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. 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.