Title of Regulation: 4VAC15-90. Game: Deer (amending 4VAC15-90-23, 4VAC15-90-70, 4VAC15-90-80, 4VAC15-90-85, 4VAC15-90-90, 4VAC15-90-91, 4VAC15-90-231, 4VAC15-90-241, 4VAC15-90-293).

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

Public Hearing Information:

May 3, 2011 - 9 a.m. - Department of Game and Inland Fisheries, 4000 West Broad Street, Richmond, VA

Public Comment Deadline: April 15, 2011.

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 proposal will (i) remove the exceptions for Fairfax, Loudoun, and Prince William counties for the youth deer hunting day, making the youth day open statewide; (ii) allow additional urbanized counties and cities to participate in the urban archery deer season; (iii) allow the killing of deer of either sex during the entire late muzzleloading deer hunting season in the cities of Chesapeake, Virginia Beach, and Suffolk east of the Dismal Swamp line; (iv) prohibit the hunting of elk in Buchanan, Dickenson, and Wise counties, and require that elk legally killed outside the designated elk restoration area be made available for collection of biological specimens for disease testing; (v) adjust bag limits and season lengths for deer hunting seasons; (vi) require that deer killed after a certain date during the late deer hunting season be checked via telephone or Internet; (vii) allow deer hunters with proof of legal possession to possess unmarked parts of a deer carcass after it has been cut up; and (viii) limit deer carcass interstate importation and possession restrictions only to carcasses originating from counties included within or adjoining a designated chronic wasting disease containment area.

4VAC15-90-23. Youth deer hunting day.

It shall be lawful for deer hunters 15 years of age and under, when in compliance with all applicable laws and license requirements, to hunt deer on the last Saturday in September when accompanied and directly supervised by an adult who has a valid Virginia hunting license on his person or is exempt from purchasing a hunting license except in Fairfax, Loudoun, and Prince William counties. Deer of either-sex may be taken on this special youth deer hunting day. Adult hunters accompanying youth deer hunters on this day may not carry or discharge weapons. Blaze orange is required for all persons hunting any species or any person accompanying a hunter on this day unless otherwise exempted by state law. Deer hunting with dogs is prohibited.

4VAC15-90-70. Bow and arrow hunting.

A. It shall be lawful to hunt deer during the early special archery season with bow and arrow from the first Saturday in October through the Friday prior to the third Monday in November, both dates inclusive.

B. In addition to the season provided in subsection A of this section, it shall be lawful to hunt deer during the late special archery season with bow and arrow from the Monday following the close of the general firearms season on deer through the first Saturday in January, both dates inclusive, in all cities, towns, and counties west of the Blue Ridge Mountains (except Clarke County and on non-national forest lands in Frederick County) and in the counties (including the cities and towns within) of Amherst (west of U.S. Route 29), Bedford, Campbell (west of Norfolk Southern Railroad), Franklin, Henry, Nelson (west of Route 151), Patrick and on the Chester F. Phelps Wildlife Management Area and on national forest lands in Frederick County and from December 1 through the first Saturday in January, both dates inclusive, in the cities of Chesapeake, Suffolk (east of the Dismal Swamp line) and Virginia Beach.

C. Deer of either sex may be taken full season during the special archery seasons as provided in subsections A and B of this section (except on PALS (Public Access Lands) in Dickenson County where it shall be unlawful to take antlerless deer during the special archery seasons provided for in subsections A and B of this section).

D. It shall be unlawful to carry firearms while hunting with bow and arrow during the special archery seasons, except that a muzzleloading gun, as defined in 4VAC15-90-80, may be in the possession of a properly licensed muzzleloading gun hunter when and where a special archery deer season overlaps a special muzzleloading deer season.

E. Arrows used for hunting big game must have a minimum width head of 7/8 of an inch and the bow used for such hunting must be capable of casting a broadhead arrow a minimum of 125 yards.

F. It shall be unlawful to use dogs when hunting with bow and arrow during any special archery season.

G. For the purpose of the application of subsections A through I to this section, the phrase "bow and arrow" includes crossbows.

H. It shall be lawful to hunt antlerless deer during the special urban archery season with bow and arrow from the first Saturday in September through the Friday prior to the first Saturday in October, both dates inclusive, and from the Monday following the first Saturday in January through the last Saturday in March, both dates inclusive, within the incorporated limits of any city or town in the Commonwealth (except in the cities of Chesapeake, Suffolk, and Virginia Beach) and the counties of Fairfax and York and counties with a human population density of 300 persons per square mile or more (except on national forest and department-owned lands), provided that its governing body submits by certified letter to the department prior to April 1, its intent to participate in the special urban archery season. Any city, town, or county no longer participating in this season shall submit by certified letter to the department prior to April 1 notice of its intent not to participate in the special urban archery season.

I. It shall be lawful to hunt antlerless deer during the special antlerless archery season with bow and arrow from the first Saturday in September through the Friday prior to the first Saturday in October, both dates inclusive, in Loudoun and Prince William counties, except on department-owned lands.

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 18 consecutive hunting days immediately prior to and inclusive of the first Saturday in January, in all cities, towns, and counties west of the Blue Ridge Mountains (except Clarke County and on non-national forest lands in Frederick County), and east of the Blue Ridge Mountains in the counties (including the cities and towns within) of Amherst (west of U.S. Route 29), Bedford, Campbell (west of Norfolk Southern Railroad), Franklin, Henry, Nelson (west of Route 151), Patrick and on national forest lands in Frederick County and 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 below:

- 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 and Philpott Reservoir.

- 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 below:

- Deer of either sex may be taken during the entire early special muzzleloading season in Clarke and Floyd counties and on private lands in Carroll, Frederick, Grayson, Montgomery, Roanoke, and Warren counties.

- Antlered bucks only—no either sex deer hunting days during the early special muzzleloading season in Buchanan, Dickenson, Lee, Russell, Smyth, Tazewell, Washington, and Wise counties and on national forest lands in Alleghany, Botetourt, Frederick, Grayson, Page, Rockingham, Scott, Shenandoah, Warren, and on national forest and department-owned lands in Augusta, Bath, Highland, and Rockbridge counties and on Grayson Highlands 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 below:

- 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 U.S. Route 29 except on national forest lands), Bedford (except on national forest lands), Campbell (west of Norfolk Southern Railroad), Floyd, Franklin, Henry, Nelson (west of Route 151, except on national forest lands), and Patrick and on private lands in Carroll, Grayson, Montgomery, Roanoke and Warren counties and in the cities of Chesapeake, Suffolk (east of the Dismal Swamp line), and Virginia Beach.

- Deer of either sex may be taken the last day only during the late special muzzleloading season in Dickenson (north of Route 83), Lee, Russell, Scott, Smyth, Tazewell, Washington, and Wise counties and on national forest lands in Alleghany, Amherst, Bedford, Botetourt, Frederick, Grayson, Nelson, Page, Rockingham, Shenandoah, and Warren counties, and on national forest and department-owned lands in Augusta, Bath, Highland, and Rockbridge counties and on private lands west of Routes 613 and 731 in Rockingham County and Grayson Highlands State Park.

- Antlered bucks only—no either-sex deer hunting days during the late special muzzleloading season in Buchanan and Dickenson (south of Route 83).

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 counties of Buchanan, Dickenson, and Wise and 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.

H. A muzzleloading gun, for the purpose of this section, means a single shot weapon, excluding muzzleloading pistols,.45 caliber or larger, firing a single projectile or sabot (with a .38 caliber or larger projectile) of the same caliber loaded from the muzzle of the weapon and propelled by at least 50 grains of black powder (or black powder equivalent or smokeless powder).

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.

4VAC15-90-85. Hunting elk of either sex Elk hunting.

Elk of either sex may be taken during the general firearms deer season (as prescribed by 4VAC15-90-10, 4VAC15-90-20, 4VAC15-90-21, and 4VAC15-90-30), during the special archery seasons (as prescribed by 4VAC15-90-70), and during the special muzzleloading seasons (as prescribed by 4VAC15-90-80) with bag limits and checking requirements as prescribed in 4VAC15-90-90, 4VAC15-90-230, and 4VAC15-90-240.

A. Closed season. There shall be a continuous closed season for elk (Cervus elaphus) hunting in Buchanan, Dickenson, and Wise counties.

B. Open season. Except as otherwise provided by this chapter, it shall be lawful to hunt elk of either sex during (i) the general firearms deer seasons (as prescribed by 4VAC15-90-10, 4VAC15-90-20, 4VAC15-90-21, 4VAC15-90-22, 4VAC15-90-23, and 4VAC15-90-30), (ii) the special archery seasons (as prescribed by 4VAC15-90-70), and (iii) the special muzzleloading seasons (as prescribed by 4VAC15-90-80) with bag limits as prescribed in 4VAC15-90-90.

C. Validating tags and checking elk by licensee or permittee. Upon killing an elk, any licensed or permitted hunter shall validate a tag, bonus deer permit, or special permit and check the elk in accordance with 4VAC15-90-231. At the time of checking, the hunter must call 1-804-367-1258 to schedule an inspection of the carcass and the site of kill for the collection of biological samples for disease testing.

D. Checking elk by persons exempt from license requirements or holding a license authorization number. Upon killing an elk, any person (i) exempt from license requirement as prescribed in § 29.1-301 of the Code of Virginia, (ii) issued a complimentary license as prescribed in § 29.1-339, (iii) holding a permanent license issued pursuant to § 29.1-301 E, or (iv) holding a Virginia license authorization number issued by a telephone or electronic media agent pursuant to § 29.1-327 B shall check the elk in accordance with 4VAC15-90-241. At the time of checking, the hunter must call 1-804-367-1258 to schedule an inspection of the carcass and the site of kill for the collection of biological samples for disease testing.

4VAC15-90-90. Bag limit, bonus deer permits and special antlerless provision for youth hunters and earn a buck.

A. The bag limit for deer east of the Blue Ridge Mountains (except on national forest lands in Amherst, Bedford, and Nelson counties) is two per day (except for the counties of Fairfax, Loudoun, and Prince William where the daily bag limit is unlimited), six per license year, three of which must be antlerless.

B. The bag limit for deer west of the Blue Ridge Mountains and on national forest lands in Amherst, Bedford, and Nelson counties is one per day, five per license year, three of which must be antlerless. Only one antlered buck taken in the county of Shenandoah County or Rockingham per license year may have less than four antler points one inch or longer on one side of the antlers.

C. Except as noted in subsection E below, antlerless deer may be taken only during designated either-sex deer hunting days during the special archery seasons, special muzzleloading seasons, and the general firearms season.

D. Bonus deer permits shall be valid on private land in counties and cities where deer hunting is permitted (except Buchanan, Dickenson, and Wise counties) during the special archery seasons, special muzzleloading seasons, and the general firearms season. Bonus deer permits shall be valid on public lands, including state parks, state forests, national wildlife refuges, military areas, etc., as authorized by the managing agency. Unless otherwise posted or authorized in writing for wildlife management areas by the department, or for national forest lands by the U.S. Forest Service, the use of bonus permits is prohibited on department-owned and national forest lands. Bonus deer permits shall be valid for antlerless deer only. Deer taken on bonus permits shall count against the daily bag limit but are in addition to the seasonal bag limit.

E. Deer hunters 15 years of age and under, including those exempt from purchasing a hunting license, when in compliance with all applicable laws and license requirements, may take one antlerless deer per license year on days other than designated either-sex deer hunting days during the special muzzleloading seasons or the general firearms season in all counties that have at least one either-sex deer hunting day during the general firearms deer season.

F. Earn a buck. At least one antlerless deer must be taken on private lands in Bedford, Fairfax, Fauquier, Franklin, Loudoun, Patrick, Prince William, or Roanoke counties before the second antlered deer of the license year may be taken on private lands in any of these counties. Furthermore, at least two antlerless deer must have been taken on private lands in Bedford, Fairfax, Fauquier, Franklin, Loudoun, Patrick, or Prince William counties before the third antlered deer of the license year may be taken on private lands in any of these counties. Earn a buck (EAB) areas include all private lands in the counties (including private lands in the cities and towns within) of Bedford, Fairfax, Fauquier, Franklin, Loudoun, Patrick, Prince William, and Roanoke. In EAB areas at least one antlerless deer must be taken on private lands in an EAB area before the second antlered deer of the license year may be taken on private lands in an EAB area. Furthermore, at least two antlerless deer must have been taken on private lands in an EAB area before the third antlered deer of the license year may be taken on private lands in an EAB area.

4VAC15-90-91. General firearms season either-sex deer hunting days.

A. During the general firearms deer season, deer of either sex may be taken within:

Accomack County: full season.

Albemarle County: full season.

Alleghany County: the second Saturday and the last two hunting days the second Saturday and the last hunting day.

-National forest lands: the last hunting day.

Amelia County: the second and third Saturdays and the last 12 hunting days the second, third, and fourth Saturdays and the last 24 hunting days.

-Amelia WMA: the second and third Saturdays and the last six hunting days.

Amherst County (east of U.S. Route 29): the second, third, and fourth Saturdays and the last 24 hunting days.

Amherst County (west of U.S. Route 29): full season.

-National forest lands: the last hunting day.

Appomattox County: the second and third Saturdays and the last 12 hunting days.

-Appomattox-Buckingham State Forest: the second and third Saturdays.

-Featherfin WMA: the second, third, and fourth Saturdays and the last 24 hunting days.

Arlington County: full season.

Augusta County: the second Saturday and the last six hunting days.

-National forest and department-owned lands: the last hunting day.

Bath County: the second Saturday and the last two hunting days the second Saturday and the last hunting day.

-National forest and department-owned lands: the last hunting day.

Bedford County: full season.

-National forest lands: the last hunting day.

Bland County: the second Saturday and the last six hunting days.

-National forest lands: the second Saturday and the last hunting day.

Botetourt County: full season.

-National forest lands: the last hunting day.

Brunswick County: the second and third Saturdays and the last 12 hunting days.

Buchanan County: antlered bucks only—no either-sex days. Only deer with antlers above the hairline may be taken.

Buckingham County: the second and third Saturdays and the last 12 hunting days.

-Horsepen Lake WMA: the second and third Saturdays and the last six hunting days.

-Appomattox-Buckingham State Forest: the second and third Saturdays.

-Featherfin WMA: the second, third, and fourth Saturdays and the last 24 hunting days.

Campbell County (east of Norfolk Southern Railroad): the second, third, and fourth Saturdays and the last 24 hunting days.

Campbell County (west of Norfolk Southern Railroad): full season.

Caroline County: the second, third, and fourth Saturdays and the last 24 hunting days full season.

-Mattaponi WMA: the second and third Saturdays and the last six hunting days.

Carroll County: full season.

-National forest and department-owned lands: the second Saturday and the last hunting day.

Charles City County: full season.

-Chickahominy WMA: antlered bucks only—no either-sex days. Only deer with antlers above the hairline may be taken.

Charlotte County: the second and third Saturdays and the last 12 hunting days.

Chesapeake (City of): full season.

Chesterfield County: full season.

Clarke County: full season.

Craig County: full season.

-National forest lands: the second Saturday and the last hunting day.

Culpeper County: full season.

-Chester F. Phelps WMA: the second Saturday and the last hunting day.

Cumberland County: the second and third Saturdays and the last 12 hunting days the second, third, and fourth Saturdays and the last 24 hunting days.

-Cumberland State Forest: the second and third Saturdays.

Dickenson County: antlered bucks only—no either-sex days. Only deer with antlers above the hairline may be taken.

Dinwiddie County: the second and third Saturdays and the last 12 hunting days.

Essex County: full season.

Fairfax County: full season (restricted to certain parcels of land by special permit).

Fauquier County: full season.

-G. Richard Thompson WMA: the second Saturday and the last hunting day.

-Chester F. Phelps WMA: the second Saturday and the last hunting day.

Floyd County: full season.

Fluvanna County: second and third Saturdays and the last 12 hunting days.

Franklin County: full season.

-Philpott Reservoir: the second Saturday and the last six hunting days.

-Turkeycock Mountain WMA: the second and third Saturdays and the last six hunting days the second Saturday and the last six hunting days.

Frederick County: full season

-National forest lands: the last hunting day.

Giles County: full season.

-National forest lands: the second Saturday and the last hunting day.

Gloucester County: full season.

Goochland County (east of U.S. Route 522): the second, third, and fourth Saturdays and the last 24 hunting days.

Goochland County (west of U.S. Route 522): the second and third Saturdays and last 12 hunting days.

Grayson County: full season.

-National forest lands and Grayson Highlands State Park: the last hunting day.

Greene County: full season.

Greensville County: full season.

Halifax County: the second, third, and fourth Saturdays and the last 24 hunting days full season.

Hanover County: the second, third, and fourth Saturdays and the last 24 hunting days full season.

Henrico County: full season.

Henry County: full season.

-Fairystone Farms WMA, Fairystone State Park, and Philpott Reservoir: the second Saturday and the last six hunting days.

-Turkeycock Mountain WMA: the second and third Saturdays and the last six hunting days the second Saturday and the last six hunting days.

Highland County: the second Saturday and the last two hunting days the second Saturday and the last hunting day.

-National forest and department-owned lands: the last hunting day.

Isle of Wight County: full season.

-Ragged Island WMA: antlered bucks only—no either-sex days. Only deer with antlers above the hairline may be taken.

James City County: full season.

King and Queen County: full season.

King George County: the second, third, and fourth Saturdays and the last 24 hunting days full season.

King William County: the second, third, and fourth Saturdays and the last 24 hunting days.

Lancaster County: full season.

Lee County: the second Saturday and the last two hunting days.

-National forest lands: antlered bucks only—no either-sex days. Only deer with antlers above the hairline may be taken.

Loudoun County: full season.

Louisa County: the second and third Saturdays and the last 12 hunting days the second, third, and fourth Saturdays and the last 24 hunting days.

Lunenburg County: the second and third Saturdays and the last 12 hunting days.

Madison County: full season.

-Rapidan WMA: the second, third, and fourth Saturdays and the last 24 hunting days.

Mathews County: the second, third, and fourth Saturdays and last 24 hunting days.

Mecklenburg County: the second and third Saturdays and the last 12 hunting days.

-Dick Cross WMA: the second and third Saturdays and the last six hunting days.

Middlesex County: the second, third, and fourth Saturdays and last 24 hunting days.

Montgomery County: full season.

-National forest lands: the second Saturday and the last hunting day.

Nelson County (east of Route 151): the second, third, and fourth Saturdays and the last 24 hunting days.

-James River WMA: the second Saturday and the last six hunting days.

Nelson County (west of Route 151): full season.

-National forest lands: the last hunting day.

New Kent County: full season.

Northampton County: full season.

Northumberland County: full season.

Nottoway County: the second and third Saturdays and the last 12 hunting days the second, third, and fourth Saturdays and the last 24 hunting days.

Orange County: full season.

Page County: the second Saturday and the last two hunting days.

-National forest lands: the last hunting day.

Patrick County: full season.

-Fairystone Farms WMA, Fairystone State Park, and Philpott Reservoir: the second Saturday and the last six hunting days.

Pittsylvania County: the second, third, and fourth Saturdays and the last 24 hunting days.

-White Oak Mountain WMA: the second Saturday and the last hunting day.

Powhatan County: the second, third, and fourth Saturdays and the last 24 hunting days.

-Powhatan WMA: the second and third Saturdays and the last six hunting days.

Prince Edward County: the second and third Saturdays and the last 12 hunting days.

-Briery Creek WMA: the second and third Saturdays and the last six hunting days.

-Featherfin WMA: the second, third, and fourth Saturdays and the last 24 hunting days.

-Prince Edward State Forest: the second and third Saturdays.

Prince George County: the second, third, and fourth Saturdays and the last 24 hunting days full season.

Prince William County: full season.

Pulaski County: full season.

-National forest lands: the second Saturday and the last hunting day.

Rappahannock County: full season.

Richmond County: full season.

Roanoke County: full season.

-National forest and department-owned lands: the second Saturday and the last hunting day.

Rockbridge County: the second Saturday and the last two hunting days.

-National forest and department-owned lands: the last hunting day.

Rockingham County: the second Saturday and the last six hunting days.

-National forest lands and private lands west of Routes 613 and 731: the last hunting day.

Russell County: the second Saturday and the last two hunting days.

-Clinch Mountain WMA, Hidden Valley WMA, and the Channels State Forest: the last hunting day.

Scott County: the second Saturday and the last six hunting days.

-National forest lands: antlered bucks only—no either-sex days. Only deer with antlers above the hairline may be taken.

Shenandoah County: full season.

-National forest lands: the last hunting day.

Smyth County: the second Saturday and the last six hunting days.

-National forest lands, Clinch Mountain WMA, and Hungry Mother State Park: the last hunting day.

Southampton County: full season.

Spotsylvania County: the second, third, and fourth Saturdays and the last 24 hunting days full season.

Stafford County: the second, third, and fourth Saturdays and the last 24 hunting days full season.

Suffolk (City of): full season.

Surry County: full season.

-Carlisle Tract of the Hog Island WMA: antlered bucks only—no either-sex days. Only deer with antlers above the hairline may be taken.

Sussex County: full season.

Tazewell County: the second Saturday and the last two hunting days.

-National forest lands, Clinch Mountain WMA, and Hidden Valley WMA: the last hunting day.

Virginia Beach (City of): full season.

Warren County: full season.

-National forest lands: the last hunting day.

Washington County: the second Saturday and the last six hunting days.

-National forest lands, Clinch Mountain WMA, Hidden Valley WMA, and the Channels State Forest: the last hunting day.

Westmoreland County: full season.

Wise County: antlered bucks only—no either-sex days. Only deer with antlers above the hairline may be taken.

Wythe County: full season.

-National forest lands and Big Survey WMA: the second Saturday and the last hunting day.

York County: full season.

B. Except as provided in the subsection A of this section, deer of either sex may be taken full season during the general firearms deer season within the incorporated limits of any city or town, state park, national wildlife refuge, or military installation that allows deer hunting.

4VAC15-90-231. Validating tags and checking deer by licensee or permittee.

A. Any person killing a deer shall, before removing the carcass from the place of kill, validate an appropriate tag on his special license for hunting bear, deer, and turkey, bonus deer permit, or special permit by completely removing the designated notch area from the tag. Place of kill shall be defined as the location where the animal is first reduced to possession. It shall be unlawful for any person to validate (notch) a deer tag from any special license for hunting bear, deer, and turkey, bonus deer permit, or special permit prior to the killing of a deer. A deer tag that is mistakenly validated (notched) prior to the killing of a deer must be immediately voided by the licensee or permittee by writing, in ink, the word "VOID" on the line provided on the license tag.

B. Upon killing a deer and validating (notching) a license tag, bonus deer permit or special permit, as provided above, the licensee or permittee shall, upon vehicle transport of the carcass or at the conclusion of legal hunting hours, whichever occurs first, and without unnecessary delay, present the carcass and validated (notched) license tag, bonus deer permit or special permit to an authorized checking station or to an appropriate representative of the department in the county or adjoining county in which the deer was killed or report the kill through the department's automated harvest reporting system. All deer killed after the first Saturday in January (as prescribed in 4VAC15-90-22 and 4VAC15-90-70 H) must be checked by telephone or Internet. At such time, the person checking or reporting the carcass will be given a game check card furnished by the department or a confirmation number from the automated reporting system. The successful hunter shall then immediately record the game check card number or confirmation number, in ink, on the line provided on the tag that was validated (notched) in the field. If checked at a big game check station, the game check card must be kept in possession with the carcass until the carcass is processed. If the carcass is left unattended, the game check card must be securely attached to the carcass. If the kill is reported using the automated harvest reporting system, no check card is required as long as the hunter who killed the animal is in possession of the carcass. If the automated harvest reported carcass is left unattended or transferred to the possession of another individual, written documentation including the successful hunter's full name, the date the animal was killed, and the confirmation number must be created and kept in possession with the carcass until the carcass is processed. If the carcass is left unattended, this written documentation must be securely attached to the carcass. Processed carcass parts of a deer killed legally in Virginia may be transported; however, upon request of any authorized law enforcement officer, information necessary to properly establish legal possession must be furnished immediately.

C. It shall be unlawful for any person to destroy the identity of the sex of any deer killed unless and until the license tag, bonus deer permit or special permit is validated (notched) and checked as required by this section. Successful deer hunters are allowed to dismember the carcass to pack it out from the place of kill, after an appropriate license tag has been validated (notched) as required above, as long as they do not destroy the identity of the sex and all the parts of the carcass are present when the deer is checked at a big game check station or reported through the automated harvest reporting system. Any deer found in the possession of any person without a validated (notched) license tag or documentation that the deer has been checked (via a big game check station or the automated harvest reporting system) as required by this section shall be forfeited to the Commonwealth to be disposed of as provided by law.

4VAC15-90-241. Checking deer by persons exempt from license requirement or holding a license authorization number.

A. Upon killing a deer, any person (i) exempt from license requirement as prescribed in § 29.1-301 of the Code of Virginia, (ii) issued a complimentary license as prescribed in § 29.1-339, (iii) holding a permanent license issued pursuant to § 29.1-301 E, or (iv) holding a Virginia license authorization number issued by a telephone or electronic media agent pursuant to § 29.1-327 B shall, upon vehicle transport of the carcass or at the conclusion of legal hunting hours, whichever occurs first, and without unnecessary delay, present the carcass to an authorized checking station or to any appropriate representative of the department in the county or adjoining county in which the deer was killed or report the kill through the department's automated harvest reporting system. All deer killed after the first Saturday in January (as prescribed in 4VAC15-90-22 and 4VAC15-90-70 H) must be checked by telephone or Internet. At such time, the person checking or reporting the carcass shall be given a game check card furnished by the department or a confirmation number from the automated reporting system. If checked at a big game check station, the game check card must be kept in possession with the carcass until the carcass is processed. If the carcass is left unattended, the game check card must be securely attached to the carcass. If the kill is reported using the automated harvest reporting system, the successful hunter shall immediately create written documentation including the successful hunter's full name, the date the animal was killed, and the confirmation number. This written documentation must be kept in possession with the carcass until the carcass is processed. If the automated harvest reported carcass is transferred to the possession of another individual, the written documentation must be transferred with the carcass to the individual and kept in possession with the carcass until the carcass is processed. If the carcass is left unattended, this written documentation must be securely attached to the carcass. Processed carcass parts of a deer killed legally in Virginia may be transported; however, upon request of any authorized law enforcement officer, information necessary to properly establish legal possession must be furnished immediately.

B. It shall be unlawful for any person to destroy the identity (sex) of any deer killed until the deer is checked as required by this section. Successful deer hunters are allowed to dismember the carcass to pack it out from the place of kill as long at they do not destroy the identity of the sex and all the parts of the carcass are present when the deer is checked at a big game check station or reported through the automated harvest reporting system. Any deer that has not been checked (via a big game check station or the automated harvest reporting system) as required by this section found in the possession of any person exempt from license requirements or holding a license authorization number shall be forfeited to the Commonwealth to be disposed of as provided by law.

4VAC15-90-293. Chronic Wasting Disease deer carcass importation restrictions.

A. No person shall import or possess any carcass or part of a carcass of any member of the family Cervidae (deer) originating from any county that includes or adjoins a county that is part of a designated Chronic Wasting Disease containment area in a state or Canadian province in which Chronic Wasting Disease has been found in free-ranging or captive deer, except that the following carcass parts may be imported and possessed:

1. Boned-out meat that is cut and wrapped;

2. Quarters or other portions of meat with no part of the spinal column or skull attached;

3. Hides or capes with no skull attached;

4. Clean (no meat or tissue attached) skull plates with antlers attached;

5. Antlers (with no meat or tissue attached);

6. Upper canine teeth (buglers, whistlers, or ivories); and

7. Finished taxidermy products.

A legible label shall be affixed to packages or containers containing the allowed carcass parts bearing the following information: the species of animal, the state or province from where the animal originated, and the name and address of the person who killed or owned the animal.

B. Any person who imports into Virginia any deer carcass or parts described in subsection A of this section and is notified that the animal has tested positive for Chronic Wasting Disease must report the test results to the department within 72 hours of receiving the notification. In order to facilitate the proper disposal of any infected material, the department may take into possession any imported carcass or carcass part of an animal if the animal has tested positive for Chronic Wasting Disease.