An act relating to prohibiting the hunting of bear or coyote with dogs

This bill prohibits hunting black bears and coyotes with dogs in Vermont unless the hunter obtains a special permit from the state Fish and Wildlife Commissioner. It directly affects hunters who currently use dogs to pursue these animals, requiring them to apply for permits and pay fees ranging from $50 for residents to $210 for nonresidents. The law limits the number of nonresident permits to 10 percent of resident permits and restricts dog training to specific seasons and times of day. Additionally, the bill establishes rules for landowner permission and sets up a point-based violation system for hunters who break the new regulations.