I run bells all the time and rather loud ones at that. I have not had a dog go deaf prior to old age. I also use a gps collar. I can hear the bells and can tell what the dog is up to just by the cadence of the bell. However, my hearing does not allow me to tell direction very well. So, when the bells go quiet out comes the gps for a quick check on location. It works very well for me. I just enjoy listening to bells traversing the cover.
As for bells spooking birds, I do not think so and I hunt pressured birds. The dog has to stay off the birds.
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