TITLE 4. CONSERVATION AND NATURAL RESOURCES
REGISTRAR'S NOTICE: The Board of Wildlife Resources is claiming an exemption 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.
Title of Regulation: 4VAC15-90. Game: Deer (amending 4VAC15-90-10, 4VAC15-90-80).
Statutory Authority: §§ 29.1-103, 29.1-501, and 29.1-502 of the Code of Virginia.
Public Hearing Information:
May 19, 2022 - noon - Department of Wildlife Resources, 7870 Villa Park Drive, Suite 400, Henrico, VA 23228
Public Comment Deadline: May 19, 2022.
Agency Contact: Aaron Proctor, Regulatory Coordinator, Department of Wildlife Resources, 7870 Villa Park Drive, Suite 400, Henrico, VA 23228, telephone (804) 367-8341, or email aaron.proctor@dwr.virginia.gov.
Summary:
The proposed amendments (i) extend deer harvest in selected localities to mitigate the spread and impacts of Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) on deer populations in Virginia where CWD has been detected and is spreading and (ii) allow for full season either-sex deer hunting on private lands in Page County during the early and late muzzleloader seasons.
4VAC15-90-10. Open season; generally.
A. It shall be lawful to hunt deer in the following localities, including the cities and towns therein, during the following seasons, all dates inclusive.
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Locality
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Season
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Accomack County
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Saturday prior to the third Monday in November through the first Saturday in January
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Albemarle County
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Saturday prior to the third Monday in November through the first Saturday in January
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Alleghany County
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Saturday prior to the third Monday in November and for 14 consecutive days following
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Amelia County
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Saturday prior to the third Monday in November through the first Saturday in January
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Amherst County (west of Business U.S. 29 from the James River to its intersection with U.S. 29 just south of the Town of Amherst continuing north on U.S. 29 to the Tye River, except on national forest lands)
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Saturday prior to the third Monday in November and for 28 consecutive days following
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Amherst County (national forest lands)
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Saturday prior to the third Monday in November and for 14 consecutive days following
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Amherst County (east of Business U.S. 29, as defined above)
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Saturday prior to the third Monday in November through the first Saturday in January
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Appomattox County
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Saturday prior to the third Monday in November through the first Saturday in January
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Arlington County
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Saturday prior to the third Monday in November through the first Saturday in January
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Arlington County (antlerless deer only)
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First Saturday in September through the Friday prior to the first Saturday in October and the Sunday following the first Saturday in January through the last Sunday in March
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Augusta County
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Saturday prior to the third Monday in November and for 14 consecutive days following
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Bath County
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Saturday prior to the third Monday in November and for 14 consecutive days following
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Bedford County (except on national forest lands)
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Saturday prior to the third Monday in November and for 28 consecutive days following
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Bedford County (national forest lands)
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Saturday prior to the third Monday in November and for 14 consecutive days following
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Bland County
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Saturday prior to the third Monday in November and for 14 consecutive days following
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Botetourt County
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Saturday prior to the third Monday in November and for 14 consecutive days following
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Brunswick County
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Saturday prior to the third Monday in November through the first Saturday in January
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Buchanan County
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Saturday prior to the third Monday in November and for 14 consecutive days following
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Buckingham County
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Saturday prior to the third Monday in November through the first Saturday in January
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Campbell County
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Saturday prior to the third Monday in November through the first Saturday in January
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Caroline County
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Saturday prior to the third Monday in November through the first Saturday in January
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Carroll County (private lands)
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Saturday prior to the third Monday in November and for 14 28 consecutive days following
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Carroll County (public lands)
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Saturday prior to the third Monday in November and for 14 consecutive days following
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Carroll County (private lands and antlerless deer only)
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Sunday following the first Saturday in January through the last Sunday in March
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Carroll County (disease focus zones defined by the department, antlerless deer only)
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First Saturday in September through the Friday prior to the first Saturday in October and the Sunday following the first Saturday in January through the last Sunday in March
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Charles City County
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Saturday prior to the third Monday in November through the first Saturday in January
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Charlotte County
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Saturday prior to the third Monday in November through the first Saturday in January
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Chesapeake (City of)
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October 1 through November 30
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Chesterfield County
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Saturday prior to the third Monday in November through the first Saturday in January
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Clarke County
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Saturday prior to the third Monday in November through the first Saturday in January
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Clarke County (antlerless deer only)
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First Saturday in September through the Friday prior to the first Saturday in October and the Sunday following the first Saturday in January through the last Sunday in March
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Craig County
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Saturday prior to the third Monday in November and for 14 consecutive days following
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Culpeper County (except Chester F. Phelps Wildlife Management Area)
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Saturday prior to the third Monday in November through the first Saturday in January
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Culpeper County (Chester F. Phelps Wildlife Management Area)
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Saturday prior to the third Monday in November and for 14 consecutive days following
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Culpeper County (private lands and antlerless deer only)
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First Saturday in September through the Friday prior to the first Saturday in October and the Sunday following the first Saturday in January through the last Sunday in March
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Culpeper County (disease focus zones defined by the department, antlerless deer only)
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First Saturday in September through the Friday prior to the first Saturday in October and the Sunday following the first Saturday in January through the last Sunday in March
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Cumberland County
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Saturday prior to the third Monday in November through the first Saturday in January
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Dickenson County
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Saturday prior to the third Monday in November and for 14 consecutive days following
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Dinwiddie County
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Saturday prior to the third Monday in November through the first Saturday in January
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Essex County
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Saturday prior to the third Monday in November through the first Saturday in January
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Fairfax County
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Saturday prior to the third Monday in November through the first Saturday in January
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Fairfax County (antlerless deer only)
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First Saturday in September through the Friday prior to the first Saturday in October and the Sunday following the first Saturday in January through the last Sunday in March
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Fauquier County (except Chester F. Phelps Wildlife Management Area)
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Saturday prior to the third Monday in November through the first Saturday in January
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Fauquier County (Chester F. Phelps Wildlife Management Area)
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Saturday prior to the third Monday in November and for 14 consecutive days following
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Fauquier County (private lands and antlerless deer only)
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First Saturday in September through the Friday prior to the first Saturday in October and the Sunday following the first Saturday in January through the last Sunday in March
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Fauquier County (disease focus zones defined by the department, antlerless deer only)
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First Saturday in September through the Friday prior to the first Saturday in October and the Sunday following the first Saturday in January through the last Sunday in March
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Floyd County
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Saturday prior to the third Monday in November and for 28 consecutive days following
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Floyd County (antlerless deer only)
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Sunday following the first Saturday in January through the last Sunday in March
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Floyd County (disease focus zones defined by the department, antlerless deer only)
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First Saturday in September through the Friday prior to the first Saturday in October and the Sunday following the first Saturday in January through the last Sunday in March
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Fluvanna County
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Saturday prior to the third Monday in November through the first Saturday in January
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Franklin County
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Saturday prior to the third Monday in November and for 28 consecutive days following
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Frederick County (non-national forest lands)
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Saturday prior to the third Monday in November through the first Saturday in January
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Frederick County (national forest lands)
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Saturday prior to the third Monday in November and for 14 consecutive days following
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Frederick County (non-national-forest lands antlerless deer only)
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First Saturday in September through the Friday prior to the first Saturday in October and the Sunday following the first Saturday in January through the last Sunday in March
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Giles County
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Saturday prior to the third Monday in November and for 14 consecutive days following
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Gloucester County
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Saturday prior to the third Monday in November through the first Saturday in January
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Goochland County
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Saturday prior to the third Monday in November through the first Saturday in January
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Grayson County
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Saturday prior to the third Monday in November and for 14 consecutive days following
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Greene County
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Saturday prior to the third Monday in November through the first Saturday in January
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Greensville County
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Saturday prior to the third Monday in November through the first Saturday in January
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Halifax County
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Saturday prior to the third Monday in November through the first Saturday in January
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Hanover County
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Saturday prior to the third Monday in November through the first Saturday in January
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Henrico County
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Saturday prior to the third Monday in November through the first Saturday in January
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Henry County
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Saturday prior to the third Monday in November and for 28 consecutive days following
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Highland County
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Saturday prior to the third Monday in November and for 14 consecutive days following
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Isle of Wight County
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Saturday prior to the third Monday in November through the first Saturday in January
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James City County
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Saturday prior to the third Monday in November through the first Saturday in January
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King and Queen County
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Saturday prior to the third Monday in November through the first Saturday in January
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King George County
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Saturday prior to the third Monday in November through the first Saturday in January
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King William County
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Saturday prior to the third Monday in November through the first Saturday in January
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Lancaster County
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Saturday prior to the third Monday in November through the first Saturday in January
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Lee County
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Saturday prior to the third Monday in November and for 14 consecutive days following
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Loudoun County
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Saturday prior to the third Monday in November through the first Saturday in January
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Loudoun County (antlerless deer only)
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First Saturday in September through the Friday prior to the first Saturday in October and the Sunday following the first Saturday in January through the last Sunday in March
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Louisa County
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Saturday prior to the third Monday in November through the first Saturday in January
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Lunenburg County
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Saturday prior to the third Monday in November through the first Saturday in January
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Madison County
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Saturday prior to the third Monday in November through the first Saturday in January
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Madison County (private lands and antlerless deer only)
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First Saturday in September through the Friday prior to the first Saturday in October and the Sunday following the first Saturday in January through the last Sunday in March
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Madison County (disease focus zones defined by the department, antlerless deer only)
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First Saturday in September through the Friday prior to the first Saturday in October and the Sunday following the first Saturday in January through the last Sunday in March
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Mathews County
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Saturday prior to the third Monday in November through the first Saturday in January
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Mecklenburg County
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Saturday prior to the third Monday in November through the first Saturday in January
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Middlesex County
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Saturday prior to the third Monday in November through the first Saturday in January
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Montgomery County (non-national forest lands)
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Saturday prior to the third Monday in November and for 28 consecutive days following
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Montgomery County (national forest lands)
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Saturday prior to the third Monday in November and for 14 consecutive days following
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Montgomery County (non-national forest lands and antlerless deer only)
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Sunday following the first Saturday in January through the last Sunday in March
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Montgomery County (disease focus zones defined by the department, antlerless deer only)
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First Saturday in September through the Friday prior to the first Saturday in October and the Sunday following the first Saturday in January through the last Sunday in March
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Nelson County
(west of Route 151, except on national forest lands)
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Saturday prior to the third Monday in November and for 28 consecutive days following
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Nelson County (national forest lands)
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Saturday prior to the third Monday in November and for 14 consecutive days following
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Nelson County
(east of Route 151)
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Saturday prior to the third Monday in November through the first Saturday in January
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New Kent County
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Saturday prior to the third Monday in November through the first Saturday in January
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Northampton County
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Saturday prior to the third Monday in November through the first Saturday in January
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Northumberland County
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Saturday prior to the third Monday in November through the first Saturday in January
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Nottoway County
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Saturday prior to the third Monday in November through the first Saturday in January
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Orange County
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Saturday prior to the third Monday in November through the first Saturday in January
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Orange County (private lands and antlerless deer only)
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First Saturday in September through the Friday prior to the first Saturday in October and the Sunday following the first Saturday in January through the last Sunday in March
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Orange County (disease focus zones defined by the department, antlerless deer only)
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First Saturday in September through the Friday prior to the first Saturday in October and the Sunday following the first Saturday in January through the last Sunday in March
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Page County
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Saturday prior to the third Monday in November and for 14 consecutive days following
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Page County (non-national forest lands and antlerless deer only)
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First Saturday in September through the Friday prior to the first Saturday in October and the Sunday following the first Saturday in January through the last Sunday in March
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Page County (disease focus zones defined by the department, antlerless deer only)
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First Saturday in September through the Friday prior to the first Saturday in October and the Sunday following the first Saturday in January through the last Sunday in March
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Patrick County
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Saturday prior to the third Monday in November and for 28 consecutive days following
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Pittsylvania County
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Saturday prior to the third Monday in November through the first Saturday in January
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Powhatan County
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Saturday prior to the third Monday in November through the first Saturday in January
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Prince Edward County
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Saturday prior to the third Monday in November through the first Saturday in January
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Prince George County
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Saturday prior to the third Monday in November through the first Saturday in January
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Prince William County
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Saturday prior to the third Monday in November through the first Saturday in January
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Prince William County (antlerless deer only)
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First Saturday in September through the Friday prior to the first Saturday in October and the Sunday following the first Saturday in January through the last Sunday in March
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Pulaski County (except on New River Unit of the Radford Army Ammunition Plant adjacent to the Town of Dublin and national forest lands)
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Saturday prior to the third Monday in November and for 28 consecutive days following
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Pulaski County (New River Unit of the Radford Army Ammunition Plant adjacent to the Town of Dublin)
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Saturday prior to the second Monday in November through the first Saturday in January
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Pulaski County (national forest lands)
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Saturday prior to the third Monday in November and for 14 consecutive days following
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Pulaski County (non-national forest lands and antlerless deer only)
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Sunday following the first Saturday in January through the last Sunday in March
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Pulaski County (disease focus zones defined by the department, antlerless deer only)
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First Saturday in September through the Friday prior to the first Saturday in October and the Sunday following the first Saturday in January through the last Sunday in March
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Rappahannock County
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Saturday prior to the third Monday in November through the first Saturday in January
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Rappahannock County (private lands and antlerless deer only)
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First Saturday in September through the Friday prior to the first Saturday in October and the Sunday following the first Saturday in January through the last Sunday in March
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Rappahannock County (disease focus zones defined by the department, antlerless deer only)
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First Saturday in September through the Friday prior to the first Saturday in October and the Sunday following the first Saturday in January through the last Sunday in March
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Richmond County
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Saturday prior to the third Monday in November through the first Saturday in January
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Roanoke County
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Saturday prior to the third Monday in November and for 14 consecutive days following
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Rockbridge County
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Saturday prior to the third Monday in November and for 14 consecutive days following
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Rockingham County
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Saturday prior to the third Monday in November and for 14 consecutive days following
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Russell County
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Saturday prior to the third Monday in November and for 14 consecutive days following
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Scott County
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Saturday prior to the third Monday in November and for 14 consecutive days following
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Shenandoah County
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Saturday prior to the third Monday in November and for 14 consecutive days following
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Shenandoah County (non-national forest lands antlerless deer only)
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First Saturday in September through the Friday prior to the first Saturday in October and the Sunday following the first Saturday in January through the last Sunday in March
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Smyth County
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Saturday prior to the third Monday in November and for 14 consecutive days following
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Southampton County
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Saturday prior to the third Monday in November through the first Saturday in January
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Spotsylvania County
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Saturday prior to the third Monday in November through the first Saturday in January
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Stafford County
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Saturday prior to the third Monday in November through the first Saturday in January
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Suffolk (City of)
(east of Dismal Swamp Line)
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October 1 through November 30
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Suffolk (City of)
(west of Dismal Swamp Line)
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Saturday prior to the third Monday in November through the first Saturday in January
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Surry County
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Saturday prior to the third Monday in November through the first Saturday in January
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Sussex County
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Saturday prior to the third Monday in November through the first Saturday in January
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Tazewell County
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Saturday prior to the third Monday in November and for 14 consecutive days following
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Virginia Beach (City of)
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October 1 through November 30
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Warren County
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Saturday prior to the third Monday in November and for 14 consecutive days following
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Warren (non-national forest lands antlerless deer only)
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First Saturday in September through the Friday prior to the first Saturday in October and the Sunday following the first Saturday in January through the last Sunday in March
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Washington County
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Saturday prior to the third Monday in November and for 14 consecutive days following
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Westmoreland County
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Saturday prior to the third Monday in November through the first Saturday in January
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Wise County
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Saturday prior to the third Monday in November and for 14 consecutive days following
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Wythe County
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Saturday prior to the third Monday in November and for 14 consecutive days following
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York County
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Saturday prior to the third Monday in November through the first Saturday in January
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B. Except as provided in subsection A of this section, east of the Blue Ridge Mountains deer may be hunted from the Saturday prior to the third Monday in November through the first Saturday in January, both dates inclusive, within the incorporated limits of any city or town that allows deer hunting.
C. Except as provided in subsection A of this section, west of the Blue Ridge Mountains deer may be hunted from the Saturday prior to the third Monday in November and for 14 consecutive days following within the incorporated limits of any city or town that allows deer hunting.
4VAC15-90-80. Muzzleloading gun hunting.
A. It shall be lawful to hunt deer during the early special muzzleloading season with muzzleloading guns from the Saturday prior to the first Monday in November through the Friday prior to the third Monday in November, both dates inclusive, in all cities, towns, and counties where deer hunting with a rifle or muzzleloading gun is permitted, except in the Cities of Chesapeake, Suffolk (east of the Dismal Swamp Line), and Virginia Beach.
B. It shall be lawful to hunt deer during the late special muzzleloading season with muzzleloading guns starting 21 consecutive days immediately prior to and on the first Saturday in January:
1. In all cities, towns, and counties west of the Blue Ridge Mountains (except Clarke County and on non-national forest lands in Frederick County);
2. East of the Blue Ridge Mountains in the Counties (including the cities and towns within) of Amherst (west of Business U.S. 29 from the James River to its intersection with U.S. 29 just south of the Town of Amherst continuing north on U.S. 29 to the Tye River), Bedford, Franklin, Henry, Nelson (west of Route 151), and Patrick;
3. On national forest lands in Frederick County; and
4. In the Cities of Chesapeake, Suffolk (east of the Dismal Swamp Line), and Virginia Beach.
C. Deer of either sex may be taken during the entire early special muzzleloading season east of the Blue Ridge Mountains unless otherwise noted in this subsection:
1. Deer of either sex may be taken on the second Saturday only of the early special muzzleloading season on state forest lands, state park lands (except Occoneechee State Park), department-owned lands (except on Merrimac Farm Wildlife Management Area), and Philpott Reservoir.
2. Antlered bucks only—no either-sex deer hunting days during the early special muzzleloading season on national forest lands in Amherst, Bedford, and Nelson Counties.
D. Deer of either sex may be taken on the second Saturday only during the early special muzzleloading season west of the Blue Ridge Mountains unless otherwise noted in this subsection.
1. Deer of either sex may be taken during the entire early special muzzleloading season in Clarke and Floyd Counties and on private lands in Augusta, Botetourt, Carroll, Frederick, Grayson, Montgomery, Page, Pulaski, Roanoke, Rockingham (east of Routes 613 and 731), Scott, Shenandoah, Warren, and Wythe Counties.
2. Antlered bucks only—no either-sex deer hunting days during the early special muzzleloading season in Buchanan, on federal and department-managed lands in Dickenson, Lee, Russell, Tazewell, and Wise Counties and on national forest lands in Alleghany, Bland, Craig, Frederick, Giles, Grayson, Montgomery, Page, Pulaski, Rockingham, Scott, Shenandoah, and Warren Counties, and on national forest and department-owned lands in Augusta, Bath, Botetourt, Carroll, Highland (except Highland Wildlife Management Area), Roanoke, Rockbridge, Smyth, Washington, and Wythe Counties and on Channels State Forest, Grayson Highlands State Park, Hungry Mother State Park, and on private lands west of Routes 613 and 731 in Rockingham County.
E. Deer of either sex may be taken during the last six days of the late special muzzleloading season unless otherwise listed in this subsection:
1. Deer of either sex may be taken full season during the entire late special muzzleloading season in the Counties (including the cities and towns within) of Amherst (west of Business U.S. 29 from the James River to its intersection with U.S. 29 just south of the Town of Amherst continuing north on U.S. 29 to the Tye River, except on national forest lands), Bedford (except on national forest lands), Floyd, Franklin, Henry, Nelson (west of Route 151, except on national forest lands), and Patrick and on private lands in Augusta, Botetourt, Carroll, Grayson, Montgomery, Page, Pulaski, Roanoke, Rockingham (east of Routes 613 and 731), Shenandoah, Warren, and Wythe Counties.
2. Deer of either sex may be taken the last day only during the late special muzzleloading season in Alleghany, Bath, Dickenson, Highland, Lee, Russell, Tazewell, and Wise Counties and on national forest lands in Amherst, Bedford, Bland, Craig, Frederick, Giles, Grayson, Montgomery, Nelson, Page, Pulaski, Rockingham, Scott, Shenandoah, and Warren Counties, and on national forest and department-owned lands in Augusta, Botetourt, Carroll, Roanoke, Rockbridge, Smyth, Washington, and Wythe Counties and on private lands west of Routes 613 and 731 in Rockingham County, Channels State Forest, Grayson Highlands State Park, and Hungry Mother State Park.
3. Antlered bucks only—no either-sex deer hunting days during the late special muzzleloading season in Buchanan County.
F. Deer of either sex may be taken full season during the special muzzleloading seasons within the incorporated limits of any city or town in the Commonwealth that allows deer hunting except in the Cities of Chesapeake, Suffolk, and Virginia Beach.
G. It shall be unlawful to hunt deer with dogs during any special season for hunting with muzzleloading guns, except that tracking dogs as described in § 29.1-516.1 of the Code of Virginia may be used.
H. Muzzleloading guns, for the purpose of this section, include:
1. Single shot muzzleloading rifles.40 caliber or larger, firing a single projectile or sabot (with a.35 caliber or larger projectile) where the projectile is loaded from the muzzle;
2. Muzzleloading shotguns (one or more barrels) not larger than 10 gauge where the projectiles are loaded from the muzzle;
3. Muzzleloading pistols (one or more barrels).45 caliber or larger, firing a single projectile or sabot (with a.35 caliber or larger projectile) per barrel where the propellant and projectile are loaded from the muzzle;
4. Muzzleloading revolvers.45 caliber or larger, firing a single projectile or sabot (with a.35 caliber or larger projectile) per cylinder where the propellant and projectile are loaded from the forward end of the cylinder.
I. It shall be unlawful to have in immediate possession any firearm other than a muzzleloading gun while hunting with a muzzleloading gun in a special muzzleloading season.
VA.R. Doc. No. R22-7140; Filed April 05, 2022