Dog Training

Hunting dogs may be used off leash and unconfined for the purpose of training to chase, locate, track, or retrieve game on conservation areas where dog training is permitted. For training dogs, wildlife (except beavers, black bears, deer, elk, mink, muskrats, river otters, and turkeys) may be chased, but not captured or killed. 

Furbearers may not be chased with dogs during daylight hours from November 1 through the end of the November portion of firearms deer season statewide and the antlerless and CWD portions in open counties. Squirrels and rabbits may not be chased with dogs during daylight hours of the November portion of the firearms deer season in Butler, Carter, Dent, Iron, Madison, Oregon, Reynolds, Ripley, Shannon, and Wayne counties. 

A hunting permit or exemption is required when training dogs that are chasing wildlife. 

For organized training events on conservation areas that fall outside the period from September 1 through the Monday closest to March 31, a Field Trial Special Use Permit must be secured from the area manager no later than 10 days prior to the event. To obtain a Field Trial Special Use Permit, search MDC Local Contacts for the county of interest and contact the MDC Public Land Management (Area Management) staff member listed.