Deer; Department of Game and Inland Fisheries to allow killing thereof over bait. (HB1016)

Introduced By

Del. Tim Hugo (R-Centreville)

Progress

Introduced
Passed Committee
Passed House
Passed Senate
Signed by Governor
Became Law

Description

Killing of deer over bait; local authority. Allows the Director of the Department of Game and Inland Fisheries to allow the killing of deer over bait in counties with a special late antlerless season when specifically requested by the governing body of the locality. Read the Bill »

Outcome

Bill Has Passed

History

DateAction
01/08/2008Committee
01/08/2008Prefiled and ordered printed; offered 01/09/08 083215548
01/08/2008Referred to Committee on Agriculture, Chesapeake and Natural Resources
01/16/2008Reported from Agriculture, Chesapeake and Natural Resources (21-Y 0-N) (see vote tally)
01/17/2008Read first time
01/18/2008Read second time and engrossed
01/21/2008Read third time and passed House BLOCK VOTE (96-Y 0-N)
01/21/2008VOTE: BLOCK VOTE PASSAGE (96-Y 0-N) (see vote tally)
01/21/2008Communicated to Senate
01/22/2008Constitutional reading dispensed
01/22/2008Referred to Committee on Agriculture, Conservation and Natural Resources
01/23/2008Constitutional reading dispensed
01/23/2008Referred to Committee on Agriculture, Conservation and Natural Resources
01/24/2008Impact statement from DPB (HB1016)
02/11/2008Reported from Agriculture, Conservation and Natural Resources (14-Y 0-N) (see vote tally)
02/12/2008Constitutional reading dispensed (40-Y 0-N) (see vote tally)
02/13/2008Read third time
02/13/2008Passed Senate (40-Y 0-N) (see vote tally)
02/14/2008Bill text as passed House and Senate (HB1016ER)
02/15/2008Enrolled
02/15/2008Bill text as passed House and Senate (HB1016ER)
02/15/2008Signed by Speaker
02/15/2008Signed by President
02/19/2008Impact statement from DPB (HB1016ER)
02/22/2008G Approved by Governor-Chapter 17 (effective 7/1/08)
02/25/2008G Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP0017)

Comments

Jackson Landers writes:

I wouldn't want to see this implemented everywhere in Virginia due to concerns about the spread of chronic wasting disease, but as an option for DGIF to use in certain cases I think it's a great idea.

The public interest in hunting regulations are that it be done in a manner that is safe to other people, unlikely to merely wound an animal rather than kill it, and in accordance with bag limits so as not to deplete the resource. These are the 3 rational bases for laws regarding hunting.

Fair chase, while an admirable personal virtue, is not part of the public interest. Whether a hunter shoots deer over bait or as they cross a field makes little odds to the deer and affects the Commonwealth not a whit.

Fair chase is a subjective concept. Many people think that hunting with anything other than a bow is 'wrong.' Others think that single-shot rifles should always be used in order to be 'sportsman-like.' And then you have some who think that hunting over bait is somehow more wrong than the basic idea of putting a bullet through a deer's heart under any circumstances. All of these people should hunt their own hunt and let others hunt as they will, so long as it is done safely and in accordance with bag limits.