Virginia game board accepts proposals on hunting dogs | HamptonRoads.com | PilotOnline.com

By Lee Tolliver

The Virginian-Pilot

© October 23, 2008

RICHMOND

The state game department today accepted a list of 11 proposals designed to curtail conflicts between land owners and outdoorsmen who use dogs to hunt deer.

But many in the crowd of 145 said the proposals had more bark than bite.

“I think the goal was to find peace among the groups, but all of the groups seem deeply disappointed in the process and the proposal,” said Tom Evans, representing the Virginia Deer Hunter’s Association and two other pro-hound hunting groups. “This has produced no obvious gain and has done nothing more than sharpen the conflicts.”

None of the proposals — the result of the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries’ 15-month-long “Hunting with Hounds in Virginia: A Way Forward” study — will become law immediately, nor will they become an immediate part of new hunting regulations.

Instead, C.T. Hill, the game department board chairman, ordered wildlife officials to put each proposal in a group for either administrative, regulatory or legislative concern. Each then will be studied and put out for public comment before any further action is taken.  Click link below for full story!

Virginia game board accepts proposals on hunting dogs | HamptonRoads.com | PilotOnline.com.