Raccoon hunters passing through

[MasseyWV]

Trespassing is trespassing, it doesn't matter if they were chasing a dog or not. For all you now they were using it as an excuse to scope out your place so they can come back and relieve you of some of your belongings. I wouldn't tolerate it ether.

Exactly, you never know what peoples intentions really are, despite what they might say. If I intend to go onto someones land for any reason, I ask them. It's their land and I always respect that fact and expect the same in return.

Many years ago, the road to our home was flooded and the only way in or out was by using my ATV to cross a large field a neighbor uses to grow hay. Fortunately, he had already harvested it for the season so there was no risk of causing any damage so I proceeded to cross the field and go to his home to ask permission. In this case, I had no choice but to cross the field to ask permission, which he understood and granted me permission, but only while the road was flooded.

Respecting boundaries is just the neighborly thing to do. Period.

 

[MotorSeven]

My wife and I are split on this issue. She does not want them on our property period. I look at this a little different. Coon hunting is a heritage sport and originated back in the days when farms were much bigger. Now, almost all the big farms have been sold off and chopped up(mine was almost 300 ac, now 100ac). Dogs know no boundary or fence....can't read no trespassing signs and have a chip on their shoulder because they don't have opposable thumbs. Unless the hunter is out in the middle of State or Federal land, his dogs are going to follow their nose and end up on private land. We have no public land close by, so our local coon hunters come through our area 3-4 times a year.

I'm a dog guy, the sound of those bays is music to me. Yes, it can be annoying late at night when our dogs go nuts, but so far I'm ok with it. We also have a big creek running through our place, and I really don't mind folks walking the creek and fishing. If the hunters/fishers are respectful and ask permission they always get it. I am trying to be a decent caretaker of the land.....none of us really "own it"....we are just borrowing it while we are alive.

 

[blueriver]

Back in the day I coon hunted and coon hunted big time, Treeing walker dogs and rode mules. Even when you planned the hunt and thought you had spoken to every neighbor in the area ... sure enough old "rocky racoon" ended up somewhere else and the dog just followed.

I have been across the country to UKC night hunts and will tell all of you even the biggest, wooliest, mean looking coon hunter has nothing on his mind except coons and coon dogs ... maybe a sour one in the bunch, I doubt it .... anyone who pays that much for a champion dog, the cost of a wheat light, an aluminum dog box, a darn good mule and a trailer to haul the mule in is not looking for trouble or scoping out your place. Simply enjoying the great outdoors with a passion to hear a good dog run a trail, locate and tree a coon.

 

[TripleR]

We don't allow deer, turkey or squirrel hunting or fishing on our property, but will allow coon hunting from responsible hunters if asked. Sadly few hunt coons in our area anymore.

 

[MasseyWV]

One must also consider the potential insurance liability issues of allowing hunters or anyone else onto your property. If they get hurt or hurt someone else, the property owner could be held liable in court.

In a sue-happy society, it simply isn't worth the risk.

 

[TripleR]

One must also consider the potential insurance liability issues of allowing hunters or anyone else onto your property. If they get hurt or hurt someone else, the property owner could be held liable in court.

In a sue-happy society, it simply isn't worth the risk.

That can get you anyway, so we carry hefty liability insurance on our property.

 

[DennisArrow]

When that pack of dogs comes over the ridge, through my first fence, breaks through my electric pasture fences, and runs my momma goats worth thousands of dollars each......the answer is the THREE "S".............Shoot, shovel, shut-up.........

This scenario has happened twice so far in the last month. Have watched the "pack" run deer and totally disregard property lines. Have called DNR ranger and the county animal control folks and have been advised that I am totally in my rights to use whatever I need to do to protect my property and animals from danger.........The last time I popped maybe 20 rounds over their heads to turn them back when they were within 100 feet of my house......Maybe the owner heard my old Garand, I hope..........

Has the "pack" owner ever knocked on my door to talk about this in the several YEARS this has been going on...........NO..........Does DNR and animal control know who this is....Of course..........It's kinda funny.......since advising the officials of the THREE "S" use in the future ....NO DOGS...........God bless.......Dennis

 

[polo1665]

I welcome coon hunters on our property (as long as they ask first). Locally, raising coon dogs is a big business and coon hunt competitions pay big for winners.
I will regularly live trap coon and give them to dog handlers to help them train their dogs. The coon gets relocated and isn't harmed. They are little shaken by being chased by a dog maybe, but no permanent damage.

 

[MWRR]

If Coon hunters show up on my place they better stop and ask.....I WANT TO GO TOO!!

I too used to coon hunt. I have some great memories from those hunts..had some good dogs, some dogs weren't worth their feed, but most of all had a really good time with some good friends and family. My wife didn't like me being gone during the nights, but I just told her it was better to be out stopping around in the woods chasing dogs then in a bar chasing another woman, lol.

i wouldn't mind if someone coon hunted on my land if they give me a call to let me know.

 

[Kyle241]

They were trespassing, it's as simple as that. They had ample warning to leave and if they can't control their dogs, then they shouldn't be hunting there and letting them loose. There is no debating the subject.