I agree that separate licenses are crazy but since bowhunters, crossbows, and muzzleloaders require it then so should deer dogs.

I know they can come on my property without a weapon and retrieve a dog and I don't have a problem with that. However, purposely turning them out on private property they don't have written permission to be on should be considered trespassing. I realize this would be hard to prove but some are so brazen about it they would eventually get caught.

FWIW, it's my understanding the Hunting Dog Alliance was behind the bill to seperate the bear tags from the big game license last year. Thankfully that crap did not fly but there were quite a few heated debates...from what I hear. It looks to me like the few slob deer dog hunters and the leadership of the VA Hunting Dog Alliance are begining to drive a wedge between hunters in VA.

Yes i agree it should be trespassing when someone does that on another property. The dogs dont know where they are being turned out at, its the owners!
As far as the lisc. goes, i still wouldnt agree cause then anyone using dogs to hunt would have to have the extra lisc. and that would cause a big stink i think, especially with all the rabbit, coon, fox, coyote, etc. hunters here in VA., you cant just make deer dog hunters pay extra. Everything needs to stay how it is and the prices need to quit going up and these dog handlers need to take a little extra precautions on going onto others propertys. And id like to see this crossbow lisc. go away, why have 2 different lisc. for bow/crossbow hunters? I use a compound so if it doesnt go away oh well, the state just doing it to get extra money from those who choose to use the crossbows

I was hunting public land an drew back on a huge 8 point only to have some guys dog come busting through the woods, haven't seen that buck for 3 years. I almost let the arrow fly on that dog but then thought of it from his side of the story, guys just letting his dog run and have fun. Big bucks will always be around and for all I know I could of missed. It's calls hunting not killing. (It is incredibly stupid to have dogs running during deer season, it's asking to get your dog shot either by accident or on purpose)

I don't use a crossbow either but I do hunt with a bow and muzzleloader. What I'm talking about is making it fair. If the state is going to charge hunters extra to hunt big game with a bow, crossbow, or muzzleloader, then there should be a special license for big game hunting with dogs. Just my opinion and I realize it will never happen as long as the VAHDA has so many politicians in their pockets.

Now that is something I have never heard from a dog hunter, so it is much appreciated. It is certainly nothing I have ever experienced with the dog runners I have met in person. They all act like they own the place, and lost dogs I have recovered and returned have not been met with appreciation, and neither was I.

Talk to me about this. How does the behavior differ in the early season? Are the deer more predictable?

I wouldn't say predictable but you are able to pattern them in the early season.

They are more relaxed and easier to pattern, IME.

Many ideals have been removed from hunting. Regardless if hunting is a tradition to some, the true experience of hunting has nearly been deleted form todays society. Before I say anything else, I will say that I love the idea of a big mature brute of a buck and I spend my days in the woods hoping for that big guy to come buy. Over the years I have changed my way of thinking when it comes to hunting the Whitetail. I use to want to shoot anything. "if it's brown it's down, if it flies it dies!" that was me. Now and over the past ten years, I have become more of a patient hunter. To each his own I say, but I will say that running dogs is a useless act. I can't put a number on how many times I have heard, "...dogs enable you to see deer that you would otherwise not have the opportunity to see..." That's crap. Put your time in, get out in the woods and scout, get back to what hunting is supposed to be and not just how many you can put in the truck. As much as I take my limit and fill my freezer, I still appreciate the fact that it is a PRIVELEGE to be in the woulds in this day and age. With so many bunny huggers out there, I am glad to have the opportunity. Not to mention that a deer comly walking past a well planned, well scouted deer stand is much better tasting than a deer that has been running for miles. This country is going to s@*t and because people feel they can do whatever they want to do, run dogs, trespass, poach, and have total disregard for nature and its surroundings we have a long battle behind us and ahead of us to correct the crap ideals that surround us everyday. I know I wasn't taught any other way but to respect the land, respect the animal and respect your fellow hunters. RUNNING DOGS IS A UNECCESSARY ACT TO SLAUGHTER WHITETAIL IN LARGE NUMBERS FOR NO OTHER REASON THAN SELF GRATIFICATION AND SO HUNTING CLUB MEMBERS CAN FEEL THT THEY ARE GETTING THEIR "MONEYS WORTH". I even have turkey hunters coming through running dogs on my property after turkey during muzzleloader season. Last time I confronted them and posting signs, I clearly explained to them that they would be shot and left for the coyotes!

Hey NATO, Small world! My property borders Pocahontas State Park and them dogs woke me up on Thanksgiving morning. It was four of them with orange tracking collars all in my front yard. You would think if those hunters cared about their dogs they wouldn't run them here with the heavy traffic on all of these roads around the park.

I don't hunt in the park but you are right about the bucks going nocturnal after gun season starts. The only ones I have seen in daylight hours during gun season were either chasing does or sneaking to or from their beds in early AM or last light of day. Also, some of the hunters in the park do not respect the 600' of no hunting border that is supposed to be around the outside edges.

I am in agreement with you on the dog hunting ruining the hunt for everyone else. It's still affected by dog hunts but have you tried Amelia Wildlife Management Area? I know of a couple of good spots there if you'd like me to tell you about them.

Good luck to you on the rest of the season!