Article from Woods N Water Magizine
Hunting with Hounds - A Virginia Tradition an Issue
Should there be any doubt that hunting with hounds is an imbedded tradition in the Old Dominion, consider that the Virginia state dog is the American fox hound. Consider that none other than the father of our country, George Washington imported fox hounds into Virginia for hunting purposes. Other prominent Virginians who molded our great state and country such as Thomas Jefferson kept and hunted with hounds. Hunting deer with hounds in eastern Virginia where the undergrowth is too thick for still hunting, standing or driving has been not only a tradition but an honorable way of life for generations.
What has changed over the years to bring the Department of Game and Inland Fisheries to consider new regulations for hunting with hounds? While not a new issue, the population growth and urbanization, posted property, development, “gentleman farms” and a more negative view of hunting and hunters all have contributed to a different view of hound hunting and hunting in general. These factors along with the few hunters who disregard property rights have brought the VDGIF to the point of seeking recommendations to resolve the issue which could result in new regulatory amendments to hunting with hounds. The intensity of the issue has certainly stepped up to another level.
Many of the small acreage farms, often held by owners without a rural or hunting background are posted and can be a point of contention when dogs hunting adjacent farms chase game onto their land. The same is true with absentee landowners (some not even U.S. Citizens) and those holding “investment property”. Checking the VDGIF General Hunting Regulations regarding hunting with dogs, it is stated:
“When the chase begins on other lands, fox hunters and coon hunters may follow their dogs on prohibited lands, and hunters of all other game, when the chase begins on other lands, may go upon prohibited lands to retrieve their dogs, but may not carry firearms or archery tackle on their persons or hunt any game while thereon.”
This regulation does not specify deer hunters who comprise the largest group of hound hunters and may have the widest ranging packs of hounds, and although not specified, I suppose they are included in the “hunters of all other game”.
No matter what your stand on hound hunting I would advise a cyber trip to the VDGIF web site and check out their current thinking on “Hunting with Hounds in Virginia: A Way Forward”. There you will find the approach which the VDGIF Board decided on, I.e. A "citizen stakeholder approach: the “stakeholders” to be comprised of “landowner based organizations; bear houndsmen; deer houndsmen; raccoon and fox hunters”. Also, to create a “stakeholder” advisory group to consider issues identified by the preceding group.
To support the effort the department has formed a technical committee comprised of biologists, law enforcement officers “and others”. The names and affiliation of those on the committee are listed on the web site.
If all is not totally a tangled mess in the above committees, the next step is to involve an “independent, professional dimensions consultant” (what a bunch of politically correct phraseology). This consultant is to report back with recommendations by the fall of 2008. Are we certain this consultant will be impartial? After paying for months of consulting, surely there must be action taken based on his or her recommendations.
Let’s look at some of the means by which houndsmen, and hunters as a group can protect their rights.
We need to face the possible POLITICAL INVOLVEMENT on the issue. Unfortunately those with the most anti-hound-hunting sentiments, especially “recreational” landowners are folks of means and have some political influence. There are also groups (e.g. P.E.T.A.) with substantial monetary backing and political influence. The obvious action is to be in touch, individually and as sportsman groups with your legislators. And if you are not already a member of an organization with hound hunting interests - get involved as there is strength in numbers and even more in organized numbers.
Make sure someone from your organization is included in the VDGIF “focus group meetings” and in their “stakeholder advisory group”. It would appear that deer, bear and raccoon hunters can also become involved as individuals.
Make sure you as a houndsman or your hunt club respect the rights of landowners. Get to know the landowners in your hunt areas. Let them know you will be hunting with hounds and that there is a possibility the hounds will cross onto their property. Don’t assume that, since you or your club has to be running dogs on a certain acreage for generations that the right to do so exists with change of ownership. Do anything possible to improve the image of your sport.
Landowner rights must also be considered, whether they are old established farms or newcomers. These rights are already protected under existing laws and regulations and must be respected by the houndsman, who should, in addition to adhering to the letter of the law, show respect and courtesy to the landowner.
If you are a hunter but not a houndsman, be sure to have your voice heard on the matter, for, if the hunting with hounds is further restricted, it is another restriction on our overall hunting rights. Think of the old axiom “give them an inch and they’ll take a mile”. That is exactly how we should look at any anti-hunting proposals or actions.
As a deer hunter I do not hunt with hounds here in the western Virginia mountains but do respect the tradition, way of life and the fact that hunting with hounds in eastern Virginia is really a social event as well as a sporting event, and as such it should remain under the existing hunting regulations.
Let us hope that hunting with hounds in Virginia is truly “A Way Forward” as the VDGIF phrases it, and not a step back for the sport of hunting.
