#3 Using a Dog to Track Wounded Game

[waterninja]

Can someone please explain to me why you are not allowed to use a dog to track a wounded animal? It's one thing tracking a wounded animal in the snow, but what about in late summer and fall? It can be very difficult to track an animal that was shot with an arrow, esp. if it goes a long way and all you have is a drop of blood now and then to trail it through the brush or grass.
It would be nice to know the reasoning behind this reg. before the ussual suspects derail this thread. Thanks.

[Diesel_wiesel]

its considered hunting big game
its in the regs
as to why its a law
call the law makers and ask them exactly why they made that law

[elkhunter11]

It seems rather obvious to me, that they don't want people turning dogs loose on an animal's tracks, and then have the dogs chase that animal, or another animal. Just watching some of the dogs that people bring to the pheasant release sites, is proof that some owners can't control their dogs. I personally would like to be able to use a leashed dog to track a wounded big game animal, but as it stands, I can't even legally have a dog in the truck with me while I am hunting big game except cougar.

[Sledhead71]

Originally Posted by elkhunter11

It seems rather obvious to me, that they don't want people turning dogs loose on an animal's tracks, and then have the dogs chase that animal, or another animal. Just watching some of the dogs that people bring to the pheasant release sites, is proof that some owners can't control their dogs. I personally would like to be able to use a leashed dog to track a wounded big game animal, but as it stands, I can't even legally have a dog in the truck with me while I am hunting big game except cougar.

Your last statement is incorrect Elk... No worries having Fido in the truck while out actively hunting big game. My GSP travels with me all the time, he is always in the truck.

[elkhunter11]

Originally Posted by Sledhead71

Your last statement is incorrect Elk... No worries having Fido in the truck while out actively hunting big game. My GSP travels with me all the time, he is always in the truck.

Tell that to the officer that warned one of the guys that I shoot skeet with, when he had his dog in the truck while he was out hunting big game. The officer made it clear to him that since he was looking for big game as he was driving, he was in fact hunting big game. He was given a warning, and told to leave the dog at home when he went big game hunting again.
I actually wanted to take my dog along when I draw my pronghorn tag, so that I could hunt Hungarian partridge that I often encounter while hunting pronghorn, but I don't need the aggravation of being charged for having the dog with me while hunting big game.
Just to clarify this, I have sent an e-mail to AEP for clarification. If I can get someone from AEP to state that it is legal, and put their name to it, my dog will be accompanying me next fall.

[drake]

be it resolved that WN be disallowed from starting any more "recommendation" threads.....lol

[philintheblank]

Not every mutt farm dog can be used to run deer effectively. In Ontario there are a lot of areas in the south that have seasons where dogs can be used. Still lots of deer around. Some areas were giving 5 additional doe tags to help manage numbers. It wasnt until they had a crazy bad winter with lots of snow that the deer population returned to normal ( go figure) i shot my first 3 deer there in one week.

I would have no problem with people using dogs around here to help pack supplies and find lost game. I doubt that there would be a massive influx of people getting hounds or putting in the time to properly train a dog to track a wounded or lost animal

[Sledhead71]

Originally Posted by elkhunter11

Tell that to the officer that warned one of the guys that I shoot skeet with, when he had his dog in the truck while he was out hunting big game. The officer made it clear to him that since he was looking for big game as he was driving, he was in fact hunting big game. He was given a warning, and told to leave the dog at home when he went big game hunting again.
I actually wanted to take my dog along when I draw my pronghorn tag, so that I could hunt Hungarian partridge that I often encounter while hunting pronghorn, but I don't need the aggravation of being charged for having the dog with me while hunting big game.
Just to clarify this, I have sent an e-mail to AEP for clarification. If I can get someone from AEP to state that it is legal, and put their name to it, my dog will be accompanying me next fall.

There is no way anyone can or would be charged with having your hound locked in a vehicle while you were actually pursuing big game during an open season. Asinine to think any officer would think any different.

We do it all the time, I put my bow in the truck and let him out with the scatter gun and we chase birds during the mid day.. I would just thank the officer for his stand up comic relief and drive away if they tried something as silly as that

[catnthehat]

Originally Posted by elkhunter11

Tell that to the officer that warned one of the guys that I shoot skeet with, when he had his dog in the truck while he was out hunting big game. The officer made it clear to him that since he was looking for big game as he was driving, he was in fact hunting big game. He was given a warning, and told to leave the dog at home when he went big game hunting again.
I actually wanted to take my dog along when I draw my pronghorn tag, so that I could hunt Hungarian partridge that I often encounter while hunting pronghorn, but I don't need the aggravation of being charged for having the dog with me while hunting big game.
Just to clarify this, I have sent an e-mail to AEP for clarification. If I can get someone from AEP to state that it is legal, and put their name to it, my dog will be accompanying me next fall.

I'd be prepared to go to court on that one!
We regularly hunt deer in the morning and upland in the afternoon, and I will be dammed if I am going to drive 2 1/2 hours back to town and drop off the dogs if I decide to hunt deer in the evening.
We also bring them with us down south and will not leave the dogs in the hotel if we decide to hunt deer that day, they are and will continue to be in the truck with us.
I have talked to F&W on several occasions in the past when the dogs was with me and it has never been questioned.
Cat

[jwilson]

Originally Posted by elkhunter11

Tell that to the officer that warned one of the guys that I shoot skeet with, when he had his dog in the truck while he was out hunting big game. The officer made it clear to him that since he was looking for big game as he was driving, he was in fact hunting big game. He was given a warning, and told to leave the dog at home when he went big game hunting again.

I actually wanted to take my dog along when I draw my pronghorn tag, so that I could hunt Hungarian partridge that I often encounter while hunting pronghorn, but I don't need the aggravation of being charged for having the dog with me while hunting big game.

Just to clarify this, I have sent an e-mail to AEP for clarification. If I can get someone from AEP to state that it is legal, and put their name to it, my dog will be accompanying me next fall.

That is total bull... I'd tell the officer to pound sand. You mean to tell me that if I have my dog in my truck while looking for elk that I intend to use that dog for big game hunting purposes?? That'd be like rcmp pulling a guy over and issuing a distracted driving warning cause his cellphone was sitting in the cup holder lol.

[waterninja]

Originally Posted by elkhunter11

It seems rather obvious to me, that they don't want people turning dogs loose on an animal's tracks, and then have the dogs chase that animal, or another animal. Just watching some of the dogs that people bring to the pheasant release sites, is proof that some owners can't control their dogs. I personally would like to be able to use a leashed dog to track a wounded big game animal, but as it stands, I can't even legally have a dog in the truck with me while I am hunting big game except cougar.

I can see not wanting to have dogs "chase" a wounded animal, but tracking one with dog on leash makes sense.

[deerguy]

I am all for using dogs to track wound game.

[300magman]

Originally Posted by deerguy

I am all for using dogs to track wound game.

Me as well. Ive seen dogs in action tracking wounded game before abroad, and have witnessed a time where it would be useful here in aberta with a poorly placed shot by an acquaintance. I understand all points as to why it is illegal, but I still see merit in allowing it. Truth be told, if I had a mutt capable of performing the task and a situation arose where it was needed, I would have no problem "breaking the law" and using the dog to find the animal for myself or someone else.

[Dick284]

It's that way, because it would be abused, and we'd have guys running game with dogs.
Enforcement is nearly impossible, and a conviction would be very difficult.

Heck we can't use pack dogs while hunting, and now your confused about tracking dogs........ This one is so low on any priority scale it needs ground penetrating radar to get a ping.

Try worrying about:
Funding for ungulate counts.
Funding for enforcement.
Resident first opportunities.
Heightened residency requirements.
Increased access, and habitat development.


You are so on the outside looking in.

[rednuck]

I think it would be impossible to enforce "just tracking" you have to allow full big game hunting with dogs or nothing.

[waterninja]

Originally Posted by Dick284

It's that way, because it would be abused, and we'd have guys running game with dogs.
Enforcement is nearly impossible, and a conviction would be very difficult.

Heck we can't use pack dogs while hunting, and now your confused about tracking dogs........ This one is so low on any priority scale it needs ground penetrating radar to get a ping.

Try worrying about:
Funding for ungulate counts.
Funding for enforcement.
Resident first opportunities.
Heightened residency requirements.
Increased access, and habitat development.


You are so on the outside looking in.

Gee Dick, sorry my questions or suggestions are not in line with what you think matters. Please excuse me for not following your lead.
By the way, I think your suggestion about people suddenly raising packs of dogs to "run down" deer is ludicrious.
Still don't see why you can't use a dog to track a wounded animal.

[Dick284]

[QUOTE=waterninja;3093004
Still don't see why you can't use a dog to track a wounded animal.[/QUOTE]

Gee Ninja.
What part of it will be abused, and is too hard to enforce, are you not following.

The argument about choosing your shots, and honing your bushcraft can also be made to counter the argument for tracking dogs.

At any rate, dream on, dreamer.

[waterninja]

Originally Posted by Dick284

Gee Ninja.
What part of it will be abused, and is too hard to enforce, are you not following.

The argument about choosing your shots, and honing your bushcraft can also be made to counter the argument for tracking dogs.

At any rate, dream on, dreamer.

Hate on Hater
Once again I am puzzled by how often people have to get personal when they don't agree with something. Dick, you sound like a bitter and frustrated individual. Hope your life improves soon.

[Dick284]

Originally Posted by waterninja

Hate on Hater
Once again I am puzzled by how often people have to get personal when they don't agree with something. Dick, you sound like a bitter and frustrated individual. Hope your life improves soon.

Where did I say I didn't like your idea?

It has some merit BTW.

I simply explained why it is the current law, and why it wouldn't work, and also gave the counter arguments to the idea.

And you've now resorted to playground taunts in reply.

Happy new year!

[Battle Rat]

Originally Posted by Dick284

Gee Ninja.
What part of it will be abused, and is too hard to enforce, are you not following.

The argument about choosing your shots, and honing your bushcraft can also be made to counter the argument for tracking dogs.

At any rate, dream on, dreamer.

Has abuse been found to be a problem in other provinces and territories that allow dogs for tracking or packing?

[Redfrog]

Originally Posted by Battle Rat

Has abuse been found to be a problem in other provinces and territories that allow dogs for tracking or packing?

I've never heard or seen of it being an issue or abused. In some jurisdictions where dogs run game on their own they are simply shot, but I don't think it is a big issue. after over 50 years in places with dog hunting being legal. I've never heard of one problem.

[IronNoggin]

Originally Posted by Battle Rat

Has abuse been found to be a problem in other provinces and territories that allow dogs for tracking or packing?

I have not heard of even a single issue of "abuse" in BC over the 20 years we have lived here.

I HAVE heard of literally dozens upon dozens of animals recovered in that same time period, most of which would likely not have been if it were not for the dog involved.

Cheers,
Nog

[waterninja]

Originally Posted by Dick284

It's that way, because it would be abused, and we'd have guys running game with dogs.
Enforcement is nearly impossible, and a conviction would be very difficult.

Heck we can't use pack dogs while hunting, and now your confused about tracking dogs........ This one is so low on any priority scale it needs ground penetrating radar to get a ping.

Try worrying about:
Funding for ungulate counts.
Funding for enforcement.
Resident first opportunities.
Heightened residency requirements.
Increased access, and habitat development.


You are so on the outside looking in.

Dick you have an impressive list there but most of the list would require some pretty big policy changes and lengthy, costly consultations. I'm not trying to rewrite policy, but just trying to make things a little easier and less complicated out in the field.