New York Codes, Rules and Regulations › Title 6 - DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL CONSERVATION › Chapter I - FISH AND WILDLIFE › Subchapter I - Miscellaneous Licenses › Part 176 - Leashed Tracking Dogs › Section 176.4 - Leashed tracking dog license; conditions

Current through Register Vol. 46, No. 28, July 10, 2024
(a) A big game hunter who has killed, wounded
				  or injured, or reasonably believes he or she has killed, wounded or injured, a
				  big game animal during a big game season may engage a licensee to track and
				  recover the animal. The hunter must, unless physically incapacitated, accompany
				  the licensee when tracking the dead, wounded or injured animal. If the hunter
				  is physically incapacitated, the licensee may track and dispatch the animal if
				  the licensee is personally carrying a written signed instrument from the hunter
				  listing (1) the date, (2) the hunter's name, address, telephone number and big
				  game license number, and (3) a certification that the hunter has engaged the
				  licensee to track the animal, that the hunter has killed, wounded or injured
				  such animal, and that the hunter is unable to accompany the licensee because of
				  physical incapacitation.
(b) No
				  person other than the licensee or, during legal hunting periods, the big game
				  hunter who has engaged the licensee when specifically so authorized by the
				  licensee, may carry a firearm or long bow of any description while tracking
				  dead, wounded or injured big game pursuant to this Part.
(c) During legal hunting periods, the hunter
				  who has engaged the licensee must dispatch the wounded or injured big game
				  animal when found by the licensee by means which are lawful during the season
				  in which it was wounded or injured and in a lawful manner reduce the animal to
				  legal possession. However, the licensee must dispatch the wounded or injured
				  animal if the legal hunting period has ended, when the hunter is not present,
				  or, when in the judgment of the licensee it is unsafe or otherwise
				  inappropriate for the hunter to do so.
(d) The licensee may dispatch a wounded or
				  injured big game animal, during day or night, using any firearm provided that
				  the licensee complies with the provisions of applicable Federal, State or local
				  laws or regulations concerning possession and use of firearms.
(e) Before tracking a dead, wounded or
				  injured animal, the licensee must notify, by telephone or in person, the
				  environmental conservation officer assigned to the area, or if unavailable the
				  nearest available environmental conservation officer, where the big game animal
				  was killed, wounded or injured. Notification must include the (1) name of the
				  licensee, (2) name, address, telephone number, and big game license number of
				  the big game hunter engaging the licensee, (3) general location of the wounded
				  or injured animal, and (4) the name of the landowner(s) where the search will
				  be conducted.
(f) The licensee must
				  use only certified leashed tracking dogs when conducting activities pursuant to
				  such license.
(g) The licensee must
				  maintain physical control of the certified leashed tracking dog(s) at all times
				  while conducting activities pursuant to such license by means of a lead
				  attached to the dog's collar or harness. This lead must be at least 12 feet in
				  length.
(h) The licensee may not
				  provide services for hire unless the licensee possesses a valid guide's license
				  issued pursuant to Part 197 of this Title.
(i) After a big game animal has been
				  dispatched, the licensed hunter must immediately fill out the carcass tag as
				  required by section
				  11-0911 of the Environmental
				  Conservation Law. If the hunter has not accompanied the licensee because of
				  physical incapacitation, the hunter must immediately fill out the carcass tag
				  upon delivery of the animal by the licensee. If the hunter is unavailable the
				  licensee must report the incident to an environmental conservation officer and
				  deliver the animal to the officer.
(j) The licensee must personally carry a
				  current big game license and a valid leashed tracking dog license when
				  conducting activities pursuant to this Part.
(k) The licensee must notify the department
				  in writing, of any change of address within 30 days of that change of
				  address.
(l) The licensee must
				  submit to the department a written request for license renewal within the 30
				  days prior to the expiration of such license.