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Searching 2023-2024 Session

The Vermont Statutes Online

The Vermont Statutes Online have been updated to include the actions of the 2023 session of the General Assembly.

NOTE: The Vermont Statutes Online is an unofficial copy of the Vermont Statutes Annotated that is provided as a convenience.

Title 10 : Conservation and Development

Chapter 115 : Hunting Dogs

(Cite as: 10 V.S.A. § 5001)
  • § 5001. Hunting dogs; field training

    (a) While accompanying the dog, a person may train a hunting dog to hunt and pursue:

    (1) bear during the period from June 1 to September 15 and then only from sunrise to sunset;

    (2) rabbits and game birds during the period from June 1 to the last Saturday in September and then only from sunrise to sunset;

    (3) raccoon during the period from June 1 through any time of day or night on the day before the opening day of raccoon hunting season; and

    (4) bobcat and fox during the period June 1 to March 15, except during regular deer season as prescribed in section 4741 of this title.

    (b) The Commissioner may permit a person to train and condition a hunting dog between the second Monday in March and June 1. The Board may adopt rules as it considers necessary to control the training and conditioning of hunting dogs.

    (c) A person training a hunting dog under this section may possess a handgun while training the hunting dog, provided that the person shall not take game by any method while training the hunting dog. As used in this section, “handgun” means a pistol or revolver that will expel a projectile by the action of an explosive. (Added 1961, No. 119, § 1, eff. May 9, 1961; amended 1965, No. 48, eff. May 7, 1965; 1973, No. 178 (Adj. Sess.), § 6; 1977, No. 137 (Adj. Sess.); 1983, No. 158 (Adj. Sess.), eff. April 13, 1984; 1991, No. 230 (Adj. Sess.), § 28; 2013, No. 78, § 19; 2013, No. 116 (Adj. Sess.), § 15, eff. May 5, 2014.)