Dog hunting is allowed in eastern VA because of the tradition of hunting with dogs that dates back to it's English roots. George Washington, a VA native, is credited with the Fox hound breed of dog. So there's a long tradition of dogs being used. It doesn't guarantee anything anymore than a man drive does, and the terrain they are used in is usually swamp or large pine thickets where it's hard to get into crawling let alone upright. The smart big bucks still tend to circle in the thickest stuff and you still have to go in there and get them.

Do I hunt with dogs? No, too much trouble in my opinion, and a lot of the hunt clubs are slob hunters. Have I ever hunted with dogs? Yes, and it's fun to hear dogs howling and heading your way and the anticipation. I still hunt from stands where I think the deer will travel. But I've got no problem with hunting with dogs if it's done in a legal sporting manner rather than truck hunting.