We're traveling to visit my in-laws who live in hunting country. Should we leave our dog home?

Hunting season.

In some parts of the US, hunting season has already begun. In other areas it is right around the corner. Even you city dwellers should take heed. In fact, those of you less familiar with the rules, regulations, culture, and the dangers associated with hunting season should perhaps pay even closer attention.

If your dog likes to roam near or in woods near your home; if you take your dog walking in the woods, or you take your pets camping: your dog is at added risk of injury, or worse, during hunting season. Every year we hear about these dogs or those cats who are maimed or even killed by hunters.

Aside from risk of getting shot, other dangers include traps, snares, and prey animals turning on your dog are increased during hunting season.

Hidden traps and snares, both legal and illegal, can easily entangle, and mangle, your dog. Every year dogs, and other pets, are maimed or killed because they innocently set off a trap they could not escape from.

Even if your dog is found and rescued, the damage these traps can do to your dog’s paw is devastating. https://thefurbearers.com/our-work/make-fur-history/trapping/trapping-and-wildlife/trapping-incidents/. Do not let your dog run free in wooded areas where traps may be laid. And while trekking through underbrush with your dog on lead, it’s up to you to be aware and keep your eyes open to these hidden dangers.

You might think there is no way a hunter could mistake a medium-sized dog for a deer, or a small dog for a rabbit, but it happens. Do not assume that your white Samoyed is protected since, he’s all white and stark white at that, or that your dog is safe because she looks nothing like a deer, a rabbit, or a squirrel. The color of their fur will simply not protect him from a stray bullet or a momentary error in judgement. And if your dog is wolf-like in appearance or simply well camouflaged, think German Shepherd Dog or Huskey, there’s an even better chance he’ll become a target for some hunter.

https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2013/12/10/pet-malamute-killed-by-wolf-hunter/3950523/ . Occasionally even the most experienced hunters make mistakes. Less experienced, or complete newbies, make more mistakes. Be sure your dog (or cat for that matter) isn’t one of them.

Wild animals are also a serious danger to your dog, particularly now. Under the best of circumstances wild animals are unpredictable, ever more so during hunting season. At no time will your dog fare well against a wild boar; a boar under stress from the hunt or desperately foraging for the season, is particularly lethal. Even a deer that would normally shy away from your dog, becomes panicked and dangerous during hunting season now that it feels backed into a corner. Any fearful or wounded animal will turn violent, and few domesticated dogs can compete with the size and strength of these prey-turned-dangers.

It is up to you to protect your pet! Here are a few suggestions for keeping your dog (and all your pets) safe during hunting season.

If your dog normally roams free (we can discuss the wisdom of that another time), now is the time to rein him in. Make sure he stays in your fenced yard and only let him out while under your complete control, preferably on a lead outside of your enclosed yard.

If you typically (or sporadically) hike with your dog in areas posted for hunting, take added precautions. Double check the leash and clasp and make sure they are in good working order. If they look worn or cracked – get now ones now. And use them! It only takes a second for your dog to break free and only seconds for a hunter to aim and fire.

If you take your dog camping, do not let your dog run free, even if you think you are out of range of permitted hunting areas. Your dog can travel very far, very quickly and cannot read those posted signs.

These vests are also available for dogs in many sizes. Hunters wear these vests to protect themselves from other hunters mistaking them for prey. These vests are also available for dogs in many sizes. If you don’t want to invest in a full-on vest, at least get your dog a reflective orange collar and be sure to use it when in higher risk areas. If you leave it attached to your dog’s lead you won’t forget to use it nor remove it once you get home.

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