TITLE 4. CONSERVATION AND NATURAL RESOURCES
TITLE 4. CONSERVATION AND NATURAL RESOURCES
BOARD OF WILDLIFE RESOURCES
Proposed Regulation
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: 4VAC15-50. Game: Bear (amending 4VAC15-50-11, 4VAC15-50-70, 4VAC15-50-71, 4VAC15-50-120).
Statutory Authority: §§ 29.1-103, 29.1-501, and 29.1-502 of the Code of Virginia.
Public Comment Deadline: June 3, 2025.
Agency Contact: Aaron Proctor, Policy Manager, Department of Wildlife Resources, 7870 Villa Park Drive, Suite 400, Henrico, VA 23228, telephone (804) 801-8199, or email aaron.proctor@dwr.virginia.gov.
Summary:
The proposed amendments include (i) changes to archery, muzzleloading, and general firearms seasons for bears in various localities to meet population objectives; (ii) clarification of weapons possession by persons who are lawfully hunting bear; and (iii) increases of bear hound chase seasons in certain localities.
4VAC15-50-11. Open season; generally.
A. It shall be lawful to hunt bears in the following localities, including the cities and towns therein, during the following seasons:
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Location
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Season
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Accomack County
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Closed
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Albemarle County
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The Friday following the fourth Monday in November through and for two consecutive days following, and 12 days immediately prior to and including the first Saturday in January, both dates inclusive.
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Alleghany County
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The Friday following the fourth Monday in November through and for two consecutive days following, and 12 days immediately prior to and including the first Saturday in January, both dates inclusive.
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Amelia County
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Monday nearest December 2 through the first Saturday in January, both dates inclusive.
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Amherst County
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The Friday following the fourth Monday in November through and for two consecutive days following, and 12 days immediately prior to and including the first Saturday in January, both dates inclusive.
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Appomattox County
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Friday following the fourth Monday nearest December 2 through in November and for two consecutive days following, and 12 days immediately prior to and including the first Saturday in January, both dates inclusive.
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Arlington County
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The fourth Monday in November through the first Saturday in January, both dates inclusive.
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Augusta County
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The Friday following the fourth Monday in November through and for two consecutive days following, and 12 days immediately prior to and including the first Saturday in January, both dates inclusive.
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Bath County
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The Friday following the fourth Monday in November through and for two consecutive days following, and 12 days immediately prior to and including the first Saturday in January, both dates inclusive.
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Bedford County
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The Friday following the fourth Monday in November through and for two consecutive days following, and 12 days immediately prior to and including the first Saturday in January, both dates inclusive.
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Bland County
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Monday following the last Saturday in September and for two days following; and the fourth Monday in November through the first Saturday in January, both dates inclusive.
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Botetourt County
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The Friday following the fourth Monday in November through and for two consecutive days following, and 12 days immediately prior to and including the first Saturday in January, both dates inclusive.
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Brunswick County
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Monday nearest December 2 through the first Saturday in January, both dates inclusive.
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Buchanan County
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Monday following the last Saturday in September and for two days following; and the fourth Monday in November through the first Saturday in January, both dates inclusive.
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Buckingham County
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Friday following the fourth Monday nearest December 2 through in November and for two consecutive days following, and 12 days immediately prior to and including the first Saturday in January, both dates inclusive.
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Campbell County
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Monday nearest December 2 through the first Saturday in January, both dates inclusive.
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Caroline County
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Fourth Monday in November through the first Saturday in January, both dates inclusive.
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Carroll County
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Monday nearest December 2 through the first Saturday in January, both dates inclusive.
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Charles City County
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Monday nearest December 2 through the first Saturday in January, both dates inclusive.
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Charlotte County
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Monday nearest December 2 Fourth Monday in November through the first Saturday in January, both dates inclusive.
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Chesapeake (City of)
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October 1 through the first Saturday in January, both dates inclusive.
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Chesterfield County
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Fourth Monday in November through the first Saturday in January, both dates inclusive.
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Clarke County
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The Friday following the fourth Monday in November through and for two consecutive days following, and 12 days immediately prior to and including the first Saturday in January, both dates inclusive.
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Craig County
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Monday following the last Saturday in September and for two days following; and the fourth Monday in November through the first Saturday in January, both dates inclusive.
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Culpeper County
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Fourth Friday following the fourth Monday in November through and for two consecutive days following, and 12 days immediately prior to and including the first Saturday in January, both dates inclusive.
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Cumberland County
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Monday nearest December 2 through the first Saturday in January, both dates inclusive.
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Dickenson County
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Monday following the last Saturday in September and for two days following; and the fourth Monday in November through the first Saturday in January, both dates inclusive.
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Dinwiddie County
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Monday nearest December 2 through the first Saturday in January, both dates inclusive.
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Essex County
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Monday nearest December 2 through the first Saturday in January, both dates inclusive.
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Fairfax County
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The fourth Monday in November through the first Saturday in January, both dates inclusive.
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Fauquier County
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The Friday following the fourth Monday in November through and for two consecutive days following, and 12 days immediately prior to and including the first Saturday in January, both dates inclusive.
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Floyd County
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Monday nearest December 2 through the first Saturday in January, both dates inclusive.
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Fluvanna County
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Fourth Monday in November through the first Saturday in January, both dates inclusive.
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Franklin County
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Monday nearest December 2 through the first Saturday in January, both dates inclusive.
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Frederick County
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The Friday following the fourth Monday in November through and for two consecutive days following, and 12 days immediately prior to and including the first Saturday in January, both dates inclusive.
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Giles County
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Monday following the last Saturday in September and for two days following; and the fourth Monday in November through the first Saturday in January, both dates inclusive.
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Gloucester County
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Monday nearest December 2 through the first Saturday in January, both dates inclusive.
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Goochland County
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Fourth Monday in November through the first Saturday in January, both dates inclusive.
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Grayson County
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Monday nearest December 2 through the first Saturday in January, both dates inclusive.
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Greene County
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The Friday following the fourth Monday in November through and for two consecutive days following, and 12 days immediately prior to and including the first Saturday in January, both dates inclusive.
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Greensville County
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Monday nearest December 2 through the first Saturday in January, both dates inclusive.
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Halifax County
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Monday nearest December 2 Fourth Monday in November through the first Saturday in January, both dates inclusive.
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Hanover County
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Fourth Monday in November through the first Saturday in January, both dates inclusive.
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Henrico County
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Fourth Monday in November through the first Saturday in January, both dates inclusive.
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Henry County
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Monday nearest December 2 through the first Saturday in January, both dates inclusive.
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Highland County
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The Friday following the fourth Monday in November through and for two consecutive days following, and 12 days immediately prior to and including the first Saturday in January, both dates inclusive.
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Isle of Wight County
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Monday nearest December 2 through the first Saturday in January, both dates inclusive.
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James City County
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Monday nearest December 2 through the first Saturday in January, both dates inclusive.
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King and Queen County
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Monday nearest December 2 through the first Saturday in January, both dates inclusive.
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King George County
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Monday nearest December 2 through the first Saturday in January, both dates inclusive.
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King William County
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Monday nearest December 2 through the first Saturday in January, both dates inclusive.
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Lancaster County
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Monday nearest December 2 through the first Saturday in January, both dates inclusive.
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Lee County
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Monday following the last Saturday in September and for two days following; and the fourth Monday in November through the first Saturday in January, both dates inclusive.
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Loudoun County
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The Friday following the fourth Monday in November through and for two consecutive days following, and 12 days immediately prior to and including the first Saturday in January, both dates inclusive.
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Louisa County
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Fourth Monday in November through the first Saturday in January, both dates inclusive.
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Lunenburg County
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Monday nearest December 2 through the first Saturday in January, both dates inclusive.
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Madison County
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The Friday following the fourth Monday in November through and for two consecutive days following, and 12 days immediately prior to and including the first Saturday in January, both dates inclusive.
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Mathews County
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Monday nearest December 2 through the first Saturday in January, both dates inclusive.
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Mecklenburg County
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Monday nearest December 2 Fourth Monday in November through the first Saturday in January, both dates inclusive.
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Middlesex County
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Monday nearest December 2 through the first Saturday in January, both dates inclusive.
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Montgomery County
(southeast of I-81)
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Monday nearest December 2 through the first Saturday in January, both dates inclusive.
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Montgomery County (northwest of I-81)
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Monday following the last Saturday in September and for two days following; and the fourth Monday in November through the first Saturday in January, both dates inclusive.
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Nelson County
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The Friday following the fourth Monday in November through and for two consecutive days following, and 12 days immediately prior to and including the first Saturday in January, both dates inclusive.
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New Kent County
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Monday nearest December 2 through the first Saturday in January, both dates inclusive.
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Northampton County
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Closed
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Northumberland County
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Monday nearest December 2 through the first Saturday in January, both dates inclusive.
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Nottoway County
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Monday nearest December 2 through the first Saturday in January, both dates inclusive.
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Orange County
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Fourth Monday in November through the first Saturday in January, both dates inclusive.
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Page County
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The Friday following the fourth Monday in November through and for two consecutive days following, and 12 days immediately prior to and including the first Saturday in January, both dates inclusive.
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Patrick County
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Monday nearest December 2 through the first Saturday in January, both dates inclusive.
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Pittsylvania County
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Monday nearest December 2 through the first Saturday in January, both dates inclusive.
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Powhatan County
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Fourth Monday in November through the first Saturday in January, both dates inclusive.
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Prince Edward County
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Monday nearest December 2 Fourth Monday in November through the first Saturday in January, both dates inclusive.
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Prince George County
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Monday nearest December 2 through the first Saturday in January, both dates inclusive.
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Prince William County
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The fourth Monday in November through the first Saturday in January, both dates inclusive.
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Pulaski County
(southeast of I-81)
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Monday nearest December 2 through the first Saturday in January, both dates inclusive.
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Pulaski County
(northwest of I-81)
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Monday following the last Saturday in September and for two days following; and the fourth Monday in November through the first Saturday in January, both dates inclusive.
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Rappahannock County
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The Friday following the fourth Monday in November through and for two consecutive days following, and 12 days immediately prior to and including the first Saturday in January, both dates inclusive.
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Richmond County
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Monday nearest December 2 through the first Saturday in January, both dates inclusive.
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Roanoke County
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Monday following the last Saturday in September and for two days following; and the fourth Monday in November through the first Saturday in January, both dates inclusive.
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Rockbridge County
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The Friday following the fourth Monday in November through and for two consecutive days following, and 12 days immediately prior to and including the first Saturday in January, both dates inclusive.
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Rockingham County
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The Friday following the fourth Monday in November through and for two consecutive days following, and 12 days immediately prior to and including the first Saturday in January, both dates inclusive.
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Russell County
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Monday following the last Saturday in September and for two days following; and the fourth Monday in November through the first Saturday in January, both dates inclusive.
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Scott County
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Monday following the last Saturday in September and for two days following; and the fourth Monday in November through the first Saturday in January, both dates inclusive.
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Shenandoah County
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The Friday following the fourth Monday in November through and for two consecutive days following, and 12 days immediately prior to and including the first Saturday in January, both dates inclusive.
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Smyth County
(southeast of I-81)
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Monday nearest December 2 through the first Saturday in January, both dates inclusive.
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Smyth County
(northwest of I-81)
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Monday following the last Saturday in September and for two days following;, and the fourth Monday in November through the first Saturday in January, both dates inclusive.
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Southampton County
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Monday nearest December 2 through the first Saturday in January, both dates inclusive.
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Spotsylvania County
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Fourth Monday in November through the first Saturday in January, both dates inclusive.
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Stafford County
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The fourth Monday in November through the first Saturday in January, both dates inclusive.
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Suffolk (City of)
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October 1 through the first Saturday in January, both dates inclusive.
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Surry County
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Monday nearest December 2 through the first Saturday in January, both dates inclusive.
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Sussex County
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Monday nearest December 2 through the first Saturday in January, both dates inclusive.
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Tazewell County
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Monday following the last Saturday in September and for two days following;, and the fourth Monday in November through the first Saturday in January, both dates inclusive.
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Virginia Beach (City of)
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October 1 through the first Saturday in January, both dates inclusive.
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Warren County
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The Friday following the fourth Monday in November through and for two consecutive days following, and 12 days immediately prior to and including the first Saturday in January, both dates inclusive.
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Washington County
(southeast of I-81)
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Monday nearest December 2 through the first Saturday in January, both dates inclusive.
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Washington County
(northwest of I-81)
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Monday following the last Saturday in September and for two days following;, and the fourth Monday in November through the first Saturday in January, both dates inclusive.
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Westmoreland County
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Monday nearest December 2 through the first Saturday in January, both dates inclusive.
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Wise County
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Monday following the last Saturday in September and for two days following;, and the fourth Monday in November through the first Saturday in January, both dates inclusive.
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Wythe County
(southeast of I-81)
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Monday nearest December 2 through the first Saturday in January, both dates inclusive.
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Wythe County
(northwest of I-81)
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Monday following the last Saturday in September and for two days following;, and the fourth Monday in November through the first Saturday in January, both dates inclusive.
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York County
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Monday nearest December 2 through the first Saturday in January, both dates inclusive.
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B. Notwithstanding provisions of subsection A of this section, bears may be hunted from the first Saturday in October through the first Saturday in January, both dates inclusive, within the incorporated limits of any town or city that allows bear hunting.
4VAC15-50-70. Archery hunting.
A. It shall be lawful to hunt bear during the special archery season with archery equipment from the first Saturday in October through the Friday prior to the third Monday in November, both dates inclusive, except in the localities listed in subsection B of this section.
B. It shall be lawful to hunt bear during the special archery season with archery equipment from the third Saturday in October through the Friday prior to the third Monday in November, both dates inclusive, in the following counties, including the cities and towns within: Albemarle, Alleghany, Amherst, Appomattox, Augusta, Bath, Bedford, Botetourt, Buckingham, Clarke, Culpeper, Fauquier, Frederick, Greene, Highland, Loudoun, Madison, Nelson, Page, Rappahannock, Rockbridge, Rockingham, Shenandoah, and Warren.
C. It shall be unlawful to carry use firearms to hunt any game species while hunting with archery equipment during the special archery seasons, except that hunters 15 years of age and under and apprentice hunters may be in possession of use firearms to hunt for bear while hunting on youth and apprentice hunter bear hunting weekend as authorized by 4VAC15-50-12 and except that a muzzleloading gun, as defined in 4VAC15-50-71, may be in the possession of used by a properly licensed muzzleloading gun hunter when and where the early special archery bear season overlaps the early special muzzleloading bear season.
C. D. It shall be unlawful to use dogs when hunting with archery equipment during the special archery season, except that hounds may be used by hunters participating in the youth and apprentice hunter bear hunting weekend in areas as defined in 4VAC15-50-12, and that tracking dogs as described in § 29.1-516.1 of the Code of Virginia may be used.
4VAC15-50-71. Muzzleloading gun hunting.
A. It shall be lawful to hunt bears during the special muzzleloading season with muzzleloading guns from the Saturday prior to the second Monday in November through the Friday prior to the third Monday in November, both dates inclusive, except in the Cities of Chesapeake, Suffolk, and Virginia Beach, except in the localities listed in subsection B of this section.
B. It shall be lawful to hunt bear during the special muzzleloading season with muzzleloading guns from the Tuesday following the second Monday in November through the Friday prior to the third Monday in November, both dates inclusive, in the following counties, including the cities and towns within: Albemarle, Alleghany, Amherst, Appomattox, Augusta, Bath, Bedford, Botetourt, Buckingham, Clarke, Culpeper, Fauquier, Frederick, Greene, Highland, Loudoun, Madison, Nelson, Page, Rappahannock, Rockbridge, Rockingham, Shenandoah, and Warren.
C. It shall be unlawful to hunt bear with dogs during any special season for hunting with muzzleloading guns, except that tracking dogs as defined in § 29.1-516.1 of the Code of Virginia may be used.
C. D. Muzzleloading guns, for the purpose of this section, include:
1. Single shot muzzleloading rifles.40 Muzzleloading rifles (one or more barrels) .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 (one or more barrels) .44 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; and
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.
D. E. It shall be unlawful to have in immediate possession hunt bear with any firearm other than a muzzleloading gun while hunting with a muzzleloading gun in a during the special muzzleloading bear season.
4VAC15-50-120. Bear hound training season.
A. It shall be lawful to chase black bear with dogs, without capturing or taking, from August 1 through the last Saturday in September, both dates inclusive, in the Counties of Albemarle, Alleghany, Amherst, Augusta, Bath, Bedford, Bland, Botetourt, Brunswick, Buchanan, Carroll, Charlotte, Craig, Culpeper, Dickenson, Floyd, Franklin, Giles, Grayson (east of Route 16), Greene, Greensville, Highland, Lee, Lunenburg, Madison, Mecklenburg, Montgomery, Nelson, Page, Pulaski, Rappahannock, Roanoke (west of I-81), Rockbridge, Rockingham, Russell, Scott, Shenandoah, Smyth (except for the part southeast of I-81 and west of State Route 16), Tazewell, Warren, Washington (northwest of I-81), Wise, and Wythe and in the Cities of Chesapeake, Suffolk, and Virginia Beach.
B. It shall be lawful to chase black bear with dogs, without capturing or taking, from the Saturday prior to the third Monday in November and for 14 days following, both dates inclusive, in the Counties of Amelia, Appomattox, Buckingham, Brunswick, Campbell (east of the Norfolk Southern Railroad), Charles City, Charlotte, Cumberland, Dinwiddie, Essex, Gloucester, Greensville, Halifax, Isle of Wight, James City, King and Queen, King George, King William, Lancaster, Lunenburg, Mathews, Mecklenburg, Middlesex, New Kent, Northumberland, Nottoway, Pittsylvania (east of the Norfolk Southern Railroad), Prince Edward, Prince George, Richmond, Southampton, Surry, Sussex, Westmoreland, and York.
C. It shall be lawful to chase black bear with dogs, without capturing or taking, from the Saturday prior to the third Monday in November and for 12 days following, both dates inclusive, in the Counties of Appomattox and Buckingham.
D. It shall be lawful to chase black bear with dogs, without capturing or taking, from the first Monday of December and for 19 days following, excluding Sundays, in the Counties of Albemarle, Alleghany, Amherst, Appomattox, Augusta, Bath, Bedford, Botetourt, Buckingham, Clarke, Culpeper, Fauquier, Frederick, Greene, Highland, Madison, Nelson, Page, Rappahannock, Rockbridge, Rockingham, Shenandoah, and Warren.
E. It shall be unlawful to have in possession a use any firearm, bow, crossbow, or any weapon capable of legally permissible for taking a black bear for the specific purpose of harvesting or killing a black bear while participating in the bear hound training season. The meaning of "possession" for the purpose of this section shall include having a firearm, bow, crossbow, or any weapon capable of taking a black bear in or on one's person, vehicle, or conveyance.
VA.R. Doc. No. R25-8259; Filed April 09, 2025