TITLE 4. CONSERVATION AND NATURAL RESOURCES
REGISTRAR'S NOTICE: The
Board of Game and Inland Fisheries 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: 4VAC15-350. Fish: Gigs, Grab
Hooks, Trotlines, Snares, Etc. (amending 4VAC15-350-70).
Statutory Authority: §§ 29.1-103, 29.1-501, and 29.1-502
of the Code of Virginia.
Public Hearing Information:
August 18, 2016 - 9 a.m. - Department of Game and Inland
Fisheries, 7870 Villa Park Drive, Suite 400, Henrico, VA 23228
Public Comment Deadline: August 6, 2016.
Agency Contact: Phil Smith, Regulatory Coordinator,
Department of Game and Inland Fisheries, 7870 Villa Park Drive, Suite 400,
Henrico, VA 23228, telephone (804) 367-8341, or email
phil.smith@dgif.virginia.gov.
Summary:
The proposed amendments (i) remove longnose gar and bowfin
from, and add grass carp to, the list of species that can be taken in unlimited
numbers with bow and arrow or crossbow, under certain circumstances, and (ii)
establish creel limits for longnose gar and bowfin.
4VAC15-350-70. Taking common carp, grass carp, northern
snakehead, bowfin, catfish, and gar with bow and arrow or crossbow.
A. Season. Except as otherwise provided by local legislation
or as posted, it shall be lawful to take common carp, northern snakehead, and
gar from the public inland waters of the Commonwealth, grass carp from
public inland waters of the Commonwealth except department-owned or
department-controlled lakes, and bowfin and catfish from below the fall
line in tidal rivers of the Chesapeake Bay, except waters stocked with trout,
by means of bow and arrow or crossbow.
B. Poison arrows or explosive-head arrows prohibited. It
shall be unlawful to use poison arrows or arrows with explosive heads at any
time for the purpose of taking common carp, grass carp, northern
snakehead, bowfin, catfish, or gar in the public inland waters of the
Commonwealth.
C. Fishing license required. All persons taking fish in the
manner mentioned in this section shall be required to have a regular fishing
license.
D. Creel limits. Common carp, grass carp, northern
snakehead, bowfin, and catfish, and gar – unlimited,
provided that any angler taking northern snakehead immediately kill such fish
and notify the department, as soon as practicable, of such actions and
provided that any angler taking grass carp ensure that harvested fish are dead.
The creel limit for bowfin and longnose gar shall be five fish per day.
VA.R. Doc. No. R16-4800; Filed July 6, 2016, 5:58 a.m.