Title of Regulation: 4VAC15-240. Game: Turkey (amending 4VAC15-240-10, 4VAC15-240-20, 4VAC15-240-31, 4VAC15-240-51; adding 4VAC15-240-32).

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

Public Hearing Information:

May 30, 2019 - 9 a.m. - Department of Game and Inland Fisheries, 7870 Villa Park Drive, Suite 400, Henrico, VA 23228

Public Comment Deadline: May 15, 2019.

Agency Contact: Aaron Proctor, Regulations Coordinator, Department of Game and Inland Fisheries, 7870 Villa Park Drive, Suite 400, Henrico, VA 23228, telephone (804) 367-8341, or email aaron.proctor@dgif.virginia.gov.

Summary:

The proposed amendments adjust wild turkey seasons across all management units in the Commonwealth.

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 14 days immediately before the Saturday prior to the last first Monday in October and for 13 days following November; on Thanksgiving Day and the day before; on the Monday nearest December 2 through the last Saturday in December, both dates inclusive; and on the second Saturday in January and for 14 days following.

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

It shall be lawful to hunt turkeys on 14 days immediately before the Saturday prior to the last first Monday in October November and for 13 days following, and on Thanksgiving Day in the counties Counties of Albemarle, Alleghany, Augusta, Bath, Greene, Highland, Madison, Page, Orange, and Rockingham, and Warren.

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

It shall be lawful to hunt turkeys on 14 days immediately before the Saturday prior to the last first Monday in October and for 13 days following November, on Thanksgiving Day and the day before, and on the Monday closest to December 2 and for 12 days following in the counties Counties of Accomack, Buchanan, Amelia, Charles City, Dinwiddie, Gloucester, Greensville, Isle of Wight, James City, King George, Lancaster, Mathews, Middlesex, New Kent, Northampton, Northumberland, Powhatan, Prince George, Richmond, Southampton, Surry, Sussex, Westmoreland, and York (except on Camp Peary), and the City of Suffolk.

4VAC15-240-32. Game: Turkey: open season; certain counties and areas; six-week season.

It shall be lawful to hunt turkeys 14 days immediately before the Saturday prior to the first Monday in November; on Thanksgiving Day and the day before; on the Monday nearest December 2 and for 12 days following, both dates inclusive; and on the second Saturday in January and for 14 days following in the Counties of Amherst, Appomattox, Brunswick, Buchanan, Buckingham, Campbell, Charlotte, Chesterfield, Cumberland, Floyd, Fluvanna, Frederick, Goochland, Halifax, Hanover, Henrico, Henry, Louisa, Lunenburg, Mecklenburg, Nottoway, Patrick, Pittsylvania, Prince Edward, Shenandoah, Spotsylvania, Tazewell, and Warren.

4VAC15-240-51. Youth and apprentice hunter fall turkey hunting weekend.

In counties, cities, and areas with a fall turkey season, hunters 15 years of age and under younger and holders of an apprentice hunting license may hunt turkey on the third second Saturday in October and the following calendar day 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 is exempt from purchasing a hunting license. Adult hunters accompanying youth hunters or apprentice license holders on these days may assist with calling turkey but they shall not carry or discharge weapons. Youth and apprentice turkey hunters are limited on this weekend to one turkey per hunter.