§ 5001. Hunting dogs; field training

(a) While accompanying the dog, a person may train a hunting dog to hunt and pursue:

(1) bear during the period from June 1 to September 15 and then only from sunrise to sunset;

(2) rabbits and game birds during the period from June 1 to the last Saturday in September and then only from sunrise to sunset;

(3) raccoon during the period from June 1 through any time of day or night on the day before the opening day of raccoon hunting season; and

(4) bobcat and fox during the period June 1 to March 15, except during regular deer season as prescribed in section 4741 of this title.

(b) The Commissioner may permit a person to train and condition a hunting dog between the second Monday in March and June 1. The Board may adopt rules as it considers necessary to control the training and conditioning of hunting dogs.

(c) A person training a hunting dog under this section may possess a handgun while training the hunting dog, provided that the person shall not take game by any method while training the hunting dog. As used in this section, “handgun” means a pistol or revolver that will expel a projectile by the action of an explosive. (Added 1961, No. 119, § 1, eff. May 9, 1961; amended 1965, No. 48, eff. May 7, 1965; 1973, No. 178 (Adj. Sess.), § 6; 1977, No. 137 (Adj. Sess.); 1983, No. 158 (Adj. Sess.), eff. April 13, 1984; 1991, No. 230 (Adj. Sess.), § 28; 2013, No. 78, § 19; 2013, No. 116 (Adj. Sess.), § 15, eff. May 5, 2014.)