Hunting with Hounds in Virginia: A Way Forward
Latest Updates
- Stakeholder Advisory Committee (updated 9/26/08: SAC Final Recommendations)
- Public Comment Period Information (updated 9/26/08: Meeting Notes & FAQ)
- Reports Summarize Public Input, Technical Information
- July 2008 Update (PDF)
- April 2008 Update (PDF)
- Statement in Response to False Accusations
- About the Virginia Tech Facilitators
- January 2008 Update
- Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
- Adaptive Wildlife Management: Merging the Then with the Now
- Technical Committee
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Why look at hound hunting issues?
Hunting with hounds is an important tradition in Virginia, but modern challenges demand solutions. A proactive approach to resolving issues is best for all parties. To ignore the issues is to invite a reactionary response that may preclude more reasonable solutions. The Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries (VDGIF) considered citizen dissatisfaction, recent restrictions in other states, and timber company restrictions in making the recommendation to address this critical issue more broadly. State agencies must be proactive and anticipate such conflicts that involve important user groups or resources. The Hunting with Hounds process is the most comprehensive approach used to date in Virginia to address hound-hunting issues.
The Department's goal in addressing the issues surrounding hunting with hounds in Virginia is:
"To provide diverse opportunities for hunting with hounds in Virginia in a manner that is fair, sportsmanlike and consistent with the rights of property owners and other citizens."
Recognizing the need for hunting as an essential wildlife management tool and as a popular recreational activity, the Department is committed to:
- promoting hunting in Virginia that meets the highest standards of ethics and sportsmanship;
- ensuring that the tradition of hunting with hounds in Virginia continues;
- addressing the interests of hunters, landowners and other citizens.
Input from the public, particularly the hunting public, is key to the process
The process that we are using to accomplish this task is one that has been used very successfully to explore and resolve contentious issues many times in the past. One of the key attributes of this process is the complete and total involvement of the public, from beginning to end, especially the primary issue stakeholders. This process will not be led by Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries staff; rather experienced researchers at Virginia Tech will manage and conduct the project. The decision to involve Virginia Tech was made, in large part, to guarantee that no results would be predetermined.
The process includes many avenues for interested citizens to participate. The public input opportunities include focus group meetings with individual stakeholder groups, an informal survey, written comments to the Department, and open, public meetings.
Let's work together to make this process work
Your participation and support for this undertaking is vital to insuring a successful and positive result. Working together, we can continue to provide diverse opportunities for hunting with hounds in Virginia in a manner that is fair, sportsmanlike and consistent with the rights of property owners and other citizens.