Dogs on my hunting land
 

I know this has been hashed out many times on here, but I just need to vent. I have sole permision to hunt this small 11 acre piece of land, most of it being open CRP. There is a crop field in between my spot and the neighbors house, ( about 20acres or so.) The neighbor guy owns this field, but rents it out to someone. This neighbor has 3 dogs, all 3 of them are dobermans. 2 years ago, I did not see any deer all year, and that was very odd, becouse the years before that, I would see at least 6-12 deer every day. That year there were beans in that crop field, and his dogs would come across that field and run deer. ( I know this becouse I finally got his dogs on film). And then this past year there was corn in that field, andI didnt see a dog all year, and I saw a ton of deer. As soon as the guy picked his corn, the dogs were back. I should mention, that I have had these dogs right at the base of my tree, while I was in my stand. The land owner has called the sherrif 3 times on this guy, and he has also chained one of the dogs up when it came up by his house, and then called the neighbor up and told him to come and get his dog. When he showed up to get his dog, my land owner was standing there with a gun, and told him that next time he will be picking up a dead dog. I just got my last roll of film developed from the last 2 weeks,and ther were more dog pictures.[:@]I think that he has had more than enough warnings. What do you all think? I know that this coming year there will be beans in this field again, so I can count on not seeing any deer again this year. Sorry this got so long winded.

RE: Dogs on my hunting land
 

He will be missing a couple dogs this year I take it!

RE: Dogs on my hunting land
 

Dont know what your laws are but in MN, between Jan. 1 and July 14, anyone observing a dog wounding, killing or pursuing big game may shoot that dog and will not be held liable. Outside of those dates, only a peace officer may do it. The way I look at it,IF the guy has had plenty of warnings, then he obviously does not care about his animals, and I would go ahead and shoot one and open his eyes up.

I know it is not the dogs fault, but you cant reason with them, only the owner. And if this is your only property to hunt, no dog would be ruining it for me.

RE: Dogs on my hunting land
 

I think there will be a couple of dead dogs in the future.

RE: Dogs on my hunting land
 

Hey MnPurple, I too live in Mn. And yes, if I ever see them out there while I am out there, he will be missing some dogs. I NEVER thought that I woiuld say that, but it is my only hunting spot,and will not let his damn dogs ruin another year for me.[:@]

RE: Dogs on my hunting land
 

I love dogs and have always had them as pets. But I keep track of them for their sakes and out of courtesy. To me, its just common sense to control your dogs. If one of my dogs got loose and was killed it would bum me out but thats just the way it is. I've had the exact problem you are talking about. I've hunted a small tract the last few years and its always had plenty of deer. Last year no deer. But sure had 2 or 3 dogs that seemed awful comfortable running around the place the first day of season. I didn't shoot any of them but I will this year if I get the chance. One of them looks like he's part pit and he scared the crap of me a few times because I'd turn around and there he'd be about 5' away. He never growled or anything but I ran at him a few times and he'd run away just a bit and then come back. I finally pitched a rock at him one day and pegged him in the ribs. I heard a grunt/yelp and didn't see him for a few weeks but then saw him again. Sometimes it was just him and other times he'd have 1 or 2 others with him. I pretty much quit going out there. I wasted a lot of time last year setting up a few stands, trimming lanes, etc., all for nothing. So yes, I'll end that business this year if it happens again. I won't like it but I'll do it. The land owners are pissed, too. I told them about it and then they were out there a few times and had the same thing happen. They told me if I saw them again they'd appreciate any help with the matter.

RE: Dogs on my hunting land
 

Dogs can definitly ruin a property.... We had a pack of wild dogs on our property than ran deer 24/7 365 days a year....... Took a while, but we finally got them all..... But new packs keep moving in.... Stray dogs should be delt with swiftly....

RE: Dogs on my hunting land
 

Kill them all!

One day you are going to die also, and just think about all the good hunts you COULD have hadprior to that day.

RE: Dogs on my hunting land
 

Rover?... you won't see him no more!

RE: Dogs on my hunting land
 

Man I feel your pain! I never had this problem until this past season. 3 or 4 dogs chasing the deer all over the fu%#*&* woods. It drove me absolutely nuts and I have no idea who owns them. I too never thought I can hurt a dog, but if it continues I may have to arrow those mutts!!!!

RE: Dogs on my hunting land
 

SSS

RE: Dogs on my hunting land
 

Kill the mangy varmints!!!!

RE: Dogs on my hunting land
 

I agree that dogs can be a nuisance. I'm not familiar with the game laws in MN, but here in Missouri, you can't just shoot any dog you see, regardless of it's action, unless it's a threat to you or your livestock. In your case, it seems like a couple of yard dogs that need to be restrained during the fall. In my home state, you can be sued for shooting a person's dog, even if they are running deer. The problem is, dogs don't know posted land from public ground. I would strongly caution you to refrain from shooting any hunting type dog you see no matter what. I coon hunted in the past, and it was not uncommon to lose a dog one night on public ground, only to pick him up at someone's house. If you know anything of hounds, you know that a registered coon hound, that trees coons is worth a lotta money. It's not uncommon for one of these dogs, if he's a night champion or Grand night champion, to sell for upwards of 5,000 dollars. If he's good enough, an owner might make his entire living from stud fees from the dog. So, if he found out you had shot his moneymaker, he'd be real likely to take you to court. There was a guy about 10 years back here in MO, that had his Grand Night Champion stud dog shot, because he happened to put a coon up a tree in some doctor's yard. The doctor shot him, to get him to shut up, and ended up spending 1,000's in court costs and ultimately having tp pay the man about 10,000.00 in reparations. My advice would be to contact the local authorities and give them a heads up on what's going on. If the guy lives close by and he's not keeping them up, he could be fined for failure to control his pups.


GH

RE: Dogs on my hunting land
 

Grasshopper, I'm guessing almost all of us would rather not shoot a dog and most would find it difficult to do. Seeing a dog one time could be it just got loose. Seeing dogs multiple times is a slob of an owner who doesn't care what the dogs worth. The dog may not know when its private land but the owner should. If someones going to own a pet they need to accept the responsiblities that go with it. Hard to believe you can get in trouble for shooting a dog on your land in Missouri. Of course, nowadays you can get sued for just about anything.

RE: Dogs on my hunting land
 

me and my dad had that same problem a few years back. i just used it as practice siteing in my new gun. not to say i killed any but me or my dad never saw them agian.

RE: Dogs on my hunting land
 

Well......
1. the landowner did have him come over and get his captured dog. I don't think brandishing a firearm was such a good idea but that's water under the bridge now.

2. the sherrif was called.

3. the sherrif was called.

4. the sherrif was called.

The dog owner has been given more than enough warning. It is the dog owners lack of action which has brought the situation to where it it now.

Next move is yours.

Besides, Doberman's are known far and wide for their excellent fertilizing characteristics.

(Word here - I WOULDN'T PLANT ONE OF THOSE DOGS ON THE PROPERTY.It would be far too easy for one of the remaining dogs to lead someone to them, even buried. That could lead to potential problems with the landowner that should be avoided at all costs, right? Find somewhere else for the final resting places.)

RE: Dogs on my hunting land
 

I whacked a dog last year with my bow and that was a good idea because the landowner never heard it and the dog dropped real close to the stand. These dogs had ran our property for the past 4 years. I've got one more dog to go. Once I kill that one I'll be free of my problem. I just drove a ways and dumped the dogs in the ditch to make it look like a road kill.

RE: Dogs on my hunting land
 

I think you should take it up with the owner. The dogs don't know any better. I wouldn't let my dogs run all wild, but if one happened to get out and someone shot him/her, well lets just say I consider my dogs a part of my family member, what would you do if someone shot your kid. If some one shot my dog they'd have an a$$ whuppin coming to them in the very least if not something more drastic.

RE: Dogs on my hunting land
 

I agree, in NC there is a leash law, if the dog runs free the dog catcher will come pick him up and take him to the pound. Is that not a viable option or is there no animal control where this guy lives?

RE: Dogs on my hunting land
 

Its the dog owners responsiblility to keep control of his dogs. He obviously isn't. I'd get in touch with your local dog warden if have one. If not whatever person in that township that knows the law on dogs. Then take appropiate action to have him fined. Do this now, and take care of it before deer season. Also find out what rights you have if the problem continues. Be sure before you act. In NY you can't legally kill someone elses dog. Only a policeman, game warden or dog warden has that right. You don't want legal action taken against yourself. Once gathered all the facts take it from there, and do what you can.

RE: Dogs on my hunting land
 

I had a stray dog come running under my treestand this year. It ran through a nearbybedding area and even stopped to eat from my bait pile. I was seriously considering sticking an arrow in him I was so mad. But then I heard some little kids coming through the woods calling for their family pet. They finally caught up to him and took him home by the collar. Man am I glad I didn't shoot that dog! But I certainly understand how maddening it can be....

RE: Dogs on my hunting land
 

This problem seems to happen to me every year. Last year we had two strays that were staying around our house at night and eating dog food put out for our dogs. During the day the dogs would run deer in the woods around my house, which happens to be where I hunt. We had tried to get rid of them around the house, but things were'nt working out right.Beforeshotgun seasonme and my brother were sighting in his shotgun, and one of the dogs happened to be passing through the creek behind the house, end of the road for him. Later on, the other stray gota little close to my bowstand. Now I see more deer on the property, and dog food doesn't seem to be disappearing. These animals were more than likely dumped because they had no collars and had been around for quite some time. We had also contacted neighbors to check for ownership but no owners were found, so we solved the problem.

RE: Dogs on my hunting land
 

In NC you can't shoot a dog with a collar. Not to say the callar can't come off but go and talk to the guy. I would not want someone shooting my dogs. If they did there are other ways to make sure deer don't run on your hunting propertys.

Growing up if stray dogs ran our livestock they went down after the first warning.
I would check the laws in your state and talk to the owners again. Be nice and see if he has a attatude then call the dog pound. You don't have to stick em to get rid of them.

RE: Dogs on my hunting land
 

Why wasn't the dogs owner ticketed, especially with the evidence? If this continues, I would first try to catch one and take it to the pound, let the owner go pay to get it out a couple times. If that doesnt work, and the sheriff wont ticket the guy, then I would say you will have to take more "drastic" measures. It is too bad, because its not the dogs fault. Too bad you could not put a shock collar on the owner and light him up a few times when his dogs are chasing deer.

RE: Dogs on my hunting land
 

I feel for ya! But remember the general public won't. If you have to take the bull by horns, don't make itpublic and i wouldn't leavem out in the open!! good luck!!

RE: Dogs on my hunting land
 

I had the same problem with stray cats and dogs scaring deer, if you don’t want to kill the dogs (I wouldn’t blame you if you didn’t) Just pick up a bb gun. I did and have not seen a dog or cat around my stand. Obviously this will only work when your in the woods. Or catch the dogs Don’t call the owner and call animal control, to the pound with them. You may never see them again and they may get a bettor owner.

RE: Dogs on my hunting land
 

I agree, in fact, I wouldn't have brought to the forum at all, wouldn't have talked about it to anyone and made my own decison on the moment. I am a dog lover, I think they are an amazing animal and owned a Doberman once and he was truly a gentle best friend. Although I'd hate to see anyone's dog disappear, this particular owner doesn't seem to have the respect for the dog, the neighbors, hunters or wildlife in general. I wish you luck on your decision regardless of what it is but talking about this in a public forum, of hunters shooting dogs or the ability to shoot a dog is just negative about hunters period. I know we're all above this and situations come up but again, in the eyes of the world, we don't want to be known as pet killers.

PS, Think about this: What if you make an errant shot, it happens and you send an arrow impaled dog home to it's owner? The cops get involved, the SPCA gets involved, the papers get involved and maybe the local news gets involved. How will you feel? How will that look in the eyes of the community etc? Again, good luck but I'd first look for alternate answers.

RE: Dogs on my hunting land
 

Rob makes a very good point. Several years ago, two pit bulls attacked an killed my daughter's cat. I tried to chase them off, they then tried to attack me and my wife. I called the police. An officer came and sat in his car afraid to get out, I killed one of the dogs, the other one ran off. I was arrested, it never went to court however it wasthe embarrassment of going to jail, getting finger printed and so on.. I thinkI would pursue a lawyer, and maybe a law suit..you can do something about this.

RE: Dogs on my hunting land
 

I have posted a topic like this before and it ended up causing an uproar. Several years ago an entire litter of pups somehow got to running my hunting property(my guess someone didnt want them), since then they've grown up and had pups of their own. Now the property is littered with the dagnabin things!! BeforeI would see a ton of deer almost everyouting, now...nothing.I'm not talkin about someones pet either just a pack of mangy "wild" muts. In WV where the property is located I can kill any dog that doesnt have a colar. So far I have killed 4 over the years and I will kill as many as it takes. If it was someones pet I may hessitate alittle even if it doesnt have a collar, but I can tell the difference. These dogs look like they need put out of their missery anyway.

RE: Dogs on my hunting land
 

Stupid kids running wild through my hunting woods I'm a good mind to........same train of thought as shooting someone's dog.[:@]

RE: Dogs on my hunting land
 

Not sure I'd go that far. I love my dogs but no way are they on a level with my kids. Each person will handle it differently. If it were me, I'd check the law first. I wouldn't shoot a dog the first time I saw him but if I saw the same dog multiple times it would certainly become an option. I would not talk to the owner first. They should have had the sense and courtesy to keep their dogs in check to begin with. Plus, if they aren't obliging or have an attitude and their dog comes up missing, I'm the first one they will look to or seek revenge on. And I barely have time to hunt let alone trap dogs and drive them to the pound.

RE: Dogs on my hunting land
 

If the guy "REALLY" liked his "PETS", he wouldnt let them run all over the country side. After all, would you let your children run all over like that. I really think that in this situation, the guy is letting them run, just to be a dink. [:'(]

RE: Dogs on my hunting land
 

There's quite a difference between shooting strays and dumped dogs versus shooting an animal you know is owned by someone. People who just haul a dog they no longer want out in the middle of nowhere and drop them off, often do so because they can't bring themselves to kill them. The fact is, it's a lot more humane to shoot a useless dog than to dump and let him make his own way. I raise beagles. WhenI raise a litter, I keep however many I think I want, and try to sell/ give awaythe rest. Of the dogs I do keep,if i come to the conclusion that they won't make a good hunting dog, I try to find someone who just wants a pet. If i can't find someone wanting a dog for a pet, or the dog has demonstrated for one reason or another that he doesn't even have the personality to be a good pet, I cull them. It's not fun, butI feel it's my responsibility......not some poor guy wholives near where i'd drop them off. In the case you've described, they arethe property of someone else. If they are creating a nuisance, and the owner doesn't care, then I'd call the dog catcher or game warden and ask that the guy be fined and/or the dogs be taken to the pound.


GH

RE: Dogs on my hunting land
 

OK here, I'll give ya'all a non lethal way to give the mutt one final chance. If ANY ONE CARES ANY THING ABOUT this nuisance after this they will fix it for you.

If you've got them eating your dogs food you are already more than half way home. Get some stuff at the auto shop called anti sieze. Make a little rail around the dog food where they have to rub up on it to get the food and then greeze the heck out of that rail with anti sieze. That stuff makes the worst mess you've ever seen and one drop get's spread EVERY WHERE. If that dog is a pet, it is going to ruin any body's cloths it touches when it gets back. Water won't wash it off even if he runs loose all day with it on and if he's an inside pet, well it's gonna make them wish they kept a better eye on him.

If that don't stop it, SSS.

RE: Dogs on my hunting land
 

Last year while bowhunting during the rut, I had 100 dogs and 8 people dressed real funny on horse back, come running through my lease. They said they were fox hunting! No one had a weapon! After they left, there wasn't a bird, squirrel or insect left on the property. Nice! I called the owner and he fixed it for me.

RE: Dogs on my hunting land
 

Maybe this is too simple but why not just blunt the suckers?

RE: Dogs on my hunting land
 

It would seem to me that if a fella had that much tied up in a dog, he would take a little better care of it. I have a toolbox worth way more than $5,000, andI make my living from it. I certainly wouldn't leave it in the back of the truck and park it in front of some crackhouse!
If we're talking about dogs crossing someone's land, I say give 'em some leeway. If we're talking about dog's running deer on someone's land, then they're fair game!
Oh, and for the record, I'm a dog lover. I trained two labs for pheasant and partridge. They weren't worth 5 grand, but they were expensive. I kept them penned unless I was out running them. When I called, they came to me (or suffered the consequences). I never beat my dogs! They just hated my disapproval. That takes alot of work on a dog owner's part to instill in a dog, but if you don't have the time or patience, you shouldn't own a dog! (Same goes for kids!)I've since moved down south and the labs have gone on to the "great hunting ground" in the sky. I have a bull terrier that I believe may be schizophrenic (but I love her anyway)!