<div class=”d4p-bbt-quote-title”>grubson wrote:</div>
We’re entitled to protect “our” deer (as in everyones) from unnatural predation.
The Fu@k if we are.
Well that’s your opinion, which you are entitled too.
It seems the law and the majority of hunters disagree with you though.
I’ll offer my advice for you my fellow fisherman.
1: Understand the law and stay out of trouble.
2: Don’t let your dogs run on my property.
ran into a pack of stray dogs ONCE in all my years of hunting and other recreation. This was snowmobiling near Bemidji and ran across 10 or so dogs in the middle of nowhere. No homes anywhere close and they started chasing me. These dogs would be targets for this rule not some hunting or lap dog
A pack of 10 wild dogs?! Ya I’d say that an encounter for sure. I assume you left them in the dust on your snowmobile lol
<div class=”d4p-bbt-quote-title”>gimruis wrote:</div>
I can’t honestly think of a single stray dog encounter in almost 30 years of deer, pheasant, waterfowl, or turkey hunting. I see a number of stray/feral cats though.I think the point here is that there is a clear difference between a stray or stray pack of dogs roaming the countryside harassing big game, and a bird dog that caught wind of a bedded deer while it was looking for a rooster.
I ran into a pack of stray dogs ONCE in all my years of hunting and other recreation. This was snowmobiling near Bemidji and ran across 10 or so dogs in the middle of nowhere. No homes anywhere close and they started chasing me. These dogs would be targets for this rule not some hunting or lap dog.
This^^^
The law isn’t written for the one off dog that gets off leash or sneaks away upland hunting and chases a deer here or there. The law is written to protect deer herds especially in severe winter years.
Mookie, living down south you may not understand.
Feral dogs in farm country and up north is a real problem. Add in negligent owners with free range dogs and you have a disaster.
There are documented instances of SINGLE dogs killing 20-40 deer a winter in the northland. Read old game warden books you see it all the time. They have a jump on wolves because they can run a deer down kill it on instinct in 4 feet deep snow, leave it to rot and wag home to a full food bowl. The deer have no chance as they are exhausted eating only browse.
Nowadays, it’s common place for packs of completely feral dogs inhabiting abandoned farmsteads and terrorizing local deer herds. The law as it is written is not meant to protect people killing the neighbors dog for sneaking over the property line. That’s illegal and the law can and does sort that out.
The law is written to protect the deer herd (or other animals) from either feral dogs or dogs that have been allowed to decimate a protected resource by neglible owners. It’s really no different than AIS prevention. Defending the dogs that potentially decimate deer herds is in essence defending wanton waste.
Agree but by some of the comments I am glad I am not neighbors with some. My dog was smart enough to know how to flip the gate latch on our fence until I figured it out. If someone would have shot my dog for sniffing your flowers you can bet it would not have ended pleasantly. I think both sides are reacting to extreme cases. That are probably fairly uncommon. 
Agree but by some of the comments I am glad I am not neighbors with some. My dog was smart enough to know how to flip the gate latch on our fence until I figured it out. If someone would have shot my dog for sniffing your flowers you can bet it would not have ended pleasantly. I think both sides are reacting to extreme cases. That are probably fairly uncommon.
same. My dogs always learned they could flip the latch of the kennel and I had to put a strap through the loop to keep it closed. The law isn’t about random dogs chasing deer it’s about the ones that are strays not sure why it’s so hard to understand.
Interested in hearing any of your opinions for or against. Not looking to start anything, just curious.
IMO the law really exists to give landowners legal protection should they have to deal with local dogs that are chronically chasing and/or killing deer. It is very difficult for law enforcement officers to actually be present and witness the dogs chasing, so there had to be some opening to allow private landowners and LE to legally take action
While this is not common, it’s not ultra-rare either. About a mile from my farm, there was a guy and his wife that plunked down a trailer on 5 acres. They had 3 pit bulls and they just let them wander.
Of course, the pit bulls took to freelancing and they were seen almost everywhere within a 2-mile radius running deer. Multiple visits from law enforcement did nothing to convince the owners to tie-up or kennel Fluffy, Muffin, and Ding Ding.
Unfortunately, the price for an irresponsible owner will ultimately be paid by the dogs. The pit bulls graduated to calf-chasing and they got caught and dealt with by the rancher.
Personally, I would not shoot a hunting breed, a hound, or any dog with a collar on if it were chasing game on my property, but there is certainly a limit. Once is an accident, I’ve seen even good bird dogs lose their mind and go freelancing on a deer that jumped up. Fine. Rover gets a pass and I’d even help catch him. But if Rover starts showing that chasing deer is becoming a habit, we’re going to have problems after the second time.
The free pass does not extend to dogs without collars chasing deer and displaying signs of being a wild pack.
Have no skin in the game, but I feel those starting a campaign to head this whole thing off I’d be cautious to who’ll want to ally with you on your cause and the slippery slope that’s gonna possibly become.
I see it from both sides.
That being said, how is a dog chasing a deer any different than a Coyote chasing a deer? I’d shoot the Coyote… We have had wild dogs and tame dogs chasing does and fawns across our properties before. This is a pretty big issue as our properties aren’t small. I’m in the middle of 1200 acres and a collared dog comes tearing through after a fawn… I’d never want to shoot a dog. But if it came down to it and the dog was acting like a Coyote, then it’s going to get treated like one too.
Thanks for the replies. Most were helpful…
It just seems that the “spirit” of the law could easily be defined.
Calling up the DNR and getting a permit for collared dogs would be a pretty easy addition to the regs.
In my opinon feral dogs and cats should be treated like invasive species.
We had a wounded deer that was shot in the hind qrt. Tracked it for over 3/4 mile and was able to locate it from the crazy noise that we heard from 2 dogs barking at it. When we got to it there was one dog clamped on each back leg while the deer was trying to get away but couldn’t. I shot up in the air and the dogs backed off only to surround the deer again. The deer tried to maintain a circle but the dogs would take turns running at it and try to bite it in the rear legs. The dogs had a mission to kill that deer but I was able to change their plans…
Stray dogs that rome for miles in search of things like a wolf does are not good. There owners if they have any should keep them under control.
We had a pack of 10 show up on the farm when I was a kid while we were butchering/making sausage. The old man put three down before the rest ran off. Also had several chasing cattle over the years. They usually don’t get to leave the farm either. Don’t matter if they’re the neighbors dog or not. Chasing cattle or deer is not tolerated no matter what the calendar says.
Chasing cattle or deer is not tolerated no matter what the calendar says.
That’s incorrect Red Eye. You are not legally allowed to shoot a dog chasing deer during hunting season in Minnesota. Its very plain and easy to read and I posted it above directly from the booklet.
I don’t know if you are located in MN or not, but if you are in MN and shooting a dog caught in the act of chasing or wounding a deer outside of the dates listed in the regulations, you are in violation.
I’m pretty sure it would just go down as the animal was chasing cattle either way. As said before if you keep control of your animal none of this would happen.
Some of you really know how to paint a picture of yourself. Eesh.
Saw this on the news tonight. Its a bummer.
I understand that a guys dog can’t be out running down deer.
But instant death penalty?I’d wager that a lot of guys just use this law as an excuse to shoot the neighbors dog that is always wandering onto his property. Which again, I understand is not acceptable.
The glove doesn’t quite fit here, as what this kid did was illegal. but…
Saw this on the news tonight. Its a bummer.
Ya that is a perfect example of what NOT to do.
Kid must be an awesome shot to hit a dog running after deer.
<div class=”d4p-bbt-quote-title”>Mookie Blaylock wrote:</div>
I understand that a guys dog can’t be out running down deer.
But instant death penalty?I’d wager that a lot of guys just use this law as an excuse to shoot the neighbors dog that is always wandering onto his property. Which again, I understand is not acceptable.
The glove doesn’t quite fit here, as what this kid did was illegal. but…
Only because he didn’t shoot it at the right time of year? The story made it sound like he didn’t break the law or they hadn’t charged him with anything yet. Sounds like the kid might be looking for a new place to live too. His parents didn’t sound impressed.
Sounds like everything about this was illegal. Shot a dog outside of the allowable dates, and the dog wasn’t chasing deer which was confirmed by the neighbor.
Just shot the neighbors dog.
Which, depending on who you ask, is fine.
<div class=”d4p-bbt-quote-title”>Red Eye wrote:</div>
Chasing cattle or deer is not tolerated no matter what the calendar says.That’s incorrect Red Eye. You are not legally allowed to shoot a dog chasing deer during hunting season in Minnesota. Its very plain and easy to read and I posted it above directly from the booklet.
I don’t know if you are located in MN or not, but if you are in MN and shooting a dog caught in the act of chasing or wounding a deer outside of the dates listed in the regulations, you are in violation.
I understand the law just fine. If you want to site the law just remember the law next time you’re driving in a 55mph zone.
thats complete BS 
anyone who thinks that is ok has something wrong with their brain
I understand the law just fine. If you want to site the law just remember the law next time you’re driving in a 55mph zone.
No, I don’t think you do. You specifically stated that chasing deer “no matter what time of year” is not tolerated. Which, according to stated law, is incorrect because it clearly states between Jan 1 and July 15 in the regulations, not “no matter what time of year.”
I never admitted to not following the posted speed limit either. You simply assumed I don’t.
The cattle portion of your post is accurate. I assume that any dog chasing cattle, regardless of what time of year, is not permitted since cattle are personal property and deer are not.
I think Red Eye’s point is – Just like speeding over the posted speed limit is against the law, there are those who knowingly break the law. If caught they are willing to accept the consequence. I know a great many hunters who spend lots of time and $ managing their property for deer hunting. Most of these guys will not hesitate to shoot any dog chasing deer on their property regardless of the time of year or laws. I would go as far as saying they would not hesitate doing so even if a CO office was standing right next to them. I’m not saying it right or wrong. Just saying its the way it is.
Made a split decision to shoot his neighbors dog. What a heartless prick.
Mookie Blaylock
Wright County, MN
On a side note Mookie, it was in the ’70’s when the DNR was informing folks to shoot the “pack” of dogs chasing deer between Hutch and Litchfield. If I recall, they were spotted several times in the Bell Lake area.
(the laws may have changed since then)
All I’m getting at here is…
Some people can’t competently check their own mailboxes, and they are out here as judge, jury, and executioner.
Placing a single step in-between jury and executioner wouldn’t be that difficult.
I know a great many hunters who spend lots of time and $ managing their property for deer hunting. Most of these guys will not hesitate to shoot any dog chasing deer on their property regardless of the time of year or laws.
I talk to a lot of wildlife property owners and managers because that’s the business I’m in. I would NOT say that “most” of them have the attitude you characterize, specifically that “Most of these guys will not hesitate to shoot any dog chasing deer on their property…”
As seen just in this little discussion, there is a WIDE range of attitudes when it comes to this subject. From my conversations with wildlife property owners, I will tell you that this diversity of attitudes/opinions is shared by them as well.
If it would come down to characterizing the attitudes, I would say that the most common attitude is that property owners rather than having a “shoot first, ask questions later” attitude, will first try to find out whose dog it is and try to solve the issue that way.
The VAST majority of property owners recognize that shooting even a deer-chasing dog can have huge consequences and leave them exposed to big liability issues. If you want to use the word “most”, I would say most property owners say they would be hesitant to shoot a dog even if they felt legally entitled to do so because of these liability issues.
Portraying “most” property owners as a group of entitled, trigger-happy, all-about-me individuals is, first off, just not accurate. More importantly, portraying them as such stains the reputation of hunters and hunting in general and as more and more of us need to be property owners to continue to hunt, it paints us all with the same brush.
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