Dunno what to tell you Rick. All types of hunting with dogs overlap with deer season in Illinois. You say that you haven't seen dogs while deer hunting. Well, I often don't either in Illinois even though they are out and about at the same time as me. No problems. I'll bet that there are lots of folks that can say the same thing about their still deer hunting in Virginia, even in areas where there are hound hunters. Thanks for helping to make my point.

Illinois has rather strict trespass laws, but that doesn't mean that i am gonna tell people to get rid of right of retrieval laws in other statesDifferent places, different laws and traditions.

And again, if folks are on you illegal, then call the dam police.

Amazing, how many times have you hunted in VA, but you have all the anwsers.

If they can change a few regs. the CO's will be able to controll some of the issues or they can use your idea,do nothing and all the problems will just go away.

Rick it's no use trying to explain. I have explained til Im blue in the face.They just don't understand the dynamics of dog hunting in Va unless you live here. It has become a major problem and the dog owners will not budge on it. Bigg Birrd. myself, swampcollie have all tried. You guys that don't live here and especially here in South east Va, do not understand how many dog clubs there are. Tons of them I think Sussex co has over 250 clubs alone, that is one county !!!!

Problem is that lots of folks aren't buying your explanations once they start understanding the big picture. See my recent post in the sporting dogs section.

You hit on the #1 main problem, the laws that are already on the books are not being enforced. The CO's are undermanned. You can change or add all the laws you want but if noone is there to enforce them what have you really changed?

The right to retrieve law is very specific and yes, often abused, but the fact that it is not enforced is even worse. If you drive on someone elses property to get dogs or anything other than walk on with no firearmyou are breaking the law, write them a ticket, fine them something.

Running deer out of season?

Game warden: "Hey what are you guys doing running dogs?"
Person: "Oh we're running foxes."
Game warden: "Well let's track them and see."

If they are runnning deer he could easily determine that and you guessed it, write them a ticket. There is "reform" that could happen right now with the existing laws. More wardens, smaller districts, write tickets!!

Yeah that site you posted is jam packed with people screaming for reform, all 9 of them.

Release the hounds! Over and out.

Good points and do you know what the main two anti groups (HSUS & PETA)other primary target is..............everyone's beloved BOWHUNTING.Hunters won't be so quick to buddy up and help them ban that will they, but the groundwork is being laid now friends take the blinders off....initially reform sounds great but we are not the only ones involved....now there are people involved(with underlying motives)who truly want to "reform" hunting for us, it is no longer just us hunters trying to reform our pasttime.

If it's only 9 people, why are you worried about it. If fact just ignore it, nothing going to change.Looks likechasing deer with hounds is picking up all kind of support within VA & NC. I wonder how they run hounds in other state without the RTR?

Too bad that bird hunters and houndsmen thatrun other game are getting lumped in that group.

I'm not worried about that site as obviously there is no need to. I do worry about "reform" of our collective pasttime by the wrong people/organizations.

People keep bringing up the RTR, if it were enforced properly there would be a lot less problems and eventually a lot fewer instance of trespass. The wardens are understaffed, without them laws are just words on paper.

Your stating the obvious and just make up anything else that fits your agenda.I expect PETA & HSUS to oppose any form of hunting.

The shocker is a hunting org.(VHDA)standing arm in arm with PETA & HSUS to oppose lifting the ban on Sunday hunting in VA. Then turn around and ask for support from the same guys that they dumped on.

Typical response(Deer chasers do no wrong):All the problems are because ofthe Warden's/law enforcement, DGIF, Landowners, Bowhunters, Stillhunters, SAC, Tech. committe, VT,........hope I didn't leave anybody out.