DGIF Reviews Hunting with Hounds

For those of you who hunt deer or other game, but especially deer, using dogs, the Department of Game and Inland Fisheries has launched a review of the practice in the Commonwealth. Focus group meetings will be held around the state during November and December and are being conducted by Virginia Tech. A very small number of hunters who are not practicing good ethics have caused trespass complaints from property owners which sparked the review. Accordind to DGIF, the goal is “To provide diverse opportunities for hunting with hounds in Virginia in a manner that is fair, sportsmanlike and consistent with the rights of property owners and other citizens.” The process includes many avenues for hound hunters to participate, such as focus group meetings with individual stakeholder groups, a survey conducted through the Department’s web site, opportunity to review all developments, public meetings, and by letter or e-mail. About half of the focus groups will be made up of bear, deer, fox, and raccoon hound hunters. The remainder of the focus groups will be populated by landowners, government representatives, other hunters and outdoor enthusiasts. If you are a hound hunter, make your views known during this public process. Go to www.dgif.state.va.us/hunting/hounds for more information about how you can participate.