Bill H.166 seeks to establish comprehensive regulations for hunting with dogs in Vermont, particularly concerning the training and hunting of black bears and furbearers. The bill introduces new definitions and mandates that hunters maintain visual or auditory contact with their dogs while hunting. It also requires written permission from property owners before dogs can run on private land and specifies collar requirements for hunting dogs. Additionally, hunters must report any incidents involving their dogs that result in injury or attack. The bill modifies the permit system for hunting black bears and coyotes with dogs, limiting nonresident permits to 10% of the resident permits issued the previous year and establishing associated fees. A uniform point system for violations related to hunting with dogs is also introduced, which could lead to license suspensions based on accumulated points.

Furthermore, the bill proposes the repeal of certain rules established by the Fish and Wildlife Board, specifically targeting definitions related to the supervision and control of dogs, as well as landowner permission requirements, as outlined in 10 V.S.A. App. 3.1, 3.6, and 4.20.7. This repeal aims to streamline regulations concerning wildlife management and dog control, potentially easing restrictions for dog owners and land use. The bill is set to take effect immediately upon passage, reflecting a commitment to enhance safety and responsible practices in hunting with dogs.

Statutes affected:
As Introduced: 10-115, 10-4502, 10-4712(a), 10-4712