Interaction With Landowners and Other Hunters

While hunting with dogs can add enjoyment to the hunt, it is important for hunters to remember the impact hunting with dogs can have on landowners and other hunters.

When releasing dogs, hunters should never release or send dogs where hunting is not allowed or where the hunter does not have permission to hunt. In fact, if a hunter enters private property without permission to hunt, release, or catch hunting dogs and the property is posted in accordance with the Landowner Protection Act NCGS 14-159.6, the hunter is in violation of the law. Additionally, hunters must be familiar with all local laws including those that govern entry into private property for the purpose of hunting, fishing, or trapping.

The Landowner Protection Act NCGS 14-159.6 requires hunters to have written permission, dated within the past 12 months, signed by the landowner or lessee, to hunt, fish, or trap on lands posted with signs no more than 200 yards apart close to and along the boundaries, including on each side of the property and at each corner if the corner can be established or purple paint 100 yards apart. Hunters must carry written permission on their person.

Hunters should be proactive in communicating with landowners prior to the season starting in the areas they are planning to hunt. It is a good idea for hunters to contact landowners and meet with them to let them know they are using dogs and how they hunt. Responsible and ethical hunters using dogs should:

• Let landowners know when they are hunting with dogs. It is difficult to keep dogs on a specific block of property and dogs often stray on adjoining land. While hunters will try to control this, it does happen and they should assure landowners that they will quickly attempt to retrieve dogs from land they do not have permission to hunt.
• Explain the protocol used to retrieve dogs and listen to the landowner’s thoughts and suggestions, if dogs do stray on adjoining property where the hunters do not have permission to hunt.
• Respect a landowner’s wishes, if the landowner is absolutely opposed to hunting with dogs on his/her property.
• Always leave the area they are hunting on better than when they found it, as they never know who may be watching and this could help build goodwill among the hunters and landowners.

Many landowners voice concerns that hunters are parked and are hunting along the road next to their property. Some counties have laws that require written permission from the landowner or laws that make it illegal to hunt or discharge a firearm from the right-of-way. Hunters should know and follow local laws. Hunters should always be aware of other hunters in the area, whether they are using dogs or not. Take time prior to hunting to review what seasons may overlap and prepare for possible interactions with other hunters using different methods. This information can be found in the annual North Carolina Inland Fishing, Hunting and Trapping Regulations Digest and on the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission website.