First of all this is an information post and NOT a bash.

I had a couple guys on cam the other night walk through a property that I have the only permission to be on. Around 8:30 pm, I got pics of 2 guys walking through the woods. They had headlights on and were carrying rifles and one looks to be carrying a dog lead.

What is the law about running dogs right now and carrying firearms at night? The season is not in but running is. This is an area where I have lost 2 cams in the past and the reason I didn't lose this one I feel is it that it is a non-flash cam.

Like I said - not bashing. I just want to know what is legal right now for running. Trespassing of course is not. The pic has been given to landowner and we will soon speak to the CO.

Dog running was up to Oct. 25'th. No running season between now and Nov. 8. If they were carrying a rifle, then it appears they were opening the season a little early. Turn them in.

+1 what yaz said..... I am sure there not checking trap lines in the Dark!!!

Typical Coon hunters !!!

Having grown up following hounds, I take great offense to that.


typical poachers.

So have I ,, stealing cameras is not typical

Sadly though, trespassing is an issue.

keep us posted, sounds like these guys are starting coon season a couple weeks early...

I check traps in the dark but not with coon hounds in tow... =)

Agree. I think many coon hunters do all they can to be above reproach. Like any other type of hunting, there are those who push the boundaries and make the others look bad. One of these days I hope to go out with guys and see the dogs work.

This has been dealt with I am told.

Hunt on gentlemen..... no reason for this to become divisive.

The DNR passed a new law effective July 1 this year that allowed coon hunters (all outdoorsman actually) the right to carry firearms while running dogs. The only time running season is closed in In is Oct. 25 to Nov.8. Of course they might claim to be fox hunting with hounds,but they were indeed more than likely coon hunting. Now for the coon hunter bashers I have a challenge and will make a bet that if you get someone to listen to a scanner or review the police and CO reports in your county for the 24 hour period starting midnight friday before opening saturday of deer firearms season till midnight that Sunday morning U will find more complaints against deer hunters (tresspassing, spot lighting with firearms, shooting from road ways, driveing across fields etc. etc.) than U will find complaints against coon hunters for the entire year. Anybody want to do the research and make a bet?

Two wrongs never make a right!!!!

So what's your point????

Let me second Brew's comment here. It's not an issue about complaints, and yes there are issues with deer hunters also, but instead an issue of trespassing period and the frequency that trespassing happens because of the nature of the sport and the lack of large tracts of land being available to run dogs upon. But that alone doesn't justify trespassing.

My point is very simple, read what Johnc911 wrote. He aparently has moderator status and he automatically points a finger proclaiming "typical coon hunters!!!" Just saying, coon hunters cause way less trouble than others, at least with the general public, but are the first to get bashed on this site and besides that I answered the actual question that was asked.

Point taken Surveyor. But I would say that there are a lot of folks that are pretty upset about the dogs running nightly in their woods without permission. If you take the time to ask folks, you might be surprised. About the same as the spotlighting issue.

Surveyor I coon hunted for over 20 yrs with hunters all over central Indiana never met many coon hunters like you talk of Myself included and I honestly quit because of the way we were

Sounds like poachers to me if both men were packing rifles. I don't know any coon hunters that carry more than one rifle into the woods with them, especially out of season (although not illegal). Trespassers suck and thieves suck even worse.

Post your pics around, someone will know who they are.

Wes; Pendleton is where I hunted and lived at for 40 years

We have probably coon hunted some of the same woods then. Pretty ok place to live.

If coon dogs could only read the "No Trespassing" signs there would be far fewer problems.