibration (collar-dependent), the Alpha XL doubles as a training tool, accessible directly from map and compass pages.
Access Training Pages: From the tracking screen, tap a dog’s icon to open training controls. Adjust stimulation for corrections or use tone for obedient hounds.
Customize Settings: Start with low stimulation for sensitive dogs, increasing as needed for hard-headed hounds chasing big game.
Tip: Practice training commands in low-pressure settings before hunts to ensure dogs respond reliably in the field.
Step 5: Monitor Hunt Metrics and Avoid Interference
The Alpha XL provides valuable insights to evaluate your pack’s performance, crucial for big game houndsmen.
Track Metrics: Monitor speed, distance traveled, and time afield via the Hunt Metrics feature to assess dog stamina and strategy.
Avoid Interference: Use the Channel View to select clear frequencies, preventing signal conflicts in busy hunting areas.
Tip: Pair with the Garmin Alpha app for smartphone integration, allowing backup tracking if you step away from the vehicle.
Step 6: Address Software and Usability Challenges
While the Alpha XL is powerful, some users note its interface can feel complex due to icon-heavy menus.
Simplify Navigation: Focus on core functions (tracking, training, maps) to avoid menu overload. Garmin’s software updates are expected to streamline usability.
Tip: Clear dog tracks manually if the process feels unintuitive by selecting “Reset Track” in the dog’s profile. Check Double U’s blog at Double U Hunting Supply for updated tips.
Why Choose the Garmin Alpha XL from Double U Hunting Supply?
The Garmin Alpha XL is a must-have for houndsmen tackling big game in challenging terrains. Its rugged design, large touchscreen, and reliable tracking make it a trusted companion. At Double U Hunting Supply, we use what we sell, ensuring field-tested quality. Explore the Alpha XL or finance it with zero-interest options here to gear up for your next hunt. Fast shipping and a 60-day return policy (unused, unopened) keep you focused on the chase.
Big game houndsmen have been asking for a larger truck mount screen for some time and this year (2016) Garmin delivered with the release of the Drivetrack 70. The Double U Hunting Supply team was very pleased with the many usable features built into the DriveTrack 70. Of course we enjoyed how easy it was for us to get our collars linked up and back into the field. Once in the field we found the 7’ screen bright and easy to read with either our favorite the 24k map, or with the 100K topo map that comes included. We hadn’t utilized the free 1 year Birdseye View subscription that is provided by Garmin with the Alpha 100 in the past simply because of the small screen. However, we did find the free 1 year Birdseye View far more useful with the Drivetrack 70.
DriveSmart 70, Standard Views, UNITED STATES
The new Garmin Drivetrack 70 boast many of the conveniences of a standard GPS navigation system with one major difference, the ability to show your linked collars, up to 20 collars, on the 7’ screen with detailed TOPO maps. One of the Major differences between the DriveTrack 70 and other Garmin navigation devices is the ability to display topographical maps, as well as your dogs location. With the DriveTrack 70 you can choose between street maps, Birdseye View, TOPO maps or simply install any Garmin compatible map by inserting the microSD card into the DriveTrack 70. This includes our favorite the 24K or the popular landowner maps. We found that the TOPO maps provided plenty detail in our area while in the field. However, while using the Drivetrack 70 as a navigation device we found “street maps” to be far more useful while navigating to hotels, diners and especially fuel stations during a recent trip.
Although we understand most of our customers simply want to track their dogs on a larger screen, not fiddle around with computers, tablets and a bunch of wires hanging all over the place, we found the DriveTrack 70 to be a great 2 for the price of one type of product. We recently had one of our field testers who is not one of our most “tech savvy” guys accompany us on an out of town trip. He was able to quickly learn how to navigate between screens perform searches and navigate to and from points of interest. In fact, he commented that “the Drivetrack 70 is every bit as useful in town as it is up Lookout Butte. In fact, maybe a bit more useful in town because it helps me get the heck out of town faster.”
As with many new product releases by Garmin, the DriveTrack 70 boldly goes where no other product has gone. Sure, there have been attempts to get GPS tracking onto a bigger screen but only one has ever gained much traction and is the GPS Dawg. Essentially what the GPS Dawg device does is combine the free software provided by Garmin called “Base Station” to a refurbished tablet. Once paired with a Garmin handheld device using a USB cable, and several other steps the user is then able to share information through the handheld to the tablet. We found this process to be somewhat complicated and not “user friendly”. Once we got everything configured, we found mounting the tablet to be a whole new issue. We considered mounting the tablet in the window but feared it would overheat from the sun beating down on it through the window. Next we looked at a console mount but had to reconsider when we noticed all the coffee stains in, on, and around the console. Our options to mount the tablet were further complicated by the fact that we had to continuously swipe the screen on the tablet in order to keep our dogs on the screen. Although we did find value in the paired tablet system, things like the ability to do updates on our tracking equipment in the field, receive and send emails and on one occasion downloading a how to fix your RV heater video from youtube, the Double U Hunting Supply team didn’t feel comfortable endorsing the product because of price (between $500 and $800.00 depending on unit size), dependability, lack of user friendliness and a poor overall user experience.
Having a computer engineer on the Double U Hunting Supply team we decided to make our own run at building a larger screen unit for our customers. We explored every option we could come up with but ultimately ended up going down the same path as GPS Dawg. Initially, it was straight forward from a “tech geek” point of view, until we got to the point of downloading maps. Finding a map that would run smooth proved to be difficult, at which point we abandoned the project. We simply felt the system was a failure on too many levels to receive a green light from the Double U Team. At this point we turned to our friends at Garmin and shared with them some ideas that we felt would be in solid demand. Following what seemed like an eternity, we are pleased to finally give the Double U Hunting Supply endorsement to the Garmin Drivetrack 70.
So what sets the new Garmin DriveTrack 70 apart from other larger screen attempts? Well as mentioned before you get the very easy “plug and go” setup along with the fact that you get wireless communication between the Drivetrack 70 and either the Astro 430 or an updated Alpha 100, built in 100K Topo Mapping, 1 year Free subscription to Birdseye View mapping, free lifetime Street Mapping, as well as the ability to load maps through the microSD card slot (including our favorite 24K map or the popular land-owner microSD card), a convenient window mount is included, Auto Zoom, on screen alerts, a highly functioning navigation device, bluetooth capabilities all for $399.99 and backed by Garmins 1 year warranty you can’t really go wrong.
Pro’s:
Built in Topo 100K maps are included.
Easy to connect, virtually turn on the device along with your handheld and your dogs start showing up on the screen.
Built in options to follow the dogs in the race, the unit zooms in or out to keep all your dogs in view so you can follow the race.
Free Birdseye 1 year subscription.
Navigation works well.
Hands free Cell Phone Calling.
With all that said what do we feel Garmin could have done better. One of our first issues with the Drivetrack 70 is it only tracks on the screen while it is actively paired with the new Astro 430 or an updated Alpha 100. If the power is interrupted, or if you turn off either of the paired units you will lose all your tracks up to that point. Essentially you will start a new hunt on the DriveTrack from that point forward. It currently does not save the Tracks. Also, we felt a stand alone unit would have been the better choice. We feel the customer would have been better served had the unit been designed with the ability to track your dog without being linked to a handheld. Our idea of the perfect vehicle mounted tracking device would have been on a 7” screen platform much like the DriveTrack 70, however it would have the capability to be attached to a truck mount antenna, serve as a hub for mass information transfer for things like dog tracking information. Imagine how handy it would be for the handler if he was planning to hunt with another pack if all he had to do is scroll to the “share all dog” info icon and press “share wirelessly” and presto your info is shared to your hunting partners paired Drivetrack device, or if you happen to lose your handheld unit and needed to replace it. You would simply pair the handheld to your truck mount unit and share all dog info to your new unit. We have on several occasions received calls from customers hoping to reconnect to a collar that is on a dog in the field. Most of these calls come from customers who had set their handheld down during a hunt and couldn’t locate it. Currently, the only way to reconnect is to have your tracking numbers saved on another handheld or to write them down. Had these handlers had a truck mount unit that automatically syncs with the handheld and transfers mass information all they would have had to do is get another unit, pair it and get back to hunting.
Summarized Con’s :
Not a stand alone unit, does not easily allow for an external truck mount antenna.
Tracks are only on the screen while you are connected, If you have to turn off the device or re-pair the handheld you will start a new track and lose your previous tracks. You can not save your tracks on the device.
Could have added more helpful features for hunters with larger packs as a stand-alone unit
How does the device compare to Other Larger Screen options for your Pickup.
Price Comparison:
Drivetrack 70: Cost 399.99. 7 Inch Screen wireless communication with Alpha 100 Or Astro 430
VS.
Tablet with Base Station: 399.99 up to $800 The Value tablet 8 inch for 399.99, or the Pro 8 inch tablet for 549.99. Prices can go up to 800 for an 11 inch tablet.
We feel the price of 399.99 for the DriveTrack is priced accordingly -You might be able to find other options using Base Station that are similar or slightly lower in price than the DriveTrack 70. However, for the value it will be difficult to accomplish an out of the box working unit for the price of 399.99. We should also mention you might be able to build a Tablet system yourself for less money than a DriveTrack. However, by the time you purchased Maps and Mounts,the cost would be approximately the same. It would also take a considerable amount of time and experience with computers to set it all up.
Ease of setup and use Comparison:
The DriveTrack 70 wins handily compared to all of the windows tablets, Simply Turn on the Alpha/Astro 430 and the DriveTrack and the unit starts picking up the dogs in your dog list. When using a Tablet you’ll need to connect the Alpha/Astro to the Tablet using USB cable, and start and run Base Camp program on your computer to display and show the dogs and You’ll also need to install maps on your tablet before you can view maps on your tablet. We found that mounting a Tablet in your truck was difficult to find a good place due to size.
Comparing Features of the DriveTrack VS. Tablet with Basestation:
Comparing Features is difficult. The features that each have are different. The DriveTrack has more features regarding Navigation, Turn by Turn Directions, and pairing to your Cell phone. With the Drive Track it’s simple to search and find addresses, waypoints or points of interest (Food, Hotels, Gas stations).
The strong points about the Tablet systems, these are essentially mini computers which allow you to run any software you would normally run on a computer. For example you can receive emails and perhaps the most useful feature is the ability to update your Garmin Devices software. (Today I’m flying at 30,000 and I now use my BaseStation device for Traveling, hence I’m typing this review on my “Basestation Tablet Unit”) In summary, it really depends on what and how you will use it, If you really use and need a Tablet/computer for travel then there are situations that a Base Station Tablet could be more useful, If your device is strictly for the Truck then I would recommend the DriveTrack.
In summary, if you want or need a Mini Computer for email, software updates, and etc., you might consider a Tablet. For most of us we want a dedicated platform to the truck it makes a lot more sense to get the DriveTrack 70, the features with the DriveTrack 70 help with navigation and turn by turn directions.
Mapping Comparison:
DriveTrack 70 Maps: The DriveTrack built in 100K Topo Maps for the entire US, included is also lifetime Street maps. If you use birdseye you receive a 1 year free subscription to Birdseye Satellite Imagery. The DriveTrack has a Micro SD card slot so that you can put any Garmin Compatible Map chip in it and easily upgrade to 24K, Hunt View, or Landowner maps within seconds.
Tablet: Basestation maps are not included with the tablets, however some of the Bundle packages include one state of 24K Maps included. You’ll need to install the maps on your tablet before you go hunting. To do this you will need to connect to internet and find a downloadable map. This can be time consuming and confusing for some houndsmen.
Clearly the Drivetrack wins the mapping section, When you purchase the DriveTrack 70 you’ll have all the maps you need ready out of the box, Topo, Street, and even Satellite imagery(By Subscription) included. Also Installing other Maps on the driveTrack is much more simple with the MicroSD card compared with a windows tablet.
Durability against Heat when mounted to a windshield:
Drivetrack 70 is designed for the Windshield, Garmin heat tests their navigation devices to withstand with the hottest days while the device is mounted and left in your windshield, we personally tested them in AZ with 106 degree days driving and experienced absolutely no issues at any time from Hot or Cold. We have been informed by Garmin, that in the worst case situation, their devices are designed to discharge the battery for safety reasons if the device get’s too hot. Clearly, Garmin has put some thought into where and how this device is going to be mounted. Garmin claims -4 to 131 Degrees Fahrenheit.
How do the Tablets Compare: Google the term “Dell Venue Pro 8 Tablet Overheating”, and you can read about these tablet’s susceptibility to overheating under normal usage. Now imagine mounting this to your windshield on a warm day. Computers are very susceptible to heat and they are not built to stand the harsh conditions mounted to a windshield. Tablets/Computers will slow down their processors when they get hot which will drastically slow the performance. They can also stop working and have permanent damage in hot environments. If anyone has left their Tablet or phone in a ar we have all seen the screen that shows the device is too hot to use. Specs for the Dell Tablets for example are 32-104 which is much less forgiving of the Harsh environments.
Conclusion:
In conclusion, our suggestion is clearly with With the Drivetrack 70. It was too simple to operate, turn on your handheld and turn on the DriveTrack 70. Our customers want to hunt dogs, not try and figure out how to setup and operate these devices. After a minute or two you should have your dogs showing and tracking on the screen with Roads and Topo Maps. The DriveTrack is easy to understand and simple use. Also, Garmin Priced the Drivetrack right at 399.99 saving money in the long run by including Maps and lifetime street updates. The Headaches and time users will save quickly cover any small savings that a person would make by trying to piece together a lower cost Tablet system.
Purchase a Drivetrack 70, You find out it’s easy to get it up and running, and your days of Driving down a Dusty Dirt road during a race, straining to keep up with the dogs will be a thing of the past. The passengers in your truck will also appreciate and can witness the chase from their seats as well.
Double U Hunting Supply is dedicated to help protect Hound Hunting Rights across the USA. The DU Hound Fund will host a National Hound Association Summit March 21st 2015 at the WBHA annual banquet. The objective for this meeting among leaders from across the US, will be to discuss and plan alignment and work together with the goal to create a group and organization nationally which would be represented by the leadership of associations and groups across the nation.
The attached flyer has been presented to Clubs and Associations that Double U has been working with over the years to fight and protect Hound Hunting Rights across the US.
If you know or feel that there is an association in the US that would like to be included in this invitation We encourage their leadership to contact Double U hunting supply for more details.
SportDOG Brand is expected to start shipping their latest GPS tracking technology. Double U Hunting Supply will be getting one the first to test and compare. We’ll put them through the test to give you a honest and accurate review of the product.
You can also follow SportDOG Brand’s Live Twitter event on Tuesday 9.9.2014 to have questions answered. Use #TEK2 and #DuSupply for the Latest information.
Double U Hunting Supply, which offers dog hunting supplies, was recently selected to join the Google Trusted Stores program. To help shoppers identify online merchants that offer a great shopping experience, the Google Trusted Store badge is awarded to ecommerce sites that demonstrate a track record of on time shipping and excellent customer service.
When visiting the www.dusupply.com website, shoppers can hover over the Google Trusted Store badge and see metrics on the store’s shipping and customer service performance. Double U Hunting Supply has an “A” rating for excellent service and ” A” rating for on time shipping with an average of one day shipping.
As an added benefit, when a shopper makes a purchase at a Google Trusted Store, they have the option to select free purchase protection from Google. Then in the unlikely event of an issue with their purchase, they can request Google’s help, and Google will work with Double U Hunting Supply and the customer to address the issue. As part of this, Google offers up to $1,000 lifetime purchase protection for eligible purchases.
Google Trusted Stores is entirely free, both for shoppers and for online stores. The program helps online stores like Double U Hunting Supply attract new customers, increase sales and differentiate themselves by showing off their excellent service via the badge on their websites.
Double U Hunting Supply has established itself as the Number one hound hunting supply vendor in the US. Double U offers a full line of dog products and equipment. The newest of these products offered by Double U Hunting Supply are the Garmin Astro T5 and the Garmin Alpha TT15 tracking collars. Visit www.dusupply.com for more information.
Camp Guardians
Gathering Storm 
Stand Off
Double Trouble
Trouble Bruin
Spotted Fury
Come and Get It
DriveTrack 70. This includes our favorite the 24K or the popular landowner maps. We found that the TOPO maps provided plenty detail in our area while in the field. However, while using the Drivetrack 70 as a navigation device we found “street maps” to be far more useful while navigating to hotels, diners and especially fuel stations during a recent trip.
As with many new product releases by Garmin, the DriveTrack 70 boldly goes where no other product has gone. Sure, there have been attempts to get GPS tracking onto a bigger screen but only one has ever gained much traction and is the GPS Dawg. Essentially what the GPS Dawg device does is combine the free software provided by Garmin called “Base Station” to a refurbished tablet. Once paired with a Garmin handheld device using a USB cable, and several other steps the user is then able to share information through the handheld to the tablet. We found this process to be somewhat complicated and not “user friendly”. Once we got everything configured, we found mounting the tablet to be a whole new issue. We considered mounting the tablet in the window but feared it would overheat from the sun beating down on it through the window. Next we looked at a console mount but had to reconsider when we noticed all the coffee stains in, on, and around the console. Our options to mount the tablet were further complicated by the fact that we had to continuously swipe the screen on the tablet in order to keep our dogs on the screen. Although we did find value in the paired tablet system, things like the ability to do updates on our tracking equipment in the field, receive and send emails and on one occasion downloading a how to fix your RV heater video from youtube, the Double U Hunting Supply team didn’t feel comfortable endorsing the product because of price (between $500 and $800.00 depending on unit size), dependability, lack of user friendliness and a poor overall user experience.
Comparing Features of the DriveTrack VS. Tablet with Basestation:
How do the Tablets Compare: Google the term “Dell Venue Pro 8 Tablet Overheating”, and you can read about these tablet’s susceptibility to overheating under normal usage. Now imagine mounting this to your windshield on a warm day. Computers are very susceptible to heat and they are not built to stand the harsh conditions mounted to a windshield. Tablets/Computers will slow down their processors when they get hot which will drastically slow the performance. They can also stop working and have permanent damage in hot environments. If anyone has left their Tablet or phone in a ar we have all seen the screen that shows the device is too hot to use. Specs for the Dell Tablets for example are 32-104 which is much less forgiving of the Harsh environments.
