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Sabbing in groups ensures that someone always has your back. The optimal
group size is between 2 or 3 sabs together, any more might be suspicious. The
number of groups in the field can be infinite. Keep in contact with other groups
by radio, if a large number of sabs are in the woods use a relay system to
expand your radio range. Only necessary if you discovered during preseason
scouting that there is no cell signal.
Specific tactics by species are covered in the Tactics
section There are several sabbing techniques that do not require a
hunting license, gun or activity during hunting seasons. Below you will find 2
different options.
Preseason: I start collecting old beer or soda cans before a season.
After they are washed I fill them with hair obtained from a barber, and add
repellants or other foul smelling items that drive a "game" animal away. Approx
a week before the season begins, randomly leave these scent cans near a hunted
area on its side. I like to cover my cans with leaves or other debris to obscure
them. Give the animals a heads up that hunters will be in the area.
Hiking
 | As with any season, it is crucial to let someone know where you are going
and when you plan to be back. Know your location and the surrounding areas. |
| Know your hunting season dates and locations- remember hunting is
year-round. Some states don’t allow hunting on Sundays. |
| Realize that muzzle loader, archery and other non-rifle seasons are going
to be much less heavily hunted. Rifle season is the biggest worry. |
| Don’t fear fowl season. The guns are usually pointing up and those hunters
well within range of not mistaking you or Fido as a dove or pheasant. It’s
mostly deer season you need to be concerned about. |
| Wear Hunter Safety orange. Lots of it. Probably not as much as I can do
(head to toe, most gear), but a hunter’s safety vest is worth the $1-2. Make
sure your dog is also wearing some sort of orange. The same style hunter’s
vest that you wear will also work on your dog if you can’t find a
canine-specific cape. Put his legs through the arm holes, bring the front
panels under his belly and pin together on top. Criss-crossing under the belly
helps with keeping it in place.
Cabela’s and
WolfPacks both sell ID
capes. Most of the Cabela’s style are made to protect the dog from brush,
fences or water while hunting as well. Many mushing outfitters do as well.
Bandanas are also good, and it doesn’t hurt to have an orange bandana for
signaling any time of the year. |
| Don’t wear brown or white- the bad apples who would mistake you for a deer
are only encouraged by these colors. |
| Make noise- sing, talk, crash through the woods. Make sure people know
you’re coming through. You can tie a sleigh bell to the dog’s pack as well-
this might even be good in bear country the rest of the year. If you see a
hunter, call out your location. |
| Stick to protected lands- if there are parks or forests or even private
lands available that do not allow hunting- try those. You’d be safer, but
remember sometimes people will hunt there anyway. |
| Sometimes it’s best just to stay home. Open day of firearms season would
probably be the day to not venture out. Actually, that whole weekend might not
be a bad idea. I don’t hike at all during deer season. Sure, the scenery and
temps are nice, but, sometimes, it’s just not worth the hazards.
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Thanks for checking this out. Safe hiking!
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