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2018 SESSION

18106509D
HOUSE BILL NO. 995
AMENDMENT IN THE NATURE OF A SUBSTITUTE
(Proposed by the House Committee on Agriculture, Chesapeake and Natural Resources
on February 7, 2018)
(Patron Prior to Substitute--Delegate Byron)
A BILL to amend and reenact § 29.1-516.1 of the Code of Virginia, relating to tracking wounded or dead bear, turkey, or deer; possession of weapons authorized.

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:

1. That § 29.1-516.1 of the Code of Virginia is amended and reenacted as follows:

§ 29.1-516.1. Using tracking dogs to retrieve bear, deer, or turkey.

Tracking dogs maintained and controlled on a lead may be used to find a wounded or dead bear, turkey, or deer statewide during any archery, muzzleloader, or firearm bear, turkey, or deer hunting season, or within 24 hours of the end of such season, provided that those who are involved in the retrieval effort have permission to hunt on or to access the land being searched and do not have any weapons in their possession. A licensed hunter who is engaged in such tracking may have in his possession a weapon permitted under this title and may use such weapon to humanely kill the wounded bear, deer, or turkey being tracked, including after legal shooting hours. Such weapon shall not be used to hunt, wound, or kill any animal other than the animal that the hunter is tracking, except in self-defense.