| Hunting whitetail deer with dogs has fallen out of | | | | The reality is that dogs know no boundaries. |
| favor for many hunters through the years. With | | | | However, land owners are very fond of |
| new laws and some questions on ethical | | | | boundaries. Having a large area to hunt cuts down |
| treatment of the dogs this method of hunting is | | | | on dogs straying onto others property as well as |
| harder to achieve today. However, if a large | | | | wounded deer. Most laws require a minimum of |
| enough area of land is secured, plenty of hunters | | | | one thousand acres to hunt with dogs. This |
| are willing to work together and all is legal, then it | | | | requirement has cut down on the number of |
| can be a very exhilarating hunt. | | | | hunters using dogs drastically because securing |
| The first priority besides safety of course should | | | | that much land can be difficult. |
| be the well being of the dogs. Healthy dogs have | | | | Actually hunting whitetails with dogs is much like |
| the stamina to keep that deer on the run. One | | | | drive hunting with other hunters. The main |
| drawback to hunting with dogs is that someone | | | | differences are the acreage covered is much |
| has to foot the bill to house and feed them. | | | | larger with dogs and deer that are seen are |
| Annual vaccinations and health checks are another | | | | almost always running when chased by dogs. |
| expense. One of the main reasons this practice | | | | Hunters are posted at strategic locations where |
| has fallen out of favor is because after deer | | | | deer are expected to escape the area once the |
| season some dogs have been abandoned or even | | | | chase starts. The hunters with dogs then set the |
| shot to keep expenses down to care for them | | | | dogs loose on the other side of the area where |
| during the rest of the year. Remember to care | | | | deer are suspected to be bedded. The dogs then |
| for the dogs if this is a chosen hunting method. | | | | hopefully run the deer toward the posted hunters. |
| They enjoy it as well and they work hard. They | | | | Many trophy bucks have been harvested using |
| deserve to be treated with respect. | | | | dogs. This practice should be employed with |
| The next consideration is the property to be | | | | respect to the dogs, applicable laws and other land |
| hunted. Most states that allow hunting deer with | | | | owners. When all of these rules are followed, then |
| dogs require a minimum acreage of land to hunt. | | | | deer hunting with dogs should be a positive sport. |