EAST TEXAS HOG DOGGERS FORUM

I have read about it and hear is what the TPWD has to say about it.

Frequently Asked Questions
Hunting
I have an adjacent landowner who hunts with dogs to pursue furbearers, feral hogs, and bobcats. Can I legally shoot the hunter's dog(s) if they come onto my property?

No! A person does not have the right to kill a dog that is pursuing wildlife; however, a landowner may attempt to prosecute the owner of the dog(s) for hunting a wildlife resource without landowner consent. The local game warden, when called upon, will assist the landowner with investigating this type of illegal activity.

That's right we need to get this message out there for our dogs

Shoot my dog and that would be one stupid mistake! They say hell hath no fury like a woman scorned. A woman scorned hath no fury like me if someone shoots my dog. Even if they try to say my dog was harassing livestock I would just show my dogs were trained to leave livestock alone. Then throw in some pictures of the dogs with my children and see what the jury thinks. I will own at least a few head of cattle when I am done and maybe the whole ranch.

dud i agree with you but i would be gettin the needle cause sumone shoots my dog, the SOB who pulled the trigger would be layin next to the dog  >:( ;D >:D..... ;D :angel:

I just hope that never would happen to me , good lord would it be bad for that person who pulled the trigger .......................

Agreed

just got off the phone with a buddy of mine who sold a dog a couple weeks ago who got shot today. while he was baying, the guy who shot him also took both tracking collars off the dog and destroyed them. he shot the dog behind the sholder in the heart while he was broadsided with a 22, the guy told them he did it, but when the serriff got there he said the dog was running at him barking so he shot him. and to top it off the sherriff took the guys side and even said he would of done the same thing if the dog was on his land. this happend 3 miles outside of quitmen. hopefully this want be the end of it. sure does make my blood boil

Destroying property on top. Oh hell no! Go to the Sheriff's office and demand to know why the deputy did not at least take action on the collars. I would make sure that deputy is looking for a new job. Google "who represents me Texas" put in his address and contact the State of Texas representatives because counties enforce state laws so this is a state issue. Do not contact your Congressman it is not federal. State reps respond well. Also contact the local DA and push for criminal charges. I would find a lawyer and file a civil action. This would most likely be a case you would have to pay the lawyer or use small claims court you can sue for up to $10,000. But I would unleash on the @%#& with all legal means possible. When you fight clean you do not have to worry. I figure I want my dogs to work hard for me so I would work hard for them. I am not a lawyer but if he needs help finding information send me a PM I would be happy making someone pay big for shooting a dog!

http://texasbar.com/Template.cfm?Section=Legal_and_Judicial_System&CONTENTID=3869&TEMPLATE=/ContentManagement/ContentDisplay.cfm

PUSH THIS ISSUE AS FAR AN HARD AS POSSIBLE! WHEN THE LAW IS NOT BEIN REPRESENTED PROPER WE THE PEOPLE CAN FIX IT!  >:D >:D

It takes a real coward to shoot a dog,catch the dogs then find the owner if they have a problem.I would still give him a good whippin .I have been lucky with the hog dogs but had many a deer hound shot.They would shoot the dog and then haul but off off thier stands with the dog laying nearby.I have heard of leases catching on fire during the summer when its really dry.One lease got burned up the night before opening morning while all the deer hunters were in the camp getting drunk,they went to go hunting and almost everthing was burned up.They all had to pay for the cowardly act of one person.

same situation 2 yrs ago, 5 dogs shot they were my friends dogs he headed that way game warden was waiting , coached the people into saying they were afraid for there life . arrested my friend for trespassing . Then had the balls to come and harass us on the property we were hunting. I told him he could tell them I wont be getting a trespassing charge if he shoots my dog . it went to civil court and trespassing charge was dropped . But killer got away. I have no pioty on the soul of the shooter or the piece of number 2 game wardens in walker county that did nothing.

I will start by saying, I do not condone shooting dogs, but as responsible dog hunters, it is our responsibility to have landowner consent prior to trespassing on anyone’s property.  If you don’t have permission to go into the neighbors land then don’t drop your dogs close to their property line…. period.  Your dogs may get shot!  You want to argue that you have long range dogs and you cannot control them, well get short range dogs or hunt large tracts of land or get landowner consent.  Look at it from the landowner perspective, he doesn’t know who you are and if it is a constant issue, hell yes he will be upset.  I have permission to retrieve my dogs on 3 sides and we hunt close to those sides only.  One person does not give us consent so we don’t hunt by his property line…I run blood tracking dogs,  I request the person who called for my service to get landowner consent of neighboring ranches prior to me dropping my dogs, if they do not get consent, I don’t drop my dogs. IMO all it comes down to is communication and respect.

In that case landowners permission was granted on one side , got on a runner A hunter in may , which is after deer season shot all 5 dogs in side  or ass with a 30-06 . so they were not attacking and a blind man can see that . A dog killer is what he was and deserves to have his ass handed to him. Period.

That was the story I thought about when I found it on TPWD. I would never post online anything that may push any law. But there is a recourse for the land owner that does not involve killing a dog. I personally have no sympathy for any body that would shoot a dog that is not really attacking or that is not a repeat offender that is causing damage. I know I use a shock collar to break my dogs from horses, cows, and chickens. If I had a deer in a pen I would make sure they did not bother the deer too just to be sure. I do not want my dogs wasting time and effort. I also want to be land owner friendly. Of course the dogs have to be people and dog friendly. So if someone shoots my dog I only hope I could keep calm enough not to do something stupid. But I figure a dog from good parents is worth $500, if it goes to bay it is $1500, if it finds pigs it is $2500-$3000. That is per dog. If it goes over $10,000 then it is time to move from small claims court and get a lawyer. I will hurt a dog shooter where it really hurts. Any accidents I had nothing to do with but I would not be upset either. Even if it is not my dog.

Dub , i agree with you the value of my dogs is high,i had a jam up pit/cat cross a neighbor had something to do with his death he was on chain i could not prove him guilty but he was only one had problem with my dog.my dog never left my yard but he defended my livestock from my neighbors strays he collected,they took several a$$ whoopins a week . after i found my dog poisoned i approached this guy and told him becarefull somebody in area was poisoning dogs, he stated"I DIDN'T TOUCH YOUR DOG" i told him if you are the one you need to give your soul to god because your a$$ is mine! he called the law an the law told him they knew me an my dog no bad actors on my part :D

x 2 Good point. Communicate with neighbors.

Obviously there are situations that could occur where you may not be covered but anyone who shoots a dog needs to be delt with accordingly.

The land owner should call the law and I get in trouble for hunting without permission. The dog goes not understand a fence or trespassing. Throw the book at me but leave my dogs alone. My dad has dogs come on his land all the time. BB and pellet guns are for the repeat offenders. Horses have kicked a few.

YES I AGREE THAT TOO A LOW POWER BB GUN TO GET THE GET OUTTA HERE MESSAGE, BUT SOME PEOPLE GO OVER BOARD.IF THEY DON'T WANT ANY OF MY DOGS ACCIDENTLY GETTIN ON THEIR YARD OR PROPERTY,THEN THEY NEED TO KEEP THEIR KIDS OUT OF MY YARD AS WELL! IF THEY DON'T WANT MY HELP IN GETTIN THE HOGS OUT OF THEIR PROPERTY THEN,DON'T COMPLAIN ABOUT THEM AN DON'T KILL'M N WAIST THE MEAT BY DRAGGIN OFF.I HATE THEIR PET BUZZARDS!DON,T SHOOT MY DOGS THEN TRY TO JUSTIFY YOUR EXISTANCE OR REASON FOR BEIN A USELESS PERSON. WE GO BACK TO EYE FOR EYE ,TOOTH FOR TOOTH PEOPLE WILL REALIZE THAT COLLEGE EDUCATION I PHYCOLIGY JUST GOT THE BEARING BEAT OUT THEIR BUTT, AN DR . PHILL AN OPRA HAVE BODY GUARDS. ;)

No! A person does not have the right to kill a dog that is pursuing wildlife; however, a landowner may attempt to prosecute the owner of the dog(s) for hunting a wildlife resource without landowner consent. The local game warden, when called upon, will assist the landowner with investigating this type of illegal activity.
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This is not entirely correct either, for one wild hogs are not a considered a "wildlife resource" and unless the land owner can prove he has made every effort to control the range of the hogs including hog proof fencing to keep them on his property and marking them he can not bring charges against you for your dogs running or killing one. What the land owner can do, in Texas (or at least the way I understand it) I can be filed on for tresspassing if my dog crosses over a property line even if I dont set foot on that property. This is the only criminal charge that can be filed on any hunter as long as he/she is abiding by all other laws.

The only law that allows for shooting a dog is when livestock or a person is in danger, wildlife and or exotic livestock are not listed in that law, granted your dog is after a $10k exotic and your dog gets shot I wouldnt try to fight it.

If my dog is actually doing something beside chasing hogs there is a problem. But I had my dog on a small piece of land and the dog started after a pig. There where no fences but I saw no trespassing signs. The dog was out in front of me so she was trespassing. But I stopped and called my dog off. I am glad she came back. I have no problem if I break a law then let the cops or game warden do their job and it can be settled in court. I talk to neighbors I am hunting on. The case I just said he said if the dogs chase a pig onto his property I could not go after it. He said he would shoot the pig if he saw it. But he did agree to not shoot my dogs as long as I was calling them off the pig. He stopped short of giving permission to go get the dogs but did not tell me not too. But I can respect his position. He wants to hunt his own land. I do think you should watch your GPS and keep your dogs off other people's land to do your part of protecting your dog. But when your hunting stuff happens.

I was asked for the TPWD site http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/landwater/land/habitats/faq/law_enforcement/hunt23.phtml

shooting a dog can get you in alot of trouble. I killed three that had one of our colts down in my pasture, I called the sherriff, he showed up and arrested me. I got out of it but the law takes it very serious

im from oklahoma  do yall know of the laws here or where i can gto find out  i havent been told no 2 runnin dogs anywhere yet  but i dont know wut i would do if one of mine were shot and id rather knoiw the laws 1st  i do hunt in texas some so thx 4 the info that yall have provided   thx 4 any help

Select State Laws on Hunting and Trespassing
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All city, county, and state law enforcement officers are authorized to enforce the hunter trespass laws. In 40 states, wildlife officers from the state's wildlife management agency are also authorized to enforce the trespassing laws. In 22 states, posting is not required, which means it is against the law for hunters to trespass on private property without the landowner's permission even if the land is not posted. Where posting is required, some states have laws specifying how to post land. Only a few states have statutes that specifically address hunters trespassing to retrieve dogs or wounded animals. In all other states, hunters may not retrieve dogs or wounded animals on land on which the hunter could not legally hunt.

ALABAMA All hunting requires permission of the landowner. There are no requirements for posting by property owners

ALASKA Trespassing notices must be printed legibly in English, be at least 144 square inches in size, give the name and address of the person under whose authority the property is posted and the name and address of the person who is authorized to grant permission to enter the property, be placed at each roadway and at each way of access onto the property that is known to the land owner. In the case of an island, signage must be placed along the perimeter at each cardinal point of the island. The sign must explicitly state any specific prohibition that the posting is directed against.

ARIZONA Hunters are permitted to enter onto land unless lawfully posted. Signs must be at least eight inches by eleven inches with plainly legible wording in capital and bold-faced lettering at least one inch high. The sign must have the words "no hunting", "no trapping" or "no fishing" either as a single phrase or in any combination. The signs must be conspicuously placed on a structure or post at least four feet above ground level at all points of vehicular access, at all property or fence corners and at intervals of not more than one-quarter mile along the property boundary. A sign with one hundred square inches or more of orange paint may serve as the interval notices between property or fence corners and points of vehicular access. The orange paint shall be clearly visible and shall cover the entire above ground surface of the post facing outward and on both lateral sides from the closed area.

FLORIDA Trespass while in possession of a firearm is a felony punishable by imprisonment for up to five years and/or a fine up to $5,000. A person who knowingly propels or causes to be propelled any potentially lethal projectile over or across private land without authorization also commits felony trespass. A potentially lethal projectile includes any projectile launched from any firearm, bow, crossbow or similar tensile device.

IOWA The unarmed pursuit of game or fur-bearing animals lawfully injured or killed which come to rest on or escape to the property of another is an exception to the trespass law.

KANSAS Trespassing is permitted by licensed hunters in order to pursue a wounded game bird or animal, except that if the owner of the land instructs the hunter to leave, the hunter must leave immediately. Any person who fails to leave such land when instructed is subject to the provisions of the criminal trespass law.

LOUISIANA Trespass is permitted in order to retrieve a dog or livestock, provided the trespasser is unarmed. Posting by landowners is required. Trespass on marshlands to trap or hunt fur bearing animals without permission is strictly prohibited

MARYLAND It is unlawful to hunt on private lands in all counties without permission of the landowner or the landowner's lessee. Written permission is required from the property owner to hunt on private property in Allegany, Anne Arundel, Baltimore, Calvert, Carroll, Cecil, Charles, Frederick, Garrett, Harford, Howard, Montgomery, Prince George's, St. Mary's, and Washington Counties. Written permission is required from the property owner to hunt deer on private property in Somerset, Wicomico, and Worcester Counties. Written permission is required from the property owner to trap on private and public lands in all counties. The landowner is not liable for accidental injury or damage to the hunter, whether or not the landowner or the landowner's agent or lessee have given permission to hunt.

MICHIGAN A person other than a person possessing a firearm may, unless previously prohibited in writing or orally by the property owner, enter on foot upon the property of another person for the sole purpose of retrieving a hunting dog. The person shall not remain on the property beyond the reasonable time necessary to retrieve the dog.

MINNESOTA Law allows hunters to trespass unless no trespassing signs are posted along the boundaries every 1000 feet or less, or in wooded areas where boundaries are less clear, at intervals of 500 feet or less, or at the primary corners of each parcel of land and at access roads or trails at points of entrance. Furthermore, the law mandates that the lettering should be at least two inches high and the name and phone number of the landowner or occupant should be listed. Lands that are cropped or grazed and show signs of tillage, crops, crop residue, or fencing for livestock containment do not require posting of signs. Hunters must ask permission to enter these lands. A person on foot may, without permission of the owner, enter land to retrieve a wounded animal that was lawfully shot. The hunter must leave the land immediately after retrieving the wounded game. A person on foot may, without permission of the owner, enter private land without a firearm to retrieve a hunting dog. After retrieving the dog, the person must immediately leave the premises.

NEW YORK A person may enter and remain upon unimproved and apparently unused land, which is neither fenced nor otherwise enclosed in a manner designed to exclude intruders, unless notice against trespass is personally communicated to by the owner.

NORTH CAROLINA In Halifax and Warren counties, no arrests for trespassing can be made without the consent of the owner the land.

NORTH DAKOTA Any hunter may enter upon legally posted land to recover game shot or killed on land where the hunter had a lawful right to hunt.

OKLAHOMA Signs are required at all entrances and all corners and at 200 yard intervals along property lines.

OREGON No person shall hunt upon the cultivated or enclosed land of another without first obtaining permission from the owner or lawful occupant thereof, or the agent of such owner or occupant. The boundaries of enclosed land may be indicated by wire, ditch, hedge, fence, water or by any visible or distinctive lines that indicate a separation from the surrounding or contiguous territory.
 
SOUTH CAROLINA Any person entering upon the lands of another for the purpose of hunting, fishing, trapping, netting; for gathering fruit, wild flowers, cultivated flowers, shrubbery, straw, turf, vegetables or herbs; or for cutting timber on such land, without the consent of the owner or manager, is guilty of a misdemeanor.

SOUTH DAKOTA In the part of the Black Hills fire protection district lying south of Interstate Highway 90, no person may enter upon any private land with intent to take or kill any bird or animal, after being notified by the owner or lessee not to do so. Such notice may be given orally or by posting written or printed notices to that effect at the residence or where the buildings are located thereon, and at the gates or entering places therein, and in conspicuous places around the land posted. All such notices shall contain the name and address of the owner or lessee posting the lands.

TEXAS It is against the law to hunt or fish on privately owned lands or waters without the permission of the owner or owner's agent. No person may pursue a wounded wildlife resource across a property line without the consent of landowner of the property where the wildlife resource has fled. Under the trespass provisions of the Penal Code, a person on a property without the permission of the landowner is subject to arrest.

UTAH Written permission is required from the owner or person in charge to enter upon private land that is either cultivated or properly posted and must include the signature of the owner or person in charge, the name of the person being given permission, the appropriate dates, and a general description of the property.

VERMONT Notices prohibiting the taking of wild animals shall be erected upon or near the boundaries of lands to be affected with notices at each corner and not over 400 feet apart along the boundaries thereof. Notices prohibiting the taking of fish shall show the date that the waters were last stocked and shall be maintained upon or near the shores of the waters not over 400 feet apart. Legible signs must be maintained at all times and shall be dated each year.

VIRGINIA Fox hunters and coon hunters, when the chase begins on other lands, may follow their dogs on prohibited lands, and hunters of all other game, when the chase begins on others lands, may go upon prohibited lands to retrieve their dogs, but may not carry firearms or bows and arrows on their persons or hunt any game while thereon. The use of vehicles to retrieve dogs on prohibited lands shall be allowed only with the permission of the landowner.

WEST VIRGINIA Written permission must be in the possession of anyone who will shoot, hunt, fish, or trap upon the fenced, enclosed or posted grounds or lands of another person. Written permission is also required to peel trees or timber, build fires or do any other act or thing thereon in connection with or auxiliary to shooting, hunting, fishing or trapping. Hunters who kill or injure any domestic animal or fowl, destroy or damage any bars, gates, or fence, or leave open any bars or gates resulting in damage to the owner, can be held criminally liable as well as liable to the landowner. The landowner may personally arrest any such person found violating this law and take the hunter before a justice of the peace for trial. In such instances, the landowner is vested with all the powers and rights of a game warden.

Bryant, do you have a place on the net. that i can go and print out the actual "law". I would like to laminate a copy and keep it with me for when the situation arises. Im from LA by the way

so are hogs like deer state owned or landowner owned?
...

Hogs are owned by the landowner in whose land they currently occupy, unless they are marked, tagged, etc.


The state wants no part of ownership of hogs as a wildlife asset....then they would have to manage the numbers.  It's easier to classify them as exotic livestock and let them belong to the landowner. The minute a hog leaves your property, and sets hoof on your neighbors place, the hog then belongs to the neighbor, and it is his problem if they root his place up.

I have retrieved deer without permission. But if told not to then you can be arrested. In Texas if you see purple painted fence posts that is the land owner saying no you may not retrieve your animal. However state law requires you to use every effort to recover an animal you have wounded. That is when you get your hunting license and cell phone and call the game warden. The game warden will force the land owner to allow you to recover your animal. I have never had this problem with dogs, but if I did I would call the game warden not the sheriff. Sheriffs are elected and are going to not want to make waves. The game warden works with hunters everyday and will be more likely to want to help you. That is why I carry my wallet with my hunting license with me when I am hunting. They are soaked in blood so now I use a ziplock bag. But when the game warden gets there and I pull my wallet out with my hunting license and written permission from the land owner to hunt and they get real nice. That is because they see I do everything I can to comply with the law and they very rarely find that with hunters. Then the other side is normally rude and yelling. Then the game warden really likes me. Oh, also carry a pen that can write on the tags. Even though you do not need a tag for pigs the game warden will know what it is for and it may get you a few brownie points.

if you hunt wood co tx  the law are a bunch of chicken number 2s if it has to do with pits or hog dogs they have to walk like ducks or they are to thin they will  offer to..       
        kill your dogs if you dont want the fine  .