Ethics Question

patsmichbeagler · Post by **patsmichbeagler** » Mon Dec 10, 2007 9:34 am

I had my son his buddy and my friend and his kids out yesterday. It took us about 20 mins, to get one going it made a good couple of circles and then headed over the hill to the next swamp the dogs were running it real good when I heard a shot. I knew none of my guys were over there so I went to investigate. We were on public land we had one man that shot at the rabbit that our dogs were running. I am not sure how to feel about this he acted like it was no big deal but I don't know this guy from adam I didn't say anything just got the dogs and headed away from him . I would not shoot a rabbit someone elses dog was running but what do you think? By the way we ran five and got three , four if you count the one the other guy shot.

wright boy · Post by **wright boy** » Mon Dec 10, 2007 9:48 am

Shame on the guy for shooting the rabbit. They were your dogs and he was not a part of your hunting party. Some folks are just pathetic that way...

Emery · Post by **Emery** » Mon Dec 10, 2007 9:50 am

Personally, I wouldn't shoot either. At least he didn't shoot the dog or try and run away with your dog.

upperlimits · Post by **upperlimits** » Mon Dec 10, 2007 10:10 am

Had the same thing happen to us on state land this past weekend.Dogs were running one fairly well,all of a sudden I here 10 quick shots from a 22 and then a couple shotgun blasts.I ran out and yelled because I didn`t want to get shot,And found a bunch of younger Jump shooters with my rabbit.we leashed the dogs and left.no more state land for me on weekends!Idiots!

SilverZuk · Post by **SilverZuk** » Mon Dec 10, 2007 10:25 am

I wouldn't have shot, but you were hunting public land and rabbit was in season.
It is really no big deal and you handled it right.
Don't expect everyone in the world to live up to your standards.

warddog · Post by **warddog** » Mon Dec 10, 2007 10:53 am

This is the reason why I quit rabbit hunting several years ago for awhile. We had no places to hunt other than public land and it was hunted so hard finding a rabbit to run was nearly out of the question. Then as described you have to hunt with others that you know nothing about and that is something I do NOT like to do. First off I would not be any ways near someone jump shooting rabbits with a .22 or even shooting on towards the ground period. I would also be very upset if folks not in my hunting party shot a rabbit my dogs were running. Shooting it with a shotgun would upset me but not nearly as much as shooting at the rabbit my dogs were running with a .22 knowing that someone had to be there with those dogs. I know that beings it was public land they were within the law but in my opinion they were not only hunter ethically wrong but in fact stupid firing a .22 into an area where they had no idea of hopw many other hunters or dogs were in the area. If I have to hunt public properties among those I have no clue about I will not hunt at all. It cost my cousin and I some pretty good dollars to belong to a hunters club that leases property but I'd rather spend some dollars on hunting property then replace dogs or worse yet a hunting buddy can not be replaced.

Kenny VanHoose · Post by **Kenny VanHoose** » Mon Dec 10, 2007 11:32 am

This could be dangerous for the unknown party since it could be mistaken that he\ she are shooting at your dogs. This is just wrong for many reasons!

Joeyman · Post by **Joeyman** » Mon Dec 10, 2007 11:38 am

I think it is wrong. I wouldn't do it to them. If someone would shoot a rabbit in front of my dogs with out me knowing that they were their it would upset me. I would let them know that it upset me.

I have had some trouble lately on public land with people coming on top of us while we are on a rabbit. I pull up to an area usually the first person to that spot. Get down start hunting and next thing you know it I see hunter's with dogs of there own heading towards us. Obvisiously they are blind and deaf because they can't see us or hear our dogs on a rabbit. That makes me so mad. I have to be the one to leave and I was their first. The only reason I leave is because when I shoot that rabbit and the dogs are searching around for the next bunny and they hear those guys dogs they will take off and join their dogs which I don't like one bit. So I have to leave my spot and find a new one. I should make them leave but I don't want to fight with any one.

fulcount · Post by **fulcount** » Mon Dec 10, 2007 11:50 am

Public Land or not the guy has no right to shoot a RABBIT Your dogs were running!!
I would pic up my dogs and give the guy a good A__ chewing before leaving I would tell him in no uncertain terms what a Jerk he really is!!
John O

fulcount · Post by **fulcount** » Mon Dec 10, 2007 11:52 am

what the hell is this Wabbit stuff I spelled RABBIT WITH AN R
that is some childish Nonsense!!!

John Otruba

warddog · Post by **warddog** » Mon Dec 10, 2007 2:27 pm

John, you are right on both counts. Rabbit is spelled with an "R" and anyone shooting a Rabbit off another man's dog is a Jerk. Anyone hunting Rabbits with a .22 can rest assured my dogs and I will be out of their way as fast as I can gather them up.

bradadkins · Post by **bradadkins** » Mon Dec 10, 2007 2:28 pm

I know..I have noticed my spelling changed too..even after I went back and edited it...wierd

hounddog · Post by **hounddog** » Mon Dec 10, 2007 2:48 pm

I'm sure it's a little computer humor.......just have some fun with it as we all know what is meant.

hounddog
Jim Umbarger

green river · Post by **green river** » Mon Dec 10, 2007 3:13 pm

I take hunting ethics very seriously and have noticed some that do not. I was lucky enough to have a Dad that instilled those ethics in me and sometimes have to shake my head when I see guys act like idiots. I could go on about some of the things I've seen but I won't.
Back to the post...I would not have even thought about shooting a rabbit that someones else's dog is running.
My 2 year old son will be raised to understand how to hunt the RIGHT way and not be a game hog.

SilverZuk · Post by **SilverZuk** » Mon Dec 10, 2007 4:01 pm

That is one thing you have to put up with on state land.
Many people are not as respectful as you would like them to be.

My experience on public land:
My dogs end running with someone else's, or theirs ends up with mine.
When other dogs join mine.
I have stopped at times and waited for them to retrieve their dogs.
If the dogs are running a rabbit, I will shoot it.
It ends the chase and makes it possible for the other guys to retrieve their dogs.

If my dogs join in another's chase I go to one of the hunters.
Usually we stand and talk dogs until someone shoots the rabbit, or they lose it. Then I get my dogs and leave.

I have ran into people jump shooting. If they seem like they have some sense I invite them to hunt over my dogs. Others that I wasn't comfortable with I ask "Which direction are you going? I'll let you go that way and we'll go this way so I don't bother you."
What that does is tactfully say, "You are hunting over there and I am over here".

They have as much right to be out there as I do. Same with all other hunters, hikers, and bike riders.

I have hunted under guys bow hunting. I apologize and ask "Where are the other guys so I don't bother them" and tell them where I am headed.

Bottom line is any person legally using the land has a right to be there.
It doesn't "make it right" to shoot a rabbit out in front of your dogs, but there is nothing you can about that. Being rude just builds fences between hound hunters and others. We need to build bridges, not fences.

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