Tracking Wounded Big Game With A Dog

[elkhunter11]

Yesterday I received a phone call from a local hunter that asked if I would bring my dog to help him track a mule deer that he wounded on his land. I had to inform him that I would help if it was legal, but unfortunately, it wasn't legal in Alberta. He went so far as to call F&W, who confirmed that it wouldn't be legal. I can understand why F&W wouldn't want dogs chasing deer, but it really doesn't make sense to not allow a hunter to use a leashed dog to track a wounded animal. Talking to members of our local NAVHDA chapter, if the law was changed, there are members who would be interested in training their dogs to bloodtrail, so they could assist big game hunters to recover big game.

[Grizzly Adams1]

Easy to say, but people will abuse it, they can't even keep their mutts on a leash when required and contrary to popular opinion , most of the millions of dogs out there are not well trained.

[58thecat]

Originally Posted by Grizzly Adams1

Easy to say, but people will abuse it, they can't even keep their mutts on a leash when required and contrary to popular opinion , most of the millions of dogs out there are not well trained.

You mean the owners are not well trained.


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[cowmanbob]

If it’s a matter of trying to locate a deceased deer leave the gun at home. Taking the dog for a walk is still legal.

[catnthehat]

Originally Posted by Grizzly Adams1

Easy to say, but people will abuse it, they can't even keep their mutts on a leash when required and contrary to popular opinion , most of the millions of dogs out there are not well trained.

I have heard this argument for ever, yet there doesn't seem to be the issue in Provinces or States where it is legal to use a dog for tracking , same as using a .22 center fire.
These rues are based on emotion not facts.
Cat

[elkhunter11]

Originally Posted by Grizzly Adams1

Easy to say, but people will abuse it, they can't even keep their mutts on a leash when required and contrary to popular opinion , most of the millions of dogs out there are not well trained.

And yet we are allowed to have our dogs running unleashed as we hunt birds with them, and there doesn't seem to be an issue with them chasing big game. Why would the same dogs be a problem , when tracking wounded big game, while on a leash?

[3blade]

Because every deer would be “wounded” by certain guys with dogs especially the black dually types, leash laws aren’t respected by dog owners or enforced by LEOs as is, no one wants anyone else’s dog on their land, and it’s LEGAL to shoot a dog harassing game or livestock (that will not change) so an armed conflict would inevitably arise.

And honestly elk, while you may be capable of respect, respect is largely absent in dog owners as a group.

[elkhunter11]

Originally Posted by 3blade

Because every deer would be “wounded” by certain guys with dogs especially the black dually types, leash laws aren’t respected by dog owners or enforced by LEOs as is, no one wants anyone else’s dog on their land, and it’s LEGAL to shoot a dog harassing game or livestock (that will not change) so an armed conflict would inevitably arise.

And honestly elk, while you may be capable of respect, respect is largely absent in dog owners as a group.

And yet we currently hunt our dogs for birds on land where big game is present, and there doesn't seem to be an issue. with the dogs chasing big game, or trespassing onto adjoining land. And many of those dogs are not trained, and they aren't leashed. And a person that doesn't obey the regulations will be out running their dogs on big game , whether it's legal or not, so hunters not obeying a leash law isn't much of an argument.

[densa44]

I agree with Cat and Elk, and 3blade makes excellent points. I have always thought that it was very sad that wounded deer were not recovered when my dog (elk's too) could have easily found the downed animal. The dogs attacking children is terrible, and can't be condoned under any circumstance.

The comments on dog owners are sadly well founded.

I'd still like it if a safe way could be found to let guys like Elk and his dog find someone's shot deer.

[Smoky buck]

It should be completely legal to have a leashed dog for recovery. It’s a much better option than lost animals and guys continuing to hunt another animal. The argument people would abuse it is ridiculous as those are those kinds of people are just taking questionable shots now loosing animals and continuing to hunt anyway

Lots of other states and provinces allow it without issue

[DirtShooter]

What's the law say for thermal drones for tracking wounded deer?

Also you can hunt the mountain units with a companion dog, why is that different outside of the mountain units? If I recall correctly.

[3blade]

Originally Posted by cowmanbob

So you had a bird hunters pointer come into your yard and inflict damage on your daughters?

The damage was to me, and I was speaking about 6 attacks over the years. I feel it every morning. Had the one connected with my kids this year I wouldn’t be talking about it.

Every one of those dog owners was responsible until they weren’t.

[elkhunter11]

Originally Posted by 3blade

The damage was to me, and I was speaking about 6 attacks over the years. I feel it every morning. Had the one connected with my kids this year I wouldn’t be talking about it.

Every one of those dog owners was responsible until they weren’t.

And how many of those attacks resulted from dogs whose owners were actually hunting them at the time? Dogs running wild ,and out of control, is an entirely different situation, than dogs being hunted by the owner. Or are you going to try and tell us that allowing leashed dogs to be used to track wounded big game will result in more attacks on innocent people?

[3blade]

Originally Posted by elkhunter11

And how many of those attacks resulted from dogs whose owners were actually hunting them at the time? Dogs running wild ,and out of control, is an entirely different situation, than dogs being hunted by the owner. Or are you going to try and tell us that allowing leashed dogs to be used to track wounded big game will result in more attacks on innocent people?

Nope. Dog is dog. They all have a mind of their own.

I don’t want other peoples dogs around any more than i have to put up with now and that’s the end of it.

[Pathfinder76]

Originally Posted by 3blade

Yep. Weeks of antibiotics, permanent tendon damage, scars, having my 1 & 3 year old daughters attacked in their own yard. Definitely emotion. And absolutely no sense of know it all from the resident know it all

My “emotion” will pull that trigger faster than you can squeak out “sorry he’s never done blah blah blah”

Dog guys and horse girls, the mental giants of our outdoor community.

People and their dogs. Everyone has the best dog in the world. I have no use for them. I’ve seen far too much nonsense with dogs.

[Pathfinder76]

Originally Posted by elkhunter11

And how many of those attacks resulted from dogs whose owners were actually hunting them at the time? Dogs running wild ,and out of control, is an entirely different situation, than dogs being hunted by the owner. Or are you going to try and tell us that allowing leashed dogs to be used to track wounded big game will result in more attacks on innocent people?

You can not control a dog any more than the man in the moon. Now they are bloody everywhere. I can’t go to a store without working around a dog somewhere. Was in the airport yesterday. Dogs around every corner. I know enough people with permanent scars from man’s best friend. Most of them in the face.

[Ackleyman]

Helped lots of hunters track deer in bow zone with Shepherd, tracking harness and on long lanyard. When they lost one farmer give them my ph #. If deer didnt get across river had close to 100% success rate. That was many years ago and did not know it was illegal....considered it the right thing to do.

[elkhunter11]

Originally Posted by 3blade

Nope. Dog is dog. They all have a mind of their own.

I don’t want other peoples dogs around any more than i have to put up with now and that’s the end of it.

So as I suspected, none of the attacks were the result of dogs being used to hunt. It's obvious that you have deep psychological issues pertaining to dogs, but your paranoia, is no basis to restrict the use of dogs to track wounded big game. It's no different than the anti firearms activists wanting all hunters disarmed, because criminals have used firearms to harm people.

[Pathfinder76]

Originally Posted by elkhunter11

So as I suspected, none of the attacks were the result of dogs being used to hunt. It's obvious that you have deep psychological issues pertaining to dogs, but your paranoia, is no basis to restrict the use of dogs to track wounded big game. It's no different than the anti firearms activists wanting all hunters disarmed, because a few lunatics went on shooting sprees.

I don’t want your dogs where I hunt thanks.

Using your logic then I’d like to pack a sidearm wherever I go. Far less dangerous than a dog. At least I can control a firearm

[elkhunter11]

Originally Posted by Pathfinder76

I don’t want your dogs where I hunt thanks.

And the anti firearms people don't want you to possess firearms, that isn't any more valid of a reason to ban firearms, than your reason is to ban using dogs to track wounded big game. That is the kind of reasoning that the liberals use.

[catnthehat]

Originally Posted by 3blade

Yep. Weeks of antibiotics, permanent tendon damage, scars, having my 1 & 3 year old daughters attacked in their own yard. Definitely emotion. And absolutely no sense of know it all from the resident know it all

My “emotion” will pull that trigger faster than you can squeak out “sorry he’s never done blah blah blah”

Dog guys and horse girls, the mental giants of our outdoor community.

I get it, you hate all dogs, hunters who use dogs, and horse girls to boot.
Great.
I would put a bullet in any dog attacking a kid , my own included, but that doe not have anything to do with the fact that dogs are used effectively and safely World Wide for tracking and hunting .
Cat

[Pathfinder76]

Originally Posted by elkhunter11

And the anti firearms people don't want you to possess firearms, that isn't any more valid of a reason to ban firearms, than your reason is to ban using dogs to track wounded big game. That is the kind of reasoning that the liberals use.

Yea, ok.

You can walk into Walmart today with one of those. Guess which one.

[3blade]

Originally Posted by elkhunter11

So as I suspected, none of the attacks were the result of dogs being used to hunt. It's obvious that you have deep psychological issues pertaining to dogs, but your paranoia, is no basis to restrict the use of dogs to track wounded big game. It's no different than the anti firearms activists wanting all hunters disarmed, because criminals have used firearms to harm people.

It’s very different, in fact it’s right there in my post

A dog has a mind and teeth of its own, it does what it wants in the moment.

A gun sits perfectly inert until a human uses it.

If you can’t see the difference, you shouldn’t own either.

[58thecat]

Originally Posted by catnthehat

I have heard this argument for ever, yet there doesn't seem to be the issue in Provinces or States where it is legal to use a dog for tracking , same as using a .22 center fire.
These rues are based on emotion not facts.
Cat

Agree, what are other provinces doing to allow this to safely be done then implement it in ours.

[NCC]

Check out John Jeanneny and “Born to Track”. Those dogs aren’t biting people in the face or chasing uninjured deer. I also know two guys in Texas that track deer with hounds and recover a bunch of deer every fall on ranches that would absolutely not tolerate the dogs chasing random deer. Like everything else, the actions of a few hammerheads wreck it for the rest of us. I can’t imagine anyone in Alberta actually trying to catch deer with hounds. In the big bush it wouldn’t work and in the ag land the hunters would get reported or the dogs would get shot.

It’s also hard to believe that people would lump in working dogs that have thousands of hours of training in with the tire biters that white trash losers take to Walmart.

[trapperdodge]

Does Ontario still allow deer hunting with dogs? I think it does but things might have changed.

[kingrat]

Originally Posted by cowmanbob

If it’s a matter of trying to locate a deceased deer leave the gun at home. Taking the dog for a walk is still legal.

Was just gonna say that. I get it though.

[cowmanbob]

Originally Posted by 3blade

The damage was to me, and I was speaking about 6 attacks over the years. I feel it every morning. Had the one connected with my kids this year I wouldn’t be talking about it.

Every one of those dog owners was responsible until they weren’t.

You must be the worlds unluckiest guy when if you’ve attacked 6 times. I’m not surprised your somewhat anti dog.

[58thecat]

Originally Posted by cowmanbob

If it’s a matter of trying to locate a deceased deer leave the gun at home. Taking the dog for a walk is still legal.

Well if the CO watches from a distance as they often due, bino's, spotting scope are their number one tools of the trade....you locate the deer with the dog then what? Tag it and start the field dressing process and the CO walks up...now the decision how to write this up is on him, warning, fines, suspensions....even if you walk on by and come back later still might have a few questions to answer...don't get me wrong I think a dog on a leash should be totally acceptable and at no time is this tracking dog allowed off the leash but we aint there so I wouldn't even push the limit of the law regarding dogs to track big game and if so be prepared to accept full responsibility if caught.

[58thecat]

https://www.unitedbloodtrackers.org/...ations/canada/

interesting read