Virginia.gov

Proposed Regulatory Amendments

March 4, 2011 - April 15, 2011 Public Comment Period on Proposed Regulation Amendments

Proposed Regulation Amendments

The Virginia Board of Game and Inland Fisheries, pursuant to §§ 29.1-103, 29.1-501, and 29.1-502 of the Code of Virginia, proposed the below amendments to the Commonwealth's wildlife management regulations.

A public comment period on the regulatory proposal opened March 4, 2011 and closes at 5:00 PM on April 15, 2011. The Board will consider the proposal for possible adoption as final regulation amendments at its May 3, 2011 meeting. Written comments on the proposed regulation amendments should be submitted online at www.dgif.virginia.gov, or may be emailed to regcomments@dgif.virginia.gov or postal mailed to the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries, Attn. Policy Analyst and Regulatory Coordinator, 4016 West Broad Street, Richmond, Virginia 23230, and received no later than April 15, 2011.

Regulation 4VAC15-20.
Definitions and Miscellaneous: In General.

4VAC15-20-65Hunting, trapping, and fishing license and permit fees.
See also proposed regulation amendment 4VAC15-40-22.

Regulation 4VAC15-30.
Definitions and Miscellaneous: Importation, Possession, Sale, Etc., of Animals.

4VAC15-30-50Possession, transportation, and release of wildlife by authorized persons.

Regulation 4VAC15-40.
Game: In General.

4VAC15-40-22Special license for hunting bear.
4VAC15-40-200Restricted use of above ground body-gripping traps in excess of five inches.
4VAC15-40-275Sale of furbearer parts.
4VAC15-40-282Unauthorized Feeding of Bear.
4VAC15-40-285Unauthorized feeding of deer.
4VAC15-40-286Unauthorized feeding of wildlife.

Regulation 4VAC15-50.
Game: Bear.

4VAC15-50-11Open season; generally.
4VAC15-50-71Muzzleloading gun hunting.
4VAC15-50-81Validating tags and checking bear by licensee or permittee.
Non-Regulatory IssueRecommended Black Bear Population Objectives
Reference: Virginia Black Bear Management Plan, 2001-2010 (PDF)

Regulation 4VAC15-90.
Game: Deer.

4VAC15-90-23Youth deer hunting day.
4VAC15-90-70Bow and arrow hunting.
4VAC15-90-80Muzzleloading gun hunting.
4VAC15-90-85Hunting elk of either sex.
4VAC15-90-90Bag limit, bonus deer permits and special antlerless provision for youth hunters and earn a buck.*
4VAC15-90-91General firearms season either-sex deer hunting days.
4VAC15-90-231Validating tags and checking deer by licensee or permittee.
4VAC15-90-241Checking deer by persons exempt from license requirement or holding a license authorization number.
4VAC15-90-293Chronic Wasting Disease deer carcass importation restrictions.
Reference: Virginia Deer Management Plan, 2006-2015
* includes antler point restrictions

Regulation 4VAC15-170.
Game: Otter.

4VAC15-170-20Open season for trapping in counties east of the Blue Ridge Mountains; generally.
4VAC15-170-21Open season for trapping in counties west of the Blue Ridge Mountains; carcass presented to department agent; season bag limit.

Regulation 4VAC15-200.
Game: Rabbit.

4VAC15-200-30Trapping with box traps.

Regulation 4VAC15-210.
Game: Raccoon.

4VAC15-210-10Open season; counties east of Route 29; possession of certain devices unlawful.
4VAC15-210-20Open season; counties west of Route 29; possession of certain devices unlawful.

Regulation 4VAC15-230.
Game: Squirrel.

4VAC15-230-21Spring season for gray and red squirrels.
4VAC15-230-61Spring season for fox squirrels.

Regulation 4VAC15-240.
Game: Turkey.

4VAC15-240-10Open season; generally.
4VAC15-240-20Open season; certain counties and areas; Saturday prior to the last Monday in October and for 11 hunting days following, and on Thanksgiving Day.
4VAC15-240-31Open season; certain counties and areas; Saturday prior to the last Monday in October and for 11 hunting days following, on Thanksgiving Day, and on the Monday closest to December 2 and for 11 hunting days following.
4VAC15-240-81Validating tags and checking turkey by licensee.
4VAC15-240-91Checking turkey by persons exempt from license requirement or holding a license authorization number.

Regulation 4VAC15-260.
Game: Waterfowl and Waterfowl Blinds.

4VAC15-260-90Blinds prohibited in sections of Accomack County.
4VAC15-260-180Tundra Swan hunting permit.

Regulation 4VAC15-270.
Game: Firearms.

4VAC15-270-95Model ordinances related to archery deer hunting.