TITLE 4. CONSERVATION AND NATURAL RESOURCES

BOARD OF WILDLIFE RESOURCES

Proposed Regulation

Title of Regulation: 4VAC15-40. Game: In General (adding 4VAC15-40-310).

Statutory Authority: §§ 29.1-103 and 29.1-501 of the Code of Virginia.

Public Hearing Information: No public hearing is currently scheduled.

Public Comment Deadline: July 5, 2024.

Agency Contact: Aaron Proctor, Policy Planning Specialist II, Department of Wildlife Resources, 7870 Villa Park Drive, Villa Park 3, Suite 400, Henrico, VA 23228, telephone (804) 801-8199, or email aaron.proctor@dwr.virginia.gov.

Background: Global positioning system (GPS) is the current best technology for hunters to track hunting dogs and is in widespread use. GPS aids in dog recovery by showing the location of the dog and tracking the dog's movement patterns, which assists in predicting where the dog may be going, to help facilitate recovery at opportune places and reduce hunting hound conflicts with private landowners. GPS tracking also allows a hunter, should the hunter desire, to show where hunting dogs have been over the course of a hunt.

Summary:

The proposed amendments require that deer and bear hunters use GPS tracking with basic capabilities on any dog actively engaged in a hunt.

4VAC15-40-310. Global positioning system tracking collars for bear and deer hunting with dogs.

A. Any dog not under physical restraint that is being used to hunt bear or deer shall have a fully functional global positioning system (GPS) tracking device affixed to it.

B. Tracking is required from the casting of the dog until recovery. Tracking may be suspended where signal is lost but shall resume when signal is reacquired.