Sometimes, hunters should use good judgement when taking dogs to smaller properties and turning them out to run....

Most times, a coon will climb the nearest tree or at least will not run far before seeking a tree simply because they can't outrun a dog.. Now, unless a dog strikes a coon near a property line, the odds are high that the dog should tree the coon while still on the land you are hunting on. maybe starting the dog in a central location on the property might help or after the dog trees the first coon, then leash the dog and take it back to a central location....If a dog trees near a property line, you can't just let him go from there because it's likely to head the wrong way.

I rabbit hunted for many years and I can say with confidence that most times a rabbit will circle before getting to far from it's territory. Even in a huge cotton field, a rabbit (most times) will circle before getting too far .... most times if I knew where the dogs jumped the rabbit, I'd stand right there and wait for the rabbit to come back...

My point is that not all property is good for hunting with dogs. A ten acre farm, for example, maybe shouldn't be on your list of places to run coon dogs or a pack of beagles, especially if you can't legally access the adjoining properties.

I know that finding a place to run your dogs is difficult enough without limiting yourself to certain acreages. However, sometimes it's not a good idea to risk your dogs getting on other's land.....

IMO, being a responsible dog owner and hunter is just like being a responsible parent.

BH

If the landowner will not allow you to retrieve your animal, then it's time to get the county TWRA officer to step in and help. They will serve as a mediary between responsible coon hunters and landowners. Of course, the county officers already know who the responsible dog owners and who the irresponsible dog owners are.

I love racoons, I think they are really cute animals and respect thier intelligence. It's a total shame I feel I have to shoot every one I encounter just so I don't attract the irresponsible coon hunters to my property. No coons= no coon hunters.

I'm trying to understand something here on this thread. The "if I'm told no, then I'm going to trespass anyway" attitude isn't any better than your average trespasser either imo. Trespassing is trespassing, plain and simple. I can understand the concern for the dogs and wanting to get them back, and I would most certainly allow one to do just that from my property, but it's still within the right of any property owner to refuse access to their land if they so choose. Touchy situation I guess, and I sure don't have an answer for it. Maybe calling for the dogs on the outskirts of the property in question, or just wait it out for someone to find the dog and call the number on the collar? That's what most of the locals do around my place anyway.

All hunters need to stick together... If we haven't noticed several states won't even let you use a rifle to deer hunt... Before you know it, it will be archery only... Then what would the buck limit guys have to debate...