This bill amends R.S. 56:116.3(G) to allow licensed hunters or trackers to pursue and dispatch mortally wounded deer that are found alive. The legislation specifies that, outside of wildlife management areas, hunters or trackers may use lights and a blood-trailing or tracking dog, with the stipulation that only one dog can be used per tracking party, although a second dog may be employed for deer retrieval training. Additionally, tracking dogs must be on a handheld leash or equipped with a GPS tracking collar. The bill also permits the use of a centerfire handgun with specific caliber restrictions to dispatch mortally wounded deer discovered after legal hunting hours, provided the hunter has permission from the landowner to pursue the deer onto private property.

The bill deletes previous provisions that allowed the use of a leashed dog to trail and retrieve wounded or unrecovered deer during legal hunting hours, as well as after hours, while prohibiting the carrying of firearms during those times. The new language emphasizes the conditions under which dogs can be used for tracking and retrieval, and it clarifies the legal methods for dispatching mortally wounded deer.

Statutes affected:
HB802 Original: 56:3(G)
HB802 Engrossed: 56:3(G)
HB802 Reengrossed: 56:3(G)
HB802 Enrolled: 56:3(G)
HB802 Act : 56:3(G)