New,

I have read all 13 pages of posts on this topic just so I don't get accused of coming in late and not understanding the topic. I am from VA also and have hunted the east and west sides of the mountains for over 30 years. When I was about 17, yes that young, I realized that the dog chasers had no respect for anyone elses land or border. You state many times that we shouldn't knock dog hunting if we have not done it. I have not in 30 years in VA been with a group of dog hunters that stopped a chase if it was proceeding onto someone elses land or lease. This is not just one group of hunters, but the norm here in VA. Now I don't know, your group sounds like stand up people that controls their dogs, but the lack of respect for the dog hunting is caused by the trespassing on others lands by the vast majority of Doggers. I watched a group of dog chasers release 4 groups of hounds at the top of the mountain and then drive to their lease at the bottom. The dogs chased and crossed at least 6 properties they did not have rights to, including mine. They do it every year and don't care about the other property owners. I started feeding their dogs and keeping them on my property until they come and look for them. Then I nicely ask them not to run their dogs on my land. This happens 3 or 4 times a season. They don't care about anything but thier hunt. The other thing that I noticed in my years of hunting is that nobody ever says anything about how the dog hunters routinely take shots at deer that are full out running. I see them emptying clips and throwing lead every year at deer they have no chance at putting down. I know for a fact that alarge number ofdeer are wounded in dog chasing. I have put down over 10 deer in the last couple of years that are limping through my property after one of the "Chases". I am glad to hear that you and your group respect others and the property lines, but don't think for a second that this is not as big a problem here in VA as it is down south. It is not a question of enjoying that style of hunting or of never doing it. It is a plain and simple trespassing issue. How do you think the group below me would react if I released a group of Pit Bulls every time they released their hounds? Would the dogs can't readexcuse work if the hounds turned up wounded or killed? They would shoot the Pit Bulls without thinking. The doggers are also very strict about coming onto their land. I was denied permission to track a hit deer onto their land just this year. I have now involved the courts and authorities and will bring this to a head before next season. The unfortunate truth here in VA is that you are getting lumped in with the bad apples in Dog Hunting because there is a lot more of them then you.

Mike