TITLE 4. CONSERVATION AND NATURAL RESOURCES

BOARD OF WILDLIFE RESOURCES

Proposed Regulation

Title of Regulation: 4VAC15-90. Game: Deer (amending 4VAC15-90-10, 4VAC15-90-70, 4VAC15-90-80, 4VAC15-90-89, 4VAC15-90-91, 4VAC15-90-530, 4VAC15-90-540, 4VAC15-90-550).

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 (i) update deer hunting general firearm seasons, deer hunting archery seasons, and deer hunting muzzleloader seasons by management unit; (ii) clarify firearm possession and use terms in accordance with Second Amendment provisions; (iii) address which deer management units are part of the Earn A Buck program used to accomplish female deer harvest objectives to meet overall deer population harvest goals; (iv) update deer hunting either-sex days as part of overall deer seasons by management unit; (v) simplify language and remove unnecessary mandates; and (vi) allow the department the appropriate flexibility to take into account wildlife violations for those drawn in the elk lottery and landowner lottery.

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.

Locality	Season
Accomack County	Saturday prior to the third Monday in November through the first Saturday in January
Albemarle County	Saturday prior to the third Monday in November through the first Saturday in January
Alleghany County (except on national forest lands)	Saturday prior to the third Monday in November and for 28 consecutive days following
Alleghany County (national forest lands)	Saturday prior to the third Monday in November and for 14 consecutive days following
Amelia County	Saturday prior to the third Monday in November through the first Saturday in January
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)	Saturday prior to the third Monday in November and for 28 consecutive days following through the first Saturday in January
Amherst County (national forest lands)	Saturday prior to the third Monday in November and for 14 consecutive days following
Amherst County (east of Business U.S. 29, as defined above)	Saturday prior to the third Monday in November through the first Saturday in January
Appomattox County	Saturday prior to the third Monday in November through the first Saturday in January
Arlington County	Saturday prior to the third Monday in November through the first Saturday in January
Arlington County (antlerless deer only)	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
Augusta County (except on national forest and department-owned lands)	Saturday prior to the third Monday in November and for 28 consecutive days following
Augusta County (national forest and department-owned lands)	Saturday prior to the third Monday in November and for 14 consecutive days following
Bath County (except on national forest and department-owned lands)	Saturday prior to the third Monday in November and for 28 consecutive days following
Bath County (national forest and department-owned lands)	Saturday prior to the third Monday in November and for 14 consecutive days following
Bedford County (except on national forest lands)	Saturday prior to the third Monday in November and for 28 consecutive days following through the first Saturday in January
Bedford County (national forest lands)	Saturday prior to the third Monday in November and for 14 consecutive days following
Bedford County (private lands and antlerless deer only)	First Saturday in September through the Friday prior to the first Saturday in October and the Sunday following the first Saturday in January through January 31
Bland County (except on national forest lands)	Saturday prior to the third Monday in November and for 28 consecutive days following
Bland County (national forest lands)	Saturday prior to the third Monday in November and for 14 consecutive days following
Botetourt County (except on national forest and department-owned lands)	Saturday prior to the third Monday in November and for 28 consecutive days following
Botetourt County (national forest and department-owned lands)	Saturday prior to the third Monday in November and for 14 consecutive days following
Brunswick County	Saturday prior to the third Monday in November through the first Saturday in January
Buchanan County	Saturday prior to the third Monday in November and for 14 28 consecutive days following
Buckingham County	Saturday prior to the third Monday in November through the first Saturday in January
Campbell County	Saturday prior to the third Monday in November through the first Saturday in January
Caroline County	Saturday prior to the third Monday in November through the first Saturday in January
Carroll County (private except on national forest and department-owned lands)	Saturday prior to the third Monday in November and for 28 consecutive days following through the first Saturday in January
Carroll County (public national forest and department-owned lands)	Saturday prior to the third Monday in November and for 14 consecutive days following
Carroll County (private lands and antlerless deer only)	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
Charles City County	Saturday prior to the third Monday in November through the first Saturday in January
Charlotte County	Saturday prior to the third Monday in November through the first Saturday in January
Chesapeake (City of)	October 1 through November 30
Chesterfield County	Saturday prior to the third Monday in November through the first Saturday in January
Clarke County	Saturday prior to the third Monday in November through the first Saturday in January
Clarke County (antlerless deer only)	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
Craig County (except on national forest and department-owned lands)	Saturday prior to the third Monday in November and for 28 consecutive days following
Craig County (national forest and department-owned lands)	Saturday prior to the third Monday in November and for 14 consecutive days following
Culpeper County (except Chester F. Phelps Wildlife Management Area)	Saturday prior to the third Monday in November through the first Saturday in January
Culpeper County (Chester F. Phelps Wildlife Management Area)	Saturday prior to the third Monday in November and for 14 consecutive days following
Culpeper County (private lands and antlerless deer only)	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
Cumberland County	Saturday prior to the third Monday in November through the first Saturday in January
Dickenson County (except on federal lands)	Saturday prior to the third Monday in November and for 28 consecutive days following
Dickenson County (federal lands)	Saturday prior to the third Monday in November and for 14 consecutive days following
Dinwiddie County	Saturday prior to the third Monday in November through the first Saturday in January
Essex County	Saturday prior to the third Monday in November through the first Saturday in January
Fairfax County	Saturday prior to the third Monday in November through the first Saturday in January
Fairfax County (antlerless deer only)	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
Fauquier County (except Chester F. Phelps Wildlife Management Area)	Saturday prior to the third Monday in November through the first Saturday in January
Fauquier County (Chester F. Phelps Wildlife Management Area)	Saturday prior to the third Monday in November and for 14 consecutive days following
Fauquier County (private lands and antlerless deer only)	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
Floyd County	Saturday prior to the third Monday in November and for 28 consecutive days following through the first Saturday in January
Floyd County (antlerless deer only)	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
Fluvanna County	Saturday prior to the third Monday in November through the first Saturday in January
Franklin County (except on federal and department-owned lands)	Saturday prior to the third Monday in November through the first Saturday in January
Franklin County (federal and department-owned lands)	Saturday prior to the third Monday in November and for 28 consecutive days following
Frederick County (non-national forest lands)	Saturday prior to the third Monday in November through the first Saturday in January
Frederick County (national forest lands)	Saturday prior to the third Monday in November and for 14 consecutive days following
Frederick County (non-national forest lands antlerless deer only)	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
Giles County (except on national forest lands)	Saturday prior to the third Monday in November and for 28 consecutive days following
Giles County (national forest lands)	Saturday prior to the third Monday in November and for 14 consecutive days following
Gloucester County	Saturday prior to the third Monday in November through the first Saturday in January
Goochland County	Saturday prior to the third Monday in November through the first Saturday in January
Grayson County (except on national forest lands and Grayson Highlands State Park)	Saturday prior to the third Monday in November and for 28 consecutive days following
Grayson County (national forest lands and Grayson Highlands State Park)	Saturday prior to the third Monday in November and for 14 consecutive days following
Greene County	Saturday prior to the third Monday in November through the first Saturday in January
Greene County (private lands and antlerless deer only)	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
Greensville County	Saturday prior to the third Monday in November through the first Saturday in January
Halifax County	Saturday prior to the third Monday in November through the first Saturday in January
Hanover County	Saturday prior to the third Monday in November through the first Saturday in January
Hanover County (private lands and antlerless deer only)	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
Henrico County	Saturday prior to the third Monday in November through the first Saturday in January
Henrico County (private lands and antlerless deer only)	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
Henry County	Saturday prior to the third Monday in November and for 28 consecutive days following
Highland County (except on national forest and department-owned lands)	Saturday prior to the third Monday in November and for 28 consecutive days following
Highland County (national forest and department-owned lands)	Saturday prior to the third Monday in November and for 14 consecutive days following
Isle of Wight County	Saturday prior to the third Monday in November through the first Saturday in January
James City County	Saturday prior to the third Monday in November through the first Saturday in January
James City County (private lands and antlerless deer only)	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
King and Queen County	Saturday prior to the third Monday in November through the first Saturday in January
King George County	Saturday prior to the third Monday in November through the first Saturday in January
King William County	Saturday prior to the third Monday in November through the first Saturday in January
Lancaster County	Saturday prior to the third Monday in November through the first Saturday in January
Lee County (except on national forest lands)	Saturday prior to the third Monday in November and for 28 consecutive days following
Lee County (national forest lands)	Saturday prior to the third Monday in November and for 14 consecutive days following
Loudoun County	Saturday prior to the third Monday in November through the first Saturday in January
Loudoun County (antlerless deer only)	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
Louisa County	Saturday prior to the third Monday in November through the first Saturday in January
Lunenburg County	Saturday prior to the third Monday in November through the first Saturday in January
Madison County	Saturday prior to the third Monday in November through the first Saturday in January
Madison County (private lands and antlerless deer only)	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
Mathews County	Saturday prior to the third Monday in November through the first Saturday in January
Mecklenburg County	Saturday prior to the third Monday in November through the first Saturday in January
Middlesex County	Saturday prior to the third Monday in November through the first Saturday in January
Montgomery County (non-national forest lands)	Saturday prior to the third Monday in November and for 28 consecutive days following through the first Saturday in January
Montgomery County (national forest lands)	Saturday prior to the third Monday in November and for 14 consecutive days following
Montgomery County (non-national forest lands and antlerless deer only)	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
Nelson County (west of Route 151, except on national forest lands)	Saturday prior to the third Monday in November and for 28 consecutive days following through the first Saturday in January
Nelson County (national forest lands)	Saturday prior to the third Monday in November and for 14 consecutive days following
Nelson County (east of Route 151)	Saturday prior to the third Monday in November through the first Saturday in January
New Kent County	Saturday prior to the third Monday in November through the first Saturday in January
Northampton County	Saturday prior to the third Monday in November through the first Saturday in January
Northumberland County	Saturday prior to the third Monday in November through the first Saturday in January
Nottoway County	Saturday prior to the third Monday in November through the first Saturday in January
Orange County	Saturday prior to the third Monday in November through the first Saturday in January
Orange County (private lands and antlerless deer only)	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
Page County (except on national forest lands)	Saturday prior to the third Monday in November through the first Saturday in January
Page County (national forest lands)	Saturday prior to the third Monday in November and for 14 consecutive days following
Page County (non-national forest lands and antlerless deer only)	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
Patrick County	Saturday prior to the third Monday in November and for 28 consecutive days following
Pittsylvania County	Saturday prior to the third Monday in November through the first Saturday in January
Powhatan County	Saturday prior to the third Monday in November through the first Saturday in January
Prince Edward County	Saturday prior to the third Monday in November through the first Saturday in January
Prince George County	Saturday prior to the third Monday in November through the first Saturday in January
Prince William County	Saturday prior to the third Monday in November through the first Saturday in January
Prince William County (antlerless deer only)	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
Pulaski County (except on New River Unit of the Radford Army Ammunition Plant adjacent to the Town of Dublin and national forest lands)	Saturday prior to the third Monday in November and for 28 consecutive days following through the first Saturday in January
Pulaski County (New River Unit of the Radford Army Ammunition Plant adjacent to the Town of Dublin)	Saturday prior to the second Monday in November through the first Saturday in January
Pulaski County (national forest lands)	Saturday prior to the third Monday in November and for 14 consecutive days following
Pulaski County (non-national forest lands and antlerless deer only)	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
Rappahannock County	Saturday prior to the third Monday in November through the first Saturday in January
Rappahannock County (private lands and antlerless deer only)	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
Richmond County	Saturday prior to the third Monday in November through the first Saturday in January
Roanoke County (private except on national forest and department-owned lands)	Saturday prior to the third Monday in November and for 28 consecutive days following through the first Saturday in January
Roanoke County (public national forest and department-owned lands)	Saturday prior to the third Monday in November and for 14 consecutive days following
Rockbridge County (except on national forest and department-owned lands)	Saturday prior to the third Monday in November and for 28 consecutive days following
Rockbridge County (national forest and department-owned lands)	Saturday prior to the third Monday in November and for 14 consecutive days following
Rockingham County (except on national forest lands and private lands west of Routes 613 and 731)	Saturday prior to the third Monday in November through the first Saturday in January
Rockingham County (national forest lands)	Saturday prior to the third Monday in November and for 14 consecutive days following
Rockingham County (private lands west of Routes 613 and 731)	Saturday prior to the third Monday in November and for 28 consecutive days following
Russell County (except on national forest lands, Channels State Forest, and department-owned lands)	Saturday prior to the third Monday in November and for 28 consecutive days following
Russell County (national forest lands, Channels State Forest, and department-owned lands)	Saturday prior to the third Monday in November and for 14 consecutive days following
Scott County (except on national forest lands)	Saturday prior to the third Monday in November and for 28 consecutive days following
Scott County (national forest lands)	Saturday prior to the third Monday in November and for 14 consecutive days following
Shenandoah County (except on national forest lands)	Saturday prior to the third Monday in November through the first Saturday in January
Shenandoah County (national forest lands)	Saturday prior to the third Monday in November and for 14 consecutive days following
Shenandoah County (non-national forest lands antlerless deer only)	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
Smyth County (except on national forest lands, Hungry Mother State Park, and department-owned lands)	Saturday prior to the third Monday in November and for 28 consecutive days following
Smyth County (national forest lands, Hungry Mother State Park, and department-owned lands)	Saturday prior to the third Monday in November and for 14 consecutive days following
Southampton County	Saturday prior to the third Monday in November through the first Saturday in January
Spotsylvania County	Saturday prior to the third Monday in November through the first Saturday in January
Stafford County	Saturday prior to the third Monday in November through the first Saturday in January
Suffolk (City of) (east of Dismal Swamp Line)	October 1 through November 30
Suffolk (City of) (west of Dismal Swamp Line)	Saturday prior to the third Monday in November through the first Saturday in January
Surry County	Saturday prior to the third Monday in November through the first Saturday in January
Sussex County	Saturday prior to the third Monday in November through the first Saturday in January
Tazewell County (except on national forest and department-owned lands)	Saturday prior to the third Monday in November and for 28 consecutive days following
Tazewell County (national forest and department-owned lands)	Saturday prior to the third Monday in November and for 14 consecutive days following
Virginia Beach (City of)	October 1 through November 30
Warren County (non-national forest lands)	Saturday prior to the third Monday in November through the first Saturday in January
Warren County (national forest lands)	Saturday prior to the third Monday in November and for 14 consecutive days following
Warren County (non-national forest lands antlerless deer only)	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
Washington County (except on national forest lands, Channels State Forest, and department-owned lands)	Saturday prior to the third Monday in November and for 28 consecutive days following
Washington County (national forest lands, Channels State Forest, and department-owned lands)	Saturday prior to the third Monday in November and for 14 consecutive days following
Westmoreland County	Saturday prior to the third Monday in November through the first Saturday in January
Wise County (except on national forest lands)	Saturday prior to the third Monday in November and for 28 consecutive days following
Wise County (national forest lands)	Saturday prior to the third Monday in November and for 14 consecutive days following
Wythe County (except on national forest and department-owned lands)	Saturday prior to the third Monday in November through the first Saturday in January
Wythe County (national forest and department-owned lands)	Saturday prior to the third Monday in November and for 14 consecutive days following
York County	Saturday prior to the third Monday in November through the first Saturday in January
York County (private lands and antlerless deer only)	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

B. Except as provided in subsection A of this section, 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. In addition to provisions of subsection A of this section, antlerless deer may be taken from the 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, both dates inclusive, within any disease focus zone designated by the department.

4VAC15-90-70. Archery hunting.

A. It shall be lawful to hunt deer during the early special archery season with archery equipment or a slingbow 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 archery equipment or a slingbow: 1. From from the Sunday following the close of the general firearms season on deer through the first Saturday in January, both dates inclusive, (i) in all cities, towns, and counties west of the Blue Ridge Mountains (except Clarke County and on non-national forest lands in Frederick County); (ii) 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; (iii) on the Chester F. Phelps Wildlife Management Area; and (iv) on national forest lands in Frederick County. 2. From December 1 through, or portions thereof, where the general firearms deer season closes before 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.

D. 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 a muzzleloading gun, as defined in 4VAC15-90-80, may be in the possession of used by a properly licensed muzzleloading gun hunter to hunt for deer when and where a special archery deer season overlaps a special muzzleloading deer season.

E. It shall be unlawful to use dogs when hunting with archery equipment during any special archery season, except that tracking dogs as described in § 29.1-516.1 of the Code of Virginia may be used.

F. It shall be lawful to hunt antlerless deer during the special urban archery season with archery equipment or a slingbow from the first Saturday in September through the Friday prior to the first Saturday in October, both dates inclusive, and from the Sunday following the first Saturday in January through the last Sunday in March, both dates inclusive, within the incorporated limits of any city or town in the Commonwealth (except on national forest and department-owned lands) 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 the governing body of the city, county, or town 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. When consistent with the department's deer management objectives and subject to the director's approval, a participating county may exclude from this season a geographic area by submitting a clear description of such area in a certified letter to the department prior to April 1.

G. It shall be lawful to hunt antlerless deer during the special urban archery season with archery equipment or a slingbow during dates specified in subsection F of this section within the boundaries of any common interest community as defined in § 54.1-2345 of the Code of Virginia provided that (i) the association submits by certified letter to the department prior to July 1 the association's request to participate in the special urban archery season and (ii) the department approves such request.

1. The special urban archery season will in no way supersede any local ordinance, any restriction in the association's governing documents, or the requirement to obtain a landowner's permission to hunt.

2. An association no longer participating in the special urban archery season shall submit notice of the association's intent not to participate in the special urban archery season. The association shall submit the certified letter to the department prior to July 1.

3. At its discretion, the department may suspend or revoke the special urban archery season in any association upon written notice to the association.

For the purposes of this subsection, "association" means the governing board or the authorized agent of the governing board of an association of property owners, condominium unit owners, or proprietary lessees.

H. It shall be lawful to hunt antlerless deer during the special antlerless archery season with archery equipment or a slingbow from the Monday following the last Sunday in March through the last Sunday in April, both dates inclusive, in the Counties of Arlington, Fairfax, Loudoun, and Prince William (including the cities and towns within).

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 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, or portions thereof, where the general firearms deer season closes before the first Saturday in January.

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, Craig, Frederick, Giles, Grayson, Montgomery, Page, Pulaski, Roanoke, Rockingham (east of Routes 613 and 731), Scott, Smyth, Shenandoah, Warren, and Wythe Counties.

2. Antlered bucks only—no either-sex deer hunting days during the early special muzzleloading season in Buchanan County; on federal lands in Dickenson County; on department-owned land in Russell County; on national forest lands in Alleghany, Bland, Craig, Frederick, Giles, Grayson, Lee, Montgomery, Page, Pulaski, Rockingham, Scott, Shenandoah, Warren, and Wise Counties; on national forest and department-owned lands in Augusta, Bath, Botetourt, Carroll, Highland (except Highland Wildlife Management Area), Roanoke, Rockbridge, Smyth, Tazewell, Washington, and Wythe Counties; 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, Craig, Giles, Grayson, Montgomery, Page, Pulaski, Roanoke, Rockingham (east of Routes 613 and 731), Scott, and Smyth, Shenandoah, Warren, and Wythe Counties; and on federal and department-owned lands in Franklin County.

2. Deer of either sex may be taken the last day only during the late special muzzleloading season in Alleghany, Bath, Buchanan, Highland, Lee, Russell, Tazewell, and Wise Counties; on national forest lands in Amherst, Bedford, Bland, Craig, Frederick, Giles, Grayson, Montgomery, Nelson, Page, Pulaski, Rockingham, Scott, Shenandoah, and Warren Counties; on national forest and department-owned lands in Augusta, Botetourt, Carroll, Roanoke, Rockbridge, Smyth, Washington, and Wythe Counties; on federal lands in Dickenson County; 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 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 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 revolvers .44 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 hunt deer with any firearm other than a muzzleloading gun while hunting with a muzzleloading gun in a during the special muzzleloading deer season.

4VAC15-90-89. Earn a buck.

A. For the purposes of this section, the term "license year" means the period between July 1 and June 30 of the following year.

B. Within a license year and within in each individual county listed in this subsection, a hunter must have taken at least one antlerless deer on private lands in that county before taking a second antlered deer on private lands in that county. In those counties listed in this subsection east of the Blue Ridge Mountains, a hunter must have taken at least two antlerless deer on private lands in that county before taking a third antlered deer on private lands in that county.

The counties subject to the provisions of this subsection are Accomack, Albemarle, Amherst (west of Route 29), Augusta, Bedford, Botetourt, Carroll, Chesterfield, Clarke, Craig, Culpeper, Fauquier, Floyd, Franklin, Frederick, Giles, Grayson, Greene, Hanover, Henrico, James City, Madison, Montgomery, Orange, Page, Prince George, Pulaski, Rappahannock, Roanoke, Rockingham (east of Routes 613 and 731), Shenandoah, Spotsylvania, Stafford, Warren, Wythe, and York.

C. Within a license year and within each individual county listed in this subsection, a hunter must have taken at least one antlerless deer in that county before taking a second antlered deer in that county. A hunter must also have taken at least two antlerless deer in that county before taking a third antlered deer in that county.­­

The counties subject to the provisions of this subsection are Arlington, Fairfax, Loudoun, and Prince William (except on Department of Defense lands).

D. Within a license year and within any city or town, except the Cities of Chesapeake, Suffolk, and Virginia Beach, a hunter must have taken at least one antlerless deer in that city or town before taking a second antlered deer in that city or town. In those cities and towns east of the Blue Ridge Mountains, a hunter must have taken at least two antlerless deer in that city or town before taking a third antlered deer in that city or town.

E. The Earn A Buck Program does not apply to the Cities of Chesapeake, Suffolk, and Virginia Beach.

F. No deer taken under the provisions of § 29.1-529 of the Code of Virginia fulfills the requirement of subsections B, C, or D of this section.

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, second Friday, and the last day third Saturday.

- National forest lands: the last day.

Amelia County: the second and third Saturdays and the last 13 29 days.

- Amelia WMA: the second and third Saturdays and the last six 13 days.

Amherst County (east 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): the second and third Saturdays and the last 29 days full season.

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): full season.

- National forest lands: the last day.

Appomattox County: the second and third Saturdays and the last six days.

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

- Featherfin WMA: the second and third Saturdays and the last 29 days.

Arlington County: full season.

Augusta County: full season.

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

Bath County: the second Saturday, second Friday, and the last day third Saturday.

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

Bedford County: full season.

- National forest lands: the last day.

Bland County: the second Saturday and through the last two days third Saturday.

- National forest lands: the second Saturday and the last two days.

Botetourt County: full season.

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

Brunswick County: the second and third Saturdays and the last six 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 six days.

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

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

- Featherfin WMA: the second and third Saturdays and the last 29 days.

Campbell County (east of Norfolk Southern Railroad): the second and third Saturdays and the last 29 days full season.

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

Caroline County: the second and third Saturdays and the last six days.

- Mattaponi WMA Department-owned lands: the second and third Saturdays and the last six days.

Carroll County: full season.

- National forest and department-owned lands: the second Saturday and the last 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 six days.

Chesapeake (City of): full season.

- Cavalier WMA: the second and third Saturdays and the last 13 days.

Chesterfield County: full season.

Clarke County: full season.

Craig County: full season.

- National forest and department-owned lands: the second Saturday and the last two days.

Culpeper County: full season.

- Chester F. Phelps WMA: the second Saturday.

Cumberland County: the second and third Saturdays and the last 13 29 days.

- Cumberland State Forest: the second, and third, and fourth Saturdays.

Dickenson County: the third Saturday.

- Federal lands: 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 six days.

Essex County: the second and third Saturdays and the last six days.

Fairfax County: full season.

Fauquier County: full season.

- G. Richard Thompson WMA: the second and third Saturdays and the last 13 days.

- Chester F. Phelps WMA: the second Saturday.

Floyd County: full season.

Fluvanna County: second and third Saturdays and the last 29 days full season.

- Hardware River WMA: the second and third Saturdays and the last 13 days.

Franklin County: full season.

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

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

Frederick County: full season.

- National forest lands: the last day.

Giles County: full season.

- National forest lands: the second Saturday and the last two days.

Gloucester County: the second and third Saturdays and the last 13 29 days.

Goochland County: full season.

Grayson County: full season.

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

Greene County: full season.

Greensville County: the second and third Saturdays and the last six days full season.

Halifax County: the second and third Saturdays and the last 13 days full season.

Hanover County: full season.

Henrico County: full season.

Henry County: the second and third Saturdays and the last 13 days.

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

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

Highland County: the second Saturday, second Friday, and the last day third Saturday.

- National forest lands: the last day.

- Department-owned lands: the second Saturday, second Friday, and the last day third Saturday.

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: the second and third Saturdays and the last 13 days.

King George County: the second and third Saturdays and the last 29 days full season.

King William County: the second and third Saturdays and the last 13 days.

Lancaster County: the second and third Saturdays and the last 29 days full season.

Lee County: the second Saturday, second Friday, and the last two days third Saturday.

- 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 29 days full season.

Lunenburg County: the second and third Saturdays and the last six days.

Madison County: full season.

- Rapidan WMA: the second and third Saturdays and the last 13 days.

Mathews County: the second and third Saturdays and the last six days.

Mecklenburg County: the second and third Saturdays and the last six days.

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

Middlesex County: the second and third Saturdays and the last six days.

Montgomery County: full season.

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

Nelson County (east of Route 151): the second and third Saturdays and the last 29 days full season.

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

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

-National forest lands: the last day.

New Kent County: full season.

Northampton County: full season.

Northumberland County: the second and third Saturdays and the last 29 days full season.

Nottoway County: the second and third Saturdays and the last 13 29 days.

Orange County: full season.

Page County: full season.

- National forest lands: the last day.

Patrick County: the second and third Saturdays and the last 13 days.

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

Pittsylvania County (east of Norfolk Southern Railroad): the second and third Saturdays and the last 29 days full season.

- White Oak Mountain WMA: the second and third Saturday and the last three days.

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

Powhatan County: full season.

- Powhatan WMA: the second and third Saturdays and the last 13 days.

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

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

- Featherfin WMA: the second and third Saturdays and the last 29 days.

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

Prince George County: full season.

Prince William County: full season.

Pulaski County: full season.

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

Rappahannock County: full season.

Richmond County: the second and third Saturdays and the last 29 days full season.

Roanoke County: full season.

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

Rockbridge County: the second Saturday and the last two days full season.

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

Rockingham County: full season.

- National forest lands: the last day.

- Private lands west of Routes 613 and 731: the second Saturday, second Friday, and the last day third Saturday.

Russell County: the second Saturday and through the last two days third Saturday.

- Department-owned lands and the Channels State Forest: the last day.

Scott County: the second Saturday and through the last six days third Saturday.

- 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 day.

Smyth County: full season.

- National forest lands, department-owned lands, and Hungry Mother State Park: the last day.

Southampton County: full season.

Spotsylvania County: full season.

- Oakley Forest WMA: the second and third Saturdays and the last 13 days.

Stafford County: full season.

Suffolk: full season.

Surry County: full season.

- Carlisle and Stewart Tracts 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.

- Big Woods WMA, Flippo-Gentry WMA, and Big Woods State Forest: full season.

Tazewell County: the second Saturday and through the last two days third Saturday.

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

Virginia Beach (City of): full season.

Warren County: full season.

- National forest lands: the last day.

Washington County: the second Saturday and the last six days full season.

- National forest lands, department-owned lands, and the Channels State Forest: the last day.

Westmoreland County: the second and third Saturdays and the last 29 days full season.

Wise County: the third Saturday.

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

Wythe County: full season.

- National forest and department-owned lands: the second Saturday and the last two days.

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 or within any common interest community participating in the special urban archery season according to provisions of 4VAC15-90-70.

4VAC15-90-530. Special elk hunting license, random drawing license program.

A. The dates for the annual application period to enter the random drawing for a special elk hunting license shall be published by the department annually and shall be no less than 30 days in duration. Individuals selected for special elk hunting licenses via the random drawing shall be notified no less than 60 days prior to the start of the elk hunt, and special elk hunting licenses must be purchased from the department within 30 days of notification.

B. To enter the random drawing for a special elk hunting license, applicants shall:

1. Complete the application for a special elk hunting license as provided by the department.

2. Pay a nonrefundable application fee.

3. Apply only once for each random drawing.

C. B. Nonresidents shall not comprise more than 10%, or one drawn applicant, whichever is greater, of all drawn applicants in any application pool for the random drawing license program.

D. C. Applicants who physically reside within the Elk Management Zone shall comprise no less than 10%, or a minimum of one, whichever is greater, of all drawn applicants in any application pool for the random drawing license program.

E. D. A special elk hunting license awarded through the Random Drawing License Program shall not be transferable.

F. E. An applicant drawn for a special elk hunting license may be rejected if it is determined that the applicant has (i) a hunting license revocation at the time the applicant is drawn, (ii) been convicted of two one or more wildlife violations within three five years prior to the last date of the application period, or (iii) been convicted of one or more violations involving elk. In determining an applicant's eligibility, the director department shall take into account the nature and severity of the violations.

G. The department will award unclaimed special elk hunting licenses to alternates who are drawn during the initial application and draw period in the order that the alternates are drawn.

4VAC15-90-540. Special elk hunting license, Landowner License Program.

A. Upon receipt of a valid Landowner License Program application from a landowner within the Elk Management Zone, the director or the director's designee shall verify the application materials and have sole discretion in enrolling the property in the Landowner License Program. The application deadline shall be published by the department annually no less than 30 days prior to the deadline.

B. A valid Landowner License Program application shall include:

1. Landowner's name, home address, telephone number, and address of the property to be enrolled in the program.

2. A recorded survey or other legal documentation certifying the acreage and ownership of the property to be enrolled.

3. Original signature of the landowner.

4. Only a single application per license year, per landowner.

C. B. Landowners enrolled in the Landowner License Program maintain the right to limit access to certain areas of the property for safety or privacy reasons. Areas of limited access must be outlined in the initial application. Enrollment in the Landowner License Program does not preclude or limit in any way the landowner from allowing other hunting or other hunters on the property.

D. C. The department shall determine and make available to the public a program guidance document outlining how landowners enrolled in the Landowner License Program shall accrue points toward a special elk hunting license, the number of points necessary to be awarded such license, a list of criteria by which applications and associated properties will be evaluated for enrollment in the program, and other program requirements. The program guidance document will be published annually no less than 30 days prior to the application deadline.

E. D. Landowners who accrue the necessary number of points, as defined in the program guidance document, on an enrolled property may enter a landowner lottery for a special elk hunting license. Once a special elk hunting license is awarded through the lottery, the landowner loses all accrued points. There is no time limit over which a landowner is required to accrue license points. Landowners shall not combine points from separate enrolled properties.

F. E. Landowners enrolled in the Landowner License Program shall not subdivide contiguous properties under the same ownership into multiple, smaller parcels for the purposes of this program.

G. F. License points cannot be sold or traded. License points are nontransferable if the property changes ownership, except that if the property is inherited from parents, grandparents, or children, resident or nonresident, license points may be transferred. The department may request documentation to certify the relationship between seller and purchaser as well as a copy of bill of sale.

H. G. Landowners receiving a special elk hunting license shall comply with all of the requirements established in this section as well as 4VAC15-90-510, 4VAC15-90-520, and § 29.1-305.01 of the Code of Virginia. Landowners who fail to comply with this chapter may forfeit any accrued license points and may not be eligible to accrue new license points.

I. A special elk hunting license awarded to the landowner shall only be used on the property enrolled with the department in the Landowner License Program.

J. A landowner may transfer the special elk hunting license to any person eligible to hunt in Virginia. The special elk hunting license may not be sold. Transfer of the special elk hunting license must be reported to the department no less than one month prior to the opening day of the elk hunting season during the year in which the special elk hunting license is awarded. To report a transfer to the department, the landowner shall provide the department with the hunter's:

1. Name;

2. Department customer identification number;

3. Address; and

4. Telephone number.

K. A H. No landowner shall not charge a fee for hunters to hunt elk on properties enrolled in the Landowner License Program except as described in the program guidance document.

L. I. A special elk hunting license transferee may be rejected if it is determined that the transferee has (i) a hunting license revocation at the time the transferee is drawn, (ii) been convicted of two one or more wildlife violations, within three five years prior to the last date of the application period, or (iii) been convicted of one or more violations involving elk. In determining the transferee's eligibility, the director department shall take into account the nature and severity of the violations.

4VAC15-90-550. Special elk hunting license, Conservation License Program.

A. For the purposes of this section, the following words or terms shall have the following meanings, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:

"Individual, cooperators, or wildlife conservation organizations" means those people or entities whose mission is to promote and ensure the conservation of Virginia's wildlife resources or to promote opportunities for hunting, fishing, trapping, boating, or other wildlife-related recreation within Virginia.

"Proceeds" means the amount of money received by the cooperator or organization from the transfer of a reserved special elk hunting license minus all expenses, including the fees associated with the license, and administrative costs directly attributable to the transfer of the permit or the implementation of the defined project.

B. Upon receipt of a valid Conservation License Program application from an officer or other designated official representative of any individual, cooperator, or wildlife conservation organization, the director or the director's designee shall verify the application materials and may select a program awardee annually. Applications must be received or postmarked no later than April 1 to be eligible for the Conservation License Program during that calendar year.

C. A valid Conservation License Program application shall include:

1. Cooperator or organization name, name of the individual designated to submit and receive official correspondence, address for such correspondence, and a telephone number.

2. Cooperator or organization mission statement.

3. A written application describing:

a. Cooperator or organization role in wildlife conservation in Virginia.

b. Cooperator or organization purpose and intent for requesting a reserved special elk hunting license through the Conservation License Program.

c. Cooperator or organization proposal for method of generating funds from transfer of the reserved special elk hunting license to an eligible individual.

d. Cooperator or organization strategy to direct proceeds received from the transfer of the reserved special elk hunting license and any matching funding toward wildlife conservation or wildlife-related recreation in Virginia's Elk Management Zone.

D. C. The director shall establish a Conservation License Program Committee to review program applications and submit a recommendation to the director to reserve no more than one special elk hunting license for a cooperator or organization whose application is deemed to provide the greatest benefit to wildlife elk conservation and wildlife-related elk-related recreation in Virginia per license year. This committee shall be composed of a minimum of three individuals and make a recommendation to the director by May 1 each year.

E. D. A cooperator or organization receiving a reserved special elk hunting license must direct all proceeds from the transfer of such reservation, toward a project to improve and enhance wildlife elk habitat, wildlife elk populations, or wildlife-related elk-related recreation within the Elk Management Zone. The proposed strategy and requirements will be outlined in a memorandum of agreement between the department and the cooperator or organization.

F. A E. In coordination with the department, a cooperator or organization may transfer the reserved special elk hunting license to any person eligible to hunt in Virginia. The generation of funds from the transfer of the reserved special elk hunting license may only be conducted through a raffle.

G. Transfer of the reserved special elk hunting license must be reported to the department no less than one month prior to the opening day of the elk hunting season during which the special elk hunting license is valid. To report a transfer to the department, the cooperator or organization shall provide the department with the hunter's:

1. Name;

2. Department customer identification number;

3. Address; and

4. Telephone number.

H. F. A special elk hunting license transferee may be rejected if it is determined that the transferee has a hunting license revocation at the time the transferee is drawn, been convicted of two one or more wildlife violations within three five years prior to the last date of the application period, or convicted of one or more violations involving elk. In determining the transferee's eligibility, the director department shall take into account the nature and severity of the violations.

I. A cooperator or organization that receives a reserved special elk hunting license shall submit an annual report to the department regarding any proceeds received from the transfer of the reserved license and an accounting of how those funds were directed toward wildlife conservation or wildlife-related recreation in the Elk Management Zone.