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.
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.
Garmin, the global leader in dog GPS track and train technology, just announced the newest updates to their dog tracking platform. The Garmin TT15 / Garmin T5 GPS dog tracking collars. By simplifying their product line, this allows hunters a simple choice between a track and train (TT15) collar, or a track only (T5) collar. The customer can use either collar on both the Astro 320 or Alpha 100; however they will not track on both at the same time. It should also be noted the training features of the TT15 are disabled while paired with the Astro 320.
With a list of features that include GPS/GLONASS capable, new training options, bark detection, LED beacon lights, rescue mode, and the ability to turn on/off your VIRB camera at long distances, we feel our customers will be equally excited. The two TT15 / T5 features that the Double U Hunting Supply team is most excited about are the, “choose your system” feature available on both the TT15 and the T5. This allows the TT15 / T5 to be tracked on either the Astro 320 or the Alpha 100. Second is the vibrate training mode that is available only on the TT15 while it is paired to the Alpha 100.
“The best part about the way Garmin is moving with this product model is having the ability to offer our customers a way to upgrade into the track and train abilities of the Alpha 100 system one collar at a time, without having to purchase a whole new system all at once”. “For a few more dollars our customers can progress towards the Alpha 100 system each time they purchase a new collar,” says Buddy from the Double U Hunting Supply team.
Because not all features are available on both the TT15 and the T5 and some features are disabled while linked to an Astro 320, we encourage our customers to check out the comparison charts below to make sure you get the collar that is the best fit for your needs.
The Garmin T5 Tracking collar will be available individually for $249.99 or can be bundled with a Astro 320 T5 Bundle for 599.99.
You can purchase the Garmin TT15 individually for 299.99, or bundled in the Alpha 100 TT15 combo package for 799.99.
For a more detailed description of the features available on the Garmin TT15 and Garmin T5, visit please read our review at DuSupply.com If you have any questions, feel free to contact our knowledgeable staff at 855-384-8687.
We’ve been trying to step up to the plate with our Fight for Hunting rights and supporting organizations.
We are starting a new program immediately call DU Hound Fund.
1. With every order we are going to ask our customers to donate a small amount to the DU Hound Fund. We will distribute 100% of the donations to an association which is fighting Immediate situations regarding the right to continue Hunting with Dogs.
2. We are setting up a network of Clubs and associations that have worked with Double U in the past to continue work with Dog Hunting related issues. We will make it easy for all customers to easily add their favorite association,(or all of them) to their order. Double U will make sure that 100% the money goes to the association as the customers membership dues.
Did you miss the April Fools Joke, All in Fun we did a little word change on folks to have a little fun. You might notice through out all the website words like Hound were replaced by “HotDog” Instead of Hunt or Hunting it would show Fish or fishing, Bobcat’s were instantly called catbob’s and Cats were renamed Felines. and trucks were mopeds.
To make sure that the joke wasn’t instantly given away I changed April to december and Fools to day.. So when you seen December day, it was that person trying to say “april fools” Lastly Buddyw and Buddy were changed to “Obama.”
Don’t for get that you was replace with We, and I with “eye” Below I’ve copied and pasted a few of the conversations from the day. P.S. I’m really sorry if I caused any grief.
Is this website hacked or something ? What’s going on
Is this website hacked or something ? What’s going on
Posted: 01 Apr 2013 01:36 pm
by treetalkingjp
Every time eye type it says “stinky ” and “eye” and “hotdog”. Can anyone tell me what’s going on
Re: Is this website hacked or something ? What’s going on
Posted: 01 Apr 2013 01:49 pm
by zachvu
This is one of my favorites so far…
its not the hotdog in the fish, its the fish in the hotdog
Re: Is this website hacked or something ? What’s going on
Posted: 01 Apr 2013 01:50 pm
by Grzyadms4x4
December day day, eye guess. We need a December day day to Spanish dictionary for some posts.
Re: Is this website hacked or something ? What’s going on
Posted: 01 Apr 2013 01:57 pm
by Bplott
prolly some anit feline fishing, animal lover, hack the site
Re: Is this website hacked or something ? What’s going on
Posted: 01 Apr 2013 02:04 pm
by treetalkingjp
Hahaha that’s not suppose to say “fish” and “hotdog” . Defiantly a stump jumper hacked this website
Re: Is this website hacked or something ? What’s going on
Posted: 01 Apr 2013 02:12 pm
by Bearkiller
Surely its December fisrt . Eye
Sent from my XT907 using Tapatalk 2
Is this website hacked or something ? What’s going on
Posted: 01 Apr 2013 03:33 pm
by Matt_Potter
Yeah they are pretty good as well – this morning eye thought they just hacked the data base and did a search and replace on the old posts – no biggie – but it looks like they left a worm behind that keeps making the changes.
Re: Is this website hacked or something ? What’s going on
Posted: 01 Apr 2013 03:55 pm
by Buddyw
eye can assure we Nothing has been hacked.. It’s just been one of them days.
Double U Hunting Supply Article about The Garmin Alpha Dog tracking and Training Systems.
GPS pioneer company Garmin has once again raised the bar with regards to new technology and field use for hunters with the Garmin Alpha. The Garmin Alpha carries on the tradition set by the Garmin Astro 320, one of the most comprehensive dog tracking GPS systems in use. The Garmin Alpha builds on the Astro’s success by increasing the number of trackable dogs to 20 over the prior 10 as well as a full menu of new and standard functions.
Training
One of the highlights and standout features of the new Alpha system is the ability to use the device to train the sporting dogs as well as track them. Up until now, there has never been a device like this on the market, and with it, the training field has been changed for the better.
While using the Alpha, it is possible to use a remote device to give a mild shock to the dog when in training. Imagine the benefits of being able to deliver a small (and harmless) shock to the dog to direct it to soft-mouth, turn right or left, go on point, flush, or retrieve during training sessions. This is a direct “stick and carrot” training tool that only builds your relationship with the sporting dog into a stronger and better bond. The dog receives the stimulus via the Alpha control and knows exactly what is expected when coupled with the voice and hand signal commands. Now, instead of taking weeks and months to begin the sporting dog’s training, the time can be shortened through the ease of use provided by the Garmin Alpha.
This training feature is the result of Garmin partnering with Tri-Tronics, a sporting dog-training specialist. Tri-Tronics and Garmin made the Alpha so a touch screen display can be used up to nine-miles away during hunts and training. Up to 20 dogs can be tracked during a hunt with the display, and up to 20 can benefit from the training tools, provided all of the dogs have the Alpha GPS device installed onto their collar. Send the dogs off on scent and don’t worry about trying to keep up, the touch screen monitor keeps you in monitoring zones by showing the dog’s location on the screen relevant to your position. If the dog begins to go off in an undesired direction, the training shock can be delivered, keeping the pup at bay.
The Display and Handheld
The touch screen display is three-inches by three-inches and is made to function even while wearing gloves. This is great for cold autumn hunts or times when the snow and temperatures are falling. Using GPS technology the Alpha monitors simultaneous feeds from any device on the dogs as well as the home Alpha unit’s position with the hunter. The Alpha updates positions up to 2.5 times a second over nine-miles and with up to 20 dogs! This is really groundbreaking tech for sporting dog use. The handheld devices use replaceable lithium-ion rechargeable batteries that are packed into the waterproof handheld screen. The handheld uses a charger mount that allows the unit to get juiced up quickly. Expect the handheld to handle recharge cycles upwards of several thousand times. This unit is made for tough use and it shows right down to the battery itself. The screen has a brightness adjustment and an anti-glare covering that makes use in bright sunlight possible. Set the screen lighting levels to your preferred detail using the touch screen sliders. Again, even a gloved finger yields results when making adjustments on the fly.
Corrections and training simulations can be set via the quickest pre-programmed settings or customized via touch-screen menus and drop downs. The Alpha default settings are based on 18-levels of linear stimulation, of which they can be set and altered to low, medium and high adjustments.
Maps can be up- and downloaded using wireless tech. Garmin’s own maps may be used along with other map sources like BirdsEye Satellite Imagery. Switch your default map off the touch screen menu and drop downs after uploading new datum. Garmin ships the Alpha pre-loaded with 100k topographical USGS maps for United States use, and Canadian maps for those using the product north of the border.
“Buddy Tracker”
The Garmin Alpha is the first system of its kind to feature the “Buddy Tracker” function. Providing that all members of the hunting party as well as their dogs are equally equipped with an Alpha all members of the hunting party can be monitored along with 20 dogs. There is no guesswork anymore. With the Alpha everyone knows where everyone else is along with the dogs. No more danger of firing in an unsafe direction, no more trying to backtrack and find party members and no more lengthy dog recovery periods. You have all the data in your hand via the touch screen display.
Not only does the Buddy Tracker keep tabs on everyone it can be used to send pre-set text messages to members of the party. There are buttons for “Help,” “Come Here,” “Go On Without Me” and “Okay.”
Dog Tracker Page
By navigating the Alpha to the Dog Tracker screen all the hunters in the party can follow the dog’s and other hunter’s movements on the full color screen along with a real-time digital compass. Name each dog by entering the name into the GPS collar device and that name appears next to the dog icon on the display. This removes any doubt for what animal is where. The compass is color-coded and uses a three-axis antenna to deliver accurate directions to track and follow whatever the user wants from the display.
TT Dog Collar
The TT 10 Alpha dog collar is the GPS device that syncs into the GPS satellites. The collar’s internal antenna is made of durable and hardy aircraft cable, meaning the collar will withstand the worst the dog can throw at it and still remain accurate and precise. Internal and integrated LED beacons along the collar can be activated via the handheld home screen Alpha device from up to 100 yards away. This helps give a visual location when searching for the dogs. Should the battery levels go below 25 percent at any time on the TT collar a dog rescue mode automatically switches the TT 10 to the two-minute update to preserve precious power. An alert will be made to the Alpha handheld device, letting the hunter or trainer know the situation with the TT collar battery levels. If the dogs are used for swimming and waterfowl retrieval, the TT’s waterproof qualities are good up to 10 meters, much deeper than any dog is going to go. The rechargeable interface is nearly impermeable to mud and grime, making field recharges nearly effortless. The TT collar battery charge is good up to 44 hours of continued use and will accept charge-cycles up to several thousand times. One alpha TT collar is included with the Alpha kit package and additional Garmin Alpha collars are available for $299 at Double U Hunting Supply. New TT collars can be sync very quickly to any Alpha display handheld device.
Package Contents
Garmin prices the Alpha system kit at $799.99 This includes the chargers, cords, one TT 10 collar, Alpha handheld device and a water-resistant field bag for storage and transport of the gear. Like all Garmin products the Alpha comes with a factory backed warranty against maker defects or faults. The Garmin Alpha TT Collar can sync with all other Alpha products and makes field training and sporting dog hunts effortless on the chase, maximizing the precious field time for the hunt itself.
Garmin’s partnering with Tri-Tronics has upped the game for sporting dog hunts and made the training process easier. With both companies standing tall and confident in the final product, you can buy the Alpha knowing full well it is the result of years of development and quality in the research and development of Garmin and Tri-Tronics.
Good For You and Your Canine Pals
The Alpha represents the highest safety and navigation quality available. This means you and your four-legged assistants are protected from getting lost, accidental firings based on guess-work or not being able to get a voice-call in to retrieve the pup. Your dogs are working dogs for sure, but they are also valued friends and assistants for your hard-earned field time and hunts. Using the Garmin Alpha is a sure way to keep your furry investments safe from harm. You invest all the time to train them (and that has just been made easier by the Alpha) so keep that investment wagging its tail for years to come. Get out in the field and begin using this cutting edge and exciting GPS technology that will make your hunt better. Your dogs will appreciate the quick training times and act happier once they know exactly what you expect of them. Bring along other party members with Alpha units and keep tabs on them too. There is nothing like being outside and on the hunt, and with today’s GPS tech like the Alpha, that time has become safer and more efficient.
Alpha allows you to track up to 20 dogs or buddies (TT units or Alpha units) by adding them to your tracking list. Train 3 dogs at a time with separate levels or modes of stimulation for each. See when your dogs are moving or on-point or treed. Learn More
Alpha allows you to track up to 20 dogs or buddies (TT units or Alpha units) by adding them to your tracking list. Train 3 dogs at a time with separate levels or modes of stimulation for each. See when your dogs are moving or on-point or treed. Learn More
A few Improvements with the Garmin Alpha 100 Compared to the Garmin Astro
Rescue Mode. – Automatically Lowers the update rate after the collar battery reaches a certain Level. (Suggested to Garmin by Yours Truely)
Preloaded with 100K topo Maps
Track up to 20 Dogs
Improved Battery Life
Track other Garmin Alpha Handhelds
Connect your Garmin Alpha to a computer for Live Laptop tracking with Basecamp.
Radius Alerts- Recieve an audio Alerts when a dog Leaves a radius that you choose
GEO Fence – Setup a area to define where you want to keep your dog inside, or if you want to be alerted when they enter a “forbiden” area. Great for Private property hunts where you dog might not know where he is or isn’t allow to hunt.
Introducing the Alpha 100
Tracking other Alpha 100 Handhelds.
Change Your update Rate
TT10 Collar video
What’s in the Box:
You can purchase the Alpha 100 in a bundle or as a stand alone receiver.
TT 10
GPS Track and Train Dog Device
Garmin Alpha Dog Collar
TT 10 dog device with black collar strap
Charge clip
AC adapter
Vehicle power cable
User-replaceable contact points set (short and long) with wrench and non-stim plug
Track and Train 20 Dogs. From the compass screen, get in-depth speed, direction traveling and distance away information for any dogs you’ve selected. And correct any dog on this screen without falsely correcting the others.
At-A-Glance Dog Stats. Get the information you always need, like your dog’s state (moving or on-point/treed), distance from the Alpha device, total distance traveled, speed and update rate, all on 1 screen.
Keep ‘em Away From Hazard. Don’t wait till your dog is lost or in danger to get him back. Setup virtual boundaries on your map and receive an alert if he strays out of your geofence so you can recall him right away.
Your Own Birds Eye View. Track and train up to 3 dogs based on where they are with BirdsEye Satellite Imagery. These highly-detailed raster maps provide a realistic bird’s eye view of roads, parking areas, buildings, and terrain, including tree lines, lakes, rivers and streams. They are a great way to supplement the comprehensive topographic maps on your Alpha.
Keep Your Dogs On Track. From the training screen, correct and recall multiple dogs (with extra TT 10 devices) with the help of Tri-Tronics electronic training. Select traditional or linear progression plus tone or stimulation types.
Keep Up With Your Buddies. Know where other hunters in your group are. Set your Alpha to show not only the dogs in your group, but also the other Alpha handhelds too (Up to 20 TT 10 or Alpha units. Not compatible with Astro).
Professional Tracker. Professional Trainer.
Glove-friendly 3” color touchscreen
Preloaded 100K U.S. TOPO maps
Electronic compass
Barometric altimeter
Hunter-to-hunter position reporting with preset messaging capability
Using the Alpha 100, you can measure each dog’s speed, distance and the direction being traveled. Plus, you can receive notifications when a dog is “Treed” or “On Point.” A single Alpha 100 can track up to 20 dogs or fellow hunters when using either additional Alpha 100 handhelds or TT 10 devices (each sold separately, not compatible with Astro®).
Train and Control Your Dogs
Alpha 100 helps you train and control them to stop chasing unwanted game or “recall” to your position. Easy to access training buttons allow you to communicate separately to each dog through safe and effective features, including 18 levels of momentary and 18 levels of continuous stimulation or an audible tone command. Plus, a lockout setting is available to avoid accidental stimulation or tone.
Two modes of level progression let you customize your training even further. Traditional stimulation allows you to make quick changes within a predetermined stimulation level (low, medium or high). Whereas linear stimulation allows progressively more stimulation through all 18 levels available.
Extend Your Battery
When using the TT 10, hunters can switch to Rescue Mode to prolong the battery life. When the TT 10 reaches a certain battery level, it will slow down the update rate at which it pings the Alpha 100 from every 2.5 seconds to every 2 minutes. This mode should provide additional battery life to the TT 10, giving you more time to search for and locate your dog.
Physical & Performance:
Unit dimensions, WxHxD:
2.5″ x 6.5″ x1.5” (6.4 x 16.5 x 3.8 cm)
Display size, WxH:
1.5″ x 2.6″ (3.8 x 6.3 cm); 3″ diag (7.6 cm)
Display resolution, WxH:
200 x 400 pixels
Display type:
transflective, 65-K color TFT touchscreen
Weight:
8.8 oz (250 g) with standard antenna and battery
Battery:
rechargeable lithium-ion (included)
Battery life:
up to 20 hours (Alpha 100)
Waterproof:
yes (IPX7)
Floats:
no
High-sensitivity receiver:
yes
Interface:
USB
Maps & Memory:
Basemap:
yes
Preloaded maps:
yes (topographic)
Ability to add maps:
yes
Built-in memory:
4.0 GB, 500 MB available for user storage (with topo maps loaded)
Accepts data cards:
microSD™ card (not included)
Waypoints/favorites/locations:
4000
Routes:
200
Track log:
10,000 points, 200 saved tracks
Features & Benefits:
Automatic routing (turn by turn routing on roads):
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.
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