gotta vent!!

[island guy]

Sorry, but I gotta get this off my chest. I often sneak out after work with the dog and a few decoys to a public hunting area 10 minutes from home. It's about 300+ acres of grassland. On one corner is a 5 acre flooded low area Where I set up. Yesterday, I noticed we had company. A pheasant hunter and his dog. No problem. Large area, plenty of room. Then, as he was about 300 yards out I noticed he was coming right at us. I stood up so he could see us. He continued right at us, screaming at his dog which was always 75 yards away from him. He continued and walked between us and my decoys. About 20 yards between the water and us. I said something to him about maybe respecting our space. He shot back for me to **** off. I decided he would soon be gone so let it go. At that time, his young lab saw my decoys, swam out to them and got tangled in the lines. He had a E-collar on the dog and started zapping the poor thing full force. The poor dog was howling in pain and freaked out. It swam in circles with a decoy around it's neck and him zapping it. I had waders and walked out and freed the dog and got it to shore. He mumbled something about he ought to shoot the worthless thing. Zapped it some more and left without saying anything to me. I had plenty to say to him but kept my mouth shut. I thought a fool with a gun is better left alone at that point.

It bugged me all night I didn't confront him or give him a piece of my mind.

There. Thanks, had to get it off my chest.

[KidWalleye]

Island, I commend your restraint. I would have unloaded on him. I HATE peolpe like that. If they want to quietly swing by and ask how the hunting is that's fine (it is public land) But come on. Also that guy is an [commercial-or-naughty-word] to zap his dog, esp. if was young. Try getting that dog in the water again. And now it probably thinks ducks have a 12 volt bite. Those people are the same one that "accidently" shoot someone and say "I don't know what happened". The worst thing is hunting is getting more popular and they don't make any more land. Good Luck, Kid

[Powerstroke]

I know it would've been so gratifying to chew him out, but he honestly seems like he doesn't have much experience or control over his dog. He was probably as frustrated at the situation at you were.

Can you imagine how embarrassed you would be if someone else had to rescue your dog for you? I woulda kept my mouth shut and left with my tail between my legs too. A bad experience for both sides really......

Great job for keeping your cool and you'll both be better for it.