County Passes Buck on Deer Hunting With Dogs

Friday, March 19, 2010

Sympathy was about all the support Dr. John Monroe received from the county commissioners Monday when he broached the politically sensitive subject of deer hunting with dogs.

All five commissioners expressed sympathy but said they have no authority to change state hunting laws.

Monroe wanted the county to write a letter asking the county's legislative delegation to introduce a bill prohibiting hunting deer with dogs in Moore County.

"It's up to the legislature," Commissioner Cindy Morgan said. "It's not up to this board."

Board Chairman Tim Lea said he was aware of the situation prompting Monroe, a retired physician, to seek the local legislation.

"It's absolutely atrocious," Lea said.

Monroe was on the agenda for the Monday night board meeting for a presentation. The occasion was not a public hearing, but 10 of 11 speakers during the public-comment period addressed the issue of deer hunting with dogs. Of the 10 speaking on the issue, only one person spoke in support of Monroe's request.

The public-comment period is set aside at the beginning of each regular meeting of the commissioners.

Monroe displayed a map of North Carolina showing the delineation of counties allowing deer hunting with dogs and those where it is prohibited. Such hunting is prohibited in neighboring Chatham, Montgomery, Lee and Randolph counties and in part of Richmond County.

Deer hunting with dogs is allowed in Cumberland, Harnett, Hoke and Scotland counties, along with Moore. He said the county's population growth and its proximity to counties that prohibit the practice support the need for a change in the law.

Safety, private property rights and landowner liability were cited as reasons to prohibit the practice.

"One accident is one too many," Monroe said.

Monroe said that deer hunting with dogs creates an unsafe environment because shooting deer on the run often requires a quick decision, unlike "still" hunting, where hunters have time to examine their quarry before taking aim.

He said hunters who do not control their dogs allow them to trespass on private property where they have no authority to hunt. In some cases, he said, hunters release dogs to chase deer onto land where they do not have permission to hunt.

"The deer population does need to be controlled," Monroe told the board.

But he added that the use of dogs is not necessary just because it is historic. He said there are other practical ways to hunt deer.

Monroe recalled that therapeutic bloodletting is a historic medical treatment but is no longer accepted medical practice.

"As a still hunter, I've always wished we could reach a compromise that would be fair to everyone," said Commissioner Larry Caddell, who identified himself as a deer hunter.

Commissioner Jimmy Melton said his home on Roseland Road is surrounded by people who hunt with dogs but said he has never had any problem with these hunters. Nevertheless, he expressed sympathy with Monroe's concerns.

"This is really an issue we don't have any authority over," Melton said.

Commissioner Nick Picerno said he sees both sides of the issue but agreed that the board has no authority to change the law.

Lea said that he has never had a problem with deer hunters on his property but added that he doesn't want other people to have that problem either.

"At some point, it gets down to treating others as you would like to be treated yourself," said Lea.

Despite the show of dissent during the public-comment period, Monroe was accompanied by his own contingent of supporters. When he asked them to stand, almost half of the spectators in the meeting room rose to their feet.

During the public-comment period, Billy Cole, of West End, said the present law requires hunters to secure written permission from the landowner and to attach identification collars to their dogs. He said he has been hunting for years.

"If what he said happened, then all I can say is the law has let him down," Cole said, adding that "the laws we have are letting the public down."

Leon Ransom, also of West End, called it "a shame" that law-abiding hunters must suffer because of the behavior of law breakers.

"People who break the law are the ones who ought to be punished," Ransom said.

Ann Hopkins, of Whispering Pines, was the only person to speak in defense of Monroe's position. She said people often hunt on other people's property without permission and pointed out that dogs cannot be arrested.

Others speaking during the public-comment period in support of hunting with dogs were Jerry Graham, W.H. Vredenburg, Roy Fowler, Danny Phillips, Joe West, Ron Williams and one man whose name was not recorded.

Lea told Monroe that both state Sen. Harris Blake and state Rep. Jamie Boles are aware of the issue but expressed doubt that either legislator would touch the matter.

Lea likened the hunting situation to the county board's standing with the N.C. Department of Transportation when it comes to certain road improvements. He said the commissioners have no influence on that agency's decisions.

"We have absolutely no authority and no impact on their decisions," Lea said.

Monroe said that local bills are often initiated by local boards, whose actions can reflect the wishes of the people.

"We understand your position," Lea said. "You have this board's sympathy."

Contact Florence Gilkeson at (910) 693-2479 or by e-mail at florence@thepilot.com.

More like this story

None 2 years, 2 months ago

"Lea told Monroe that both state Sen. Harris Blake and state Rep. Jamie Boles are aware of the issue but expressed doubt that either legislator would touch the matter.

Does the fact that Blake and Boles chose not to become involved with humane animal rights surprise anyone? They condoned the cruel treatment of caged breeder dogs living in filth and squalor. Political buy-out by the NRA is well known with how Blake votes on animal issues. Political buy-outs reach locally in more ways than one. Perhaps the lame excuse by commissioners have political motivation on the steps of the old courthouse.

One shouldn't refer to people with guns who run deer to the point of exhaustion - as hunters. True hunters stalk and clean kill. For those hunters in the Roseland area whose dogs chase deer on my property, you should check shelters in surrounding counties to recover your dog(s). They will travel farther than you think! If you don't want to loose your dogs, keep them on your property!

LauraLeigh 2 years, 2 months ago

I grew up in Moore County, I helped lobby for a ban on rifle hunting in the Sandhills, and I'm one of those landowners who has given written permission for local hunt club to be on my property. I've never had a problem with a local hunter; they are decent, law-abiding citizens who have high moral standards. Historically, in this area at least, the problems have come from outsiders who come in only a couple days a year from other parts of the state, or other states, to hunt. In such a case, it's a matter of reasonable laws being enforced - difficult when someone comes in for a few hours and then leaves the area.

I'll also suggest that perhaps people who disapprove of the way we do things here ought to think long and hard before they purchase land, build houses, presuming they can make us change our longstanding habits in order to accommodate their sense of entitlement.

None 2 years, 2 months ago

@LauraLeigh: Raised in Vass ~ live in Aberdeen. I'm guessing since there is only one other post your comments were directed to me. I'm not a transplant, but a lifelong resident who has seen the politic's change over the years, with more and more taxpayers dollars providing a blank checkbook for egotistical elected officials.

So hunters from other parts of the state or out-of-state, who keep their dogs in metal boxes on the back of pickup trucks for the ride, reflect their empathy for animals? Could very well be the reason every hunting season, dogs succumb to heat stroke in metal boxes and no water - after running deer all over the county...perhaps you might consider channeling your efforts into humanistic compassion for defenseless animals.

GoldenDreams 2 years, 2 months ago

Lauraleigh: I dislike any kind of cruelty or mistreatment of animals. It has absolutely nothing to do with my having a sense of "entitlement." It has to do with a profound sense of compassion for animals who are being treated unfairly. Dogs trained to chase deer relentlessly, while the deer run in terror, some shot and suffering because they didn't get killed right away...why on earth would you support this? Why would you euphemistically call it a "lifestyle"? Now,I ask you, who is the entitled one?

deepcreek 2 years, 2 months ago

I have lived in the Roseland area for nearly 50 years and have always had trouble with stray hunting dogs running through the yard ,with some taking up residence around my home. And it's not always during a deer hunting season .This is very irritating. Hunting has it's place , but it's time to fade out running dogs.

babiehop 2 years, 2 months ago

I sure am glad that none of her decent, law abiding hunting friends with such high morals will not be missing their dogs when they cross my property again. I own guns too and although the existing laws do not protect my rights against dogs that trespass, it does protect my right to dispose of nuisance animals. "Oh, gosh, Mr. Animal Control Officer, it sure looked like a coyote when I fired at it." And since they run in packs, maybe I can take out two or three at a time and save ammo ! And when they cross the road in front of me, I won't bother to swerve any longer. Hhhmmm, maybe then I'll charge the owner with the damage to my car ! If it is not under the control of its owner, it has the potential to be dangerous and it is impossible to control them once they are released.

§ 67‑4.5. Local ordinances.

Nothing in this Article shall be construed to prevent a city or county from adopting or enforcing its own program for control of dangerous dogs. (1989 (Reg. Sess., 1990), c. 1023, s. 1.)

None 2 years, 2 months ago

@babiehop: now ~ now, you have a profile foto of an beautiful puppy. So you must be an animal lover? If you read my post, I said I would take their dogs to another county animal shelter. I would hesitate to harm an animal when their owners are at fault ~ now a missed shot in their direction would be acceptable....I've said it before and I'll say it again: I have never seen an animal that needed kill'n, but I know plenty of humans who could serve God by removing evil from this earth. Like child molesters who kill children!!!

babiehop 2 years, 2 months ago

Yes sir, I am an animal lover, however I have seen animals that needed killin'. Those that were beyond rehabilitation because infection had set in for so long and they were so terribly emacitated from going astray when their hunter owners failed to retrieve them because they got away from the pack and could not be located that it truly was best to kill them, or to put it nicely, euthanize them. I used to hesitate, but having no one in authority to turn to for relief makes me much less hesitant. Besides, none of the law abiding, highly moral hunters' dogs ever stray onto land where they don't belong so they have nothing to worry about.

None 2 years, 2 months ago

@expatriate: I'm not familiar with required registrations. Domesticated animals have to wear a rabies vaccination tag. Other than that, I've never registered my two babies that live in comfort in my home. Hey, now there is another tax revenue resource for Carthage - tax our pets, our guns, and I'm sure there is another permit fee lurking in the wings....