Lion Country Supply: Hunting Dog Supplies Review

LCS Umbrella Holder and Camo Umbrella

Reviewed by: Randy Carlson – LCS General Manager

I used the LCS Adjustable Umbrella Stand (and camo umbrella) while judging at a recent multi-day NAHRA Hunt Test this summer.  The forecast was for sunny days, with scattered showers and I hoped it would be useful for both conditions.  The rain held off, but the sun was intense most days.  Having the shade in the middle of a field to retire to from time to time was great.  The unit is stable and holds the umbrella securely while casting a large amount of shade.  The umbrella will withstand up to a 20 mph breeze, but above that it will turn inside out. 

The use that really excites me about this is the upcoming dove season in September.  Hunting with a black lab, I am always concerned about her overheating on warm days.  This unit will be perfect for keeping her in the shade between retrieves!

Universal Bird Launcher

Reviewed by: Randy Carlson – LCS General Manager.

I have been using the Universal Bird Launcher for steady to flush training with my lab.  I have found the unit to be reliable and easy to use.  It accepts quail, chuckars and pigeons, but is too small for pheasants and ducks.  It launches a pigeon about 12 feet into the air before they start flapping.  The range on the electronics is very good, up 400 yards depending on terrain. 

The unit is light and easy to carry into the field, simple to operate, and most importantly to me provide reliable launches when training.  The transmitter is small and compact, and also can be programmed to launch multiple units from the same transmitter.  I would purchase this launcher again.

Frontline Plus

Reviewed by: Jack Sankey - LCS Customer Service

This product really works! We have two dogs and like in a very remote, wooded area. Our dogs spend a lot of time outdoors. Ticks and fleas are a very real threat. Since we have begun using this product, we have not seen any fleas or ticks on our dogs. I would recommend purchasing Frontline Plus to anyone who has dogs and especially to those who live in an area where ticks are prevalent.

Natures Miracle

Reviewed by: Jack Sankey - LCS Customer Service

We use this product extensively at home. We have two Pomeranians in the house who are very much a part of our family. The elder Pom is a 10-year-old female who has a lot of medical problems and often has accidents in the house. Natures Miracle gas been amazing in cleaning, removing stains and neutralizing odor. The ingredients are safe and all natural. Our household would never be without a bottle of Natures Miracle readily available.

Tritronics Classic 70

Reviewed by: John Sarver – LCS Warehouse

I have owned the same Tritronics Field 70 for fourteen years and am completely satisfied with it. Its five levels of stimulation make it well suited for any dog from sensitive to stubborn. I have used it on some heard-headed labs (levels 3 and 4) and  a sweet/soft Springer (levels 1 and 2) with good results.

The newer version, the Classic 70, has more versatility with six levels of continuous stimulation and is expandable to three dogs. Over the years my Field 70 has been the most dependable and durable piece of training equipment that I own. View additional details about the new Tritronics Classic 70 here.

Better Stake Out

Reviewed by: Amy Bravis – LCS Warehouse

The Lion Country Supply Better Stake Out is a great way to tie out your dog. The stake out has a swiveling top that rotates as your dog moves so the chain won’t get tangled from the dog walking in circles. I use one at my home and keep one in my vehicle for trips to family and friends houses.

The Better Stake Out is available only from Lion Country Supply.

“EZ Load” Pre-loaded Topo Maps by Region

Reviewed by: Kyle Crain – LCS Network Administrator

With the exploding popularity of The Garmin Astro GPS Dog Tracking System, many users are looking for accessories that will make their Astro even more powerful in the woods. One of the best accessories for these units is the Gamin MapSource Topographical Maps. The topographical maps give you greater detail on your Astro and allow you to see detailed information such as:

 - Terrain contours and area elevations
 - Trails and neighborhood roads as well as Interstates and major highways
 - Parks and camping areas
 - Streams, lakes, and rivers

To take advantage of these great features, all you need is the MapSource Topographical Map software for your computer and a memory card for the Garmin Astro unit. You install the memory card into your Astro and connect it to your computer. Once your computer recognizes the Astro, you install and run the MapSource software and select what areas you want to send to the Astro.

This is an excellent accessory and we strongly recommend it for anyone who uses the Garmin Astro. BUT what if you don’t have a computer, or don’t feel comfortable with the whole download/install/upload/ `hope it works out’ process? Lion Country Supply has taken all of the guesswork out of this task for you. We give you the option to buy our “EZ-Load” Pre-loaded maps. All you have to do is select a region from the map above, and we ship you the memory card AND the topographical software.

If you buy an Astro from Lion Country Supply, it gets even better. We will install the card and test it for you. All you have to do when you receive the unit is install batteries and you’re off to the hunt! No computer required and no installing memory cards, computer software, or plugging in cables. 

Select your region and get hunting quicker with the “EZ Load” Pre-loaded Topo Maps by Region

Deluxe Crate Fan

Reviewed by: Cathy Carlson – LCS Customer Service

The LCS Deluxe Crate Fan is one of the best crate fans I have found.  A couple of unique features really set this fan apart.  First, is the adjustable thermostat that really does work well and helps to extend battery life.  The other is the blue ice Cooling System that is really useful on warm, humid day.  This is an additional component that you store in your freezer and take into the field in a cooler.  It clips onto the crate fan and when operating blows cooler air through the fan into the dogs crate. Depending on the air temperature, the blue ice will only last about an hour, but you can get additional ice packs and keep them in a cooler for use as needed.

The thing I didn’t like about the fan it is easy to bump the off/on switch when traveling and wearing out the batteries prematurely.  This can be remedied by opening the battery compartment and reversing one when traveling, then just flip it over when you want to use the fan.

The Deluxe Crate Fan is well made and is a great help is keeping your dog cool when it’s hot. Visit www.lcsupply.com to view more information about the Deluxe Crate Fan, or the Deluxe Crate Fan Cooling Kit.

Garmin Astro Dog Tracking System

Reviewed by: Randy Carlson – LCS General Manager

The Garmin Astro has certainly been one of the more exciting new products LCS has introduced over the last year.  I write this review from the perspective of having played with the unit quite a bit and talked with many of our customers who have used the Astro. 

Our experience with the Astro has been very positive and it certainly lives up to everything Garmin promises.  Three to five mile range, depending on the terrain is reliable and battery life for the handheld receiver is 24 hours and 12-15 hours on the rechargeable transmitter. 

There are two primary screens on the Astro that most dog handlers use.  The first is the dog locater screen that is essentially an electronic compass.  This provides three essential pieces of information – an arrow indicating the direction to your dog, an accurate measurement of how far the dog is from you, and an indicator if the dog is stationary or moving.  The map screen provides an electronic map that gives you the opportunity to mark the location of your vehicle, show your location, and gives you a visual location of your dog, which is updated every 5 seconds.    The great part about this screen is it not only shows where your dog is, but it also shows the ‘track’ that your dog has been running.  For houndsmen, this is essential as it provides a quick visual indication of the direction the dog is heading, providing the opportunity to get ahead of the chase – something that no other tracking system does.

The Astro not only serves as a dog tracking system, but also works as a handheld personal GPS unit as well.  Finding a deer stand in the dark, or your back to your truck after a hunt. 

Acceptance of the Astro by our customers has been strong and our experiences with the unit have been very positive as well.  I highly recommend the Garmin Astro, and feel that if you need a dog tracking system you too should give the Garmin Astro serious consideration.

Danner 453GTX 6” Field Shoes

Reviewed by: Randy Carlson – LCS General Manager

Earlier this spring we learned that Danner was updating their original 452GTX to the new 453GTX.  We decided to put them in our catalog and I got a pair and starting wearing them extensively.  I have worn them to work everyday, used them when training my lab, and while scouting extensively prior to and during our spring turkey season. 

What has really impressed me about these boots is how lightweight and comfortable they are.  They have been completely comfortable at work and my feet do not overheat while wearing inside, or while in the field.  The have been 100% waterproof (Gore-Tex liner) and provide excellent arch support.  The tread design in moderate and is fine for indoor wear, and does not hold mud when using in wet conditions.

I am very hard on footwear, and so far there has been little sign of wear on the outsoles.  I recommend thse Danner 453 6″ Field Shoes and would buy them again.