Dogs roaming again :(

[BLACKJACK]

Came out the my driveway this morning and found the two neighbor dogs coming out of my north 40, less than 100 yards from where I had jumped a couple of fawns last week. These are the same two dogs I had trouble with last fall, they came right under my deer stand when I was bow hunting. At that time, I gave them a bye and went and talked to the owner and he said he'd lock them up. Its one of those things where he was fine with one dog, it stayed home, but then he got a second dog - and now they roam when they have the chance.

What would you do?

[Mark Christianson]

Not good for certain.

Last weekend I found some paw prints in some mud that were too darn big to be coyote, but I shrugged it off and told myself it had to be coyote prints. My brain was questioning wolf, but it wasnt that big.

Got my memory card home from a camera, and there is a chocolate lab. Older fella(gray in the face), looking pretty skinny. I don't know anyone around that has a male chocolate lab and there are only 3 houses within a mile of our farm.

I kinda feel bad for the dog. I am thinking he is just lost and roaming. Poor dog.

[lawdog]

I think you need to talk to him again and just tell him straight out the next time they are seen there the pound will be called and they will be hauled to doggy jail. Every pet owner has a responsibility to take care of and keep their pets under control.

[roosterslayer]

I dont want to sound mean or even cruel but i would speak to the land owner again and advise him that if you see the dogs chasing deer on your property they wont be coming home. But thats just me.

[Hotspotter]

Tough deal. How does it go, "No bad dogs, only bad owners." I've known too many bad-dogs in my life, but still, it's the owner's responsibility. It's not necessarily the dogs fault, but the problem needs to be corrected, swiftly. From my experience on our land, this is an often-recurring thing if not nipped in the bud.

Joel

[charliepete2]

Here is the copy from the MN DNR's HSOforum

"Dogs Pursuing Big Game

No persons may allow their dog to chase or kill big game.

Between January 1 and July 14 a dog that is observed wounding,

killing, or pursuing in a way that endangers big game may be killed by

any person. A peace officer or conservation officer may kill a dog that

endangers big game at any time of the year. The officer or person is

not liable for damages for killing the dog."

I wouldn't suggest shooting a neighbors dog even if it's legal, but it doesn't hurt for them to know how the rule reads. It might make them think twice before letting their dogs run free if they know that anyone with a gun can legally shoot them if they are pursuing big game.

[BLACKJACK]

Even though its legal, I don't want to shoot my neighbors dog, I have to live beside him for the next umpteen years. Or should I rephrase that to "I don't want to get caught shooting my neighbors dog". I have two dogs, I'm gone all day every day, even though they're in a kennel, it would be easy enough for him to retaliate. Last year, after I talked to him, I caught one of them on my trail camera, I printed it out and stuck it in his mailbox, that made him tie them up - for awhile. I like the idea of showing him the DNR regs, maybe they'll get copied and end up in his mailbox. He lets me hunt around one of his sloughs, about a month ago I bought him a case of beer, its in my firg, guess I'll go deliver it tonight and then mention what I saw this morning.

[almostthere!]

Sounds like a good neighbor, roaming dogs situation. Talk to the neighbor. It might solve the problem. Otherwise, teach the new dog a lesson: shoot it with a shock tipped arrow the next time it runs under your tree stand.

[monstermoose78]

Well i can understand you have to deal with him and he lets you hunt is swamp. I have had the same trouble with cats killing grouse turkeys and pheasants i tried to talk to the neighbors about it they told me where to stick it so. I pulled out my Pine Martin traps 1-10s when the trapping season was legal to have them set. What do ya know i caught 7 of the 8 cats they had. If he doesnt get those dogs to stop roaming someone else will figure out what do to with them.

[BLACKJACK]

I have thought about setting some traps out, but they'd have to be in a spot where I could monitor them from my deck. Plus then theres always the possibility of catching something you don't want to trap - a fawn, pheasant, or who knows what. But the idea of having one of them in a trap for a day so he'd miss them is appealing...

[monstermoose78]

They have big love traps but they cost alot