Many hunters throughout the United States are busy preparing for the start of the big game hunting season, and in some areas, game birds are also being hunted.
Horse owners look toward hunting season with 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 large game animals become excitable.
Helene McKernan, PSU Extension Research Associate at Penn State is reminding horse owners in area 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 gunshots 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 enter their pasture, such as hunters or game, and instead of running away, may go toward that 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 bear or deer and even though the hunter should be positive that they are shooting at the game in season, I would suggest not providing an opportunity for a mistaken identity to occur.
Since, the 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. The 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 respectful and 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.
Both the hunter and horse owner can survive hunting season if both make an effort to work together. Often it takes concessions on both the hunter and horse owner to secure a safe mental and physical environment for horses and people.