Many hunters throughout the United States are busy preparing for the big game hunting season, and in some areas, game birds are also being hunted.
Hunter transporting deer
With the arrival of hunting season, it is time for special precautions to ensure that horses remain safe during a time when horses, hunters, and game animals become excitable.
© 2013 by MJCDetroit
Horse owners should look toward hunting season from a different perspective than the hunter. With the arrival of hunting season, it is time for special precautions to ensure that horses remain safe during a time when horses, hunters, and game animals become excitable.
Helene McKernan, PSU Extension Research Associate at Penn State has reminded horse owners in areas where hunting takes place to make sure their horses are protected from stray bullets and other threats that result from hunters in the area.
Because of safety reasons, both huntesr and horse owners need to balance the equation of the necessity and right of the hunter to hunt and the right of a property owner to safely maintain their property.
Many horses are not fond of gunshot noises and may become agitated, frightened and behave in unexpected ways. Extra precautions should be taken when handling and working around horses during hunting season. Many horses will be aggressive and curious when unfamiliar people, animals or objects come near or enter their pasture, such as hunters or game, and instead of running away, may go toward that person or object.
This can frustrate a hunter and can also put the horse in danger’s way of a bullet’s projectile. The best solution for a horse owner would be to confine the horse in a smaller area or in their stalls during the peak times of the hunting season.
Many horses have the same coat color as bears or deer and although the hunter should be positive that they are shooting at the game in season, it is best not to provide an opportunity for a mistaken identity to occur.
Since, deer are rapidly moving through many areas, fences surrounding a pasture can become damaged. Horse owners should take additional time to maintain fencing on their property during the hunting season. Hunters wear bright red/orange apparel to assist in helping others know that they are not game.
Braiding some bright orange surveyor’s tape in the mane and tail so a horse can distinguish the horse from game if the horse cannot be confined.
Horse owners may want to limit trail riding to Sundays, the off hunting day, to avoid placing themselves in danger and spoiling a hunter’s dream.
The hunter has responsibilities and should be familiar with the distance stated in the hunting regulations on hunting within a structure and/or in crop and pasture areas.
A hunter should always have permission to hunt on private property. By asking the farmer or horse property owner’s permission, most hunters will find that the owners also may be hunters and are agreeable to allow hunting on their property.
This does not necessarily mean that the land owner wants to encourage hunters to develop a parking lot on their property! Hunters should park vehicles in an area that does not obstruct access for others and where they have permission to do so.
Hunters should be respectfuland remove all personal trash from the areas where they hunt. They should respect the structures, fencing and any other objects within a property’s area. Property owners when knowing about a drive or hunt will take precautions to safely secure their horse or other livestock away from potential danger. If owners have their land posted or will not grant permission for hunting on their land, it is the obligation of the hunter to respect their wishes.
Horse owners, horses and hunters can survive hunting season if an effort is made to work together to protect horses, property and hunters' rights. Often it takes concessions on both the hunter and horse owner to secure a safe mental and physical environment for horses and people.