HB634 Alabama 2021 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Harry Shiver

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2021

Title

Hunting dogs, Dept. of Conservation and Natural Resources, to require a report of citations and warnings for hunters, to require reports to be public records, provide for regulations for hunting dogs, Secs. 9-2-14, 9-11-241 am'd.

Summary

HB634 would require the Department of Conservation to report game wardens' citations to the Legislature and public, regulate hunting dogs through registration and tracking requirements, and impose penalties for violations while expanding hunting with dogs under new rules.

What This Bill Does

If enacted, the Commissioner of Conservation would publish a public report listing all citations or warnings issued by game wardens and provide it to the House, Senate, and the public. The bill creates no-fee annual registration for hunt masters who use dogs to hunt deer and requires dogs to wear collars or tags with owner information and GPS/telemetry tracking devices. It sets penalties for not registering, tampering with tracking devices, and dog trespass on private property, and directs game wardens to investigate dog-related injuries or deaths for possible violations. Hunting deer with dogs would be allowed in all counties with certain exceptions, and the season would run with the general gun season, with rules about wildlife areas and permits updated accordingly; the bill also requires reports of citations to be provided to the advisory board and Legislature and made public.

Who It Affects

• Hunt masters and dog owners who use dogs to hunt deer would be required to register with the Department at no charge, equip dogs with collars/tags and GPS tracking, and follow restrictions related to dog trespass and penalties for violations.
• Private landowners and land managers would be affected by dog-trespass rules, required permission for dogs on private property, and changes to hunting practices on public lands.

Key Provisions

• Section 1 establishes a no-fee annual registration for hunt masters who use dogs to hunt deer; registration is required for anyone using dogs to take, trail, pursue, or disturb deer (including blood trackers); unregistered use can result in a citation and, if convicted, a Class C misdemeanor with a $500 fine.
• Section 2 requires dogs used for hunting deer to wear a collar or tag displaying the owner's name, phone number, and Conservation Identification Number; all dogs must have a remote tracking device (GPS/telemetry) attached by collar or similar means, with GPS/telemetry required by July 1, 2023; removing or tampering with a collar or device carries a $1,000 fine.
• Section 2 outlines a tiered penalty schedule for violations of dog-related requirements: first offense is a warning, second offense $100, third offense $250, and fourth offense $1,000, all fines collected by the department.
• Section 3 directs game wardens to investigate any reported incident of a dog being killed or injured during hunting to determine if animal cruelty statutes were violated.
• Section 4 allows hunting deer with dogs in all counties except those prohibited as of January 1, 2020, and removes certain permit requirements in some counties; hunting with dogs is allowed on wildlife management areas and national forests unless other rules apply; the season for hunting deer with dogs runs concurrently with the general gun season.
• Section 5 amends sections 9-2-14 and 9-11-241 to require the Advisory Board to receive a report detailing all citations or warnings within the prior 13 months before semiannual meetings, provide the report to the Legislature, and make it public; the department must adopt implementing rules.
• Section 6 states the act is exempt from local expenditures rules under constitutional amendments because it creates or changes crimes.
• Section 7 sets the act to become effective on the first day of the third month after passage and governor approval.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 22, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Hunters and Hunting