Hound training season started here in New Hampshire in July, bear season started in September, bird and rabbit seasons start in October
If you see a loose hound or bird dog in your yard or on the side of the road and it’s traveling alone (or in a pack), leave it alone.
Please don’t offer it food either as many of these dogs are on special diets and strange food can make them ill. These dogs are working, and many are wearing GPS tracking collars.
It is hunter harassment to stop the dog from working and is illegal in New Hampshire (RSA 207:57).
It is illegal to remove the collars and/or to remove the dog with the intention of “saving it” from “being used” for hunting (RSA 466:42).
The dog is most likely not lost and is participating in a legal, licensed, regulated activity.
However, if you find a hound or bird dog lying down or it hangs out at your place, check the collar (without removing it) for ID and call the number.
It is okay to give aid to a wounded dog and by all means call the name on the collar ID plate even for a dog just hanging around.
But a working moving dog, leave it alone.
Also, RSA 466:30a allows hunting and working dogs to be out of sight of a hunter and exempt from leash laws.
DIANE RICHARDSON
Georges Mills