I've had dogs come in on me while I'm on stand before.My personal opinion is that it happens. Yes I'm mad that the owner just lets them run wild during season and I for one think they're stupid for doing such a thing. But, sometimes dogs do get loose without the owner knowing, or in my case 2 yrs. ago, my black GSP ran off chasing a deer and was gone for 2 days....it does happen.

Before I get to my question, let me add that I have never had an "experience" with a feral dog while on stand but I can relate. A few years ago my uncle's Siberian Husky got loose and roamed with a pack of yotes or wild dogs..not sure of the details. But I do know that he was killing chickens left and right. The property owner took the appropriate action and had him sent to the pound. A little different case than a dog chasing deer off, but with a certain land owner (or hunter) that dog would have been dead.

Now, onto my question(s)....(just curious). Let's say you hunt around houses and/or a suburban area. Dogs bark, kids play and scream, car doors get slammed shut. This all affects how deer act. Yes, in this situation, typically the deer are accustomed to this environment. But, what if, just what if while you were hunting around this type of area and one of these 'typical' sounds made a deer uneasy and scared if off? What would be your choice of action? Take out the disruptive cause that influenced the deer to flee??? Case in point....last year I was hunting about 200yds. behind my house and had a damn nice 8 pt. coming straight to me and then all of a sudden my GSP starts barking (in his pen mind you) which scared the deer off. Yeah, I was pist off (and it is my dog)...but under those circumstances it can be expected. I do understand how a tresspassing hunter, "feral" dogs, etc. etc. might not be expected but isn't the 'unexpected' the reason we go out there and hunt? What I mean is that none of us know with a postive doubt what we will see while hunting...it's part of the experience, right? I just feel that some actions aren't necessary. Sorry for the rant, but this post really pisses me off...especially seeing the pics of the lab. Hang me at your will.