New state law permits use of blood-tracking dogs for wounded game
Since the opening of the early archery season in Wildlife Management Unit 2B, Susan Edwards has been booked solid.
The Ford City tracker is listed by the nationwide United Blood Trackers organization as southwestern Pennsylvania’s only UBT-accredited trainer of blood-tracking dogs. She and her beagles have plenty of experience finding wounded game animals in states where the use of tracking dogs is legal.
The new Pennsylvania law, which went into effect Sept. 15, permits the use of leashed dogs to locate wounded deer, elk and bears. It is the result of 18 years of lobbying, including 10 years in which Ms. Edwards worked the phone and testified before legislators to help push the bill through the General Assembly.
“We worked hard to get that law changed,” she said. “Nobody likes to lose a deer, and a good dog tracks better than any human ever could.”
Before accepting a tracking assignment, Ms. Edwards said she talks at length with the hunter, asking for details about the hunt and property access.
“The questions help me try to get a picture of the event,” she said. “I’m also an archer — for 15 years plus — so I can understand the situation before I get there. [UBT members] want to educate hunters, and we’re there to help you. But we really do not want [a hunter] to think the dogs will save you if you take unethical pot shots. Distance shots, I’m not a fan of. I need to know your skill level and the capabilities of your bow.”
A Game Commission spokesman said blood-trail trackers are required to have a general license for deer and bear and elk licenses for those animals. The law allows tracking of big game wounded by arrow, bolt or bullet, and permits trackers to accept payment. Despite the work that goes into training and her time on the trail, Ms. Edwards doesn’t charge for her services.
“The way I work is people make a good-will offering. I’m comfortable with that,” she said. “Mostly I enjoy being out working with my dogs.”