Stakeholder Advisory Committee
Jim Hackett, Deer Hound Hunter
I was born in Richmond, Virginia in 1957. I am presently 50 years old. I started hunting in 1971 at the age of 13. My first 5 years of hunting were in Buckingham county with my father, family, and friends. Hound hunting was the only thing I knew. This was back in the day when you didn't have to ask for permission to go onto someone else's property to hunt. No one cared. Everyone considered each other as friends and neighbors.
In 1976, I moved to Prince George County. In the coming years I would have the privilege of hunting in seven other counties in the state as well as North Carolina. Most of the hunts utilized hounds for hunting deer. In the last twelve years, most of my hunting has been done in Surry and Sussex counties. Even though I enjoy hunting of all types (different game and different methods), my first love is clearly hunting with hounds. In my younger years, hunting success was measured in numbers of game harvested. Age has revealed that for a houndsman, a truly successful hunt is measured by the quality of the chase.
I have been a avid hound hunter and owner since 1980. In 1987, a core group including myself formed a hunting club. In its 21 year history, the club has experienced membership levels in excess of 50 members. I have had the privilege of serving as president for this organization since its inception.
Through the years I have seen a lot of changes. The increasing population of people moving to the country, the reduction of available hunting land, the expense of hunting, the legal responsibilities, and the responsibilities of ethical behavior. All of these changes have done their part in molding me over the years. I am also a landowner of several parcels and I understand the feeling of having your rights of ownership infringed upon. The issues that surround hunting with hounds is a major concern for me. I believe that it is the responsibility of my generation to assure that this sport that we love so dearly continues to survive in the Commonwealth of Virginia. To do so, intelligent people must come together to discuss their differences and come to an agreement on reasonable measures to assure that this part of our southern heritage continues to live on.
I have kept myself informed on the hound situation in other southern states, such as Georgia, Florida, South Carolina, Alabama and Arkansas. I shudder at some of the resolutions that have been adopted. I strive to do my very best to assure that whatever comes out of the Stakeholder Advisory Committee, it is done with the best interest of hound hunters in mind. I understand that my involvement in this committee isn't about me, it is about thousands of others just like me. It is about my grandson and the generations to follow.