Bird Hunting Question

[countertop]

It just dawned on me (and I'm somewhat new to the serious bird dog training/owning set) that while I can generally hunt my dog on a game preserve here in Virginia (or for that matter in Maryland or in Georgia where my other home is) only from September through April, I can technically train my dog all year round on pen raised birds (pigeons, chuckar, pheasant, quail, etc) so long as they are banded and I am on either private land or at a designated dog training area (on public land, at least in Maryland) and I possess a hunting license and a training license.

So, wouldn't that allow me to take my dog out, over the summer, at a game preserve and "train" him on live birds that he flushes and I shoot???

Or am I missing something??

 

[Dr. Tad Hussein Winslow]

Sounds like a question to direct to your Wildlife Department - in writing.

 

[countertop]

Sent them (all of them) that email today

I spent most of last summer shooting quail and pigeons over the dog. But he was at the trainers, working on the trainers property and with the trainers birds. I'd like to get my own birds and do it, or head out to game preserves and try and keep him fresh.

 

[jaybr]

You cannot carry a gun (other than starter pistol) when training dogs on quail or pheasants in VA

From the DGIF website:

Training Dogs
The training of dogs on live wild animals is considered hunting and is unlawful during the closed season except as noted below.

•You must have a valid hunting license while training dogs on live wild animals.
•You may train dogs during daylight hours on rabbits and non-migratory game birds on private lands. Participants shall have no weapons other than starter pistols in their possession and no wild animals shall be taken. Weapons may be in possession when training dogs on captive raised and properly marked mallards and pigeons so that they may be immediately shot or recovered, except on Sunday.
•You may train dogs on National Forest or Department-owned lands only during authorized training seasons that specifically permit these activities.
•You may train dogs on National Forest or Department-owned lands only during authorized training seasons that specifically permit these activities.
•You may train dogs on quail on designated portions of the Amelia Wildlife Management Area (WMA), Chester F. Phelps WMA, Chickahominy WMA and Dick Cross WMAfrom September 1 to the day prior to the opening date of the quail hunting season, both dates inclusive. No weapons other than starter pistols may be in possession, and pen-raised birds may not be released.
•Pen-raised quail may be released at any time on private land with landowner permission. However, except on hunting (shooting) preserves, birds can only be shot during the regular quail season. Regular bag limits apply.
•You may train dogs during daylight hours on rabbits and non-migratory game birds on the Weston WMAfrom September 1 thru March 31, both dates inclusive. Participants in this dog training season shall have no weapons other than starter pistols in their possession, shall not release pen-raised birds, and must comply with all regulations and laws pertaining to hunting. No game shall be taken

 

[bensdad]

Whether it's legal or not, you might want to keep your dogs out of nesting areas during the spring.

 

[moosehunt]

Don't know about there in the far east, but in my country, you can go out and flush/shoot planted game farm birds on private land anytime. Since you aren't hunting, a hunting license isn't required. It is good training for your hound, but remember that it isn't really hunting training, and don't expect him to become a hunter through it. But it is a damn site better than nothing--plus you generate good groceries! A training license? Christ all mighty, what will they come up with next? We have it bad out here, but I don't see how you folks deal with the controls you have to live with! Do you have to have a license to play with your squaw at night? Don't get caught with an expired license while chasing the squaw around the abode!

 

[countertop]

Jaybr - I'm not talking about wild birds. I'm talking about farm raised birds - which are really the only kind you find in Virginia on game preserves anyway (regardless of the time of year).

you can go out and flush/shoot planted game farm birds on private land anytime.

thats what I am talking about.

A training license? Christ all mighty, what will they come up with next? We have it bad out here, but I don't see how you folks deal with the controls you have to live with!

Yep. not sure the cost in virginia, but in Maryland its only $5. I don't know if it applies to private land, but it enables you to train on public land in designated areas.

As far as squaws go - sometimes I think a license would be cheaper than the cost of keeping my wife accustomed to her lifestyle.