Council approves dog‑hunting trespass rule as amended to a one‑mile buffer around Talladega National Forest

A joint interim committee on June 5 considered a proposed amendment to the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources’ dog deer hunting regulation that would make it unlawful to allow a hunting dog to enter, cross or remain on another person’s property without permission, and approved the rule with a limiting amendment that would restrict enforcement to within one mile of the Talladega National Forest.

The rule drew hours of testimony from private landowners and hunters from Talladega County and nearby communities who told the committee that packs of hunting dogs regularly cross private property, disrupt hunts and limit the ability of families to use their land. Committee members then voted to recommend an amendment to confine the rule’s operative language to a one‑mile buffer around Talladega National Forest; the conservation board must accept the proposed amendment for the change to take effect.

Commissioner Chris Blankenship of the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources told the committee the rule (identified in the hearing as Rule 220‑2‑0.112) is intended to give…