Session 6: Runaways

Since the last session I had a different kind of session at one of my favorite shops, Hudson Trail Outfitters. I spent an enjoyable couple of hours working out which boots to get and what other accessories would be useful.  Why do the shop assistants always recommend the most expensive options? (OK, I do know the answer to that). Well, the Asolos, individually stitched and made in Italy really did seem to be the most comfortable, so they would have to do. I also got some gaiters, unfortunately the only ones that fit me (ie. Short enough but waterproof) were red, not so great for concealment, but I’m sure they’ll get muddy quickly enough. I had also made good use of Amazon.com and had purchased a camelback, a decent compass and a book about wilderness navigation. Unfortunately, the book has not yet been read. Having ascertained that it is indeed possible to spend several hundred dollars on this game, I was ready to set out and get the most out of my new equipment. I somewhat self-consciously put on the bright red gaiters, hoping that the others did not notice all the shiny new toys I had. If they did, they politely did not say anything.

Today’s location was Little Bennett State Park, at the Horse Trailer Parking Lot. It was aptly named, as throughout the morning the trailers arrived, most with two horses, most with two women. Today was a re-certification day for two of the members, required every two years for each human/dog team. The scenario was specified as such: I was a geo-casher who had not returned, presumed to have gone off-path following a bird sighting. As the subject, I had to be “non-responsive” when found by the dog, since I was supposed to be unconscious.



Hiking up the Hill

I walked with Gemma to the defined sector, and we found a nice spot on a pretty steep hill, with downed-trees on two sides and brush on the other. I lay down on an army-surplus foam mat and covered myself with camouflage netting, two other items I had recently purchased. I made sure my blue backpack was well hidden, since last time it was the giveaway to my location.  Only 20 minutes later I was found by Vector, who walked over me, then jumped on me. I suppose I could have moved my arm to protect my neck from being stood upon, but I was trying to fulfill my instructions to the word!  Elsa and Vector passed their re-certification with flying colors. 

My view when prone

Later in the day Cino got his first lesson in searching.  Gemma, a very capable and experienced SAR member did “runaways” with me: she got Cino all excited using her voice, body language and treats, then, with me holding his collar to restrain him, she ran away with him watching, and hid partially behind a tree. As soon as she was hidden, I let go of his collar and he went bounding after her. He did not look left or right, but stayed focused on her all the time. As soon as he got to her he was rewarded with treats and praise.  We did this twice, and it worked beautifully. He went absolutely in a straight line, jumping over branches and with great enthusiasm. Because he did it so well, Gemma decided he could try the next step in runaways. This is where the subject runs down a path and then darts into the undergrowth for a short distance and goes out of sight. It is important to check the wind position since the wind must be coming from the direction of the subject, so that the dog notices the smell as he runs down the path. Gemma told me to look for the head jerk as he runs past the spot where she is hiding, which is immediately followed by his body turning. Once again he did a perfect job. All this was done with a 20 ft leash trailing, but not being held by me. I was initially worried that once he realized he was not under my physical control he might take off after some critter, but Gemma did such a good job of keeping his attention that it was a non-issue.  Great!

Next step was trailing Gemma with her GSD Tucker to find a cadaver casket. Tucker is certified as a tracking dog, and her other GSD as a tracking and cadaver dog. As we were searching for the casket, I was learning about this other skill. One advantage of cadaver is that it is stationary, but it may be spread in many different locations. Also, it may be fresh or even decades old. To train their dogs in human cadaver work requires – human remains. Apparently bones can be purchased over the internet. They use donated blood, but not their own.  They would, but our blood smells like us, and would confuse the dog. When they made a find, they scrape up dirt/soil from under the remains which has had “seepage”.  They also use extracted teeth.  The casket is about the size of a small tool box into which I did not look too closely. Gemma keeps it in her garage, where, I guess, it gently matures. As she put it “cadaver work is fun”.