Title of Regulation: 4VAC15-240. Game: Turkey (amending 4VAC15-240-10 through 4VAC15-240-40).

Statutory Authority: §§ 29.1-103, 29.1-501, and 29.1-502 of the Code of Virginia.

Public Hearing Information:

June 10, 2014 - 9 a.m. - Department of Game and Inland Fisheries, 4000 West Broad Street, Richmond, VA 23230

Public Comment Deadline: May 26, 2014.

Agency Contact: Phil Smith, Regulatory Coordinator, Department of Game and Inland Fisheries, 4010 West Broad Street, Richmond, VA 23230, telephone (804) 367-8341, or email phil.smith@dgif.virginia.gov.

Summary:

The proposed amendments incorporate hunting on Sundays into the turkey hunting seasons pursuant to legislation enacted in the 2014 Session of the General Assembly.

4VAC15-240-10. Open season; generally.

Except as otherwise specifically provided in the sections appearing in this chapter, it shall be lawful to hunt turkeys from the Saturday prior to the last Monday in October and for 11 consecutive hunting 13 days following; on Thanksgiving Day; and on the Monday nearest December 2 through the last Saturday in December, both dates inclusive; and on the second Saturday in January and for 12 consecutive hunting 14 days following.

4VAC15-240-20. Open season; certain counties and areas; Saturday prior to the last Monday in October and for 11 hunting 13 days following, and on Thanksgiving Day.

It shall be lawful to hunt turkeys on the Saturday prior to the last Monday in October and for 11 consecutive hunting 13 days following, and on Thanksgiving Day in the counties of Albemarle, Alleghany, Augusta, Bath, Greene, Highland, Madison, Page, Orange, Rockingham, and Warren.

4VAC15-240-31. Open season; certain counties and areas; Saturday prior to the last Monday in October and for 11 hunting 13 days following, on Thanksgiving Day, and on the Monday closest to December 2 and for 11 hunting 12 days following.

It shall be lawful to hunt turkeys on the Saturday prior to the last Monday in October and for 11 consecutive hunting 13 days following, on Thanksgiving Day, and on the Monday closest to December 2 and for 11 hunting 12 days following in the counties of Accomack, Buchanan, Charles City, Gloucester, Isle of Wight, James City, King George, Lancaster, Mathews, Middlesex, New Kent, Northampton, Northumberland, Prince George, Richmond, Southampton, Surry, Sussex, Westmoreland, York (except on Camp Peary), and the City of Suffolk.

4VAC15-240-40. Open season; spring season for bearded turkeys.

A. Except as otherwise provided in this section, it shall be lawful to hunt bearded turkeys from the second Saturday in April and for 30 consecutive hunting 35 days following, both dates inclusive, from 1/2 hour before sunrise to 12:00 noon prevailing time during the first 19 hunting 23 days and from 1/2 hour before sunrise to sunset during the last 12 hunting 13 days of the spring season.

B. Turkey hunters 15 years of age and under younger and holders of an apprentice hunting license may hunt on the first Saturday in April from 1/2 hour before sunrise to sunset, when in compliance with applicable license requirements and when accompanied and directly supervised by an adult who has a valid Virginia hunting license on his person or an adult that who is exempt from purchasing a hunting license. Adult hunters accompanying youth hunters or apprentice license holders on this day may assist with calling but they shall not carry or discharge weapons.

C. Bearded turkeys may be hunted by calling.

D. It shall be unlawful to use dogs or organized drives for the purpose of hunting.

E. It shall be unlawful to use or have in possession any shot larger than number 2 fine shot when hunting turkeys with a shotgun.