A house RESOLUTION

 

TO AFFIRM THE SUPPORT OF THE SOUTH CAROLINA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES FOR THE LAWFUL AND RESPONSIBLE TRADITION OF HUNTING DEER WITH DOGS; TO RECOGNIZE AND SUPPORT THE RIGHTS OF PRIVATE PROPERTY OWNERS; TO DECLARE THAT MATERIAL CHANGES TO THE LAWS GOVERNING THE PURSUIT OF DEER WITH DOGS ON PRIVATE PROPERTY ARE MATTERS FOR THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY; AND TO CALL UPON THE NATURAL RESOURCES BOARD TO RESPECT THE POLICY CHOICES ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

 

Whereas, hunting deer with dogs is a longstanding sporting and cultural tradition in many parts of South Carolina and remains an important part of the state's outdoor heritage; and

 

Whereas, the General Assembly has established by law the circumstances under which deer may be pursued with dogs, including prohibiting the practice in Game Zones 1 and 2 while permitting it during prescribed deer seasons in other areas of the State; and

 

Whereas, the General Assembly has separately enacted laws protecting the rights of private property owners and prohibiting unlawful hunting involving dogs on property where a person does not possess hunting rights; and

 

Whereas, the House of Representatives strongly supports both the rights of private property owners and the vigorous enforcement of laws against hunters who intentionally or unlawfully violate those rights; and

 

Whereas, the misconduct of an individual hunter should be addressed through enforcement against that individual and should not result in new restrictions upon thousands of South Carolinians who lawfully and responsibly participate in the tradition of hunting deer with dogs; and

 

Whereas, in August 2021, the Natural Resources Board directed Department of Natural Resources staff to work with legislators on legislation concerning deer hunting with dogs, demonstrating that consideration of changes to the laws governing this practice was undertaken at the direction of the board and not pursuant to a directive of the General Assembly; and

 

Whereas, the Department of Natural Resources has acknowledged during its current public information process that changes to the laws governing deer hunting with dogs require action by the General Assembly and that presently no such legislation has been introduced or recommended by the department; and

 

Whereas, the General Assembly is the body constitutionally entrusted with making the laws of this State, while the Natural Resources Board is charged with setting agency policy subject to those laws; and

 

Whereas, the laws governing deer hunting with dogs are established by the General Assembly, the existing statutory framework will govern the 2026 deer hunting season, and any material change to those laws ultimately requires action by the General Assembly; and

 

Whereas, the House believes that South Carolina's hunters should be allowed to proceed through the 2026 deer hunting season under existing law and that any further examination of potential changes to that law should thereafter occur through a deliberate process coordinated with the General Assembly. Now, therefore,

 

Be it resolved by the House of Representatives:

 

That the members of the South Carolina House of Representatives, by this resolution, affirm their support for the lawful and responsible tradition of hunting deer with dogs; recognize and support the rights of private property owners; declare that material changes to the laws governing the pursuit of deer with dogs on private property are matters for the General Assembly; call upon the Natural Resources Board to respect the policy choices enacted by the General Assembly.

 

Be it further resolved that the House equally affirms the rights of private property owners and supports vigorous enforcement of existing laws against trespass, unlawful hunting, road hunting, or other conduct that violates those rights.

 

Be it further resolved that the House declares that it has neither directed nor requested the Natural Resources Board or Department of Natural Resources to impose new restrictions upon the lawful pursuit of deer with dogs on private property and strongly rejects any suggestion to the contrary.

 

Be it further resolved that the House calls upon the Natural Resources Board to promptly conclude its current review of deer hunting with dogs, including by bringing to a close any remaining focus groups, stakeholder meetings, surveys, studies, or other components of the current initiative.

 

Be it further resolved that, following the conclusion of the 2026 deer hunting season, any further study, policy development, or other initiative concerning deer hunting with dogs should be undertaken only in coordination with the General Assembly and the appropriate committees of the House of Representatives and Senate.

 

Be it further resolved that if the Natural Resources Board believes existing state law should be changed, the board should present its recommendations and supporting evidence to the General Assembly so that any proposed change may be considered openly through the legislative process.

 

Be it further resolved that the House expects the Natural Resources Board to respect the distinction between recommending changes to state law and attempting to effectuate such changes through administrative policy, and gives notice that the House intends to exercise its legislative, budgetary, and oversight authority as necessary to ensure that the laws and policy choices enacted by the General Assembly are respected.

 

Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be presented to the chairman and each member of the Natural Resources Board and to the director of the Department of Natural Resources.

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