Hunter’s Dilemma
Phil Taunton
Friday, November 21, 2008
“Opinion is ultimately determined by feelings, and not by intellect.” — Herbert Spencer, Social Statics 1851
Everyone has the right to their own opinion, at least in our country anyway, good or bad. Praise the Lord! For as long as I can remember, our family’s tradition of celebrating Thanksgiving has included a hunting adventure or two. Bounty is shared and thanks given for all we have been blessed with. After all, this is what Thanksgiving is all about, isn’t it?
Hopefully, the tradition will continue.
Back in the good old days, when people were not afraid to smile and wave at strangers, when gun control and animal rights weren’t of major concern nor expounded on as much by society as they are today, I would often take quick jaunts out in the country to exercise my bird dogs. On one of these trips, I met an old farmer/rancher and helped him herd his cattle back to pasture after we fixed a trampled down fence.
We chatted, became friends, and he gave me permission to run my dogs on his land. He wished for me not to hunt quail, because he had family and friends who loved to hunt and he feared there weren’t enough quail to go around. I respected this wish and much welcomed a place just to run my dogs. Earl also had a nice pond in his pasture which proved to be a real magnet for doves. Even though I couldn’t hunt quail, he gave me permission to hunt this wing shooting challenge, much to the dismay of a neighbor whose land lay across the road.
One morning during a dove shoot on Earl’s land and with cries of “I’ve called the law” ringing in my ears, I went to the road to talk to the neighbor who disapproved of hunting and we had a heart to heart. I questioned just what he was ranting and raving about this time. He was upset and accused me of being on his land and hunting quail out of season to boot. He also planned on pressing trespass charges against me.
The truth was, I hadn’t crossed Earl’s fence, nor was I within fifty yards of the road, but I had wing-tipped a dove and it fell on his property. I had taken a wind-driven overhead shot — one coming right at me — and my dog did cross onto his land to retrieve the crippled bird. People who have ever hunted know the wind can carry such birds quite a ways before they come down. In a sense, I was guilty of permitting Toots to trespass when making the retrieve but never even thought of it at the time.
This was the first time I had ever been faced with such a dilemma, but the act of letting your hunting dogs go onto another’s property where you don’t have permission to hunt has escalated into quite a problem today. You are responsible for your dogs and need to keep them under control.
I was courteous when I talked to the adjacent land owner and he seemed unaware the same dog I use to hunt upland game could be used when hunting doves. He assumed I was hunting quail since it was a bird dog. The guy was pretty upset and I didn’t want to ruffle his feathers any more. But excuse me, isn’t a dove a bird? Feathers, beak, feet and all! Dogs are great conservation tools as well as being faithful companions. Their sense of smell and ability to find downed birds make them indispensable for recovering a resource that would otherwise be lost.
After getting nowhere with that argument and my promise the dog wouldn’t violate or trespass on his property again, the man just wouldn’t give up and asked me why I hunted doves in the first place: not good to eat, takes dozens to make a meal (or so he thought). Truth is, doves are lip-smacking good when marinated, wrapped in bacon and grilled. Dozens to make a meal? I guess that all depends on how hungry you are, what you serve to compliment the meal and how many are coming over for dinner.
Eating wildlife I harvest is just one of the reasons I hunt. Some people hunt because it is an enjoyable family tradition passed down from generation to generation. It is a bond that has cemented relationships — something to plan on and look forward to year after year.
Hunting is an enjoyable, safe activity shared with family, friends and associates who enjoy each other’s company. The sport also gives individuals a chance to go afield, to get away from the stress, hustle and bustle of today’s busy world and become one with Nature, not to mention an opportunity to get some much-needed exercise.
Permission and the privilege to hunt prime lands that haven’t become leased or commercialized are getting difficult to obtain. Cherish these lands and treat them as you would want someone to treat your property.
As a hunter and one who desires to protect the heritage and tradition of hunting my father instilled in me many years ago, I ask those who go afield simply to respect all game laws, and the rights and property of others. Portray a positive image. Do not trespass. The future of hunting may depend on it.
Outdoor Adventures would like to wish you all a Happy Thanksgiving. Please send us a story of your Thanksgiving hunt and a recipe to share at sports@emporiagazette.com.
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Posted by neighbor (anonymous) on November 21, 2008 at 3:40 p.m. (Suggest removal)
If it's not posted, that doesn't mean it's okay to hunt there.
If your name is not on the deed, you need permission to hunt there, and no it's not okay to trespass because your dogs can't read.
No Hunting/No Trespassing means exactly that.
Road "Hunting" and shooting onto property where you don't have permission is illegal, it can land you in prison and can ruin peoples lives. Please remember this during rifle season and while driving around looking for coyotes and other things to shoot. Go back and re-read the first three reminders.
There is a law that protects hunters from harassment from people like Phil wrote about. Had he called the law on me while I was hunting legally, I would have asked the officer to explain that statute to the man.
There is a law that allows you to be void of liability if you allow hunters, fishermen, and campers on your land for other recreational purposes(without charging a fee for that access) and if they happen to injure themselves. Many times I have been told I can longer hunt or fish a property after the landowner claimed his insurance agent or lawyer had suggested they not allow such activities due to liability issues. A simple no would be much easier to swallow and would garner more respect.
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