2008-2009 Hunting & Trapping
Periodic Regulation Review and Amendment Process

March 11 - May 11, 2009 Public Comment Period on Proposed Regulations

Proposed Regulation Amendments

On February 27, 2009, the Virginia Board of Game and Inland Fisheries, pursuant to §§ 29.1-501, 29.1-502, 29.1-701(E), and 29.1-735.2 of the Code of Virginia, proposed the below amendments to the Commonwealth's hunting and trapping regulations. A public comment period on the regulatory proposals opened March 11, 2009 and closes May 11, 2009.

The following is a summary of the proposed new regulation or regulation amendments.

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

4VAC15-20-65Hunting, trapping, and fishing license and permit fees. (See also proposed regulation section 4VAC15-40-22. Special license for hunting bear.)(146 comments)

Regulation 4VAC15-40.
Game: In General.

4VAC15-40-22Special license for hunting bear.(493 comments)
4VAC15-40-60Hunting with dogs or possession of weapons in certain locations during closed season.(29 comments)
4VAC15-40-170Marking of traps by person setting.(22 comments)
4VAC15-40-195Visiting completely submerged, body-gripping traps.(28 comments)
4VAC15-40-210Restricted use of certain steel foothold traps.(18 comments)

Regulation 4VAC15-50.
Game: Bear.

4VAC15-50-10Open season; generally.(44 comments)
4VAC15-50-20Open season; first Monday in December and for 11 consecutive hunting days following in certain counties or portions of counties and on…(16 comments)
4VAC15-50-21Open season; second Monday in December and for 5 consecutive hunting days following in certain counties or portions of counties.(15 comments)
4VAC15-50-22Open season; Saturday prior to the fourth Monday in November through the first Saturday in January…(34 comments)
4VAC15-50-70Bow and arrow hunting.(104 comments)
4VAC15-50-71Muzzleloading gun hunting.(59 comments)
4VAC15-50-81Validating tags and checking bear by licensee or permittee. (See also proposed regulation section 4VAC15-40-22. Special license for hunting bear.)(46 comments)
4VAC15-50-110Use of dogs in hunting bear.(43 comments)
4VAC15-50-120Bear hound training season.(30 comments)
Reference: Virginia Black Bear Management Plan, 2001-2010 (PDF)

Regulation 4VAC15-70.
Game: Bobcat.

4VAC15-70-50Pelts to be sealed before sale, etc.(14 comments)

Regulation 4VAC15-90.
Game: Deer.

4VAC15-90-21Four-week open season; certain cities, towns, and counties or parts thereof.(5 comments)
4VAC15-90-23Youth deer hunting day.(77 comments)
4VAC15-90-70Bow and arrow hunting.(43 comments)
4VAC15-90-80Muzzleloading gun hunting.(56 comments)
4VAC15-90-90Bag limit, bonus deer permits and special antlerless provision for youth hunters and earn a buck.(74 comments)
4VAC15-90-91General firearms season either-sex deer hunting days.(87 comments)
4VAC15-90-231Validating tags and checking deer by licensee or permittee. (See also proposed regulation section 4VAC15-40-22. Special license for hunting bear.)(35 comments)
Reference: Virginia Deer Management Plan, 2006-2015

Regulation 4VAC15-170.
Game: Otter.

4VAC15-170-21Open season for trapping in certain counties west of the Blue Ridge Mountains; carcass presented to Department agent; season bag limit.(12 comments)
4VAC15-170-30Pelts to be sealed before sale, etc.(3 comments)

Regulation 4VAC15-210.
Game: Raccoon.

4VAC15-210-20Chasing: Open season; counties west of Route 29; etc.(38 comments)

Regulation 4VAC15-230.
Game: Squirrel.

4VAC15-230-21Spring season for gray and red squirrel on certain wildlife management areas.(47 comments)
4VAC15-230-60Open season; first Saturday in September through January 31.(19 comments)
4VAC15-230-61Spring season for fox squirrel on certain wildlife management areas.(20 comments)

Regulation 4VAC15-240.
Game: Turkey.

4VAC15-240-10Open season; generally.(51 comments)
4VAC15-240-11Open 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 through the last Saturday in December, both dates inclusive.(9 comments)
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.(7 comments)
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.(6 comments)
4VAC15-240-81Validating tags and checking turkey by licensee. (See also proposed regulation section 4VAC15-40-22. Special license for hunting bear.)(19 comments)
4VAC15-240-91Checking turkey by persons exempt from license requirement or holding a license authorization number.(4 comments)

Regulation 4VAC15-270.
Game: Firearms.

4VAC15-270-20Rifles prohibited in hunting bear and deer in certain counties and cities.(18 comments)
4VAC15-270-80Shotgun shell capacity for non-migratory game and migratory game birds.(35 comments)