Hunters are responsible for their dogs

The dispute over hunting deer with dogs seems to be an ethical dispute. It is my opinion, that if the hunting laws allow it (e.g., dog hunting, using bait) then it is ethical. For example, while I would not hunt on Sunday in North Carolina, I would have no qualms about hunting on Sunday in a state that allows it.This being said, I think that two important issues not addressed were safety and responsibility. When hunting from a tree stand a hunter has the opportunity to observe the deer and know what is behind it before they take a shot. Christopher Lawrence stated that it “requires a skilled marksman to kill moving deer through the woods or a crossing path.”

When shooting at a moving target from the ground it is quite difficult to be aware of what is behind it, especially in the “thick and dense cover” in which deer inhabit.  Basic hunter safety is to know what is behind your target.Just as important as safety is taking responsibility for your actions during a hunt. Jason Livingston states that “dog hunters understand people may get frustrated when their dogs run away from them, but they do not believe they should be punished for this.”  Lance Thomas responds “A dog can’t help where it is going to run. A dog just does what he is trained to do.” While it is nearly impossible to predict where a dog is going to run, the owner is still responsible for it. If a dog leaves the property in which the hunter has permission to hunt, and enters another property, it is the same as trespassing. The fact that a dog owner says that they are not responsible for where their dogs travel is the same as a hunter saying that they are not responsible for where their bullet travels after they fire a gun. To dismiss the fact that dogs are beyond a hunters control is irresponsible and gives hunters and the sport a bad name. Furthermore, if you cannot control your dogs, then you have no business hunting with them.Ben Wallacegraduate student, fisheries and wildlife