5 Best Hunting Dog Tracking Systems

October 3, 2022 // 6 minute read

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Is your worry keeping your adventurous little zoomers from getting the best thrill of their lives? Hesitating on letting your pooches hunt with you? 

Then you need to know about the best hunting dog tracking systems! 

GPS tracking devices are ideal if you like taking your dog with you on a hike or a hunt. Most have a tracking range of 7 to 10 miles, which isn’t too bad as we ourselves never went beyond 10 miles with our dog. 

Aside from that…

a good collar tracker is also good if you’re living in the countryside with vast lands stretching before your curious furry friend! 

But trusting your dog’s safety to a device isn’t easy to do. And that’s why we scoured the market to get the best hunting tracking system for dogs!

In this ultimate Best Hunting Dog Tracking Systems review, we’ll be covering:

  • The best collar and handheld device for your hunting dog;
  • The best GPS trackers for different budget ranges; 
  • Waterproof GPS pet trackers; 
  • What to look for when buying a dog tracker;
  • Lots more!

We’re always passionate when it comes to giving our beloved dogs their gear. This is why we gave all attention to every detail as we tested them all up for months. 

And here are the results. 

Oh, and read on to see the buyer’s guide we prepared after the review. 

Ready to go on a furry adventure?

Let’s go zooming!

Top 5 Best Hunting Dog Tracking Systems

Best Features Hunting Dog Tracking System

Garmin Alpha 100 Bundle

Garmin Alpha 100 Bundle, Includes Handheld and TT 15 Dog Device, Multi-dog Tracking GPS and Remote Training Device in One

Editor’s Comments:

Can we give this one 102/100? We’re in awe of the loads of features this Garmin Alpha comes with. It didn’t only show us where and how far the dogs were but what they were doing as well.

Value for Money
93
Ease of Use
95
Battery Life
98
Features
97
Display Technology
97
  • Battery Life: 20 hours
  • Tracking System: GPS and GLONASS
  • Map Type: Topographic
  • Waterproof: Water-resistant
  • Brand: Garmin

Overall Score:

96

The Bottom Line:

Great not only for tacking but for training your furry companions too, this GPS dog tracker nailed the tacking game with the number of features it has, such as its long battery life, shock and stimulation commands, touchscreen, and even a BirdsEye subscription to boot. Totally an all-in-one package.

What’s Good

  • High sensitivity with both GPS and GLONASS
  • Features a touchscreen for better visual aid
  • Long battery hours up to 40 hours and 20 hours minimum
  • Allows you to set a virtual boundary and alerts you if your pet goes beyond that
  • Can track up to 9 miles and up to 20 dogs
  • Also features 18 levels of both momentary and continuous stimulation and command
  • Also shows your dog’s stats such as the distance traveled
  • With bright status and beacon lights
  • Lets you command your dog from a distance
  • With free one year of BirdsEye satellite description

What’s Bad

  • Not all gloves work with the touchscreen
  • Not completely waterproof

Summary

Garmin Alpha 100 Bundle

What’s the dog tracking systems scene without Garmin? It’s most probably one of the first ones beginners have heard about. 

And rightfully so. 

This Alpha 100 from Garmin saved us the trip to the store as it had everything we needed to set our hunting dogs out. Yes, it’s that loaded. Add to that its excellent battery life, and we have our review’s Editor’s Choice. 

This GPS tracker uses both GPS and GLONASS, which gives you wider coverage and more satellites for more accurate and faster tracking.

As a matter of fact, this is one of the fastest GPS dog trackers that we’ve used in terms of connectivity to satellites. And it’s very important to us as every second counts when it’s about your dog’s safety. 

Moreover…

…it comes with a handheld device and a dog collar. Both units come with antennas, one long and one short. The cool thing is you can choose which one to use. But I prefer to use the longer one for my dog for better range and performance. 

The handheld device or remote has a touchscreen, which is really sweet. Although I think the screen is a tad bit too small at 1.53 x 2.55, it’s still better than nothing. 

The thing is, you can zoom in and out but not like how you do on cell phones where you just have to pinch the screen in and out. For this one, you have to press the + and – icon. 

Now, what’s so great about it?

Well, firstly, you can see how far your pooch has run and how fast. But those are just the basics, aren’t they?

What’s great is you can also see what they’re doing (walking, sitting, running, etc.) This may not sound very special, but if you want to track your companion’s behavior and routine, then this feature surely comes in handy. 

It has a range of up to 9 miles, which is really impressive and definitely gave us peace of mind. But aside from that, you can also set up a virtual fence or a geo-fence. Although it’s a shame that this doesn’t have a continuous alarm, it will still sound up or vibrate (depending on your settings) when your dog wanders beyond the fence you’ve set up. 

Another thing I like is you can use it for up to 20 dogs, making it really great for rescue dog trainers or a big hunting party. 

And it has a beacon light! I didn’t know how much we needed this underrated feature until our Border Collie Max got lost after sundown!

This set comes with a field bag for protection and a free subscription to BirdsEye for one year.

Related article: Best Dog Harness To Stop Pulling

Best Budget Hunting Dog Tracking System

SportDOG Brand TEK Series 2.0 GPS Tracking

SportDOG Brand TEK Series 2.0 GPS + E-Collar Add-A-Dog Collar

Editor’s Comments:

Coming in at a price that’s relatively lower than most high-quality dog tracking collars and systems on the market today, this DogSport collar and the handheld bundle aren’t short of impressive. 

Like the Garmin Alpha, it also lets you set a geofence, shows the dog’s movements, and even has 99 continuous and momentary stimulations. But what’s cooler is we were really able to use it on 21 dogs without it malfunctioning.

Value for Money
98
Ease of Use
93
Battery Life
95
Features
93
Display Technology
94
  • Battery Life: 24 hours for the collar and 12 hours for the handheld device
  • Tracking System: GPS and GLONASS
  • Map Type: Topographic
  • Waterproof: Yes
  • Brand: SportDOG Brand

Overall Score:

95

The Bottom Line:

One of the most agreeably priced dog tracker and collar sets on the market, these DogSport hunting dog tracking systems have a nice screen for easy tracking, as well as 99 continuous, momentary, or rising stimulation to easily train your dog.

What’s Good

  • Can be used for up to 21 dogs
  • Can track up to 10 miles
  • Shows the path the dog took and what they’re currently doing
  • Waterproof up to 25 feet
  • 99 rising, continuous, and momentary stimulation levels
  • Lets you set up a geofence or a virtual fence

What’s Bad

  • The collar is a bit bulky
  • Doesn’t have a feature that lets you download data to your computer

Summary

SportDOG Brand TEK Series 2.0 GPS Tracking

I admit, I didn’t have high expectations for this DogSports dog GPS tracker, thanks to its price, which isn’t very low but relatively lower than most. But boy, wasn’t I in for a surprise. 

This dog tracker has lots of features that can be found on other GPS dog tracking systems. And the range is even greater and bigger than the others, making this our review’s absolute Best Value!

Like the Garmin GPS tracker, it also uses both GPS and GLONASS and doesn’t connect to cell service, so we’re able to use it even in areas that don’t have cellular service coverage. This is an important factor if you’re using these dog tracking collars for hunting, as most hunting areas are dead spots when it comes to cellular service. 

It was very easy to set up as it didn’t come short of guides and prompts on its screen upon my first use. It also has a screen, but it’s not a touchscreen. Instead, it has a wheel as a controller. 

I’d like to get right into my favorite part, firstly…

…this thing is waterproof up to 25 feet! That seriously gave me joy because it meant that we wouldn’t have to avoid watery areas when hunting anymore. I also used to remove the dog collar on my buddy whenever he had to hunt or retrieve something from the lake or river. Now, we don’t have to do it anymore. 

This baby has 99 stimulations that are either continuous, momentary, or rising. Now, that’s a deal!

It also shows if your pup is sitting, walking, or on treed aside from your dog’s location. Just a shame that I can’t download the data on my computer for analysis.

In addition to that…

…it also has a geofence and can hold and train up to 21 dogs! Now, that’s even more than most dog tracking collars!

Related article: Best Retractable Dog Leashes: Our Top 7 Picks

Best Expandable Hunting Dog Tracking System

Dogtra Pathfinder Series GPS Tracking & Training E-Collar

Dogtra Pathfinder SE GPS Tracking & Training E-Collar Special Edition LED Receiver 9-Mile 21-Dog Expandable Rechargeable Waterproof Compatible Smartphone Required with Wearable Carrying Holster

Editor’s Comments:

Although it’s not really our preference to track our dog on our phones and would rather have a handheld remote with a screen, we love that the Dogtra Pathfinder Series GPS Tracking & Training E-Collar uses Google Map, so we were able to choose the map type we want to track the dogs with! 

It also lets you download an offline map in case you’re going somewhere with zero cellular data coverage. And best of all, it has an impressive battery life that can last all day long.

Value for Money
97
Ease of Use
89
Battery Life
97
Features
94
Display Technology
77
  • Battery Life: Around 12-15 hours for the collar
  • Tracking System: Google map and offline map
  • Map Type: Google Maps
  • Waterproof: Yes
  • Brand: Dogtra

Overall Score:

91

The Bottom Line:

This Dogtra dog device collar lets you connect to Google Maps and choose the view that suits you. But if you don’t want to use your cellular data, you can also download an offline map. It can also track multiple dogs all at once.

What’s Good

  • Can be concurrently used with Google Maps
  • Lets you download an offline map
  • Its zoom capability is powerful
  • Simple interface
  • It has up to a hundred correction levels for training your dog
  • Can track up to 21 dogs
  • Up to 9 miles of range
  • Features a geofence option

What’s Bad

  • You need to connect it to your phone
  • No vibrate feature

Summary

Dogtra Pathfinder Series GPS Tracking & Training E-Collar

If you don’t mind using your phone to track your furry buddy, then this Dogtra dog tracker has really cool features to set your adventure off safely and interestingly. 

It lets you connect to Google Maps and view your dog’s location. You can also choose whether to use the normal terrain mode or the satellite mode, which is pretty cool, too. But best of all, it worked for us up to 15 hours the whole day, giving it the perfect 10 in the Battery Life metric and making it this review’s Top Pick! 

What’s better is it updates every two seconds, so you have full confidence that your pup is under your radar at all times. 

It comes with a dog collar and a handheld unit. But the handheld doesn’t have a screen, so you’d have to connect it to your phone, too. 

Now, it uses a cellular connection, which is a bit of a disadvantage. Good thing, it has a feature that lets you download an offline map so you can still track your dog even if there’s no signal. 

The thing is..

…we noticed that the app tends to drain our phone’s battery faster. So if you have an extra phone or an old phone that can install the app, you can use that one instead of your own phone. 

It doesn’t have a vibrate feature, which is a shame. But they made up for it with up to 100 correction levels! Isn’t that impressive? You can also customize the settings through the app. 

Moreover, you can also track up to 21 dogs with it and view them all at once on your map.

But best of all…

…it has a battery life of up to 15 hours! We don’t even remove it anymore. Our Timmie has it on his neck from the time we get up at 6 in the morning to his bedtime at 9 PM. This is also crucial when you’re using it on the mountain or deep in the wild for hunting.

Related article: Should Dogs Wear Boots In The Snow?

Best Waterproof Hunting Dog Tracking System

SportDOG Brand TEK Series GPS Tracking Systems

SportDOG Brand TEK Series 2.0 GPS Tracking + E-Collar System - 10 Mile Range - Waterproof and Rechargeable - Tone, Vibration, and 99 Levels of Shock - Expandable to Locate and Train up to 21 Dogs

Editor’s Comments:

Nice and easy to use, this SportDOG GPS collar and tracker is user-friendly for both beginners and techies as it’s not difficult to set up at all. It’s also one of the best waterproof GPS dog tracking systems, so we were able to hunt near lakes and rivers without worry.

Value for Money
95
Ease of Use
95
Battery Life
98
Features
93
Display Technology
94
  • Battery Life: 24 hours for the collar and 12 hours for the handheld
  • Tracking System: GLONASS + GPS tracker
  • Map Type: Topographical
  • Waterproof: Yes
  • Brand: SportDOG Brand

Overall Score:

95

The Bottom Line:

One of the best waterproof GPS collars for your hunting dogs, it can go up to 25 feet of water and still work. It comes with a handheld device with a nice bright screen. It can handle up to 21 dogs with a range of 10 miles.

What’s Good

  • With up to 99 static stimulation levels
  • Has both tone and vibration options
  • Unlimited lifetime map updates for free
  • Can track up to 10 miles 
  • Expandable up to 21 dogs
  • Also shows the path the dog(s) took to get to their destination
  • With voice updates on the handheld
  • Lets you set up a geofence
  • Comes with an instructional DVD aside from a manual
  • Also features a compass

What’s Bad

  • A bit pricey
  • Doesn’t command the dog when it leaves the geofence as it just sends a signal to the handheld unit

Summary

SportDOG Brand TEK Series GPS Tracking Systems

Looking to hunt near watery bodies but don’t want your GPS dog tracker to get wet and damaged?

This tracker from SportDOG tracking system is your best bet. It has a collar and a handheld device, and the collar is 100% waterproof up to 25 feet. 

Of course, we had to test it out. 

Our German Shorthaired Pointer Timmie loves the water the most. If not hunting, he’s out frolicking in the lake. After wearing this nice red collar for a whole day outside, he came back happy and dried out from the sun, and the collar is still working like new even after Timmie swam for half an hour. 

It has a bright screen on the handheld, but it’s still not a touchscreen. No problem, as the controls were pretty simple that even our gramps loved using it to track Timmie himself. 

In addition to that…

…it has up to 99 static stimulations that can be rising, continuous, or momentary. And aside from tone, it also has a vibration mode. 

But here’s what’s nice: the handheld has a voice update feature, so you can still be updated about the whereabouts and location of your dog, even if you’re busy aiming or shooting at your game. 

Truly made for hunting and sports dogs in mind. 

Moreover, it has a compass feature that works when you move or tilt your device. And it comes with an instructional DVD, too, aside from the manual.

Best Range Hunting Dog Tracking System

Garmin Astro 430/T 5 Dog Tracking Bundle

Garmin Astro 430/T 5 Dog Tracking Bundle

Editor’s Comments:

If you’re looking for a tracker with a good range, then this is the one for you! The Garmin Astro 430/T Dog Tracing Bundle can track up to 20 dogs at a range of 9 miles. And, this tracker sends updates every 2.5 seconds.

Value for Money
86
Ease of Use
93
Battery Life
95
Features
87
Display Technology
85
  • Battery Life: 20 hours
  • Tracking System: GLONASS and GPS tracker
  • Map Type: TOPO U.S 100K mapping
  • Waterproof: No
  • Brand: Garmin

Overall Score:

89

The Bottom Line:

This bright orange GPS tracking collar is as cool as it looks. Like the Garmin Alpha, this Garmin Astro tracking device also uses GPS and GLONASS connectivity so that you can connect faster and easier, even in the deepest of locations. We also love how it updates every 2.5 seconds, giving complete confidence that your furry friend can be easily found if lost.

What’s Good

  • Can track up to 20 dogs
  • Great range of 9 miles
  • More satellites to connect to with its GPS and GLONASS connectivity
  • Comes with a free subscription to BirdsEye for one year
  • Shows you your dog’s metrics and performance data
  • Also comes with a belt clip and a charging adapter for your car
  • An update rate of 2.5 seconds
  • Can be connected to Garmin-compatible devices so you can transfer data

What’s Bad

  • A bit pricey
  • Some users may find the interface challenging

Summary

Garmin Astro 430T 5 Dog Tracking Bundle

If you like Garmin devices but find the Garmin Alpha a little too overwhelming or jam-packed, this Astro still ticks all the right boxes for you. 

It also uses GPS and GLOSSAS, so a fast real-time map update is secured for you. It can also go up to 9 miles and train up to 20 dogs. 

And like the Alpha, it also has a screen on the handheld unit. Although it’s a bit small to my liking, it’s still better than a separate screen, in my own opinion and preference. 

What it doesn’t have, though…

…is the shock feature that Alpha has. This isn’t much of a drawback, though, especially if you’re not very keen on shocking your dog, even if it’s just a mild one. 

But it still has command notifications and sounds. What’s cooler is it can also give you a rundown of your furry friend’s performance and stats! 

What’s better…

…you can also transfer these data to your own device. And speaking of transferring of data, this Garmin Astro can be connected to devices that are compatible with Garmin, such as Garmin’s GPS navigator and Fenix 3 GPS watch so that you can see your dog’s whereabouts anytime and anywhere. 

This baby has an impressive battery life of over 20 hours. It’s a bit strange that the collar is rechargeable while the handheld needs to be inserted with batteries. But no big deal, as long as I can track my buddy more than 20 hours a day!

Buying Guide To Selecting The Best Hunting Dog Tracking Systems:

As a dog owner, your companion’s life is literally in the hands of your tracker whenever they’re away. So buying the best GPS dog trackers is no joke and comes with some important things to consider. 

Here are some of the things you should look for when getting one for your pet. 

Navigation System

You might notice that most dog GPS trackers use GPS or GLONASS. These are navigation systems that use satellites. The more satellites your dog’s GPS collar can connect to, the faster and more accurate it will be. 

Battery Life

Battery life is especially important if you’re taking your pooch out for hunting or hiking. We’ve heard one too many stories of dogs getting lost and still getting found even after the sun went down because their GPS collars still had a charge on them!

Durability

This includes the waterproof capability of the dog collar. It should be able to stand any adventure your restless companion goes into because we’re sure as heck that they won’t just be running in the open but tumbling, rolling, and maybe even wrestling with other dogs, too!

Comfort

I’m sure you’ll know what I’m saying when I say that dogs will always remove something if it’s uncomfortable for their liking. This is why a dog GPS tracker collar should be comfortable and not bulky if you can help it. Antennas could make them uncomfortable, too. So find one that won’t be much of a bother to your pooch when worn. 

Overall Product Comparisons of the Best Hunting Dog Tracking Systems:

Garmin Alpha 100 Bundle
96
SportDOG Brand TEK Series 2.0 GPS Tracking
95
SportDOG Brand TEK Series GPS Tracking Systems
95
Dogtra Pathfinder Series GPS Tracking & Training E-Collar
91
Garmin Astro 430/T 5 Dog Tracking Bundle
89

dog running in field with tracking collar

Best Hunting Dog Tracking Systems FAQs:

Are dog GPS trackers worth it?

If your dog has an active lifestyle and if you live within a vast land, then having a dog GPS collar is worth it. The same goes for hunting dogs. It’s not uncommon to lose a dog during hiking or just living in the countryside, and when that happens, that’s when the tracking capability of your dog’s GPS device will shine. 

How accurate are GPS pet trackers?

It mostly depends on the type of map and tracking technology used. But it’s usually 7 to 10 meters, given that the current condition doesn’t have any issues. 

What pet Tracker has the longest range?

The crowd-favorite Garmin Alpha 100 and SportDOG Brand TEK Series GPS Tracking Systems have a range of up to 10 miles, which is one of the best on the market today. 

brown and white dog sitting with tracking collar on

Conclusion: Best Dog Tracking Collars for Hunting Dogs

So there’s the lowdown of the best hunting dog tracking systems and devices on the market today after months after months of testing them. 

Aside from giving you your companion’s location, we also loved how most of these dog GPS trackers can also give us a summary of their behavior and patterns. The stimulation is preferential, but it’s still a handy feature to have. 

If you’re still on the fence…

…and just want the best dog GPS collar without any fuss, then the Editor’s Choice Garmin Alpha 100 Bundle is the one you’re looking for. 

We’re particularly impressed by its long battery life, and it actually made us quite confident to continue hunting even when the sun went down. It also has a lot of features to explore.

But we also know how painfully expensive dog GPS trackers are. 

Fortunately, we found very agreeably priced ones, the best of them being the SportDOG Brand TEK Series 2.0 GPS Tracking, our Best Value.  It has the quality of an expensive brand, with its incredible 10-mile range that can also be expanded to multiple dogs, up to 21 of them!

Sounds exciting now?

But first, don’t forget to make wearing a GPS device on your dog’s collar a fun experience, so they will always look forward to it and be as excited as you!

Please rate this article, we love to see your feedback!

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