Definitions
Archery Tackle
As used in this digest archery tackle includes longbow, recurve bow, compound bows and crossbows.
Bait
Bait shall mean any food, grain, or other consumable substance that could serve as a lure or attractant; however, crops grown for normal or accepted agriculture or wildlife management purposes, including food plots, shall not be considered as bait.
Dismal Swamp Line
Beginning at a point on Rt. 10 where it intersects the Isle of Wight County line, then along this highway to its intersection with the corporate limits of Suffolk, then through Suffolk to its intersection with Rt. 642 (White Marsh Road) and then along this highway in a southwest direction to Rt. 604 (Desert Road), and then southerly along this highway to the North Carolina state line.
East & West of the Blue Ridge
This map shows the counties that are east or west of the Blue Ridge. Counties colored blue are west of the Blue Ridge and those counties in white are east of the Blue Ridge.
West of the Blue Ridge:
- Alleghany
- Augusta
- Bath
- Bland
- Botetourt
- Buchanan
- Carroll
- Clarke
- Craig
- Dickenson
- Floyd
- Frederick
- Giles
- Grayson
- Highland
- Lee
- Montgomery
- Page
- Pulaski
- Roanoke
- Rockbridge
- Rockingham
- Russell
- Scott
- Shenandoah
- Smyth
- Tazewell
- Warren
- Washington
- Wise
- Wythe
Furbearer Species
Furbearer means beaver, bobcat, fox, mink, muskrat, opossum, otter, raccoon, skunk, and weasel.
Game Species
Game animal means bear, bobcat, deer, fox, rabbit, raccoon, and squirrel.
Hunting and Trapping
The act of or the attempted act of taking, hunting, trapping, pursuing, chasing, shooting, snaring or netting birds or animals, and assisting any person who is doing the same, regardless of whether birds or animals are actually taken.
Loaded Crossbow or Muzzleloader
A muzzleloading firearm is considered "loaded" when the muzzleloader is capped, or has a charged pan, or has a primer or battery installed in the firearm.
The definition of a "loaded crossbow" is a crossbow that is cocked and has either a bolt or arrow engaged or partially engaged on the shooting rail or track of the crossbow, or with a "trackless crossbow" when the crossbow is cocked and a bolt or arrow is nocked.
Nonmigratory Game Birds
Nonmigratory game bird means grouse, pheasant, bobwhite quail and turkey.
Nuisance Species
The following animals: house mouse, Norway rat, black rat, coyote, groundhog, nutria, feral hog, European starling, English sparrow, mute swans and pigeon (rock dove) are designated as nuisance species and may be taken at any time (except on Sunday) by use of a firearm or other weapon and on some public lands during certain time periods, see National Forest-Game Department Regulations.
Feral hogs (also called wild hogs) are classified as nuisance animals in Virginia and it is illegal to release hogs to the wild in Virginia. However, several populations of feral hogs exist in the state and DGIF encourages the harvest of as many of these animals as possible. Feral hogs damage wildlife habitats and crop fields and can transmit diseases to other species, including humans. To hunt feral hogs, a hunter must have a hunting license and landowner permission. There is no closed season or daily bag limit on feral hogs, although hunting is not lawful on Sunday. Also, on Department-managed and national forest lands, it is unlawful to have a bow or gun which is not unloaded and cased or dismantled except when it is lawful to take bear, deer, grouse, pheasant, quail, rabbit, raccoon, squirrel, turkey, waterfowl, or migratory game birds.
Other Wildlife
It is unlawful to take, possess, transport or sell all other wildlife species not classified as game, furbearer or nuisance, unless otherwise specifically permitted by law or regulation.