Tracking Hunting Dogs

Last updated: July 31, 2026· 8 min read

GPS dog tracking transforms field management. Whether you run pointing dogs, hounds, or retrievers, seeing your dogs on the map allows you to hunt more efficiently, recover a missing dog faster, and respond immediately when something goes wrong. This guide covers the complete setup and field use workflow.

Equipment You Need

You need a ProHunt Pro subscription and at least one compatible GPS collar. ProHunt supports a range of collar brands, including Garmin Alpha, Tracker G500, Tracker G1000, MiniFinder, Tractive, PetFon, and Fi, as well as off-brand Bluetooth LE and cellular collars so you can use affordable gear with a professional-grade app.

  • Cellular (and satellite) collars connect over the mobile or satellite network and typically require the collar maker's own subscription.
  • Bluetooth LE collars connect directly to your phone and generally do not need a separate collar subscription.

For bird dogs and close-working retrievers, Bluetooth LE collars are often the most cost-effective option. For ranging hounds that work well beyond Bluetooth range, a cellular or satellite collar is essential.

Setup Walkthrough

  1. Install the collar and set up its account (if cellular/satellite)

    For cellular or satellite collars, activate the collar subscription with the collar manufacturer and create the account it requires. This is separate from ProHunt.

  2. Connect to ProHunt

    Go to Settings > Dog Tracking > Add Dog. Select your collar type. For cellular or satellite collars, authorise ProHunt to read from your collar account. For Bluetooth LE collars, pair over Bluetooth.

  3. Name your dog and assign a colour

    The name appears on the map pin. Use distinct colours when tracking multiple dogs simultaneously.

  4. Test before hunt day

    Turn on the collar and walk it around your yard while watching the ProHunt map. Verify the pin follows you as you move, and confirm the collar shows a healthy charge.

  5. Day-of: power on collars at the truck

    Turn on collars a few minutes before releasing dogs. Allow each collar to acquire a GPS satellite lock while the dog is stationary. A collar that has not acquired lock before the dog starts running produces a position delay.

Reading the Dog Map

  • Paw icon with name — current dog position
  • Direction arrow — heading based on last two positions
  • Speed colour — slow (working/pointing) vs fast (running)
  • Track line — last 30 minutes of movement
  • A dog that stops moving — often a dog on point, a treed quarry, or a dog in trouble; check the map
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Spotting a point

When a pointing dog locks up, its position on the map holds still. If a dog's marker stops moving unexpectedly, navigate toward it promptly — it may be on point.

Recovering a Lost Dog

If a dog breaks off and goes missing:

  1. Check the last known position

    Even if the collar has gone out of range (BLE) or out of cell coverage, ProHunt shows the last GPS position with a timestamp. This is your starting point.

  2. Check the last known position

    Head to the dog's last known position on the map and follow its likely direction of travel from there.

  3. Navigate to last position

    Use the last known position as a waypoint and navigate to it. When you get within BLE range (for BLE collars), the position will resume updating.

  4. Listen and call

    Within a few hundred metres of the last position, call the dog and listen. A dog on quarry may be focused and not respond immediately.

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