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Virginia sportsmen are being called to take grassroots action to protect the rights of houndsmen who need to retrieve strayed hunting dogs.

Bill Criminalizes Retrieval of Hunting Dogs from Private Property
On Jan. 10, Delegate Steven Landes, R-Waynesboro, introduced HB 2531. The bill beefs up trespass laws to make the retrieval of a hunting dog from private property without landowner permission a crime.

"House Bill 2531 makes the unjust assumption that a hunting dog on private property was intentionally released there to illegally hunt," said Rob Sexton, U.S. Sportsmen's Alliance vice president for government affairs. "Sportsmen support the strong trespass laws that the state has already established, but they should oppose this bill, which turns the recovery of a hunting dog that has strayed into a criminal offense."

House Bill 2531 will be heard by the House Militia, Police and Public Safety Committee on Jan. 25 at 7:30 AM. The hearing will be at the State Capitol in the West Conference Room on the 8th floor. Sportsmen are encouraged to attend and demonstrate opposition to the bill.

Bills Reinforce Positive Relations between Sportsmen and Private Landowners
Two additional bills have been introduced in the Virginia General Assembly that will simplify the retrieval of strayed hunting dogs.

Senate Bill 884, introduced by Sen. Creigh Deeds, D-Charlottesville, will require a sportsman who is retrieving a hunting dog on another's property to identify himself if asked to do so by the landowner. The bill passed the Senate on Jan. 18 by a vote of 39-0. It now moves to the House of Delegates for committee assignment.

"A landowner has the right to know who is on his property and what brings him there," said Sexton. "It is a way to maintain good relations with private property-owners near your hunting grounds."

Virginia houndsmen are also encouraged to support SB 1180, which makes it a crime to remove a dog's collar without the owner's authority. Sen. Kenneth Stolle, R-Virginia Beach, introduced the bill that prohibits removal of tracking collars from strayed hounds. Such a collar makes it easier for a sportsman whose dog may have strayed to locate and retrieve the animal.

Take Action!

Virginia sporting dog owners are urged to attend the Jan. 25 hearing on HB 2531. The House Militia, Police and Public Safety Committee will convene at 7:30 AM in the West Conference Room, 8th Floor of the State Capitol. Sportsmen should demonstrate opposition to the bill.

Those who cannot attend should contact their delegates to oppose HB 2531. The bill violates hunting dog owners' rights and assumes their guilt until they can prove themselves innocent. To find and contact your delegate, call (804) 698-1500. Sportsmen may also use the Legislative Action Center at www.ussportsmen.org. The resource allows visitors to find and send messages to their lawmakers.

Virginia sporting dog owners are urged to ask their delegates and senators to support SB 884 and SB 1180. The bills enhance sportsmen's relations with landowners, and help ensure convenient retrieval of a strayed hunting dog. To find and contact your senator or delegate, call (804) 698-1500 or use the Legislative Action Center at www.ussportsmen.org.