Hunting with Hounds in Virginia

Today's Virginia Pilot has an article about the debate going on in Virginia's hunting community which will come to a head on Thursday (October 23rd) at the Board meeting of the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries (DGIF). At stake is Virignia's Right to Retreive law where currently, those how hunt with hounds can go on the property of another land owner to retrieve their dog - with or without permission - as long as they are not carrying a firearm or bow while retrieving. Most hunters with hounds are ethical and likely seek permission from adjoining landowners long before the actual hunt should the dogs stray onto other property but it is the few bad apples that have caused this to come to a head. No matter what happens at Thursday's meeting, no immediate change will take place. If the Board accepts the recommendations of the advisory committee, the Board will determine what regulations will occur and when they will take affect.

Below is a good video with background information on the issue.