Stop Virginia loopholes that allow hunters and their dogs to LEGALLY trespass on private property. 

There is no recourse for Virginia landowners to restrict hunting dogs and their owners from accessing private property. 

Virginia has an antiquated law known as the "Right to retrieve" law  Virginia code section 18.2-136,  states "...hunters of all other game, when the chase begins on other lands, may go upon prohibited lands to retrieve their dogs.." 

This law allows hunters to go upon any private property without permission at any time day or night. The law doesn't stipulate to the number of "owners" or the length of stay. Essentially, this law turns our private property into public property. 

What's more, under Virginia code 3.2-6538, hunting dogs are permitted to "run at large" and not required to be under the owner's immediate control. 

What's this mean for the Virginia landowner?

Hunting dogs are permitted on your property and there's nothing you can do about it.  By law, you have no recourse for stopping a solo hunting dog or a pack of dogs on your property even if they are damaging your property or harassing you or your pets. Additionally, you can't stop an owner of a hunting dog from roaming your property if they claim to be retrieving their dog. Calling law enforcement is futile since the law specifically allows hunting dogs to run free. 

Personally, I've had hunters antagonize my spouse, had my dog bitten by hunting dogs, my livestock harassed and countless times private time has been interrupted by hunters and their dogs. My story is not unique. This is a problem in many rural and suburban areas in Virginia and citizens are frustrated. 

The problem lies specifically with deer hunting with dogs. Upland game, bear, raccoon,and waterfowl dog owners seem to police themselves better than deer dog owners.

While no one can dispute the conservation contributions all hunters have made to our wildlife, it's time the small percentage of inconsiderate hunters respect the property rights of others. 

We are asking for the Virginia Assembly to:

•  Repeal the "Right to Retrieve" law.
• Make it mandatory for hunting dogs and their owners to have permission before they access any private property.
• Dogs and their owners who are found on private property without permission shall be punished monetarily. 
• Dogs who hunt deer must have a collar with the owners name, address and phone number. 

Please sign the petition and contact your Virginia State Representatives. 

Find your state representative by clicking the link and entering your address: https://whosmy.virginiageneralassembly.gov/

Send an email to Virginia's Governor Youngkin by clicking glenn.youngkin@governor.virginia.gov

Thank you for your consideration.