Virginia Property Rights Alliance

04/06/2026

𝗗𝗼𝗲𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗩𝗶𝗿𝗴𝗶𝗻𝗶𝗮 𝗙𝗮𝗿𝗺 𝗕𝘂𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘂 𝗵𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗯𝗮𝗰𝗸? 🤔

It’s been several weeks since HB1396 stalled in the Virginia Senate—and many Virginians are still waiting for answers.

At its core, this bill was about one thing: 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝘁𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 private property from repeated trespass related to dog hunting.

Organizations like the 𝗩𝗶𝗿𝗴𝗶𝗻𝗶𝗮 𝗙𝗮𝗿𝗺 𝗕𝘂𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘂 have long emphasized their support for rural communities and property rights. That’s why many were surprised when they publicly opposed clear, enforceable protections addressing deer and bear dog hunting trespass.

𝗪𝗲 𝗯𝗲𝗹𝗶𝗲𝘃𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲’𝘀 𝗿𝗼𝗼𝗺 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗮 𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗽𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗳𝘂𝗹 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻.

If you’re a member—or simply care about property rights—we encourage you to reach out to your local Farm Bureau representative and ask:

➡️ 𝗗𝗼 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝘆 𝘀𝘂𝗽𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁 𝗦𝗧𝗥𝗢𝗡𝗚𝗘𝗥 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝘁𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗱𝗼𝘄𝗻𝗲𝗿𝘀?
➡️ 𝗪𝗵𝘆 𝗼𝗽𝗽𝗼𝘀𝗲 𝗰𝗹𝗲𝗮𝗿, 𝗲𝗻𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗰𝗲𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲 𝘁𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗽𝗮𝘀𝘀 𝗿𝗲𝗴𝘂𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀?
➡️ 𝗪𝗶𝗹𝗹 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝘆 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗺𝗶𝘁 𝘁𝗼 𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗻𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗱𝗼𝘄𝗻𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗳𝗮𝗿𝗺𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝗥𝗶𝗰𝗵𝗺𝗼𝗻𝗱?

Constructive engagement matters. When members speak up, it helps shape better policy and stronger advocacy for everyone in our rural communities.

𝗬𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝘃𝗼𝗶𝗰𝗲 𝗺𝗮𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗿𝘀. Contact Virginia Farm Bureau Federation https://www.vafb.com/locations and make your voice heard.

03/19/2026

🚨 𝗗𝗪𝗥 𝗠𝗘𝗘𝗧𝗜𝗡𝗚𝗦 𝗨𝗣𝗗𝗔𝗧𝗘 🚨

We want to provide an update following the recent meetings with the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources (DWR).

Over the past two days, VPRA representatives spoke at multiple committee meetings—including the DWR Board meeting, Law Enforcement, and Finance—addressing ongoing concerns about deer and bear dog trespass, the need for clear statutory language, and improved data collection and enforcement. Key issues included clarification around the “impeding a hunt” provision, defining intent, and challenges related to VDOT right-of-way.

As a result of these discussions, the DWR Board Chairman directed the Law Enforcement Committee to refine and strengthen the data collection process to ensure that all dog trespass calls are properly documented. This is an important step forward.

👉 𝗪𝗛𝗔𝗧 𝗧𝗛𝗜𝗦 𝗠𝗘𝗔𝗡𝗦 𝗙𝗢𝗥 𝗬𝗢𝗨:
It is critical that every instance of dog trespass is reported and that you request a Conservation Police Officer (CPO) response each time.

If you believe or can demonstrate that dogs are being intentionally allowed onto your property, be sure to state that clearly when reporting. This information is essential—it directly supports the case for stronger legislation and regulatory action.

👉 𝗞𝗘𝗘𝗣 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗠𝗢𝗠𝗘𝗡𝗧𝗨𝗠 𝗚𝗢𝗜𝗡𝗚:
✔️ Continue reaching out to your representatives
✔️ Consider speaking at upcoming DWR meetings
✔️ Encourage others to get involved

We are making real progress, and continued engagement is key. Our strength truly lies in our numbers—let’s keep pushing forward.

03/12/2026

🚨 𝗗𝗘𝗘𝗥 & 𝗕𝗘𝗔𝗥 𝗛𝗢𝗨𝗡𝗗 𝗛𝗨𝗡𝗧𝗘𝗥𝗦 𝗦𝗛𝗢𝗪 𝗨𝗣 𝗜𝗡 𝗙𝗢𝗥𝗖𝗘 — 𝗟𝗔𝗡𝗗𝗢𝗪𝗡𝗘𝗥𝗦, 𝗜𝗧’𝗦 𝗬𝗢𝗨𝗥 𝗧𝗨𝗥𝗡 𝗧𝗢 𝗕𝗘 𝗛𝗘𝗔𝗥𝗗! 🚨

Virginia DWR meetings are coming up fast — March 18 & 19, 2026.

This is your chance to speak directly to DWR decision-makers about how deer and bear hound hunting affects your private property. If trespassing dogs or enforcement issues have impacted you, share your experience during public comment.

𝗟𝗢𝗖𝗔𝗧𝗜𝗢𝗡
7870 Villa Park Dr, Suite 400
Henrico, VA 23228
(Attend in-person or join virtually)

𝗞𝗘𝗬 𝗦𝗖𝗛𝗘𝗗𝗨𝗟𝗘
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March 18, 2026
🕙 10:00 AM — Wildlife & Boat Committee (hunting regs discussion)
🕑 2:00 PM — Law Enforcement Committee (enforcement of trespass/hunting laws)

March 19, 2026
🕘 9:00 AM — Full Board of Wildlife Resources (most important — decisions happen here!)

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𝗛𝗢𝗪 𝗧𝗢 𝗣𝗔𝗥𝗧𝗜𝗖𝗜𝗣𝗔𝗧𝗘

Sign up to speak (in-person or virtual) → https://dwr.virginia.gov/about/citizen-participation-registration-dwr-board-and-committee-meetings-march-2026/

Deadline: Request to speak by 5:00 PM the day before each meeting. Don’t wait!

Full details, agendas, materials, and join links → https://dwr.virginia.gov/meetings/

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𝗩𝗣𝗥𝗔 will be there - in person - supporting landowners at all sessions.

⚡ 𝗣𝗥𝗜𝗢𝗥𝗜𝗧𝗬 𝗧𝗜𝗣: If you can only make one, attend the March 19th Board meeting — that’s where the biggest impact happens.

Hound hunters turn out in numbers to defend their trespassing traditions. Landowners must match that energy and demand change.

𝗦𝗣𝗘𝗔𝗞 𝗨𝗣 — 𝗦𝗛𝗢𝗪 𝗨𝗣.

📣 Please share widely so more Virginia landowners get involved!

Those wishing to speak at the upcoming board meeting may indicate their desire by following the instructions in this Citizen Participation Registration form.

03/04/2026

🚨 𝗛𝗕𝟭𝟯𝟵𝟲 𝗨𝗣𝗗𝗔𝗧𝗘 🚨

This morning, 𝗛𝗕𝟭𝟯𝟵𝟲 𝘄𝗮𝘀 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗻𝘂𝗲𝗱 𝘁𝗼 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟳 𝘀𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻 by the Senate Finance & Appropriations Committee.

It’s a setback — but it is not the end.

A vote to continue means the conversation is still alive — and so is our opportunity to keep pushing forward.

We have worked too hard — and come too far — to stop now.

We are already preparing our strategy for next session, and we will be ready.

𝗜𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗺𝗲𝗮𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗺𝗲, 𝗱𝗼 𝗻𝗼𝘁 𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗽 𝗿𝗲𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗱𝗼𝗴 𝘁𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗽𝗮𝘀𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗵𝗮𝗿𝗮𝘀𝘀𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝘁𝗼 𝗗𝗪𝗥.
Documentation builds accountability.

𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗽𝗲𝗿𝘁𝘆 𝗿𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁𝘀 𝗱𝗲𝘀𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗲 𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗽𝗲𝗰𝘁.
𝗔𝗰𝗰𝗼𝘂𝗻𝘁𝗮𝗯𝗶𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗺𝗮𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗿𝘀.
𝗣𝗲𝗿𝗺𝗶𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝘀𝗵𝗼𝘂𝗹𝗱 𝗻𝗼𝘁 𝗯𝗲 𝗼𝗽𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹.

We will regroup.
We will prepare.
We will be ready.

𝗪𝗲 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗻𝗼𝘁 𝗴𝗼𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮𝘄𝗮𝘆.

Thank you to everyone who stood firm. Your voice mattered — and it still does.

03/03/2026

🚨 𝗨𝗥𝗚𝗘𝗡𝗧: 𝗔𝗖𝗧𝗜𝗢𝗡 𝗡𝗘𝗘𝗗𝗘𝗗 𝗧𝗢𝗡𝗜𝗚𝗛𝗧 🚨

𝗛𝗕𝟭𝟯𝟵𝟲 will be heard in the 𝗦𝗲𝗻𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗙𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲 & 𝗔𝗽𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗽𝗿𝗶𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗺𝗶𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗲 – 𝗥𝗲𝘀𝗼𝘂𝗿𝗰𝗲𝘀 𝗦𝘂𝗯𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗺𝗶𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗲 at 𝟴:𝟬𝟬 𝗔𝗠.

Then it will be heard by the 𝗙𝗨𝗟𝗟 𝗦𝗲𝗻𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗙𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲 & 𝗔𝗽𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗽𝗿𝗶𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗺𝗶𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗲 at 𝟵:𝟯𝟬 𝗔𝗠.

📣 𝗣𝗟𝗘𝗔𝗦𝗘 𝗘𝗠𝗔𝗜𝗟, 𝗖𝗔𝗟𝗟, 𝗔𝗡𝗗 𝗦𝗛𝗔𝗥𝗘 𝗧𝗢𝗡𝗜𝗚𝗛𝗧!

Respectfully contact 𝗔𝗟𝗟 𝗖𝗢𝗠𝗠𝗜𝗧𝗧𝗘𝗘 𝗠𝗘𝗠𝗕𝗘𝗥𝗦 and ask them to 𝗦𝗨𝗣𝗣𝗢𝗥𝗧 𝗛𝗕𝟭𝟯𝟵𝟲.

𝗖𝗢𝗠𝗠𝗜𝗧𝗧𝗘𝗘 𝗘𝗠𝗔𝗜𝗟𝗦:

[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]

👉 𝗔𝗚𝗘𝗡𝗗𝗔𝗦 & 𝗟𝗜𝗩𝗘𝗦𝗧𝗥𝗘𝗔𝗠 𝗟𝗜𝗡𝗞𝗦:

𝗦𝘂𝗯𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗺𝗶𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗲 @ 𝟴:𝟬𝟬 𝗔𝗠:
https://sfac.virginia.gov/pdf/Resources/2026/03042026_Resources%20Agenda.pdf

𝗙𝗨𝗟𝗟 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗺𝗶𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗲 @ 𝟵:𝟯𝟬 𝗔𝗠:
https://sfac.virginia.gov/pdf/committee_meeting_agendas/2026/03042026_Draft%20Agenda.pdf

𝗘𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘆 𝗰𝗮𝗹𝗹.
𝗘𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘆 𝗲𝗺𝗮𝗶𝗹.
𝗘𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘆 𝘀𝗵𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗺𝗮𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗿𝘀.

𝗦𝘂𝗽𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁 𝗛𝗕𝟭𝟯𝟵𝟲.

03/03/2026

🚨 𝗣𝗹𝗲𝗮𝘀𝗲 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗮𝗰𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗦𝗲𝗻𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗙𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗔𝗽𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗽𝗿𝗶𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗺𝗶𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗲 and ask them to 𝗦𝗨𝗣𝗣𝗢𝗥𝗧 𝗛𝗕𝟭𝟯𝟵𝟲.

This is the moment.
𝗘𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘆 𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗴𝗹𝗲 𝗰𝗮𝗹𝗹.
𝗘𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘆 𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗴𝗹𝗲 𝗲𝗺𝗮𝗶𝗹.
𝗠𝗮𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗿𝘀.

Please take two minutes right now to make your voice heard.

House Bill 1396 is in the Senate and would require a $19 permit from the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources for hunters who use dogs.

03/02/2026

𝗛𝗕𝟭𝟯𝟵𝟲: 𝗪𝗛𝗔𝗧 𝗜𝗧 𝗥𝗘𝗔𝗟𝗟𝗬 𝗗𝗢𝗘𝗦

𝗣𝗔𝗥𝗧 𝟱: 𝗪𝗛𝗬 𝗘𝗫𝗘𝗠𝗣𝗧𝗜𝗢𝗡𝗦?

This bill is about requiring dog hunters to contain their hunts to lands where they have permission — nothing more.

Only a small segment of dog hunters use dogs that travel great distances away from their handler and are out of direct control.

That group is primarily:
• Deer hunters using dogs
• Bear hunters using dogs

Those are the hunts that have created conflict — and that population requires regulation.

Exemptions were made to exclude dog hunters who are simply 𝗡𝗢𝗧 the problem:

• Mounted fox hunters stay close to their hounds and work closely with neighboring landowners
• Waterfowl hunters keep dogs within sight and under control
• Upland bird hunters do the same

There are almost no complaints about these groups regarding trespassing dogs — and they do not require regulation or a permit under this bill.

An additional exemption applies to hunters “whose dog remains in the immediate visual presence and control.”

That covers responsible hunters, regardless of species.

In most cases, that includes:
• Squirrel hunters
• Rabbit hunters
• Turkey hunters

Using GPS collars does 𝗡𝗢𝗧 constitute visual presence and control.
Visual presence means seeing the dog with your eyes.

Control means being able to readily call that dog back if it approaches a property line or roadway.

Finally, this bill applies to 𝗛𝗨𝗡𝗧𝗜𝗡𝗚 𝗗𝗢𝗚𝗦 𝗢𝗡𝗟𝗬:
• It is 𝗡𝗢𝗧 a statewide leash law
• It does 𝗡𝗢𝗧 apply to pets
• It does 𝗡𝗢𝗧 require non-hunters to purchase a permit

Leash laws remain a local community issue.

Only hunters who use dogs that do not fit into these exemptions will need to purchase a permit.

Reasonable. Targeted. Fair.

𝗦𝗨𝗣𝗣𝗢𝗥𝗧 𝗛𝗕𝟭𝟯𝟵𝟲

03/01/2026

𝗛𝗕𝟭𝟯𝟵𝟲: 𝗪𝗛𝗔𝗧 𝗜𝗧 𝗥𝗘𝗔𝗟𝗟𝗬 𝗗𝗢𝗘𝗦

𝗣𝗔𝗥𝗧 𝟰: 𝗣𝗥𝗢𝗧𝗘𝗖𝗧𝗜𝗡𝗚 𝗧𝗥𝗔𝗗𝗜𝗧𝗜𝗢𝗡

HB1396 allows Virginia to follow the lead of other Southeastern states that have successfully implemented dog hunting permit programs.

Those states have reduced conflict, protected landowners, and kept hound hunting alive.

Through reasonable regulations, HB1396 lowers the temperature while ensuring this tradition can continue for generations to come.

Protect property. Protect tradition.

𝗦𝗨𝗣𝗣𝗢𝗥𝗧 𝗛𝗕𝟭𝟯𝟵𝟲

02/28/2026

𝗛𝗕𝟭𝟯𝟵𝟲: 𝗪𝗛𝗔𝗧 𝗜𝗧 𝗥𝗘𝗔𝗟𝗟𝗬 𝗗𝗢𝗘𝗦

𝗣𝗔𝗥𝗧 𝟯: 𝗣𝗘𝗥𝗠𝗜𝗦𝗦𝗜𝗢𝗡 𝗠𝗔𝗧𝗧𝗘𝗥𝗦

HB1396 requires DWR to implement practices that prevent hunting dogs from entering property where the hunter does not have permission to hunt.

That means:
• Hunters must hunt only where they have permission
• Dogs must be marked for identification
• Landowners and Conservation Police Officers can identify trespassing dogs and hold owners accountable

This simply applies the same standard that already applies to every other hunter.

Permission matters. Property rights matter.

𝗦𝗨𝗣𝗣𝗢𝗥𝗧 𝗛𝗕𝟭𝟯𝟵𝟲

02/28/2026

Let’s keep up the good fight - we’re making progress!!!

Landowners and hunters with dogs are up in arms as House Bill 1396 moves to the Virginia Senate.

02/27/2026

𝗛𝗕𝟭𝟯𝟵𝟲: 𝗪𝗛𝗔𝗧 𝗜𝗧 𝗥𝗘𝗔𝗟𝗟𝗬 𝗗𝗢𝗘𝗦

𝗣𝗔𝗥𝗧 𝟮: 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗣𝗘𝗥𝗠𝗜𝗧

HB1396 creates a hound hunting permit that serves as a contract between the hunter and the Commonwealth.

That contract spells out:
• how hunting 𝗪𝗜𝗧𝗛 𝗗𝗢𝗚𝗦 may be conducted
• what methods are allowed
• what happens when rules are violated

If a hunter violates the permit conditions, they face civil fines, and repeat offenders risk suspension or revocation of their permit.

The $19 permit fee funds administration and enforcement, so these rules actually mean something.

Accountability isn’t a ban — it’s responsibility.

𝗦𝗨𝗣𝗣𝗢𝗥𝗧 𝗛𝗕𝟭𝟯𝟵𝟲

02/26/2026

𝗛𝗕𝟭𝟯𝟵𝟲: 𝗪𝗛𝗔𝗧 𝗜𝗧 𝗥𝗘𝗔𝗟𝗟𝗬 𝗗𝗢𝗘𝗦

𝗣𝗔𝗥𝗧 𝟭: 𝗪𝗛𝗢’𝗦 𝗜𝗡 𝗖𝗛𝗔𝗥𝗚𝗘?

For decades, the Department of Wildlife Resources (DWR) has 𝗡𝗢𝗧 had clear authority to regulate hound hunting.

That lack of authority has created chaos every fall.

Unregulated dog hunting has spilled onto public roads and private property where hunting is not allowed, leaving law enforcement unable to hold bad actors accountable.

Conflicts between hunters and landowners have increased year after year — for decades.

HB1396 fixes that by clearly giving DWR the authority to regulate hound hunting, just like other hunting methods.

Clear authority. Clear rules. Real enforcement.

𝗦𝗨𝗣𝗣𝗢𝗥𝗧 𝗛𝗕𝟭𝟯𝟵𝟲