My best strike hound chased a bobcat into a boulder field. A faint radio signal from the dog's transmitter collar led me to Gus, trapped deep beneath a pile of boulders. A five-day rescue began. With the help of seven hunting buddies, we moved boulders, weighing tons, planning every move to prevent a cave-in. Using a 19-foot pole, I was able to get food and water to Gus. Finally, my buddies lowered me by my ankles until I could get hold of the two collars around Gus' neck.

M. C. -- Unity, Maine

My Blue tick hound ran a bear track across a highway. His transmitter collar signal faded fast and I could not find him by driving the hunting area. We rented a plane, strapped an antenna to the wing, and flew for about an hour, until we picked up the dog's signal. After landing, my dad (a policeman) and I drove to the area. Passing a house, we got a strong signal without the antenna being hooked to the receiver. After we knocked on the door, the guy admitted our dog was penned out back, but he didn't know anything about a collar. I tracked the collar to the culvert across from his house. He had buried it in mud and water, thinking the collar would stop working.

W. M. -- St. Helen, Michigan

My foxhounds run deer across a creek where alligators nest in a dead end. A week after a hunt, my hound Kelly had not returned home. With a friend's airboat, I tracked her transmitter collar signal into the backwater. We could see several big gators, one 13 feet long or better. At the strongest signal, I got out of the boat onto the bank and triangulated from several points. I decided the transmitter collar was 5 to 10 feet off the bank, and as my friends watched for me, I eased into the water. Almost submerged, I felt the muddy bottom. On the third try, I brought up a large handful of sticks, weeds, and the Wildlife collar. It was mangled, with the antenna broken off and hanging on the plastic cable tie. The transmitter was almost bitten off except for two screws and numerous teeth holes, both big and small. I hated losing Kelly, but at least I can stop looking for her.

C. F. J. -- Pierson, Florida

Recently a car hit my dog. We found him laying in the road with all four feet in the air, not moving. I pulled my gun out of the truck to put him out of his misery. Then my cousin said, "Wait. Give him a chance." The dog must have gotten hit in the neck where the transmitter collar absorbed the impact. The dog's nose was broken and the collar snapped in half. I feel sure that the collar saved my dog's life. One week later the dog is treeing like nothing happened.

B. A. -- Sanford, North Carolina

While rabbit hunting, my beagle Dodger disappeared. For two days, I located his collar signal at the same spot but Dodger was nowhere to be seen, with temperatures at 10-15 degrees. After finding Dodger's tracks near a brush pile, I called him. Dodger climbed up from the brush, and that's when I saw the bear's head. A big black bear reached up enough to get hold of the dog's legs with her mouth, pulling Dodger down into the den again. The next day I returned with the game warden. Dodger yelped, and the bear cubs down below squealed and whined, but the bear would not let my dog out of the dark hole. Next day I returned with a biologist/bear specialist. Again, when I called, Dodger struggled up but the hibernating bear pulled him back. Finally the biologist grabbed and lifted Dodger by his collar. The bear followed, but seeing people, fled into the woods. Dodger was dehydrated, skinnier and hungry, but basically fine. We bundled the two cubs left in the den, and when we checked next day, the mother bear had returned to them.

W. M. -- Wilton, Maine

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