HB2345: Retrieval of hunting dogs, etc.

HOUSE BILL NO. 2345

Offered January 23, 2015
A BILL to amend and reenact § 18.2-136 of the Code of Virginia, relating to retrieval of dogs by hunters.
Patron-- Ramadan
Committee Referral Pending

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:

1. That § 18.2-136 of the Code of Virginia is amended and reenacted as follows:

§ 18.2-136. Right of certain hunters to go on lands of another; carrying firearms or bows and arrows prohibited.

Fox hunters and coon hunters, when the chase begins on other lands, may shall not follow their dogs on prohibited lands without the permission of the landowner, and hunters of all other game, when the chase begins on other lands, may shall not go upon prohibited lands without the permission of the landowner to retrieve their dogs, falcons, hawks, or owls but may and shall not carry firearms or bows and arrows on their persons or hunt any game while thereon. The use of vehicles to retrieve dogs, falcons, hawks, or owls on prohibited lands shall be allowed only with the permission of the landowner or his agent. Any person who goes on prohibited lands to retrieve his dogs, falcons, hawks, or owls pursuant to this section and who willfully refuses to identify himself when requested by the landowner or his agent to do so violates any provision of this section is guilty of a Class 4 misdemeanor.