The American Beagler Forum

Some of us may be moving soon due to today's economy and all the job losses, etc. Where would be the best place to go for year-round running of hounds? Which states are the least restrictive? What are the laws in your state?

I'll start this off by saying that in OHIO, we can run all year long on private ground with no restrictions other than landowner permission. State-owned property is closed to running from May 1 to September 1.

How many other states have laws as favorable for hound running as Ohio? I already know of several (Pennsylvania, Vermont, Wisconsin, Arkansas) who have restrictive laws about running hounds in spring/summer. What are the laws in your state?

Thanks for your reply.....We all might need this info!

here in indiana we can run year round.all that is required is an annual hunting license.can run all you like on private ground.
most fwa's have dog training areas your limited to.

In virginia we can run rabbits all year on private land, fox all year, deer no running except deer firearm season. Most deer hunters do and that's one reason they will end up putting an end to deerdogging. I will not breed anymore deer hounds and when what I have die off, I am done. Rabbit beagles are here to stay.

In Arkansas, we can run rabbits and fox year round, exception: we can run only at night from April first to may 15th because of turkey season. Public WMA's are closed to running from March to sept.

Don't come to Michigan....................the economy sucks and there's a quiet season from April 15th through July 15th.

in texas we can run year round, no closed season on rabbit, no limit, public permit is 48 per yr, plenty of land to hunt, i live about 1 hr from a public place that has over 160000 acres to hunt !

I am not sure why you think that PA is restrictive. We can run all year...Public or Private ground, except for State Parks (don't confuse with Gameland or State Forest) closed 31 March- Day after Labor day.

Year round on private land and some WA's in Missouri with hunting license.Some WA"s have restrictions due to nesting birds and some have to have a permit.Not allowed to have a firearm of any kind while running dogs out of season,which kinda blows if coyotes are a problem.

no restrictions here in wv night or day run all ya want year round jb

Thanks very much everyone!

Sounds like the "good" states for hound running (so far) are:
Indiana
Virginia
Texas
Pennsylvania (sorry - I forgot they changed their rules in the past 15 years)
Missouri
West Virginia
Ohio

States to avoid would be:
Arkansas (cannot run in daytime April 1 to May 15, when running is at its best, plus WMAs close 2 months before those in Ohio)
Michigan (closed to running April 15 to July 15, again a great time to run hounds)

Could we hear from other states? How about others from the south and midwest?

Here in Tn. you can run rabbits year round on private land with no restrictions [must have current hunting license ] and you can run night and day.Some of the WMA's are resrticted from March 1 -Sept. 1 and some others are year round.Just have to check in the game laws handbook that has them all listed.The WMA's require a small game permit to run or hunt on them.

Bunnyblaster wrote:Don't come to Michigan....................the economy sucks and there's a quiet season from April 15th through July 15th.

I second that one...especially regarding the economy. Dont mind the quiet time so much, since I coach baseball it would be hard to get out anyway, but our economy has passed the toilet and hit the bottom of the septic tank.



Tony

I believe West Virginia you can run dogs everyday except Sunday's unless that county allows Sunday hunting. Mine does not so I jump the border and run in Pa.

Michigan is not that bad. Quiet season does not apply for private land. And since there are no jobs we all have plenty of time to run.
Later, dave

Dave you might want to check out the quiet time laws. I was under the understanding that it was all lands and the DNR (darn near russia) website says state wide closure of rabbit hunting. To add to the suck of Michigan hunting laws you are not supposed to hunt at night. But when season is on it is hard to beat. Dave is right though as much as I am working I would have time to run hounds every day.