lets see if i can reply to everybody. Tex, I agree that if wild dogs are running they will chase deer and I have no problem with killling them. And if you are on your own property then it is a littl different story. the cases i am talking about are out of state hunters hunting on land leased by an outfitter. I have done the same to dogs chasing my cattle - but only after the third or fourth time, and only after i made every attempt to find the owners of the dog ( if it had one). Plus, I used a gun and made sure I killed them with one shot. As for dogs having that big of an effect on the deer population, I will have to look on the web because i am not sure I believe that- if domesticated dogs hurt them that much, why are there any deer left considering the coyote population that we have?? i guarantee they are better hunters than domesticated dogs. Yes, people should keep their dogs under control- my dog never leaves the yard, even when im not outside with him- but the ones i have seen are a beagle and 3 coondogs. all were by themselves when they were shot. i'd say the coondogs were tracking, not chasing. and if you are gonna tell me a beagle can keep up with a deer, much less run one down, your crazy.
As for being tired of getting called in the night, its not about getting called in- i accepted that part of the job a long time ago. its about getting called in for something that shouldnt happen in the first place. Again, your right that people should keep their dogs under control, but like somebody said, things happen. if dogs are harassing kids or other people it is a different story as well. but that is not whats going on here. i just think we should ask questions first and shoot later.