Rummaging in my hunting cabinet the other day, I came across a sheep bell. It is the one my dad used last century to keep up with his wide-ranging dogs. The sight of it brought back memories of old Sport tearing out through the fields, conjuring sounds of the William Tell Overture and images of the Lone Ranger. The bell was handed down to me, but I have never used it.

I am not usually the first to try new technology, but I bought an electronic collar soon after they came on the market. It was the only way I could keep up with ole Leukos. The remotely triggered beeper was a giant step in quail hunting. The ability to reach out and touch an errant covey-buster with a dose of Alabama Power was a new chapter in dog training. I have owned several such devices as they improved, the locator beeper being especially useful until my hearing got bad.