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 […]