Virginia Considers Permit Requirement for Hunting with Dogs

Proposed legislation aims to address long-standing conflicts between hunters and landowners

Published on Feb. 23, 2026

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The Virginia General Assembly is considering a bill that would require individuals or organizations to obtain a $19 permit from the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources in order to hunt game animals, fur-bearing animals or nuisance species with dogs. The bill, introduced by Del. Marty Martinez, D-Loudoun, is intended to address ongoing disputes over property rights between hunters and landowners in the state.

Why it matters

Hunting with dogs has deep roots in Virginia, but the practice has fueled decades of disputes over property rights. The state law currently permits hunters to enter private property, without weapons, for the limited purpose of retrieving hunting dogs. The proposed legislation aims to establish more oversight and regulations around the use of hunting dogs to help resolve these long-standing conflicts.

The details

House Bill 1396 would make it unlawful, beginning July 1, 2027, to release a dog to hunt, pursue or chase any game animal on any tract of land without the required permit. The bill directs the Department of Wildlife Resources to establish procedures for issuing and renewing permits, set identification standards for hunting dogs, and outline enforcement, suspension and revocation guidelines. It also implements measures intended to prevent hunting dogs from entering private property without permission.

  • The bill was introduced in the Virginia General Assembly in 2026.
  • If passed, the permit requirement would take effect on July 1, 2027.

The players

Del. Marty Martinez

A Democratic member of the Virginia House of Delegates who introduced House Bill 1396.

Del. Nadarius Clark

A Democratic member of the Virginia House of Delegates who is a co-patron of House Bill 1396.

Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources

The state agency that would be responsible for issuing and overseeing the hunting dog permits under the proposed legislation.

Virginia Hunting Dog Alliance

An organization that opposes the bill, arguing it ignores past recommendations and adds an unnecessary burden on hunters.

Chris Patton

A retired U.S. Marine Corps colonel who supports the bill, citing a growing number of complaints related to deer dog hunting in Virginia.

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What they’re saying

“This bill, by no means, bans hunting. It's just putting guard rails on it.”

— Del. Nadarius Clark, Co-patron of House Bill 1396 (pilotonline.com)

“Last year there were 1,276 complaints in Virginia related to deer dog hunting. That's up 19% from the year before and every single year in the last 10 years, there's been an increase in complaints.”

— Chris Patton, Retired U.S. Marine Corps colonel (pilotonline.com)

“Yes, this issue's been around a long time. It's been studied, cussed and discussed. The reality of it is, if people don't want to hear the solutions, if people don't want to live with them, they're going to continue to fight with us.”

— Kirby Birch, Virginia Hunting Dog Alliance (pilotonline.com)

What’s next

The bill has passed the Virginia House and is now headed to the Senate for consideration. If passed by the Senate and signed into law, the permit requirement would take effect on July 1, 2027.

The takeaway

This proposed legislation highlights the ongoing tensions between hunters and landowners in Virginia over the use of dogs for hunting. While supporters argue the permit system is necessary to address a growing number of complaints, opponents contend the bill adds unnecessary burdens on hunters and fails to address the underlying rural concerns.