Bills › 89th General Assembly
Relating to requirements for using a dog to track a wounded deer
Sponsored by the House Natural Resources Committee
Where it is now
- Done: IntroducedJanuary 12, 2021
- Done: SubcommitteeFebruary 3, 2021
- Done: House committeeFebruary 15, 2021
- Done: Passes the HouseFebruary 23, 2021
- Done: Senate committeeFebruary 24, 2021
- Done: Passes the SenateMarch 29, 202145–0
- Done: To the GovernorApril 12, 2021
- Done: Signed into lawApril 12, 2021
Signed into law What’s a funnel?
What’s in it
AI summary People who help a hunter find a wounded deer using a dog will no longer be required to have specific training. As long as the person helping is with the licensed hunter who shot the deer, they do not need a special license. The hunter who shot the deer can still finish the job using legal methods allowed by their license.1
Read the official explanation
This bill relates to requirements for using a dog to track a wounded deer. The bill strikes a provision in current law that requires the dog used for tracking a wounded deer and a person using a dog for tracking a wounded deer to both be trained in deer blood tracking. The bill states that an unarmed dog handler assisting in the recovery of a wounded deer is exempt from licensing requirements as long as the handler is associated with the licensed hunter who wounded the deer. The bill specifies that the licensed hunter who wounded the deer may dispatch the deer using a legal method of take authorized by the person’s deer hunting license and consistent with all rules and regulations for that season. 56A.