"SCHWEISS" register - a register of tracker dogs
"Schweiss" is the German word for game blood. In Danish sporting language it is used for deer blood, and it has named the tracker dogs who are trained to track down wounded and knocked down deer.
In 1974, a register of tracker dog handlers who were available for the country's hunters and could be called out to track wounded game on the claimant's hunting ground was made in Denmark. The register was made on the initiative of the former Danish Hunters' Organisation but came under the auspices of the Danish Gun Dog Committee in 1976.In connection with the amendment of the Hunting Act in 1982, a formalization was carried through. In this way, tracker dog handlers with identification were permitted to carry out tracking and to carry and use firearms on unfamiliar ground without permission from the owner or the person who has the hunting rights. This amendment was carried through on the basis of the fact that wounded game often passes property-lines and therefore tracking must be stopped or postponed unnecessarily if a permission from the neighbour is necessary. The direct connection with the Hunting Act meant that the administration of the register was formalised. In the 1980s, the administration fell on The Wildlife Administration in the Ministry of Agriculture (until 1989) and in the Ministry of the Environment. In 1991, the register came under the auspices of The National Forest and Nature Agency. However, the responsibility for the day-to-day administration rested with the three former Hunters'Associations. This part was transferred to the Danish Hunters' Association when it was founded in 1992 as a merge of the three associations.
With the amendment of the Hunting Act in 1993, a further amendment was carried through because of rules laid down via an authorisation in the Hunting Act; rules of compulsory calling in a tracker dog handler with identification when there is sign of wounded cloven-hoofed game. The rules are laid down in the special regulation referring to the Danish Hunting Act. As provided in the rules, the person who has wounded the game has to call in a tracker dog handler if the game has not been found within 6 hours during day time after the time of the wounding. However, the regulation does acknowledge tracking carried out by a tracker dog handler without identification if he/she has passed a 20 hours test. He/she is only permitted to enter unfamiliar ground when arranged with the owner or the person who has the hunting rights.
To enter the register the dog must fulfil the following demands:The has to pass an tracking test.The dog handler must fulfil the following demands:Valid game licence with rifle hunting certificate, rifle licence, possession of at least a rifled weapon and a shotgun. Also, before the dog handler can enter the register, he/she must attend a 2-days course at The Wildlife Management School, Denmark. This course consists of 2 parts; a theoretical and a practical part. Importance is attached to the tracker dog handler's behaviour when called in and to situations where the tracking is on unfamiliar ground. In the practical part, wounding places are analysed and concrete trackings are demonstrated. The selection of new tracker dogs who wish to enter the register takes place on the recommendation of a special committee who is advisory for The National Forest and Nature Agency in questions concerning the register. This committee has representatives from interalia The National Forest and Nature Agency, The Danish Forestry Society, The Danish Hunters' Association and The Danish Kennel Club. The Danish Hunters' Association acts as secretariat for the committee. The main criterion for the selection is the need for tracker dogs in certain local areas.
In excess of the regulation governing tracking and destruction of distressed game, The National Forest and Nature Agency lays down a specific regulation for tracker dog handlers. In this way, they are bound to secrecy regarding name of the claimant and place of the tracking at any time. If possible, the neighbour has to be informed if the tracking is on unfamiliar ground. If the neighbour does not know about the tracking, the police has to be informed. In such cases, only the tracker dog handler - and not the claimant or others present - has access to the area. Also, hunting on the claimant's area must be stopped. No matter who has wounded, tracked and killed the animal, it falls to the claimant of the area where the animal was killed. If an animal has been found on unfamiliar ground, it is to be broken and provided with a label with information about who has found it and where and when it has been found. If it is not possible to make contact with the owner or the person who has the hunting rights on the concerned area, the animal must be brought to the police. Calling in a tracker dog is normally free. However, the claimant reimburses the tracker dog handler for his mileage expenses (the scale of charges of the state). In cases where a tracker dog is called in at the request of the police or "Falck" (road rescue), The National Forest and Nature Agency pays for the mileage expenses.
Approximately 189 dogs of 17 different breeds were registered 1 January 1999. All breeds approved by the Danish Kennel Club can enter. However, wire-haired bird dog and retriever make up more than half. After each season (1 February-31 January), the tracker dog handlers have to send in a report on the work which has been done. In the season 1998/99, approximately 4,890 tracks were carried out of which the animal was found in 55 per cent of the cases. More than 90 per cent of the tracks are for roe deer. The tracking is spread equally in the spring and in the autumn. The Danish tracker dog handlers are called in approximately 1.052 times a year because of game, in particular roe deer, which has been knocked down in traffic. This number is increasing, just as the number of wounded game is increasing. It is a result of a larger roe deer stand and a lot of attention to tracker dogs. As a result of the new legislation on the area (see above), a striking increase in the number of tracks for wounded game must be expected. The tracker dog handlers' reports are compiled by The Danish Hunters' Association every year. Additional information is available from here. The register is sent to everybody who is entitled to a game licence together with the licence. It is published in The Danish Hunters' Association's magazine "JÆGER" in which it is updated every half year. It is also included in the subscription for "Den Nye Jæger" which is targeted for education. Questions about the "Schweiss" register can be put to The National Forest and Nature Agency or The Danish Hunters' Association.
