Myths & realities

Arising from a lack of information on the subject, some negative myths persist about hunting with dogs. Let’s find out the truth.

“Hunters with dogs empty the woods”

Studies in wildlife reserves show that hunters with dogs have less success than those who do drive hunting or use motorized vehicles. Whether accompanied by one or several dogs, the hunter is required to respect the laws and abide by quotas imposed by legislation. Hunters with dogs are conservationists at heart, and for them, slaughtered game is recovered game.

“Hunting dogs scare big game away”

It is very important to differentiate between hunting dogs and stray dogs. Hunting dogs are always kept under control. Moreover, the majority of hunting dogs ignore animals they have not been conditioned to hunt, including deer and moose. They therefore have no more effect on big game than the simple walker, which our civilized deer and moose are used to. Studies show that a disturbed deer goes back to its vital area in 98% of cases, and within less than 24 hours.

Did you know that…

• In Ontario, hunters are allowed to use tracker dogs for white-tailed deer hunting! More than 10,000 hunters are involved in this activity every year.
• Most hunting dogs that hunt for grouse and woodcock in dense undergrowth must have their tails cropped to avoid injury. Indeed, when the dog picks up the scent of small game, it becomes so excited and happy that its tail starts wagging very quickly, and if it is not cropped the risk of injuring the tail against vegetation is very high. Tail injuries are difficult to treat, usually resulting in costly veterinary expenses and often amputation.
• It is false to think that cropping the tail of a two-day-old puppy is painful. Scientific literature shows that this preventive intervention is painless because the dog’s nervous system is not fully developed at this age.