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2011 SESSION

11100955D
HOUSE BILL NO. 1889
Offered January 12, 2011
Prefiled January 11, 2011
A BILL to amend the Code of Virginia by adding a section numbered 29.1-516.1, relating to tracking dogs.
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Patron-- Wilt
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Referred to Committee on Agriculture, Chesapeake and Natural Resources
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Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:

1.  That the Code of Virginia is amended by adding a section numbered 29.1-516.1 as follows:

§ 29.1-516.1. Retrieving tracking dogs.

Tracking dogs maintained and controlled on a lead may be used to find a wounded or dead bear or deer statewide during any archery, muzzleloader, or firearm bear 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 as defined in this section. In counties or portions of counties (i) where it is lawful to hunt bear or deer with dogs, (ii) during bear or deer hunting seasons when the use of dogs is lawful, or (iii) during legal hunting hours, hunters may possess legal weapons and unrestrained dogs while searching for a wounded or dead bear or deer provided that those who are involved in the retrieval effort have permission from the owner of the land to hunt on or to access the land being searched.

For the purposes of this section, the term "possession" means having any bow, crossbow, or firearm in or on one's person.