[Maya's Mom]

When you are out walking in the woods with your dog during hunting season, what safety precautions do you use? I usually let my dog run off leash, but I'm wondering if that is a bad idea during hunting season. We usually walk in state parks where hunting isn't allowed, but we do explore other areas as well. Also, I was thinking about getting her an orange vest or something like that which will really stand out. Any tips?

 

[Pointgold]

Before we had the property that we own now, the dogs were never out without wearing hunters orange pennys. And even then were rarely off lead during hunting season. I saw far too many GOldens (and labs, too) shot for deer when running through the woods with tails up. Not worth the chance.

 

[jwemt81]

We bought our house a year and half ago and behind our backyard is all woods where people hunt. We can easily hear gunshots from our house. We have a large population of deer, coyotes, wild turkeys, etc. Our dogs never go out in the backyard without their bright orange vests during hunting season and we avoid taking walks in the woods during that time. I'm far too much of a worry wart to risk it!

 

[Oaklys Dad]

I'm careful where I take my boys during deer season. I also put blaze orange on them to keep them safe.

 

[Maya's Mom]

Where do you buy the orange vests?

 

[jwemt81]

Where do you buy the orange vests?

You can get them almost anywhere that sells dog supplies, but we got ours at Cabela's.

 

[AmberSunrise]

I use doggie safety vests as well; and they do learn to love the vest since it means woods and hikes

 

[GoldenJoyx'stwo]

Thankfully hunting isn't allowed in the woods behind my home. I do worry when driving down the Meritt Parkway though. Hunters are all over the place.

 

[grrrick]

An orange vest or hat for yourself isn't a bad idea either.

 

[Riley's Mom]

I try to only go to places where hunting isn't allowed. But you never know just because property is posted doesn't mean hunters won't be there. Riley always wears his orange vest just incase. I usually put a bell on him too.

 

[Bogey's Mom]

Before we had the property that we own now, the dogs were never out without wearing hunters orange pennys. And even then were rarely off lead during hunting season. I saw far too many GOldens (and labs, too) shot for deer when running through the woods with tails up. Not worth the chance.

Oh my god! I would never recover from that!

 

[GoldenJoyx'stwo]

For some reason this morning this thread reminds me of my nephew's friend who was accidently shot while hunting. He was a state police officer...so sad.

 

[coppers-mom]

Hunters can get so excited they overreact to the slighest noise and shoot without looking closely.

You can get orange doggie vests at PetSmart and Wal-mart. My dogs wear them during hunting season and I wear an orange vest as well. I'm even considering getting something similiar for my horse. He's white, but you never know.:doh: