Hunting permit bill passes Virginia House after debate

The House advanced a bill that will require a permit for people hunting game animals, fur-bearing animals or nuisance species with the aid of dogs.

HB 1396, proposed by the House Committee on Agriculture, Chesapeake and Natural Resources and previously patroned by Del. Marty Martinez, D-Loudoun, directs the Department of Wildlife Resources to establish a permit for people and organizations hunting with dogs.

One of the most debated bills during the meeting, HB 1396 was engrossed and passed to third reading by the House on a vote of 55-39. It now heads to the Senate where it is awaiting a committee assignment.

“There is a need for regulation in Virginia,” said Del. Alfonso H. Lopez, D-Arlington. “It’s long past time that we take care of this.”

The bill does not change any criminal laws or Virginia’s “right to retrieve” statute, Martinez said.

“I grew up in an area that really values the traditions of dog hunting… I also would like to share some of those traditions with my grandson” said Del. Howard Wachsmann, R-Brunswick.

Wachsmann described a hypothetical scenario of being approached by dogs from another hunt club while hunting with his grandson on private land. He asked if they would be considered guilty due to a lack of permit despite not planning to be with dogs.

Martinez emphasized that the bill would not change any laws or statutes already in place.

“Why do we even have the bill if it doesn’t change any statutes or laws?” Del. Terry G. Kilgore, R-Scott, said.

The bill directs the department to set permit procedures, standards for dog identification, criteria for suspension or revocation exemptions and best practices to minimize conflicts, Martinez said.

The permit is estimated to cost about $19 but will be determined by the Department of Wildlife Resources, Martinez said.

“I would urge everyone to not engross this and pass it to its third reading,” said Del. M. Keith Hodges, R-Middlesex. “It’s too broad, and it affects far too many people and the traditions in our rural areas, with dog hunting being a tradition for over 400 years.”

Forty-two states have banned the tradition of dog hunting, and the other states have significantly regulated dog hunting – except for the Commonwealth of Virginia, Lopez said.

There were more than 1,000 complaints last year from property rights owners who were upset because of the impact on their livestock, crops and peace of mind, he said.

“It’s becoming very aggressive in some parts of the state because this body has not acted,” Lopez said.