KEOutdoors
Well-known member
The other thread on retrieving birds reminded me of a conversation i had with a warden last month.
Unpopular opinion but in most states your dog is an extension of you- the hunter/owner. Any birds your dog kills are now in your limit whether you pulled the trigger or not, and if the dog catches a hen and kills it you are at fault. You must report this, and most times the warden will take the bird and issue no tickets as catching a bird usually means something was already wrong with it.
What to do?
He (iowa warden) told me to please call it in immediately and dont be afraid, common sense will prevail. He said he tells guys to call as soon as it happens and place the bird on the ground where you are in the open breast side up, and drop a pin on your phone. He will come out and find/take the bird from the field and speak to you. He said absolutely do not put the bird in your vest and wait to call when you get back to your truck, as now you are in possession of a hen and it looks like you are hiding it if you get checked in the field first. He told me there is virtually no chance you will get to keep the bird, and if the bird was shot you may have more explaining to do... But you calling and explaining everything up front will help you out vs someone behind you finding it and reporting you. He said being able to take this bird to get checked for possible diseases or poaching event is important for the whole area, so they wont throw the book at you.
He said if someone else sees your dog kill the bird and you just leave it, then it wont be going in your favor.. or obviously if you shot it...
Hope this helps someone, always be honest and take responsibility for what your dog does. Its part of being an ethical hunter. Remember most game wardens are hunters too, and arent out to get you.
Unpopular opinion but in most states your dog is an extension of you- the hunter/owner. Any birds your dog kills are now in your limit whether you pulled the trigger or not, and if the dog catches a hen and kills it you are at fault. You must report this, and most times the warden will take the bird and issue no tickets as catching a bird usually means something was already wrong with it.
What to do?
He (iowa warden) told me to please call it in immediately and dont be afraid, common sense will prevail. He said he tells guys to call as soon as it happens and place the bird on the ground where you are in the open breast side up, and drop a pin on your phone. He will come out and find/take the bird from the field and speak to you. He said absolutely do not put the bird in your vest and wait to call when you get back to your truck, as now you are in possession of a hen and it looks like you are hiding it if you get checked in the field first. He told me there is virtually no chance you will get to keep the bird, and if the bird was shot you may have more explaining to do... But you calling and explaining everything up front will help you out vs someone behind you finding it and reporting you. He said being able to take this bird to get checked for possible diseases or poaching event is important for the whole area, so they wont throw the book at you.
He said if someone else sees your dog kill the bird and you just leave it, then it wont be going in your favor.. or obviously if you shot it...
Hope this helps someone, always be honest and take responsibility for what your dog does. Its part of being an ethical hunter. Remember most game wardens are hunters too, and arent out to get you.
