I have been hunting commercially for twelve years and I can honestly say that the discovery of blood spoor dogs has been one of my most important. To see what these dogs can do is absolutely amazing. I as an outfitter will not go out with out my two dogs now. They are an invaluable tool and great friends.

TEX.

Tex was my first and he is a five year old Australian Cattle dog. As loyal and brave as the day is long, he is a great tracking dog and is exceptional in dangerous tracks were caution and stealth are necessary to achieve the goal of finding the wounded animal. He is not a natural nose dog and this is a weakness as he tend to side wind over a track using aerial sent and this can lead to him loosing a track. He also has a thick Black coat which makes him battle in high temperatures. His strength’s however his loyalty, senses and speed at which he tracks are. He is slow and silent. He will not track if he cannot see me which is great in dangerous situations.

Recently I had one of my regular clients, Mr Russell Wallett hunting Bushpig with me. He had spent five years trying to get a trophy pig and had not succeeded so on this trip it was a priority. He spent the evening sitting over a blind and had the misfortune of the pigs smelling us as they came in. So with great disappointment we climbed out the tree and started to pack up for home. The farmer was with us and he said that in a last chance effort we should go a look near his house along an avenue of Oak trees, were the pigs were eating the acorns. He had seen them there when coming back late at night. It was already 12 pm and I was reluctant as Russell was tired and had had enough. However we agreed and left the Land Cruiser near the avenue and then on foot with the wind in our faces walked up the avenue. Russell has carrying a 300 H&H myself a 375 H&H. Tex was left at the vehicle.

Half way up the avenue we saw some eyes and glassed some Zebra and Eland and from behind the closest Oak tree stepped out a large Bushpig Boar. He came out of no were at 13m. All I had time to do is say “Russell PIG SHOOT IT!!” Russell Loaded and fired. I immediately saw the shot was low as the pig took off. I fired aswell and the pig jumped into the air and ran off into the long grass. It was now closing in on 1 AM. To say the least we were in trouble!!!

The farmer was now in a panic and Russell was expressing his concern. We discussed our options while giving the pig time to stiffen up and hopefully expired.

At this stage I knew there was only one way to safely find this pig and that was to fetch Tex from the vehicle and let him do his work. This I did. His excitement was visible and he was pulling on the lead to get there. I reach the Anton and Russell and explained what we would do I asked both to remain slightly behind me as I worked with Tex to find the pig in the grass that was double my height.

I let Tex off the lead and let him go to work. He went straight to here the first shot had been fired and started off. He went straight to were the second shot was fired and then headed off right with myself in hot pursuit. The track was confirmed with blood and bone fragments. In complete silence Tex tracked for approximately 800m. I realized we were definitely in for a final show down as the track was far for an animal that should be dead. Tex came into a clearing with a large thicket of grass infront of him about 15m square. He tracked the animal to the bass of the grass thicket and then did some thing different he turned right and checked if the pig had come out of the thick grass first. He walked around the thicket twice and then started to look for the pig in the grass. He did not just rush in and get in trouble. He then kept looking in this one area and started into the grass with great caution. I was on his shoulder 375 at the ready. He then froze and stared. He was eye too eye with the pig. I managed to fire a shot and kill the pig with out further incident. Tex had done his job to perfection. With out danger or incident.

This is the strength of this tracking dog, a unlightly choice but a great Australian Cattle Dog.

TURKISH.

Turkish is my second and younger dog he is a American Walker, that I purchased from Hilton Sanders. He is a pure hunter and comes from a long line of Bushpig, Leopard and small cat dogs. He has a heritage of hunting. His strengths are a GREAT NOSE, endurance to burn and great baying tactics. His weaknesses are he is very very fast which makes it very difficult for you as the handler to keep up, and being young he will chase anything. He is some times easily distracted but is improving by the day. He is a born hunter and knows nothing else.

On a hunting trip late in 2010 he rescued us in fine fashion. A regular South African client of ours Mr Gustav Le Roux hunted a Blue Wildebeest (Poor Mans Buffalo) with us. His shot placement was slightly off and struck the Blue low down on the front leg. The Blue took off as they do and disappeared into the thick bush. I knew immediately that we were in big trouble. These animals are amazingly tough and once wounded are difficult to find.

I radioed my trackers and told them the bad news. I explained our position and asked them to bring Turkish in. He arrived on scene and immediately I showed him the spot were the Blue was standing. I kept him on the leash for fear of him also disappearing into the distance and not being able to keep up. I told the trackers to remain with Gustav and follow the spoor while I track with Turkish. This covering all our bases.

While with that began one of the longest tracks I have ever done behind a dog!

Turkish dragged me for over 6km. We saw the bull twice but were unable to get a shot at him. He was on the run and knew we were behind him!! Turkish stuck too him and chased hard. After a considerable time of not seeing blood nor the animal I began to fear we had lost the animal, however Turkish was still flying. They always say TRUST YOUR DOG!! So I kept on and stuck with him. I was starting to become exhausted and Turkish was starting to look like he had lost the track. 6km had come and gone!! The heat was becoming a factor and we came up to a dam. I thought I would water Turkish and take a rest. Turkish did something very strange!! He dove into the water and tried to pull me into the dam. He did not seem to interested in drinking but he pulled me in. I eventually let him go and released the leash. Turkish swam through the dam, and bolted over the dam wall. He immediately started his familiar hound bark and I ran over the dam wall to my disbelief out burst the wounded Blue with Turkish in hot pursuit. He bayed the Blue about 200m further and I ended the fight with my 270.

I was absolutely astonished!!! Turkish had achieved the finest track I have ever seen.

Dogs are with out a doubt one of the most valuable tools to the hunting outfitter and they add value to your operation.

My only advice to the hunter training a dog is think carefully what you want from a dog and pick a breed that instinctively does that, as it is so much easier to train a dog with his instinct than against it. Every dog will hunt if they enjoy it and they can please there owners.

Thank you Tex and Turkish you are my best friends!!!