HB634 Summary

• Requires the Commissioner of Conservation to provide a detailed report to the Legislature of all citations and warnings issued by game wardens for fish and game law violations within the preceding 13 months, with the report made public record and structured to cite the violated law and county of violation.

• Establishes a no-fee annual registration requirement for "hunt masters" (individuals owning, commanding, or having dominion over dogs used for deer hunting) with the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources; violation is a Class C misdemeanor punishable by a $500 fine.

• Mandates all hunting dogs wear collars or tags displaying the owner's name, phone number, and Conservation Identification Number; dogs not physically restrained during deer pursuit must have remote tracking and behavior correction devices (GPS or telemetry by July 1, 2023), with escalating fines for violations ($100-$1,000 depending on offense number within same season).

• Prohibits removing, tampering with, or interfering with dog collars or tracking devices without owner permission, punishable by a $1,000 fine collected by the department.

• Authorizes hunting deer with dogs statewide except in counties where it was prohibited as of January 1, 2020; requires closure permits to be abolished by November 1, 2021, and previously closed counties to reopen by January 1, 2024.