Deer Season is Here

Gracie and I were excited for a nice hike Sunday afternoon.  As she raced on the trail, we heard a gunshot that was REALLY close.  We both turned and ran toward the house.  Clearly, hunters were already out and about a day early.

On Monday, November 19, hunters can use guns now to hunt deer.  Archery season had been in effect since September, but it takes a lot more skill and deliberation to kill with a bow-and-arrow than it does with a gun.  In North Carolina, the “gun season” started Monday and ends December 8. 

It is time to break out the blaze orange.  Gracie has a little orange vest.  Last Christmas, Rescue Daddy bought me a very nice and bright orange vest like the ones used by hunters.  Hopefully, you can see both of us from miles around.

If you are out and about, trying to walk off all that pumpkin pie, be careful.  Accidents happen every year where hunters mistake people for deer.  Pull on the fluorescent clothes and make a lot of noise in the woods.  Be careful!

Rescue Mommy

Watch Out for the Hunters!

According to an article that appeared in our local paper, deer hunters can now use guns, starting Monday, November 21 and ending December 10. Here is the link to the article: http://www.citizen-times.com/article/20111120/NEWS01/311200058/Deer-hunters-guns-hit-woods-Monday?odyssey=tab

Please be sure to wear blaze orange if you are hiking in the woods, even when you are on private property. You can also buy a blaze orange vest for your buddy, something I strongly recommend. Let’s all be safe out there as we try to enjoy the wonderful fall weather and walk off all that Thanksgiving food!

Rescue Mommy and Daddy

Blaze Orange is the New Black

Deer and bear hunting season is in full swing here in North Carolina. The owners of the property around us do not allow hunting on their property. Unfortunately, a few hunters have been known to stray across property lines. Since we have heard gun shots around us, we decided we would rather be safe than sorry.

My usual dog walking uniform could be mistaken for either a deer (tan pants) or a bear (black coat, especially with the hood raised). During hunting season, I wear a blaze orange vest and sometimes a blaze orange toboggan, if it is cold. Gracie even has a blaze orange vest meant for a hunting dog. From a distance, her white body could be mistaken for a deer tail.

I know you are probably thinking, “How in the world could anyone mistake a person or a little white dog for a deer or bear??” Every year, some poor person loses his or her life to a hunter who thought the person was a deer or bear. I do not know how someone could make the mistake, but they do.

If you are going to be in the woods, it is important to take some precautions. Buy the brightest, most gaudy articles of clothing you can find. Sure, you will look awful.  Would you rather look cute and be shot or look like a giant, fluorescent pumpkin and be alive?

Don’t forget to outfit your buddy too. (This is especially important if you have a large black dog.) The same places that sell hunting gear should have fluorescent vests for your dog.

It is also important to know your surroundings. Are you hiking on a property where people can hunt? What animals can hunters kill when you are hiking? When does hunting season end in your area? Yes, it is gruesome information. It is necessary for your safety, though.

Where can you find this information? Visit the website of your state’s wildlife resource management department; in North Carolina, go to ncwildlife.org. The site may not be able to tell you which private property owners allow hunting. You can learn more about hunting season times and public lands that are being used for hunting, though, so you can stay safe.

Let’s all be extra careful out there!

Rescue Mommy