HLS 24RS-1970 ENGROSSED
2024 Regular Session
HOUSE BILL NO. 802
BY REPRESENTATIVE DEWITT
WILDLIFE & FISHERIES: Authorizes the use of dogs to retrieve mortally wounded deer
1 AN ACT
2To amend and reenact R.S. 56:116.3(G), relative to use of dogs while hunting; to provide
3 for use of dogs to retrieve mortally wounded deer; to provide for the use of handguns
4 on wounded deer; and to provide for related matters.
5Be it enacted by the Legislature of Louisiana:
6 Section 1. R.S. 56:116.3(G) is hereby amended and reenacted to read as follows:
7 ยง116.3 Special provisions applicable to deer and bear; times and methods of taking;
8 penalties
9 * * *
10 G. A licensed hunter or tracker may pursue a deer that was legally shot and
11 mortally wounded and dispatch the deer if the deer is found alive. Except in wildlife
12 management areas, the licensed hunter or tracker pursuing the mortally wounded
13 deer may utilize lights and a blood-trailing or tracking dog. No more than one dog
14 may be used per tracking party in pursuit of the wounded deer. A second dog may
15 be utilized for the purpose of deer retrieval training. Tracking dogs shall be on a
16 handheld leash or utilize a GPS tracking collar. Any mortally wounded deer,
17 discovered alive after legal hunting hours, may be dispatched by the licensed hunter
18 or tracker by using a centerfire handgun with a barrel no longer than six inches,
19 caliber no larger than .45 or smaller than .25. The licensed hunter or tracker may
20 only pursue a mortally wounded deer onto private property if he has received verbal
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CODING: Words in struck through type are deletions from existing law; words underscored
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HB NO. 802
1 or written permission from the landowner. Except in wildlife management areas, a
2 leashed dog may be used to trail and retrieve wounded or unrecovered deer during
3 legal hunting hours. Any dog used to trail or retrieve wounded or unrecovered deer
4 shall have on a collar with the owner's name, address, and phone number. In
5 addition, a leashed dog may be used to trail and retrieve unrecovered deer after legal
6 hunting hours; however, no person accompanying a dog after legal hunting hours
7 may carry a firearm of any sort.
DIGEST
The digest printed below was prepared by House Legislative Services. It constitutes no part
of the legislative instrument. The keyword, one-liner, abstract, and digest do not constitute
part of the law or proof or indicia of legislative intent. [R.S. 1:13(B) and 24:177(E)]
HB 802 Engrossed 2024 Regular Session Dewitt
Abstract: Authorizes the use of dogs to retrieve and then dispatch mortally wounded deer.
Present law requires a dog to be leashed and provides that a leashed dog may be used to trail
and retrieve wounded or unrecovered deer during legal hunting hours. Additionally, requires
the tracking dog to have a collar with the owner's name, address, and phone number.
Prohibits a person from possessing a firearm while accompanying a dog after legal hunting
hours. Proposed law modifies present law by removing the requirement for the dog to be
leashed to track a wounded deer, provided the dog has a GPS tracking collar.
Proposed law authorizes a licensed hunter to pursue a mortally wounded deer and dispatch
the deer if it is found alive.
Proposed law authorizes a hunter tracking a mortally wounded deer to use lights and a
tracking dog, except in a wildlife management area.
Proposed law provides for handgun requirements used for the dispatch of a wounded deer,
discovered alive after legal hunting hours, by a licensed hunter or tracker.
Proposed law specifies that a licensed hunter or tracker may pursue a mortally wounded deer
onto private property if he has received verbal or written permission from the landowner.
(Amends R.S. 56:116.3(G))
Summary of Amendments Adopted by House
The Committee Amendments Proposed by House Committee on Natural Resources and
Environment to the original bill:
1. Clarify that a hunter may dispatch a deer if the deer is found alive.
2. Remove language addressing a hunter pursuing a deer during and after legal
hunting hours.
3. Clarify that a licensed hunter or tracker pursuing a mortally wounded deer can
use lights and a tracking dog, except in a wildlife management area.
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CODING: Words in struck through type are deletions from existing law; words underscored
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HB NO. 802
4. Clarify that a mortally wounded deer discovered alive after legal hunting hours
may be dispatched.
5. Allow for a licensed hunter or tracker to pursue a mortally wounded deer onto
private property only if they have received verbal or written permission from the
landowner.
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CODING: Words in struck through type are deletions from existing law; words underscored
are additions.