TITLE 4. CONSERVATION AND NATURAL RESOURCES

BOARD OF GAME AND INLAND FISHERIES

REGISTRAR'S NOTICE: The Board of Game and Inland Fisheries is exempt from the Administrative Process Act pursuant to § 2.2-4002 A 3 of the Code of Virginia when promulgating regulations regarding the management of wildlife. The board is required by § 2.2-4031 of the Code of Virginia to publish all proposed and final wildlife management regulations, including length of seasons and bag limits allowed on the wildlife resources within the Commonwealth of Virginia.

Proposed Regulation

Title of Regulation: 4VAC15-70. Game: Bobcat (amending 4VAC15-70-50).

Statutory Authority: §§ 29.1-103, 29.1-501, and 29.1-502 of the Code of Virginia.

Public Hearing Information:

June 2, 2009 - 9 a.m. - Department of Game and Inland Fisheries, 4000 West Broad Street, Richmond, VA

Public Comments: Public comments may be submitted until 5 p.m. on May 11, 2009.

Agency Contact: Phil Smith, Regulatory Coordinator, Department of Game and Inland Fisheries, 4016 West Broad Street, Richmond, VA 23230, telephone (804) 367-8341 or email phil.smith@dgif.virginia.gov.

Summary:

The proposed amendments exempt licensed taxidermists who ship bobcat pelts out of state for tanning purposes or individuals who ship bobcat pelts out of state to be tanned for personal use from the requirement to affix a Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) tag to the animal pelt.

4VAC15-70-50. Pelts to be sealed before sale, etc.

It shall be unlawful to buy, sell, barter, traffic or trade in, bargain for, solicit for, purchase, or transport out of the Commonwealth, any bobcat pelts until the pelts have been sealed by an agent or other individual designated by the department. This requirement shall not apply to licensed taxidermists who ship bobcat pelts out of state for tanning purposes or to individuals who ship bobcat pelts out of state to be tanned for personal use. All bobcat pelts or unskinned carcasses required to be sealed under the provisions of this section must be sealed not later than April 1 of the license year in which the animal is taken.

VA.R. Doc. No. R09-1959; Filed May 5, 2009, 11:06 a.m.