Hunters shooting my dogs

[jimmyraythomason]

I don't know about the property access laws in North Carolina but here in Alabama, ALL privately owned land is posted by law. A permit signed by the property owner or his agent is REQUIRED to be in the possession at all times while hunting on anothers property. With the wanton killing of dogs also being a class C felony, such an act would be of much interest to the Sheriff or Game Warden.

 

[Vern Humphrey]

Regarding 1), and I'm not really to keen on spending your time and my time explaining all the ins and outs, it is a fact that you can't hunt on land near my property without crossing it. That's what infuriates me.

Did you back track the dog and find where he was shot?

As for 2), I agree, and am currently withholding judgment. Heck, I hope it didn't kill the dog. He's only been gone since this morning, which is very unusual for him.

Any number of things could have happened.

And 4), maybe in your circles that's true. Where I'm from in NC, lots of hunters are absolute jerks. Just the fact that you're in the InterWeb tells me something about you. You are literate and you put a modicum, at least, of thought into your actions. Heck, you're on THR. But what makes you assume all hunters are like you (if you do hunt)?

I chase tresspassers off my property during hunting season -- I have 185 acres, and like your place, to get to several thousand acres of prime hunting land, people have to cross my property.

But hunters are hunters -- they do things like wear scent-lock clothes, put up deer stands, use scent lures and so on. Why would they do all that and shoot a dog -- and risk scaring off a deer?

 

[chris26]

It seems very small minded to believe that this fellow is automatically in the wrong or stretching the truth because he claims that his dogs never leave the property. Seems like there is plenty of espousing of one-sided opinions disguised as facts in the Political forum, allowing for no other point of views , yet there is nary a word cast against these posts. My, hypocrisy seems to run deep in these waters! Why don't we give this fellow what he asked for...advice. I don't think he came here asking for criticism or to have his credibility called into question. Here is my advice...it is your land, if you wish to not have hunters on it, don't allow them. If you beleive that they have shot your dogs in the past, that is enough justification for your decision. If you decide to confront these folks, be polite, be firm, have a radio/cell phone and a gun at hand. I would also alert the Sheriff and Game Warden (s) in the area about the issue and what your stance is. It is your land, you have the right to do what you wish. However, I would fully expect you to respect others' land and their wishes when it comes to your dogs as well, if they do happen to roam. I believe that it is about mutual respect. Personally, I beleive that 99.9% of the hunters out there are great folks who respect landowners and their property. However, there are those who do not. Kindly let the respectful ones hunt and the others hunt a different spot to hunt in.
Oh, by the way, seems rather assinine to doubt the credibility of a man coming to ask advice on a topic that affects us all (hunter/landowner relationships) and to automatically assume that there was absolutely no irresponsible acts committed by any hunters in the area. Kindly remember that we are supposed to promote our sport and hunting (or that is what is claimed so often here in THR!) not tear down relationships between the two. And if I had the common sense at the age of 21 to ask advice before I took action, I would be a wiser and better off man today. I am pretty sure that instead of complainig about the younger generation and not insult/question the integrity of those that ask for advice from the older "wiser" generation but rather help them out. But I guess it is easier to cast stones at a man trying to help out his folks from afar off. Best of luck Conwict. Chris

 

[Avenger29]

Blaze orange on the dogs

Sometimes that doesn't work. A teacher I had back in high school told of one of his friends who was hunting, and a deer came past my teacher's stand with a beagle with an orange collar on it trying to catch it shortly behind. They headed in the direction of my teacher's friend's stand, and a shot was heard. The teacher met his friend back at the truck, who had a big grin and held up an orange collar...

Those kind of people ought to be drawn and quartered.

Oh, and if you find a vehicle trespassing on your property, and you want to disable it w/o doing too much damage, cut the valvestems...

 

[American_Pit_Bull]

I have heard of several people that will shoot any dog that they see chasing deer. A dog will run a deer to death.

 

[cobrian45]

I think there are two separate issues here. The trespassing and the dog shooting. I am highly irritable when I find people have been on or are on my land. That is a separate issue. The game warden or S.O. need to be involved in that. I know you feel these are the same people then shooting the dog, but that's not provable unless you catch them at it (difficult to catch them in the act). Trespassing is more easily provable (video) and a game warden will be likely to be on your side if people are on your land with guns whether they were intending to hunt there or not.

Now, for the dog issue I have to say that if they are not fenced there is no assurance they are staying put. I have a beautiful German Shorthaired Pointer and I have to do everything in my power to keep her contained. They are well known for being escape artists. I have spent lots of money and time keeping her where she should be when I'm not with her, including in-ground invisible fence. Why? The only way I can insure her safety is by doing so. Is just shooting any dog you see right? Not necessarily. I've been on both sides of the issue and had livestock involved as well as watching from my stand as packs of everyone elses dogs chase deer from my hunting area. Is it the dog's fault? No. They are being dogs. Will this stop a land owner or hunter from shooting the dog out of frustration? Probably not. There is only one way, truly, to nip the problem in the bud. Keep the dogs safe by keeping them home when you aren't with them. Deal with the trespassing as a separate issue.

I had to edit to say this: I know it's not right to just shoot a dog and it's sure as sh** not right if it is done on your property. On the other hand, those dogs only have you to protect them by keeping them close. It's not the easiest, but it's the right thing. You obviously can't trust people around you to do the right thing, so you have to take it upon yourself to protect them.

 

[chipperi]

We have 22acres here in NE Tennessee. I have a collection of tree stands in my garage. As I like to hunt my own property I have NO Trespassing/Hunting signs all around the perimeter of my property. Hunting usually takes place in the wee hours of the morning or as the sun goes down. The week before the specific seasons (Doe Buck handgun etc) I run the property around noon on a 4 wheeler and a pair of bolt cutters. I collect all sorts of tree stands illegally placed on my property. I replace them with with a note to stop by the house and meet me and a sherrifs deputy to claim their stand and be charged with trespassing. You know no one has ever claimed one. They probably buy it back from me at a yard sale in the summer. This past year I put an electrified cattle fence along one troublesome section that borders a road along the backside of the property. I was always seeing truck and 4wheeler tracks back there.

 

[Reyn]

Ive had at least 3 different occasions where people's dogs were running deer off me or past me. This has been on public and private land. Ive NEVER considered shooting them but it did irritate the crap out of me. The last 2 times i managed to holler at the dogs as they were in pursuit of the deer. They looked at me and ran off back in the direction they came.

 

[Snagglepuss]

Sorry this is black and white to me. Shoot a dog for sport and you deserve to be shot yourself. Who cares if a dog runs a deer to death. The dog is not choosing to do this, its instinct.

 

[Vern Humphrey]

Sorry this is black and white to me. Shoot a dog for sport and you deserve to be shot yourself. Who cares if a dog runs a deer to death. The dog is not choosing to do this, its instinct

The dog is not a free agent. It has an owner -- and that owner should be arrested and convicted of tresspassing.

 

[Snagglepuss]

'Shoot a dog for sport"

This is my main beef.

 

[CannibalCrowley]

But what is really the problem is that we have had two, and now maybe three, dogs shot by hunters. One barely made it into the carport, bloodied, when I was about ten and then expired. Another never came back. And now my parents heard a gunshot this morning - I am at college - and another dog is yet to come back.

Dog #1 - Definitely shot; but that was what, eight years ago?

Dogs #2 & 3 - Since you've probably already done the logical thing and searched the property for them, they must have left the property and for some reason didn't come back. Whether they were shot or not we'll probably never know; but if so, is sure didn't happen on your property.

 

[eliphalet]

. Who cares if a dog runs a deer to death.

I kinda do.

 

[R.W.Dale]

Who cares if a dog runs a deer to death.

Shoot a dog for sport and you deserve to be shot yourself.

I prefer to have the deer. A dog is just an animal like any other. They aren't any more special than a chicken, opossum, yak, bison or cat. Anyone who places a dogs life on some form of parity with a person has some SERIOUS mental health issues that require professional help.

What a (*%#$^ up country we live in where we can murder our unborn children without guilt. Yet the harming of an ANIMAL is a felony.

 

[Blackfork]

Lakehouse and Ranch dogs.

At the club lake where I have a lakehouse and deerhunt in the creekbottom behind, we often have dogs that have been dumped. Once the dumped pack was up to 19 dogs. We shoot these dogs on sight. I'll even bait them to a place with an open sack of dog food and shoot them. The SO won't do anything about the dogs. If I live trap them and take them to the pound, THEY kill them. I've caught them under the bridge over the creek sleeping in the heat of the day, sneaked in and used a 12 gauge pump. These dogs don't belong to anyone, so they don't get any protection. Everyone shoots them.

There are three deer and cattle-running dogs who live about a half mile, (not far to a dog) from the lake property. I've seen them run deer and I see them checking my deercams often. They have collars. I know where they live. I'm undecided. Only one has a good nose and can track deer, the others just follow. I've thought about shooting the tracker. I haven't complained to the owner, in case I do decide to shoot. This has gone on over two years.

At the ranch to the north where I shoot doetags we have people who own and live on property inside the exterior boundrys of the ranch property, which is not contiguous. We see their dogs running deer in person and see them on cam. So far, we are not shooting these dogs. They are also about 1/2 mile from their home. The ranch owner is FOR shooting. So far, I'm passing. (I could have killed two with a Garand last spring.) But we also aren't complaining to the dogs owner in case we do decide to shoot. Options open.

There just isn't a cut and dried answer in my case. In your case I hope your dog has showed up.

 

[conw]

Guys, I really appreciate the feedback from everyone. I understand this is a very large issue that is also an individual one. Basically, I am satisfied with what I have decided: more vigorous patrols correlated with the hunting seasons, no trespassing signs, and better control of my dog(s). So as you can see I think a bit of tightening-up on both ends is in order here. Again, I am not trying to justify my situation to anyone. I am glad for everyone who both pointed out certain errors in my logic and gave sound advice.

I prefer to have the deer. A dog is just an animal like any other. They aren't any more special than a chicken, opossum, yak, bison or cat. Anyone who places a dogs life on some form of parity with a person has some SERIOUS mental health issues that require professional help.

Javelin, I think that's a loaded statement. Even the most unattached, emotionally cold person must acknowledge that a dog is someone else's property. A dog fulfills certain duties...companion, watch dog, and perhaps even a seeing-eye or assistance role.

Now, I agree that all things being equal, an animal is an animal. But shooting a deer in the wild and shooting an animal which is at the very least someone's property (and at most, perhaps someone's closest companion) are different things. I acknowledge that in some situations it may be the only option - repeated raids on your livestock, or invading your property or hunting grounds with unrestrained intent.

However, you are really tilting the issue when you a) allege that someone (other than PETA freaks) puts dogs on the level of human life, and b) allege that killing a dog is just like killing any other animal, period.

Good day.

 

[Snagglepuss]

"What a (*%#$^ed up country we live in where we can murder our unborn children without guilt. Yet the harming of an ANIMAL is a felony."

Oh, I agree with you there bud.

 

[ArmedBear]

WRT blaze orange, you can get vests for bird dogs to make them visible in the field. They also work if you have dogs running around in a yahoo-infested deer hunting area.



Here's a simple vest for $10, with a large area of blaze, and reflector strips:
http://www.basspro.com/webapp/wcs/s...r=51809&hvarTarget=search&cmCat=SearchResults

This one also functions as a chest protector. More durable, also with blaze orange and reflector strips.
http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/t...parentType=index&indexId=cat602789&hasJS=true

Blaze will indicate to anyone with half a brain that these belong to someone and are not feral dogs, wolves, coyotes, or whatever. Furthermore, if a hunter shoots at something blaze orange, he can and will be nailed to the wall by game wardens and the courts.

Maybe signage saying: "Hunting or other use only by permission of owner. Access without written permission illegal. Private Property. (Address to go and ask)" or something of the sort, if you don't want to strictly prohibit access to all the land.

Good luck. I love my dogs -- come to think of it, one of them could look like a deer to someone with buck fever. Both, maybe, since they're both red, fast and short-haired. Maybe I'll get some vests, too.

 

[Snagglepuss]

Great Post. Thanks

 

[Avenger29]

A dog will run a deer to death

I consider that a good thing. We've got too many damn deer around anyway. Go find yourself another one, Great White Hunter. It shouldn't be too hard...

cattle-running dogs

I can understand about the cattle-chasing dogs...that's harming someone else's property.

My dog doesn't chase deer- she's terrified of them, ever since she got thrown by a buck who she irritated a little too much...

And, yeah, some ******* has taken a shot at my dog before- she had a wound channel down her back with powder burns. So I'm kinda not really friendly towards hunters who think it is fun to shoot a dog.

 

[MDHunter]

Hope Your Dog Comes Back

Conwict,

Good on YOU for asking advice, I wish I'd have been as open-minded when I was your age! I hope your dog comes back safe, and good luck in getting the trespassers off your land.

Disregard some of the posts here that seemed to infer things none of us know either way. Use the facts you have, and try to keep assumptions out of the issue.

As for good/bad hunters - just remember hunters are just a subset of the general population, there will be good ones and bad ones, smart ones and idiots, etc - just like we have on the forum, and just like you'll find anywhere in the country.

 

[Richmond]

why shoot at dog?

4. It doesn't make sense for a hunter to shoot a dog -- why would he do that? What's in it for him? It does make sense for a hunter not to fire a shot until he has deer in his sights.

I just had to comment on this - 99% of the hunters out there are good, respectful sportsmen. On the other hand, you could ask the above question of "why" to the hunters in my county this fall season who managed to shoot:

• a cow
• a car
• a member of their own hunting party (non-fatal)

Regarding trespassers, each state will have it's own statutes. Find a friendly lawyer and ask for a rundown. It is the sort of stuff I do for free, as will many lawyers.

Minnesota law, for example, has specific clauses regarding rights to eject a trespasser, etc.

 

[Kimber1911_06238]

whether the dogs roam or not, it takes a real scumbag to shoot a dog that isn't attacking anything. Those aren't hunters....frankly I am ashamed to call them fellow human beings

 

[American_Pit_Bull]

Posted by Avenger29:
I consider that a good thing. We've got too many damn deer around anyway. Go find yourself another one, Great White Hunter. It shouldn't be too hard...

Just a point to note... There are twice as many domesticated dogs in the US as whitetail deer. (Over 60 million dogs nationwide.)

 

[tnieto2004]

Of course everyone saying, "YOU DONT KNOW IF THE DOG WAS SHOT!!" forgot to mention that there WAS a dog that made it back to your house (on 28 acre's) and it WAS shot. The OP's question was completely ignored as it often is with selective "reading". He asked for tips on dealing with the other hunters and enforcing policy, not how to be a better pet owner.