Earlier this week, the Delaware Senate approved legislation that would allow for the Sunday hunting of Gamebirds (See previous alert for more information). Previously passed by the House of Representatives, House Bill 271, which would eliminate the current prohibition against hunting game birds on Sundays, now goes to Governor Carney for his signature. Those wishing […]

At its recent Committee meeting, the Pennsylvania Senate Game and Fisheries Committee amended a bill that would have had serious implications for those who hunt with dogs.  The proposed legislation makes changes to the laws related to trespassing on private property while hunting. As originally propose, Senate Bill 1087 would have made changes to the […]

On Wednesday, March 20, at 9:30a.m., the Pennsylvania Senate Game and Fisheries Committee is scheduled to consider a bill with serious implications for those who hunt with dogs.  The proposed legislation makes changes to the laws related to trespassing on private property while hunting. Senate Bill 1087 would not only allow for a hunter, even […]

On Wednesday, March 13, 2024, the Delaware Senate Environment, Energy & Transportation Committee approved legislation that would allow for the Sunday hunting of Gamebirds (See previous alert for more information). Previously passed by the House of Representatives, House Bill 271, which would eliminate the current prohibition against hunting game birds on Sundays, now goes before […]

Tomorrow, Wednesday, March 13 at 2:00p.m., the Delaware Senate Environment, Energy & Transportation Committee will hold a hearing on a House Bill 271, which would remove an existing prohibition on the hunting of Gamebirds on Sundays in Delaware.  The bill passed the House in January. AKC is not taking an official position on this bill.  […]

On January 25, 2024, the Delaware House of Representatives passed legislation that removes an existing prohibition on the hunting of game birds on Sundays in Delaware.  The bill now moves to the Senate where it has been assigned to the Senate Environment, Energy & Transportation Committee. AKC is not taking an official position on this […]

Tomorrow, Tuesday, January 23 at 11:00a.m., the Delaware House Natural Resources and Energy Committee will hold a hearing on a bill that would remove an existing prohibition on the hunting of Gamebirds on Sundays in Delaware. AKC is not taking an official position on this bill.  Those who wish may comment on House Bill 271 […]

Recently, New York Governor Kathy Hochu signed a bill making certain hunting competitions illegal.  This new law contains important provisions requested by the AKC to protect training and performance events. Summary: As stated in a previous alert, Senate Bill 4099 and its companion Assembly Bill 2917 make it unlawful and establish a civil penalty for […]

A bill passed this week by the New York Assembly makes certain hunting competitions illegal.  As written, however, Senate Bill 4099 and Assembly Bill 2917 contains important amendments requested by the AKC to protect training and performance events. Summary: Senate Bill 4099 and its companion Assembly Bill 2917  make it unlawful to organize, sponsor, or […]

A bill moving in the New York Senate makes certain hunting competitions illegal.  As written, however, Senate Bill 4099 contains important amendments requested by the AKC to protect training and performance events. Summary: Senate Bill 4099 is similar to bills introduced in previous sessions that would make it unlawful to organize, sponsor, or participate in […]

The Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (DEM) has proposed restructuring several state regulations impacting hunting and the use of public lands with dogs.  With these housekeeping changes, DEM wants to streamline how the public is able to access and abide by the regulations for hunting in a more effective way.  Rhode Island dog owners […]

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission has proposed changes to the General Regulations Relating to Wildlife Management Areas (WMAs) and to Wildlife and Environmental Areas (WEAs).  The effect of the proposed changes will: (1) Allow dogs to be used for hunting non-protected birds during any period when at least one species of small game […]

On Thursday, February 2, a proposed Oregon Constitutional amendment that would declare constitutional right to fish, hunt or harvest wildlife or gather wild foods, subject to certain legal restrictions will be heard in the Oregon House Rules Committee. In Oregon, the term “hunt” is defined in part as taking or attempting to take wildlife with […]

The Petit Basset Griffon Vendéen came into prominence in the United States nearly 20 years ago. Although there had been a few PBGVs in the country as early as 1971, it was a puppy named Alexander that started the PBGV frenzy in 1983. Since then, the reaction to this scruffy little hound has gone from […]

The New York Assembly could soon consider a bill that makes certain hunting competitions illegal.  As written, however, Assembly Bill 5746 contains important amendments requested by the AKC to protect training and performance events. Summary: Assembly Bill 5746 is similar to bills introduced in previous sessions that would make it unlawful to organize, sponsor, or […]

The e-mail was brief but ebullient: Bud: Friday at 11 a.m. is fine! Have a terrific day! - Jack It was Jack Sharkey’s response to my request for an interview. The Vizsla Club of America’s Dr. Sylvia Kerr, a noted breeder-judge and my club contact for this story, said if I was going to write […]

The covert’s utmost bound Slyly she skirts; behind them cautious she creeps, And in that very track, so lately stain’d By all the steaming crowd, seems to pursue The foe she flies. -William Somerville, The Chace, 1735 William Somerville’s lyrical descrip­tion of a hare sneaking around behind a pursuing pack of hounds and tracking them […]

The Arkansas Fish and Game Commission has proposed extensive updates to the state’s general hunting, miscellaneous wildlife, and general fishing regulations, which it will consider at its April 20-21, 2022, meeting.  Interested Arkansas residents and visitors who hunt and fish in Arkansas are encouraged to review and comment on the proposal. Of the 111 proposed […]

This week, two New Hampshire House Committees voted down HB 1308 and HB 1310, bills negatively impacting hunting dogs that the American Kennel Club (AKC) actively opposed.  The near unanimous rejection of these bills sends a strong message of continued support for training hunting dogs, hosting field trials, and engaging in canine sporting activities in […]

On Tuesday, January 25, 2022, the New Hampshire House Fish and Game and Marine Resources Committee will discuss and vote on House Bill 1308, which seeks to ban the capture, possession, and propagation of hares and rabbits for hunting dog training and field trials.  At the committee’s public hearing on January 14, The American Kennel […]

On Friday, January 14, 2022, the New Hampshire House Fish and Game and Marine Resources Committee will hear public testimony on House Bill 1308, which would ban the capture, possession, and propagation of hares and rabbits for hunting dog training and field trials.  If adopted, HB 1308 would effectively prohibit beagle clubs from continuing to […]

The American Kennel Club (AKC) believes that, as early as January, New Hampshire House Bill 1308 will have a legislative hearing, during which lawmakers will decide whether beagle clubs should continue to be allowed to host field trials and capture 20 wild hare annually for purposes of training their scent hounds.  If adopted, the bill […]

Every dog has a job. The job of hunting furred game over rough terrain or heavy brush requires, first and foremost, a great nose to find the scent of the prey. The dog needs to move on the trail at a speed that allows the hunter to follow on foot, and he must have the […]

Hunting with dogs is an exciting way to channel your dog's natural instincts. Learn some basics about how to safely hunt with your dog and how to train them to work in the field.

There’s an old Czech saying, “Like dog, like master,” and this applies to no one better than Frantisek Horak, the creator of the Cesky Terrier. Horak persevered through World War II and a communist revolution with terrier-like determination to create his vision of a new hunting breed, the Cesky Terrier— perhaps the only breed with […]

Animal rights activists are currently collecting signatures in Oregon to place a measure on the 2022 ballot that would have a detrimental impact on hunting, many breeding procedures, and other animal husbandry practices in the state. Oregon Initiative Petition 13 claims to be stopping animal cruelty practices in the state, but instead would essentially ban […]

Today during its work session, the Maine Joint Committee on Inland Fisheries and Wildlife members considered testimony on LD 1265. The American Kennel Club (AKC) had issued an alert and testified expressing opposition to the bill, as introduced.  Although the title of the bill states it is intended to control the hunting of coyotes, the […]

On Monday, May 3, starting at 10am, the Maine Joint Committee on Inland Fisheries and Wildlife will hear testimony on LD 1265.  The American Kennel Club (AKC) is concerned that, although the title of the bill states it is intended to control the hunting of coyotes, the bill, as introduced, could impact all hunting dogs.  […]

On Wednesday March 24 at 1:30pm, the House Environment and Transportation will hold a hearing on Senate Bill 200.   As mentioned in a previous alert, Senate Bill 200 seek to prohibit contests where the sole objective is the killing of certain wildlife for prizes or monetary awards.  It further clarifies that any prohibition will not apply to […]

Over the past few weeks, the Standing Committees of the Maryland Legislature have been busy holding hearings on numerous bills in preparation for floor action by the full House and Senate. Here are some updates on bills of interest to Maryland dog owners.  Scroll down for the latest information and how you can take action […]