The Virginia Hunting Dog Alliance wants you to know that we support all groups that work to support the Virginia Outdoor Sporting traditions. We have a number of Retriever groups that belong to the Virginia Hunting Dog Alliance. The VHDA supports all hunting with dogs, check the list of Alliances on the web site. We expressed opposition to the proposed ban on the use of live ducks for dog training. An will oppose anything that is a threat. including the current waterfowl study.

We are very much interested in this study, the Hound study was not just about deer hunting, but was about all hound hunting in Virginia. It provided a major voice for radical animal rights groups. If the Hound study was any indication then waterfowl hunters should care deeply about the direction of this study.

It will take dedicated waterfowlers to help bring our leadership up to speed on all of the issues that may be addressed. Only one of our Board members is currently an active waterfowler. Your sport is as varied as any other type of hunting. Duck hunting is very different on the New River, duck marshes in Amelia, the Rappahannock River or Tangier Island and no one individual has the width and breathe of knowledge to have all the answers. King Grants and creek ownership, floating blinds and so many other issues arise. We have been in on some of the discussions in years past, but often it was a case of remaining silent and being thought a fool rather than opening ones mouth and removing all doubt.

Sportsmen must learn to work together rather than letting bureaucrats and animal rights people divide us on difficult issues. There truly is strength in numbers, if we learn to listen and chose our allies carefully. Study are usually some politician's way of getting issues considered that they have not had the votes for other wise.

Please have your groups or Hunt club contact the Virginia Hunting Dog Alliance directly at [email protected] or visit our website at www.vahda.org

Kirby Burch
Vice Chairman
Governmental Relations
VHDA

The difference is where the studies are coming from. The hound study was largely initiated by hunter(s), and the Department itself. It was done in order to not only protect landowners, but also to protect hunters and their hounds.

This new waterfowl study is/was initiated by an extremely liberal congresswoman from N. VA in regards to hunting in Dyke Marsh WMA.... which was bought, built and is maintained by waterfowl stamp dollars. They have been fighting over this thing for over a decade. It just goes to show you, that a yankee will move onto "Little Hunting Creek" and be shocked and abhorred when a little hunting goes on in the creek.

Hokie I encourage you to get in contact with Todd Cocker, who is the President of the Virginia Waterfowlers Association (VAWFA). Todd keeps a hard thumb on the pulse of these matters, and as a lawyer for the state by trade, knows the system very well. He is very active in the waterfowl community, and I personally think he has done an exceptional job keeping the membership informed of the goings-on of Dyke Marsh WMA. While I myself have never been there, and have no desire to, there are a lot of waterfowl hunters living in N. VA that regularly hunt there and have for years. If you do not already know Todd (I suspect you have met him at one or more various game department meetings), I'd be happy to put you in contact with him.

Swampcollie this study was passed by with a table vote. Kirby Burch was there representing the waterfowlers who were a member of Virginia Hunting Dog Alliance. If you could pm me Todd's contact info I would appreciate it.

Good. I hadn't heard that it had gotten the chop.