anyone ever have problems with bird dogs getting into your fox and coyote sets?

Yeah. Once they get into the trap, the bird hunter goes elsewhere. Ran into one yesterday, told him that I placed some traps....... he left. Nice feller there.

some land i am about to start trapping has some state troopers that hunt phesant hunt it only on the weekends. many dont have dogs but the landowner said one of them does and i just dont want to make that guy mad by catching his dog. i have heard some bad stories about that guy picking up people around here.

I've never caught a Bird Hunters dog in a trap but I have caught one in a snare.

I told the guy about where the snares were set (for Coyotes) and he went to that area. Told me he "lost" his dog in the weeds & had to look for him. There the dog was, sitting in the middle of the trail I'd set. NO PROBLEM he simply released the dog. He though it was kinda funny the way the dog just sat down and waited for him to come after him.

Some people get a bit "ruffled" about Trappers but for others It's No Problem..... Just something we have to live/cope with I guess......

If I were you grovetrapper, I'd contact the guy with the dog and tell him about your traps in that area. He can't say he wasn't informed, before hand anyway. You have just as much right to the property as he does.

That right there is the best answer.
A responsibile hunter would ask the land owner if there were traps on the property.
Then they have a choice of hunting or not.
As stated you have just as much right as the hunter.
You both have choices.
Only difference is the land owner wants you there for animal controll as a benefit to there crops or livestock.
The bird hunter is there for his own pleasure(NOTHING WRONG WITH THAT)and should respect your responsibility to the landowner.

It's not your problem in that you caused it. The hunter either tresspassed, or the farmer gave him permisson to hunt w/o mentioning your trapping.
45/70

Any cop that doesn't have any bad stories floating around isn't doing his job.

I generally like the bird hunters around here. ony a few pricks. Most realize that by trapping egg eaters like coon, skunk, possums, ect...there are more birds around.

Take the time to talk trapping with bird hunters. Show them how to release a dog from a trap if one were to get cought. Also if they have areas they stock with birds, get you some dp traps and offer to get rid of the egg eaters Most of the bird doggers around here will be more than happy to let you trap them. especially if you have dp traps. With standard foot holds they'll probably tell you to be done trapping by the time bird season opens up. With the dp's...you can trap whenever and they feel more at ease (even if they do understand that it's easy to release dogs w/o harm from conventional traps).

-Skunkly-

thanks for the help! the trooper that hunts with the dog has pulled over my brothers many times. he also kind of targets people. hope he doesnt get mad that i am driving the ATV around on roads and i am not even 16 hahaha he got my brother for that when he was 12 y/o lol

Sounds like you are pushing the envelope. He won't get mad, but you might when he catches you.

There's a reason some people get targeted.

Shakeing my head in disbelief!!!!!!

Why look for trouble? You know better!

He's not targeting you! You are making yourself a target.

he doesnt know me or anything i have just heard really bad stories about him. i just want to stay on his good side

I think if you want to stay on his good side you better let him know about the traps on the land where he will be bird hunting, and if you are not old enough to ride the atv on the roads then don't do it. I think your mind is already made up though....good luck in life young man.

ssorry everyone. i think i got it figured it out. thanks for the help!

Who have you heard the bad stories about him from? Probably people that he caught breaking the law. Don't believe everything you hear about cops from people they have caught, sometimes they are inclined to try to cast a bad light on the cop to make themselves look better.

my mom had him follow her home a couple nights ago and she watched him run off the road 3 times in less than 10 miles.

Do things by the book and you will always be the better person...if he's not it will catch up to him someday.

TexA said it pretty well. Sadly, hunter education here does not teach about the various types of traps and how to work them so we end up with "trap ignorant hunters". Most hunters cause cause any damage the dog may have by not knowing how to release. I have caught many a dog in my life. I had a rancher call me one day and told me that I have caught his dog. I asked if the ok, you know being concerned and because I was ready to get my backside all tore up. He said, "aw, the dadgummed dog's fine, I just didn't want you wondering why your trap was set off and nothing in it. Keep killin' coyotes!". My prior trap education with land owners paid off. I also make it VERY clear if there are any kill traps and where. Snares, most dogs will hit then lay down and wait on somebody to come get em. Might have a touch of waterneck but no worse for the wear.