I thought of this with this post. Last fall one of the neighbors had lost a couple of black labs and went out asking if anyone had seen them. I said no and preceeded to go out and check my camera. Well as you can expect, I had a close up of them running through![:@] I am really glad I didn't see them while I was on stand!

gentlemen lets get ready to rummmmbbbblllllleeeeeeeeeeeeeee.....this is how it always starts!

I spend a lot of money and time bowhunting deer. If someone's dog comes onto MY property and I catch him, he is dead, no questions asked. Keep your dog on YOUR property or don't be suprised when rover doesn't show up for dinner.

Nothing pisses me off like a hunt being screwed up by a dog. I don't care if he is world champion, he is dead.

This past season me and a friend were putting up a new stand when all of a sudden we were surrounded by dogs. Since is was early bow season we didn't have a gun with us. Luckily he had a pistol in his truck that allowed us to finish our work!!! Another time I was walking to my stand and looked up to see a pit and a lab starring at me. As they began to walk toward me I laid down my rifle (no way of getting a good shot if they started running toward me) and pulled out my pistol. As soon as the dogs saw my pistol took off the other way. Bottom line is that hunters don't kill dogs. Its the owners who let them run.

This is always a controversial topic that seems to pop up every few months. The BOTTOM LINE is that most areas of this country have laws regarding this very topic. Most state that it is ILLEGAL to shoot any dog/cat WITHOUT PERMISSION regardless whether the animal is on your property or not, unless the dog/cat is an immediate threat to person or property (chasing deer doesn't count since the deer don't belong to you). Remember no one AND I MEAN NO ONE can tell whether a dog is feral or not just by looking at it. You may suspect, but you could never be 100% sure.

If you see a dog, don't just shoot it, take the appropriate lawful steps. First check with your local humane officer or dog catcher to check on local ordinances. If one of these aren't available, check with your local police. If they can't help you, they will usually give you permission to dispose of the animal. This will cover your as* legally just in case the dog you shoot belongs to Mr. Smith down the road whose brother just happens to be a lawyer (if you know what I mean).

If you take the law in your own hands and shoot a dog illegally you could be in a world of trouble if you are caught. In most states it considered cruelty to animals and is considered a FELONY which could mean jail time and a whopping fine.

Something to think about.

That's where the three S's come in

Shoot, Shovel, and Shut-up

I prefer Shoot, Skin, and Smoke.

I'll leave it as this.....How can you prosecute me for something you'll never find? No evidence....No case.

I cant beleave the B.S you guys are posting. I have been a bow hunter for 35 years. and yes I have had deer scared away by dogs. Big deal. Most of then were dogs lost by fellow Coon hunters or Duck hunters. With a little effert I was able to track down the owners who were very grateful to get their hunting dog and kids pet back. I dont know what states some of you guys are from but In Wisconsin its aginst the law to shoot dogs even if you catch them in the act of chasing. I wouldnt blame anyone for protecting their family though. I personaly know of several dog shooting incidences in my area. One was a group of road hunters who were driving around looking for something to blast when they came accross a Beagle. Since this dog was by itself they assumed it was chasing deer and shot it. Another time my friends coon hounds got loose during the day and went on a run. Again some road hunters assumed they were chaising deer and shot them. Both groups of these Slob hunters were caught and taken to court. It sound to me that some of you guys are just looking to shoot something.

Accidents always happen, Stump_MN_Hunter. What happens if you partially miss and the dog arrives back to the owner wounded? It doesn't take much nowadays to match a bullet to the gun or to follow a blood trial for that matter. I personally have removed bullets from at least two dogs this year alone that were brought into my clinic. All it takes is for the dog's owner to say that well "he came from over towards Stump_MN_Hunter's Land. It happens more than you think. In my job, I see the results quite often.

Don't get me wrong. There's nothing more I hate than a dog spoiling my hunt. My only purpuse for my original message was to give hunters something to think about when they see a dog in the woods. There are legal steps to take to remove/solve the problem. Take them! Personally, I feel if you illegally shoot a dog, you are no better than a poucher/slob hunter and you give all hunters a bad name.

Another thing to consider is that when this happens and it become public, it gives the anti's of the world more fuel for their cause.

I'm with Double Creek!

I too spend lots of time and energy trying to fill the tags and freezer. Heck everyone in the parts we hunt in knows its deer season. It's pretty ignorant to let dogs run loose. It's even more ignorant to let em run loose during deer season. I'd have to say for every 6 deer or so we take atleast 1 dog gets it. And that's the way it will continue to be.

Dogs rummaging thru the woods generally tear up any wildlife they can sink their teeth into. Usually not to eat it-just tear it up. They can really devestate pheasant and rabbit populations. Generally, if they can't kill it-or it doesn't kill them, they'll chase it.

Now, Jroot. Just what kinda dog do you have? Is it running on my land?

Hope ya kissed her good-bye before turning her loose!

Uncle Matt (in IL)