HB1344: Hunters, certain; right to go on lands of another.


HOUSE BILL NO. 1344
AMENDMENT IN THE NATURE OF A SUBSTITUTE
(Proposed by the House Committee on Agriculture, Chesapeake and Natural Resources
on February 9, 2022)
(Patron Prior to Substitute--Delegate Edmunds)
A BILL to amend and reenact § 18.2-136 of the Code of Virginia, relating to right of certain hunters to go on lands of another.

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. Allowance of certain hunters to go on lands of another; carrying firearms or bows and arrows prohibited.

Fox hunters and coon raccoon hunters, when the chase begins on other lands, 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, falcons, hawks, or owls but may not carry firearms or bows and arrows on their persons or hunt any game while thereon. If land is so posted, a hunter shall attempt to contact the landowner or his agent by phone, text, or email via the method provided on the posted sign during legal daylight hunting hours, except when (i) a dog is in immediate danger or (ii) the hunter has a prior agreement with the landowner or his agent. 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 is guilty of a Class 4 misdemeanor.

HOUSE BILL NO. 1344

Offered January 21, 2022
A BILL to amend and reenact § 18.2-136 of the Code of Virginia, relating to right of certain hunters to go on lands of another.
Patron-- Edmunds
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 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, falcons, hawks, or owls but may not carry firearms or bows and arrows on their persons or hunt any game while thereon unless (i) their dog is in immediate danger or (ii) they obtained prior permission from the landowner or his agent to carry such firearms or bows and arrows onto the lands. Prior to going on prohibited lands to retrieve his dog pursuant to this section during legal, daylight hunting hours, if the land is so posted, a hunter shall attempt to contact the landowner by phone, text, or email using contact information that is clearly provided on such posted signs. 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 is guilty of a Class 4 misdemeanor.