I was 15. Something was moving in the grass. Already wary because my brainstem subconsciously recognized that a grouse never gives itself away, I drew a bead on the waving grass, waiting for a clear look ["REMEMBER, Son, you NEVER EVER EVER shoot at anything you can't clearly see!"] I was already making a mistake: you don't even point a gun towards anything you can't clearly see. I can't remember whether my finger was near the trigger (it should not have been) when I saw Frisky's tail wave above the grass. Glad I didn't learn the hard way. My training could have been better, but it was adequate that time.

Fluorescent safety orange -- standard for hunters' clothing -- on a dog, says, "Not a fox! Not a skunk! Not a badger! DON'T SHOOT!"
A corgi is not the sort of animal hunters expect to see in the woods. I can imagine a corgi being mistaken for a fox, skunk, badger, ground hog. I have encountered people -- I wouldn't call them "hunters" -- shooting marmots, just for fun apparently, might not even have been hunting season. In some states, foxes are considered vermin, unprotected year-round. See below:


Even gaudy festoons of fluorescent tape may not be visible low to the ground, in brush, or dim light -- no responsible hunter would shoot under those conditions, or course, but we're not talking about the 99.9% here. A dog vest might be better.

This is not a big worry for me, and my dogs stay quite close, but there are hunters out there. I trust most of them. Almost all hunting accidents involve hunters shooting themselves or each other. Don't know if anyone even keeps data on accidental shootings of dogs; I suppose it happens.
It's a courtesy to hunters and yourself. Wear bright clothing in hunting season (where I come from, you'd be INSANE to be out in the woods in deer season without lots of safety-orange and a fluorescent cap). Know when hunting seasons are (extremely rare fatality in Washington State August 2008, 14 y.o. bear hunter unaccompanied by an adult shot a hiker on a trail; I did not even know bear season opened that early).

Flag the dog. Be festive.

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Great post John! It's like playing where's Waldo :) I'm gonna have to invest in some bright colors.
Good advice John. I could see folks thinking "coyote" in stead of Corgi in your pictures...especially around here.
I remember when I was a kid, we had a GSD/Husky mix named Buddy. He was a great dog! Dad always put a red bandana around his neck when we went out hiking. I remember one hike, Buddy was up ahead of us a little ways, we started hearing yells of "Lobo! Lobo!". These fellows thought Buddy was a wolf until they saw his bandada....they were terrified for a moment.

Thanks for reminding us, John, of the importance of identifying our corgis when out in the wilds.
Thanks for the advice.
This is GREAT advice and something that we might not always think of right off. It makes perfect sense though. Thanks John!!!!

PS: As always, beautiful photos! I love your models. >:)
Really good advice. I bell and vest my dogs when going into areas where I know hunting is allowed.

Love the shots, too! Little peeking faces in a sea of grass!

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