View Full Version : Anyone know laws about running dogs on State Game area?
I had to walk out a little early tonight and on my way out, I run smack dab into two large English Labs and one Giant Great Dane. We stare at each other, then they start barking and run toward me. NO leashes, the owner came up a little after them.
I asked if he planned on running his dogs all during deer season and he asks "WHY?" I said, uhh, because it's deer season and this is a Game Area. He replied with, "I run my dogs here all year round, I'll see if I'm doing something wrong and if I am, I'll stop"
Does anyone know what the law states regarding State Game areas and people arbitrarily running their dogs, not hunting, just letting the dogs run around as the owner walks behind, NO leashes, No orange on pets during Deer season?
dinoday
10-02-2007, 08:55 PM
I'd call a CO to see what the rules are, I would think if the dogs are being aggressive there's a law against.
Anyone running a Great Dane on state land during deer season with no orange on it isn't using their head,IMO.
dongiese
10-02-2007, 09:00 PM
DTG
had the same thing happen in waterloo rec.. and called a C.O. and I never had them interupt my hunt again. give as much detail to the CO as you can so he can talk to him.
DTG
had the same thing happen in waterloo rec.. and called a C.O. and I never had them interupt my hunt again. give as much detail to the CO as you can so he can talk to him.
:yeahthat:
get a license plate # if possible so they can go to his house and interrupt his dinner :evil:
personally, i would have asked him why he doesnt care about his dogs and wants to see them dead.. running around after a rabbit, they may get lost, and also be confused with game.. i feel sorry for his dogs, they should be taken away from him if he keeps it up...
part timer
10-02-2007, 10:54 PM
He replied with, "I run my dogs here all year round, I'll see if I'm doing something wrong and if I am, I'll stop"
Does anyone know what the law states regarding State Game areas and people arbitrarily running their dogs, not hunting, just letting the dogs run around as the owner walks behind, NO leashes, No orange on pets during Deer season?
I've looked at the regulations a couple of times in the past and have never seen a restriction on this type of activity. I would question the wisdom of anyone running a dog (or even walking themselves) in an area open to public hunting during gun season but it doesn't seem to be illegal. If the dogs are endangering other people or game there are legal remedies.
If I were you I'd do two things:
1) Explain that this might interrupt hunts and put the dogs in a potentially dangerous situation Nov. 15-30. (Any bow hunter that mistakes a dog for a deer shouldn't be in the woods)
2) If the owner continues to run his dogs set up your stand in an area they won't/can't get into or on a likely escape route out of a bedding area. My bird dog has bumped plenty of deer off their beds during midday. Those deer will walk away to another spot to settle down.
bullcan
10-03-2007, 09:42 AM
I believe it is illegal to run them in the spring when birds are nesting, do not know the exact dates though.
I don't think it would be illegal to do in the fall. Grouse/rabbit hunters do it. But I would agree that it is not wise to do during firearms season.
I believe it is illegal to run them in the spring when birds are nesting, do not know the exact dates though.
I don't think it would be illegal to do in the fall. Grouse/rabbit hunters do it. But I would agree that it is not wise to do during firearms season.
But the guy was NOT hunting, no weapon in hand, no orange on dogs, no leash on dogs. He lives nearby and was just letting his 3 dogs run around in the woods on a walk.
I guess the thing that REALLY irked me was that he was running them right at the last 20 minutes of the day. I would normally be in my stand, but nature called me and I had to make a hasty retreat out a little early. I've been hunting this area unmolested for the last 6 years and I've never had any issues with people spoiling a hunt.
kbotta
10-03-2007, 10:38 AM
Last I knew it was NOT illegal during the bow season to run dogs. No orange needed. I remember running into it quite a bit on state land near Dansville.
Right now the season is open for squirrell, coon, rabbit and soon to be pheasant. There are no rules or laws that restrict a peron to have his dogs in the woods right now as long as they are properly tagged.
You do not have to be hunting your dogs on state land to have them there as long as it is not during the quiet period(which it is not).
sniper's mojo
10-03-2007, 11:31 AM
Although it is not illegal to run the dogs it is illegal to interfere with someones hunt intentionally. The hunter harassment laws were enacted to protect from this and other situations where a person is aware they are messing up someones hunt and continues the behavior anyhow. Let him know the area and times you will be hunting. If he comes though there during those times and in that area then a case can be made that he is doing it intentionally in violation of the hunter harassment law's and you can call a CO. Good luck, hopefully he jsut respect's your spot and does not run his dogs around you anymore.
Although it is not illegal to run the dogs it is illegal to interfere with someones hunt intentionally. The hunter harassment laws were enacted to protect from this and other situations where a person is aware they are messing up someones hunt and continues the behavior anyhow. Let him know the area and times you will be hunting. If he comes though there during those times and in that area then a case can be made that he is doing it intentionally in violation of the hunter harassment law's and you can call a CO. Good luck, hopefully he jsut respect's your spot and does not run his dogs around you anymore.
"Intent" is a heck of a thing to prove!!!!!! I've emailed the CO of district 9 and am wating for a response. I know they've got their hands full this time of year, so I'll just have to wait.
Skibum
10-03-2007, 11:56 AM
I can't see where there's anything illegal about it. He has as much right to be on state land as you do. It is certainly inconsiderate but I can't see where it would be any different than if he was a bird hunter. On a positive note, he's as likely to move a buck past your stand as he is to spook one away from it.
Skinner 2
10-03-2007, 12:01 PM
Number 1 State land anybody can use it.
Number 2 Not closed to dogs.
Number 3 If they guy goes for a walk and he and the dogs go near you..well thats state land. If the guy and dogs hang around in front of you then perhaps you have a harassment case.
Turn it around and make them bird dogs and a hunter. You want to bow hunt. He wants to bird hunt. You tell him not to hunt or calling the DNR on him and you may be the one harassing. Just cause he is not hunting does not mean he cannot use the area.
Nowhere does it state any dog for what ever reason needs orange on.
Skinner
brdhntr
10-03-2007, 12:04 PM
I can't see where there's anything illegal about it. He has as much right to be on state land as you do. It is certainly inconsiderate but I can't see where it would be any different than if he was a bird hunter. On a positive note, he's as likely to move a buck past your stand as he is to spook one away from it.
How is it inconsiderate if he had no idea the hunter was there? Plus being a nonhunter, he more than likely had no idea when the season started, or that some folks seem to think they own the land surrounding their treestand. Encounters with other folks are part of hunting on public land. Heck, it even happens pretty regular on private land.
If your lucky, and you were friendly with him in the encounter, then maybe he will make it a point to avoid your area during prime time. If not, learn to use it to your advantage.
wyle_e_coyote
10-03-2007, 12:23 PM
DTG...that's not a deer trail you're hunting over..it's a hiking trail...FYI. :lol:
DTG...that's not a deer trail you're hunting over..it's a hiking trail...FYI. :lol:
Everyone's a freakin comedian!!!!:lol: By the way, the deer trails have been converted to Mountain bike trails over the last 4 years.
bullcan
10-03-2007, 04:01 PM
Hopefully he is not a hunter, that would be extremely rude to walk 20 mins before closing time. If he is a nonhunter maybe try to explain it to him, may solve the problem then.
HuntingTimeYet
10-04-2007, 11:02 PM
I took an 8 point with an 18" spread last year on Oct 1 at 10:30 in the morning after bird hunters worked a thick edge for woodcock and grouse. I could hear them coming for some time. I stayed in the stand longer hoping they would push out a nervous buck. I am glad i did... Like a politician spin the negative in your favor.
FixedBlade
10-05-2007, 05:47 AM
HTY. Your right. He needs to talk to the guy next time he sees him. Find out his rout when he walks the dogs. Used this info to his benifit. Have him and his dogs push deer to him. I thought that if you were on state land during an open hunting season you needed orange on unless you are hunting certain species.
One other thing, a hunter should never, never ever imply that a hunter may shoot some ones dog. It makes us all look like idiots. If you don't know your target and whats beyond then you don't shoot. If you can't tell the difference between a dog and a deer then it time to find a new hobby.
Skinner 2
10-05-2007, 12:22 PM
I thought that if you were on state land during an open hunting season you needed orange on unless you are hunting certain species.
.
The only person who needs the orange on is the one hunting . ( except for the exceptions of species and seasons).
Skinner
ckendall
10-05-2007, 03:00 PM
I'll echo what I've seen in a couple of posts . . . The guy (non-hunter) with dogs has as much right as the we hunters to use the state land. There are NO regs prohibiting this.
Calling a CO to have a little "chat" with the guy, implying that his animals could end up getting hurt in some way, or just acting like a jerk to him is presumptuous, and conveys a bad image of hunters.
How about giving a friendly hello? I like the idea of asking if he uses the area often, so you can accomodate his route into your hunting plans . . .
The other option is to get back off the trail system a little further.
Anyhow, the notion of "hunter privilege" on public land is just as offensive as the idea of "non-hunter privilege" - or hunter prohibition - it's all essentially the same thing: "my rights are more important than your rights."
Oh yeah, to emphasize what someone said earlier, and this is coming from someone who bow/rifle hunts deer, but also does a lot of bird hunting with my dog . . . its very bad policy to threaten - even indirectly - a man's dog. My gloves come off right there and then for that kind of threat.
Banditto
10-05-2007, 05:00 PM
The last several posters think the way I do. Not illegal to run dogs this time of year, let the guy use the public land the way he wants to. Use it to your advantage. Plan your strategy around the tools you have to work with and with a little luck it will pay off.
dennis81702
10-05-2007, 07:18 PM
I can say that I wouldnt bird hunt with my dogs that late on state land anyways. But the guy does have a right to walk his dogs unleashed at anytime of the day on state land. He may not realize he is walking during prime hunting hours and a simple friendly conversation may make him aware of that. If he starts to get an I dont care attitude well then it may be time to start looking for another state land area where he does not walk his dogs. I can tell you that if his dogs are aggressive and you feel threatended at any point then that guy has a problem on his hands. Keep in mind that a dogs owner is fully responsible for any and all actions that those dogs may take. So again a nice friendly conversation to feel the guy out and all your problems may be solved. Good luck on this one and I feel your pain!!
P.S. if they bite you I guess you wont have to worry about hunting state land anymore you will have enough money to buy your own hunting land.
Mitchell Ulrich
10-05-2007, 07:35 PM
My last pointer had this terrible habit of rolling in coon ***** every chance that she got! I know that a lot of other bird dog hunters know what I'm talking about. It STINKS beyond description and it more wears off than washes off! I know that coons crap everywhere, but I had to give up hunting this one spot in the woods because of it! Damn dog!
TrekJeff
10-05-2007, 11:28 PM
Another aspect is if he's a local and has been running his dogs, he's probably been doing it for quite a while...maybe even over the years you've been hunting the area. If you haven't had any issues before then other than seeing him this time, who's to say this year will be any different. There are area in southern Genesee county I hunt and it's in multi use areas. Hikers, runners and mountain bikers are not uncommon. The game is use to seeing them and is normal for them. So to the deer it's no big deal. The only issue would be making a stink out of the situation.
Being an avid mountain biker myself and seeing trail issues between horseback, hikers and bikers, things can get ugly fast when the definition of who has the right to use the area.
Sure, common sense would/should prevail, but if that was common we would have had CO's in the field Oct1.:chillin:
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