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.
Final Regulation
Title of Regulation:
4VAC15-170. Game: Otter (amending 4VAC15-170-21, 4VAC15-170-30).
Statutory Authority: §§ 29.1-501 and
29.1-502 of the Code of Virginia.
Effective Date: August 1, 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 amendments (i) establish
a uniform trapping season and bag limit for river otters in all counties west
of the Blue Ridge Mountains by opening counties that are currently closed and
(ii) exempt licensed taxidermists who ship otter pelts out of state for tanning
purposes or individuals who ship otter pelts out of state to be tanned for
personal use from the requirement to affix a CITES tag to the animal pelt.
4VAC15-170-21.
Open season for trapping in certain counties west of the Blue Ridge
Mountains; carcass presented to department agent; season bag limit.
A. It shall be
lawful to trap otter in all counties west of the Blue Ridge Mountains
from December 1 through the last day of February, both dates inclusive, in
the counties of Augusta, Alleghany, Bath, Bland, Botetourt, Carroll, Craig,
Floyd, Giles, Grayson, Montgomery, Pulaski, Roanoke, Rockbridge, and Wythe.
B. The entire
skinned carcass of all otters trapped in counties west of the Blue Ridge
Mountains must be presented to an agent of the department within three days of
capture.
C. The season
bag limit for trapping otter shall be two per trapper in counties west of the
Blue Ridge Mountains where otter trapping is permitted.
4VAC15-170-30.
Pelts to be sealed before sale, etc.
It shall be
unlawful to buy, sell, barter, exchange, traffic or trade in, bargain for,
solicit for, purchase or transport out of the Commonwealth, any otter pelts
until the pelts have been sealed by an agent of the department. This
requirement shall not apply to licensed taxidermists who ship otter pelts out
of state for tanning purposes or to individuals who ship otter pelts out of
state to be tanned for personal use. All otter pelts required to be sealed
under the provisions of this chapter must be sealed not later than April 1 of
the license year in which the animal is taken.
VA.R. Doc. No. R09-1962;
Filed July 31, 2009, 12:41 p.m.