Stick to the facts and include all information at Pet Release Clinics

We were unable to attend the local trapping clinic last week but were told a question was asked regarding our dogs being snared while we were bird hunting last season on public lands, with one dog killed as a result. A clinic presenter, a Montana Trappers Association (MTA) rep, responded by saying our dog died because we had not trained it to be “leash-broke” and he “heard our dogs were out of control and running wildly.” It is a well-worn and sad MTA strategy to try to shift blame in this way for the consequences of trapper actions onto their victims.

In this case, we were licensed upland bird hunters with our hard hunting, well-trained dogs, breaking no rules or regulations and doing exactly what one would expect bird hunters and their dogs to do. We were unfortunate enough to stumble into unmarked snares while hunting on public land.

Bird dogs, particularly pointing breeds like ours, are bred to hunt game birds with considerable drive and speed. Jake, our first dog snared, was working cover in pursuit of birds when Carolyn saw him get swiftly jerked up by the neck in a coyote snare placed across an opening in the shrubs. No amount of “leash-breaking” could have prevented the sheer momentum of his body from tightening that snare around his neck.

As to our dogs being out of control, Jake was no more than 50 yards from Carolyn and under voice control. Riley was hunting about 150 yards ahead of Jon. This is a completely normal and desirable range for a bird dog. Both dogs were wearing GPS locator collars so we know where they are at all times. Riley was even trained to return to us using a beeper mode audible to him from the collar.

Carolyn called Jon to help her release Jake from the snare as he was struggling to breathe and panicking. While assisting with Jake, Jon sent a signal to Riley’s collar for him to return to us and noted on the tracking device he was heading back. The snare on Jake’s neck turned out to be a snare we had never seen before (power snare) and it took great effort from both of us to release him. Once he was stabilized, Jon ran to Riley using the GPS locator and found him 35 yards away, caught in two snares and already dead.

For anyone who knows anything about hunting with dogs, or for many other outdoor recreational activities with dogs, you might be scratching your head as to how we are supposed to pursue and enjoy our sport/use of public lands when such unmarked risks to our pets are present. What is clear from our experience is that in this state, the burden is on dog owners to be prepared to deal with such encounters.

Clinics such as that held in Seeley Lake are important and appreciated. But the information presented should be inclusive and factual, not biased, misleading or based on hearsay.

*Editor’s Note: More of Haufler and Mehl’s story, including recommendations they would make to help keep dogs safe, are included in the coverage of the Pet Release Clinic starting on page 1.