New Mexico Houndsmen Association
URGENT: H.R. 5017 (Greyhound Protection Act) Bundled into the 2026 Farm Bill
The landscape for sighthound hobbyists and traditional field hunters just changed. H.R. 5017—the Greyhound Protection Act—has officially been bundled into the 2026 Farm Bill. This is no longer a “long shot” standalone bill; it is now part of “must-pass” federal legislation.
While the bill’s stated goal is ending commercial racing, the current language creates a federal dragnet that threatens Open Field Coursing and traditional field trials across state lines.
How This Affects You:
Federal Ban on Open Field Coursing: The bill prohibits moving a dog across state lines to participate in visual pursuit events of live game. This could effectively end interstate travel for traditional coursing trials.
Interstate Transport Risks: Transferring or receiving a sighthound for “field events” could be reclassified as a federal offense if those events meet the bill’s broad definition of “coursing.”
Severe Penalties: Violations carry fines and up to 7 years in prison, mirroring federal dogfighting penalties.
The “Scent” Grey Area: While scent-based trailing (raccoon, bear, etc.) isn’t the primary target, vague definitions regarding “training with live lures” could lead to federal overreach into traditional hound training.
What Stays Legal:
Lure Coursing: Activities using inanimate objects (plastic bags/mechanical lures) remain legal.
Scent Drags: Training using non-live scent pads is unaffected.
TAKE ACTION NOW: Protect State-Led Wildlife Management
We must urge Congress to strip this amendment from the Farm Bill. Decisions on hunting and field trials should remain with state agencies (like NM Game & Fish), not federal regulators.
1. Call the Capitol Switchboard: (202) 224-3121
Ask for your Representative’s office and say: “I am a constituent, and I urge the Representative to oppose the Greyhound Protection Act amendment in the Farm Bill. It threatens state-led wildlife management and traditional hunting.”
2. Contact Committee Leadership:
Rep. Glenn “GT” Thompson (R-PA), Chairman: (202) 225-5121
Sen. John Boozman (R-AR), Senate Chairman: (202) 224-4843
Key Talking Points:
The “Rider” Problem: Controversial animal welfare bills should not be “tucked into” a massive food and agriculture package.
Vague Definitions: The term “open field coursing” is defined so broadly it could target legitimate hunting dog training that has nothing to do with commercial gambling.
Check the first comment below for a ready-to-use email template!
#StewardshipAndTradition#HoundHeritage#ConservationThroughHunting#NewMexicoHoundsmen#HuntingHeritage#KeepThemRunning#FarmBill2026#GreyhoundProtectionAct
