Support Hunting with Hounds

August 18, 2008

Dear Friends of Foxhunting and Hounds,

For the past five months the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries (VDGIF) have held a series of meetings to discuss hunting with hounds in the state.  Dennis Foster, Executive Director of the MFHA and Joyce Fendley, MFH, Casanova Hunt were appointed to be members of the Stakeholder Advisory Committee (SAC).  They, and most of the Virginia Masters, are not happy with the final Technical Report which presents hunting with hounds in a negative manner.

It is most important that the VDGIF be made aware of the heritage of our sport, the necessity of the Right to Retrieve Law (i.e., when hounds have hunted a fox onto a property where we do not have permission to hunt and are perhaps marking a fox to ground, it is imperative that the huntsman be allowed to get them in the interest of their welfare) and the fact that the present laws are adequate but need better ENFORCEMENT.

The Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) has seized this opportunity to take advantage of the unethical behavior of a few hound hunters.  They have become very involved and very effective — generating over 1500 letters to the VDGIF voicing opposition to hunting.  These letters will count towards any changes in the law.  It is vastly important that EACH of you write a letter or e-mail in support of hunting with hounds and the present laws.

Please write the letters in your own words.  If you are not a Virginia resident, mention that you come to Virginia to hunt.  If you buy a Virginia hunting license and spend money in Virginia for your hunting activities, please mention that as well.

Send your letters to:

Hound Hunting, SAC
c/o Sarah Kozlowski
111 Cheatham Hall
VDGIF, Virginia Tech
Blacksburg, Va. 24060-0321
E-mail: HoundHuntingSAC@vt.edu

They must be received before September 12.

HSUS and PETA are working hard to outlaw hunting with hounds through the use of small battles such as this.  I saw it happen in England and it could happen here.  Please support this effort!

There will be a public meeting on September 2, at  7 pm, at the Fauquier High School in Warrenton.  We could use your presence and support.  If you have any questions please feel free to call me.

Thank you so much for your support.

Linda J. Armbrust, MFH
N. Va/W.Va District Representative, MFHA