Using dogs to track dead elk

[stidsteak]

Does Washington State allow that? It sounds dumb that they wouldn't but does anyone here do that? I ask because I lost about 200lbs of organic meat after walking around under headlamp and a 6hr search the following morning. I couldn't help but think I would take even an untrained dog that just loves finding dead things over what I had going on. It was a heartbreaker. The only blood that I found is in the picture.

[boneaddict]

I believe there are ways to "make it legal".

[pianoman9701]

I think it's illegal to use dogs to hunt or harrass. I'm not sure there's any law against using them to track. 

[pianoman9701]

From pg. 80 in the 2014 big game regs:

10. Using dogs:
• Hunting wild animals (except rabbits
and hares) with dogs (hounds) during
the months of September, October,
or November in any area open to a
modern firearm deer or elk season is
prohibited.
• Allowing a dog, owned or controlled
by you, to pursue or injure deer or elk
or to accompany you while you are
hunting deer or elk is prohibited.
• Hunting or pursuing any big game
animal, bobcat, or coyote with dogs
is prohibited, except cougar hunting
as permitted by the Fish an

[pianoman9701]

It could be argued that while you're still looking for an animal, you're still pursuing it even if you didn't have a firearm or bow on you. I'd be asking the local gamie for their opinion since it'd be they who'd ticket you for it. Gray area for sure. 

[Fl0und3rz]

There is/was a thread here that dealt with it.  I'll see if I can dig it up.  As I recall, it was a grey area that somewhat depended on the person you asked. 

The bottom line (and a grey one at that, as I recall) was, if the animal is dead, you are not pursuing or hunting an animal.  Others recommended not having any tools that could lead to the presumption that you were hunting, while tracking.

If you come upon your animal alive and wounded, the suggestion was to back out, leave the dog, then resume your hunting/pursuit.

Here is the thread with someone offering and the discussion about blessing from WDFW.

http://hunting-washington.com/smf/index.php/topic,93959.msg1205684.html#msg1205684

Here is another thread on point.

http://hunting-washington.com/smf/index.php/topic,86403.msg1082836.html#msg1082836

 

[ribka]

If one is not carrying a weapon there is no law that states that you cannot take your dog for a walk in the woods if you know what I mean .

There is/was a thread here that dealt with it.  I'll see if I can dig it up.  As I recall, it was a grey area that somewhat depended on the person you asked. 

The bottom line (and a grey one at that, as I recall) was, if the animal is dead, you are not pursuing or hunting an animal.  Others recommended not having any tools that could lead to the presumption that you were hunting, while tracking.

If you come upon your animal alive and wounded, the suggestion was to back out, leave the dog, then resume your hunting/pursuit.

Here is the thread with someone offering and the discussion about blessing from WDFW.

http://hunting-washington.com/smf/index.php/topic,93959.msg1205684.html#msg1205684

Here is another thread on point.

http://hunting-washington.com/smf/index.php/topic,86403.msg1082836.html#msg1082836

[bobcat]

If one is not carrying a weapon there is no law that states that you cannot take your dog for a walk in the woods if you know what I mean .

I'd sure like to hear about an animal successfully located with the use of a dog sometime. 

[pianoman9701]

If one is not carrying a weapon there is no law that states that you cannot take your dog for a walk in the woods if you know what I mean .

I'd sure like to hear about an animal successfully located with the use of a dog sometime. 

Anyone who did it would be smart not to post it. You could probably prevail in court, but what a pain until then.

[Gringo31]

I'd call the local warden and let them know I intend to have a dog on a leash and find it. 

I believe they will point you in the right direction and be a "help". 

[jason stevens]

Legal after the shot.

[Bob33]

The bottom line (and a grey one at that, as I recall) was, if the animal is dead, you are not pursuing or hunting an animal. 

That's the big IF. If you know the animal is dead, then you most likely already know where it is. What is more likely is using a dog to find an animal that may or may not be dead. If the animal is indeed alive, then you could be considered hunting, with or without a weapon.

"Hunt" means any effort to kill, injure, capture, or disturb a wild animal or wild bird.

I think it is unfortunate that there is not a clearly legal way to use a dog to track an animal in these situations, but you're treading a very fine gray line in doing so.

[ribka]

If one is not carrying a weapon there is no law that states that you cannot take your dog for a walk in the woods if you know what I mean .

I'd sure like to hear about an animal successfully located with the use of a dog sometime. 

my first bow kill deer in 1977 in WI was found with our mutt. He ran 1/2 mile right to it. I was standing 10 feet from the buck and could barely see a small portion of leg. No way would have found him before meat spoilage

Know of many more deer found by dogs in WI. Do not remeber if legal to do so then. Of course not advocating that people break the law now......

[bhawley76]

Legal or not I am going to try every route possible If I was to lose a animal. I know of many people who have used dogs and prevailed, and with out the dog it would have been a lost animal. I would find it hard to believe a warden would site you for doing everything in your power to make sure your game was found and didn't go to waste.

[Hoythunter]

Legal or not I am going to try every route possible If I was to lose a animal. I know of many people who have used dogs and prevailed, and with out the dog it would have been a lost animal. I would find it hard to believe a warden would site you for doing everything in your power to make sure your game was found and didn't go to waste.

Couldn't have said it better myself

[pianoman9701]

Legal or not I am going to try every route possible If I was to lose a animal. I know of many people who have used dogs and prevailed, and with out the dog it would have been a lost animal. I would find it hard to believe a warden would site you for doing everything in your power to make sure your game was found and didn't go to waste.

Honorable thought. Still call the gamie first and you'll know for sure. When it comes to confiscation of equipment and vehicles, citations, legal representation, the legal process, a lengthy wait for a hearing, then possible longer wait for a trial, it's not true that it's easier to ask for forgiveness than for permission. What do you have to lose by asking your local gamie now, ahead of time? Then, if you think his opinion is wrong, you can do what you want anyway and if cited, then go through that legal process.

It's kind of like that person who crosses the street without looking at the oncoming traffic she knows is there. She has the right of way. So if she gets hit, it's the driver's fault. Of course she may die in the process or become permanently disabled. But she'll prove her point, won't she? Look both ways when crossing a street and ask the gamie when you're not sure about the legality of something, whether you think you're right or not.

[washelkhunter]

Yup, the best thing to do is call and ask someone who would know. I cant imagine using a dog to recover a shot animal would be in violation of any rules.

[Band]

Hunter: "Dang, looks like I lost my elk.  I'm going to go home and give my best friend Fido a hug".
Hunter to Fido: "You're such a good dog that I'm going to take you on a walk.  I'll even show you where I lost my elk".
Later that day..."Here's where I lost the blood trail, Fido.  Dang, I guess there's always next year.  Hey Fido, where are you going?  Fido, come back here, I'm not supposed to let you trail that elk.  Bad dog, Fido, you found my dead elk.  I'm going to take you home and put you in your kennel with a delicious steak to punish you while I go back to my hunting spot to keep looking for that elk".

[YoterHunter]

What dose Big Tex have to say i would like to know my self

[raydog]

I've been using dogs to  retrieve shot game in Washington for the last two years.  Bottom line is that it is technically illegal in accordance with state law.  Does that mean that you can't do it, absolutely not.  I have a thread in the hound hunting section you can read thru and it should answer most of your questions.  Bottom line is I have helped people locate "lost" game animals in western WA. and I will continue to do so with the full knowledge of local law enforcement.

Some Rules are meant to be broken

[lokidog]

Good luck.

[stidsteak]

Thanks guys.

[lokidog]

Thanks guys.

No news?   

[stidsteak]

The news is that I posted this question after losing an animal. It was the evening of the last Friday of early archery that I recovered my arrow. I looked that night under headlamp to see if I could get a reflection off of the animal's eyes. Then I looked until 2pm the following day when I knew I wouldn't be able to get the meat off of the bones soon enough even if I ever did find the animal. It was a hot day and I couldn't get anyone out to help locate it with me. Any dog, even an untrained one would have been better than what I had going on that day. I decided to quit the early season after that, it just wasn't enjoyable at all at that point.

[lokidog]

Too bad, sorry to hear you never found it.