Coon hunters ?

[hammer33]

The never ending coonhunter problem continues and I would like an official reccomendation on how to handle the situation.
Coon hunters are putting their dogs out on a small parcel of land they have gained permission to hunt. I have no problems with legal hunting of any sort. The problem is the trespassing, dogs running everywhere, and the excuses for the dogs being where they don't belong. Also the late hours which they will run the dogs.
Our LGD gets worked up by the running dogs, flashlights, and trespassers and will bark the entire remainder of the night.(Doing its job keeping dogs and people out of our sheep) Our livestock also get antagonized by the nightime disruption. This will happen 2-5 nights a week, take a break, then back on again several nights in a row.
I have spoken with the neighbors who do NOT allow hunting and they have not given permission, but are reluctant to "waste their time" prosecuting.
Repeated calls to the TWRA poaching hotline have yielded ... Nothing. No call backs. No officers driving by. Nothing.
Is this a Sheriffs office issue only? A TWRA officer issue? How can I get relief from the trespassing, poaching, and all night activity on and around my property?

 

[RUGER]

I would say the trespassing would be a Sheriff's office issue.
Getting the to respond, well I highly doubt it.

In before "dogs can't read".

Good luck man.

 

[JCDEERMAN]

Why would TWRA respond? Lack of officers? Is their funding going elsewhere?

I personally would welcome coon hunters after deer season, as we trap and try to kill as many turkey nest predators as we can. The only downside is it puts stress on already highly stressed deer in the worst part of winter. However, everyone is in a different situation - hence, your livestock. Best of luck!

 

[scn]

IMO, it is a TWRA issue as it is hunting without permission rather than simple trespass.

I would suggest calling into your Regional office and ask to speak to the Major over the law enforcement for the Region. Make him/her aware that you have used the hotline and have not received a call back.

If you still don't get a response, call the Law Enforcement Div in Nashville and speak with the Colonel over the statewide enforcement.

But, be aware that you are most likely going to have to come to court to testify in the prosecution of any of the hunters hunting without permission. And, unfortunately, depending on the court system, there may be little or no penalties even if found guilty.

 

[Chaneylake]

I know that dogs can't read.
It's a non issue at Chaney

 

[hammer33]

IF it is so difficult to get a TWRA agent to respond, would I be better served calling the sheriffs office and trying to get a tresspassing citation issued, possibly an Armed Trespassing arrest?

Lets face it. These type of "hunters" get off on breaking the hunting laws. From the lame excuses of "dogs cant read signs" to "Sorry I was in your barn, I'm just looking for my coon dog" Its obvious that hunting without permission citation is zero deterrent. The way the laws and enforcement are set up, its actually encourages these outlaws and discourages landowners.

I am considering asking our county commission to pass an ordinance severely limiting coon hunting. IF the bad actors can't behave they are going to ruin it for everyone.

 

[BigRed1080]

I live in Middle TN and I've always had luck calling the region office and I have even been given the Sgt. Cell phone number to call directly. What part of the state are you in, if you don't mind me asking?

 

[hammer33]

Warren co. Tn.

 

[Mattt]

Been there. I'm sure I didn't handle it properly but no Leo help or twra assistance ended with me shooting a dog, no o e would claim it even though I had his info o. The collar. When a big male walker dog got over the 6 foot kennel wall with one of my females she killed it. I love dogs. But I also like a full nights sleep. Couple of encounters later at the fence row my issues went away. Good luck.

 

[Hunter79]

I am a fellow houndsman and I can assure you the biggest part of us would never intentionally let our hunting dogs that we raise,train and care for as members of our own family onto land that we weren't allowed to hunt.And I would suggest that just because someone's hunting dog crosses your property in pursuit of or hunting game you don't shoot it. This could be a very costly decision on your part,and if we're gonna limit some hunting i suggest we close deer season the 30 of November so we don't have to bother you folks while we're chasing ole buggs bunny around the pine thicket (not sure if you are aware of it or not but we have the same right to be in the woods as you do as well as our hounds day or night.)

 

[Jcalder]

I am a fellow houndsman and I can assure you the biggest part of us would never intentionally let our hunting dogs that we raise,train and care for as members of our own family onto land that we weren't allowed to hunt.And I would suggest that just because someone's hunting dog crosses your property in pursuit of or hunting game you don't shoot it. This could be a very costly decision on your part,and if we're gonna limit some hunting i suggest we close deer season the 30 of November so we don't have to bother you folks while we're chasing ole buggs bunny around the pine thicket (not sure if you are aware of it or not but we have the same right to be in the woods as you do as well as our hounds day or night.)

You have no right to hunt on land you don't have permission to be on. I can assure you majority of coon hunters in my area pay no attention to fences, houses, property lines, nor posted signs. Just a complete disregard for everyone involved.

 

[ronnycl]

I am a fellow houndsman and I can assure you the biggest part of us would never intentionally let our hunting dogs that we raise,train and care for as members of our own family onto land that we weren't allowed to hunt.And I would suggest that just because someone's hunting dog crosses your property in pursuit of or hunting game you don't shoot it. This could be a very costly decision on your part,and if we're gonna limit some hunting i suggest we close deer season the 30 of November so we don't have to bother you folks while we're chasing ole buggs bunny around the pine thicket (not sure if you are aware of it or not but we have the same right to be in the woods as you do as well as our hounds day or night.)

I am not saying I agree to shooting someones dog, but if it crosses private property and a landowner thinks it is harmful to lifestock I see a dead dog situation. And I don't see any lawyer getting involved over a fine coon hound trying to kill a mans sheep. Last time a lawyered up it cost me 40k. So be careful about saying you will you a lawyer. And I see no upside in changing deer season for the coonhunter who already has a more than sufficent season.

 

[Hunter79]

I am not saying I agree to shooting someones dog, but if it crosses private property and a landowner thinks it is harmful to lifestock I see a dead dog situation. And I don't see any lawyer getting involved over a fine coon hound trying to kill a mans sheep. Last time a lawyered up it cost me 40k. So be careful about saying you will you a lawyer. And I see no upside in changing deer season for the coonhunter who already has a more than sufficent season.

Lmao typical response from most that don't know anything about hunting dogs and livestock.(I've heard the wind blow before).damn 40k for a lawyer you musta been in some real trouble. Good luck with your situation sir and I hope you have a great day!

 

[Kritter Gitter]

I have coon hunted quite a bit through the years but quit a long time ago and have dealt with a lot of pains in the a** from landowners that hate us. Look at it from both sides before you get all high and mighty and start with the trespassing and poaching. We could let the dogs loose on a section of property that we have permission to be on that's 100 acres and the dogs would go where ever they want and end up a the neighbor's. You DON'T control where they hunt, plain and simple!! I can promise you too that if anyone shot my dog, they better hope I couldn't find them! Any time that I had to go get them off the tree on some one else's property, I would try to find the owner if it wasn't too late or just quickly and quietly as I could go get them. Its not like we would start the night out thinking, "lets go see how many people we can piss off!" Now, there are those rednecks that just don't care too, I have seen them drive through people's property and tear it up with no regard to respect. In all, just chill out. Season will be over soon. And as far as livestock, I have NEVER seen a coon hound bother them.

 

[ronnycl]

Lmao typical response from most that don't know anything about hunting dogs and livestock.(I've heard the wind blow before).damn 40k for a lawyer you musta been in some real trouble. Good luck with your situation sir and I hope you have a great day!

careful with karma , i hope you never have to lawyer up, a senior lawyer in town will cost 600.00 an hour fyi. And I ran curs and had tracking devices on my dogs & I knew there location at all times. (Its Called Technology) Don't run walkers if you don't have permission to hunt 1000 acre plots; sometimes the dog owners are not quite as smart as the dog.

 

[Mattt]

I am a fellow houndsman and I can assure you the biggest part of us would never intentionally let our hunting dogs that we raise,train and care for as members of our own family onto land that we weren't allowed to hunt.And I would suggest that just because someone's hunting dog crosses your property in pursuit of or hunting game you don't shoot it. This could be a very costly decision on your part,and if we're gonna limit some hunting i suggest we close deer season the 30 of November so we don't have to bother you folks while we're chasing ole buggs bunny around the pine thicket (not sure if you are aware of it or not but we have the same right to be in the woods as you do as well as our hounds day or night.)

I support everyone's right to hunt, but not trespassing to do it. No one has that right

 

[Mattt]

I have coon hunted quite a bit through the years but quit a long time ago and have dealt with a lot of pains in the a** from landowners that hate us. Look at it from both sides before you get all high and mighty and start with the trespassing and poaching. We could let the dogs loose on a section of property that we have permission to be on that's 100 acres and the dogs would go where ever they want and end up a the neighbor's. You DON'T control where they hunt, plain and simple!! I can promise you too that if anyone shot my dog, they better hope I couldn't find them! Any time that I had to go get them off the tree on some one else's property, I would try to find the owner if it wasn't too late or just quickly and quietly as I could go get them. Its not like we would start the night out thinking, "lets go see how many people we can piss off!" Now, there are those rednecks that just don't care too, I have seen them drive through people's property and tear it up with no regard to respect. In all, just chill out. Season will be over soon. And as far as livestock, I have NEVER seen a coon hound bother them.

The dogs bothering mine haven't been the problem it's the pos cutting the fence to get them or their vehicle through and then I'm chasing cows for 2 days and fixing fence.

 

[Mattt]

careful with karma , i hope you never have to lawyer up, a senior lawyer in town will cost 600.00 an hour fyi. And I ran curs and had tracking devices on my dogs & I knew there location at all times. (Its Called Technology) Don't run walkers if you don't have permission to hunt 1000 acre plots; sometimes the dog owners are not quite as smart as the dog.

Agreed it's not hard to spend a lot of money very quickly with an attorney

 

[younggun308]

It's funny how defenses of coon dogs trespassing remind me of pit bull apologists: did you stare at it? Don't be nervous or you'll provoke them…blah blah blah.

It's always everyone else's fault there's a conflict: Sure there's a pile of yapping hounds at 3AM in YOUR back pasture and if absolutely nothing else, they woke you, your wife, and your kids up (and riled up your dog, to boot). And the expectation is "shut up and don't complain. That's just what dogs do, amirite?"

Heck to the nope.

 

[Kritter Gitter]

The dogs bothering mine haven't been the problem it's the pos cutting the fence to get them or their vehicle through and then I'm chasing cows for 2 days and fixing fence.

If that's the case, I'm 100% against morons like that!!!