Alaska has one of the most open and transparent game management systems in the country. Every method used in the field has to be earned and approved. For us at Glacier Guides, tracking dogs were not something we adopted casually. They were something we had to prove belonged in ethical hunting.
Years ago, our family began submitting formal proposals to the Board of Game to use tracking dogs specifically for recovering wounded animals. Not for chasing game. Not for gaining an advantage. Only for recovery.
We started with a Jack Russell named BraveHeart.
From the beginning, every recovery was documented. What was found. What was not. The conditions surrounding each situation. That information was submitted year after year to Fish and Game to show the real impact tracking dogs could have on ethical recovery. Over time, that work paid off. Through research, documentation, and accountability, working tracking dogs were approved for recovery use.
Today, we are still one of the only outfitters in Alaska that brings trained tracking dogs into the field.
Meet Lou and Rip
The dogs working alongside us now are Rip, a Catahoula, and Lou, a black and tan coonhound. They are not pets and they are not tools. They are partners.
When a bear moves into thick cover, these dogs give us added awareness and support before we step in ourselves. Just as important, they help ensure we recover that animal for the hunter. That matters to us, and it matters to the people who hunt with us.
Tracking dogs are not about making the hunt easier. They are about doing it right.
That mindset of respect for the animal, the land, and the responsibility that comes with both is something we have carried from BraveHeart to Lou and Rip. It is not changing anytime soon.
FAQ
We use tracking dogs to support ethical recovery after a shot. Their purpose is to help locate wounded animals, not to pursue live game.
No. Our dogs are only used after the shot, specifically for recovery. They are trained to track wounded animals, not to pressure or pursue game.
They don’t make the hunt easier—they make it more responsible. Recovery is part of the hunt, and we take that seriously.
In dense cover, especially during bear hunts, dogs provide added awareness before guides enter the brush, helping us make safer decisions.
Absolutely. Ethical recovery, respect for wildlife, and accountability in the field are core to how we operate. You can get more info about our story and hunting philosophy here.
