Haven't seen this question, maybe someone can help me...

[curliet]

We live in Wyoming MI but have another place in northern lower MI. That's where my chickens are, and we go there every weekend and I go there on Tues or Wed and stay til Thurs night.

One of our neighbors is a bear hunter, and he hunts with dogs. His dogs wear radio collars, and he drives a truck with the receiver. What I'm saying is, he just lets the dogs out and they run the area and he tracks them in his truck. There is a pack of them.
Several times now they have run across our property (which is not fenced but is posted as private). So far they haven't bothered with the chickens, might not have noticed them if they were scenting bear, but since the chickens free range on our property it seems like it's only a matter of time til the dogs come across them. I don't worry about the times when we are gone as much as when we are here. At night when we're here and when we leave, the chickens go into a locked coop with a very secure run, it's during the day when we're here that they range. And don't really worry about the bears as they come out at night. Anyway, my question has to do with my rights. Have I the right to tell this guy that he can't let his dogs run on our place, and if they still do, can I take action against him?

I suppose I could contact the DNR, but they always come up with the weirdest answers to things. (like, "No, we don't have any cougars here, but whatever you do don't shoot one because it's illegal.")

 

[chickenwhisperer]

How bout a game cam for when you are not there, then IF his dogs kill the chickens you have the proof . . .

Otherwise, be happy he is keeping your property predator-free, for free!

 

[D'Angelo N Va.]

You have signs up, and that is good enough. you have the right, but he probably still will when you aren't there.....actually I would rather he hunted on my property for the bear than to have a bear destroy my hen house and all it's contents...pick your battles carefully...Bears are and can be Very destructive.

 

[crawfordmama]

You absolutely can tell him to keep his dogs off your property because it's your property. If it happens after you speak with him about it, check your local laws for info on how to protect your rights. If at some point the dogs harm your flock, I believe you can retalliate accordingly (on your property). Good luck!

 

[Bear Foot Farm]

I suppose I could contact the DNR

They are the only ones who can positively answer your questions, since laws vary by states.

Generally, there's not much you can do unless he's purposely releasing the dogs on your property.

If he releases them elsewhere, and they just pass through, I doubt you can do anything to stop it other than fencing​

 

[ekemily]

is there any way you can fence your property?
If that's not an option, maybe you could just ask him to give you a courtesy call before he runs his dogs. I'm not sure how often people hunt bear though. That might not be an option either.
We have hog hunters down here that run packs of pit bulls with leather armor. They just about killed my 900 pound pet cow.
It's a sick feeling.
I think it's best to try the nice route with neighbors. You never know when they might be able to help you out of a pickle.
However, you have every right for them to get off of your property. You can check your state laws, but you probably also have the right to shoot his dogs if they are on your property.
I, personally, wouldn't mess with a bear hunter though. Just sayin.

 

[redhen]

I would talk to the guy..
Tell him that you have chickens and are worried if his dogs come onto your property that they will kill them...
See how he responds...

 

[curliet]

my husband and I have hunted bear ourselves, although not with dogs. The thing is, we've seen a few bears on our place, and the only time we had a problem with them was when I stupidly left a full feeder in the chicken run and the bear tried to get through the fence for the feed. He/she never messed with the chickens. We never leave garbage or trash out to attract varmints, are very careful with even leaving the grill out after using it.
Anyway, this weekend the dogs were running and my husband put the chickens away, but he said that he thought they got ahold of a wild turkey hen with chicks that has been hanging around. He could hear all the commotion and assumed that was what was happening. The guy with the dogs seems to just ride around and around the area while the dogs rampage through. Sometimes I'm in the garden, or my granddaughter is in the yard, and suddenly there is this pack of dogs. I just don't like it. There are other people living in the area, not a terribly populated place, but kind of back country. He lives a few miles away and brings the dogs to our area, doesn't run them where he lives. There is a lot of state and federal land nearby where he could train them or run them, but he must think this is easier. I appreciate all your answers, and advice. I guess you're right about picking battles. So far, the bears bother me less than the dogs. I'll have to think on this one and check with the DNR.

 

[D'Angelo N Va.]

Quote:
I am so sorry to hear about the cow....did anyone admit anything wrong there?? i know it must hurt...I love farm animals, especially cows and chickens so if mine were killed I would be devestated.

 

[woodmort]

I don't know about MI but what he's doing would be illegal in NYS most of the year--training or not, you can't run dogs on game outside of season. I used to train Springers and we had to take them to private game reserves outside of the season. Check with your fish and game they may stop him for you.