RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) — A new proposal is making its way through the General Assembly that could introduce permitting to hound hunting — or hunting with dogs that help find game.
The budget amendment would require the Department of Wildlife Resources to create a permit process no later than Oct. 31 of this year.
The hope is that this permitting process would help preserve the rights of private property owners while keeping the legacy and tradition of hound hunting.
This proposal comes as controversy surrounding the topic has come up in recent weeks after three hunting dogs were killed in King and Queen County and as the Department of Wildlife Resources continues to review the findings from a recent study from members of the University of Virginia.
However, there is still concern from hound hunters that this legislation, if passed, would have negative consequences for them.
“In years to come, this is a starting point that could lead to devastation for the sport,” said Robbie Shackleford, a local hound hunter.
Landowners, on the other hand, have expressed optimism about the legislation.
“It’s gone too far,” said private landowner Shawn Peterson. “It should have been dealt with 20 years ago and it hasn’t. But we’ve got hope now.”
For about 15 years the Department of Wildlife Resources has heard the concerns from both landowners and hound hunters about this topic and worked to find a solution.
“There’s been dog studies that was done in 2008, in 2016 — and again this year,” Shackleford said. “We should be using those studies to make laws, not from a Senator in Fairfax.”
Currently, licensing is in place for all hunters — but when it comes to hunting with dogs, additional permitting isn’t required. Lawmakers are hoping to change that with this new proposal.
“It comes down to … if there’s an actual law that you can call and say, ‘Look, I’ve got them on video, I’ve got them on tape, they’re breaking the law’ — then it can be tracked,” said private landowner Shawn Peterson.
The amendment is still in its early stages. It must be approved by a Senate committee before heading to the General Assembly floor.
