TITLE 4. CONSERVATION AND NATURAL RESOURCES

BOARD OF GAME AND INLAND FISHERIES

REGISTRAR'S NOTICE: The Board of Game and Inland Fisheries is exempt 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. The board is required by § 2.2-4031 of the Code of Virginia to publish all proposed and final wildlife management regulations, including length of seasons and bag limits allowed on the wildlife resources within the Commonwealth of Virginia.

Final Regulation

Title of Regulation: 4VAC15-90. Game: Deer (amending 4VAC15-90-21, 4VAC15-90-70, 4VAC15-90-80, 4VAC15-90-90, 4VAC15-90-91; adding 4VAC15-90-23).

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

Effective Date: August 1, 2009.

Agency Contact: Phil Smith, Regulatory Coordinator, Department of Game and Inland Fisheries, 4016 West Broad Street, Richmond, VA 23230, telephone (804) 367-8341 or email phil.smith@dgif.virginia.gov.

Summary:

The amendments adjust the time periods of the deer hunting general firearms season in multiple localities; adjust the time periods of the deer hunting muzzleloading firearms seasons in multiple localities; allow deer hunters with a muzzleloading license to possess a muzzleloading gun when and where the early special archery deer season overlaps the early special muzzleloading deer season; adjust the deer hunting seasons’ limits on the numbers of deer that may be taken in multiple localities; adjust the deer hunting seasons’ days in multiple localities during which deer of either sex may be taken; and establish a youth deer hunting day, with certain restrictions, for hunters 15 years of age and under.

Changes from the proposed include (i) removing the exception that prohibited the taking of either-sex deer in three counties on youth deer hunting day and (ii) allowing a muzzleloading gun to be carried while bow-and-arrow deer hunting during the overlap of any muzzleloading season with any archery season. In addition, the board did not adopt proposed amendments liberalizing the taking of either-sex deer with bonus deer permits in four counties or establishing a bear hunting license, separating the bear hunting privilege from the existing bear-deer-turkey hunting.

4VAC15-90-21. Four-week open season; certain cities, towns, and counties or parts thereof.

It shall be lawful to hunt deer on the Saturday prior to the third Monday in November and for 24 consecutive hunting days following in the counties (including the cities and towns within) of Floyd, Franklin, Henry, and Patrick and Pittsylvania (west of Norfolk Southern Railroad).

4VAC15-90-23. Youth deer hunting day.

It shall be lawful for deer hunters 15 years of age and under, when in compliance with all applicable laws and license requirements, to hunt deer on the last Saturday in September 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 except in Fairfax, Loudoun, and Prince William counties. Deer of either-sex may be taken on this special youth deer hunting day [ , except in Buchanan, Dickenson, and Wise counties where only antlered deer may be taken ]. Adult hunters accompanying youth deer hunters on this day may not carry or discharge weapons. Blaze orange is required for all persons [ participating in the hunt hunting any species or any person accompanying a hunter ] on this day unless otherwise exempted by state law. Deer hunting with dogs is prohibited.

4VAC15-90-70. Bow and arrow hunting.

A. It shall be lawful to hunt deer during the early special archery season with bow and arrow from the first Saturday in October through the Friday prior to the third Monday in November, both dates inclusive, except where there is a closed general hunting season on deer.

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 bow and arrow from the Monday following the close of the general firearms season on deer through the first Saturday in January, both dates inclusive, in all cities, towns, and counties west of the Blue Ridge Mountains (except Clarke County and on non-national forest lands in Frederick County) and in the counties (including the cities and towns within) of Amherst (west of U.S. Route 29), Bedford, Campbell (west of Norfolk Southern Railroad), Franklin, Henry, Nelson (west of Route 151), Patrick and Pittsylvania (west of Norfolk Southern Railroad) and on the Chester F. Phelps Wildlife Management Area and on national forest lands in Frederick County and from December 1 through 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 (except on PALS (Public Access Lands) in Dickenson County where it shall be unlawful to take antlerless deer during the special archery seasons provided for in subsections A and B of this section).

D. It shall be unlawful to carry firearms while hunting with bow and arrow during the special archery seasons, except that a muzzleloading gun, as defined in 4VAC15-90-80, may be in the possession of a properly licensed muzzleloading gun hunter when and where [ the early a ] special archery deer season overlaps [ the early a ] special muzzleloading deer season.

E. Arrows used for hunting big game must have a minimum width head of 7/8 of an inch and the bow used for such hunting must be capable of casting a broadhead arrow a minimum of 125 yards.

F. It shall be unlawful to use dogs when hunting with bow and arrow during any special archery season.

G. For the purpose of the application of subsections A through I to this section, the phrase "bow and arrow" includes crossbows.

H. It shall be lawful to hunt antlerless deer during the special urban archery season with bow and arrow from the first Saturday in September through the Friday prior to the first Saturday in October, both dates inclusive, and from the Monday following the first Saturday in January through the last Saturday in March, both dates inclusive, within the incorporated limits of any city or town in the Commonwealth (except in the cities of Chesapeake, Suffolk, and Virginia Beach) and the counties of Fairfax and York provided that its governing body 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.

I. It shall be lawful to hunt antlerless deer during the special antlerless archery season with bow and arrow from the first Saturday in September through the Friday prior to the first Saturday in October, both dates inclusive, in Loudoun and Prince William counties, except on department-owned lands.

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 18 consecutive hunting days immediately prior to and inclusive of the first Saturday in January, in all cities, towns, and counties west of the Blue Ridge Mountains (except Clarke County and on non-national forest lands in Frederick County), and east of the Blue Ridge Mountains in the counties (including the cities and towns within) of Amherst (west of U.S. Route 29), Bedford, Campbell (west of Norfolk Southern Railroad), Franklin, Henry, Nelson (west of Route 151), Patrick and Pittsylvania (west of Norfolk Southern Railroad) and on national forest lands in Frederick County and in the cities of Chesapeake, Suffolk (east of the Dismal Swamp line), and Virginia Beach.

C. Deer of either sex may be taken during the entire early special muzzleloading season in all cities, towns, and counties east of the Blue Ridge Mountains (except on national forest lands, state forest lands, state park lands except Occoneechee State Park, department-owned lands and Philpott Reservoir) and on the second Saturday only east of the Blue Ridge Mountains on state forest lands, state park lands except Occoneechee State Park, department-owned lands and on Philpott Reservoir. Deer of either sex may be taken during the entire early special muzzleloading season on Occoneechee State Park. Deer of either sex may be taken during the early special muzzleloading season only on the second Monday in November in all counties west of the Blue Ridge Mountains (except Clarke, Buchanan, Dickenson, Floyd, Lee, Russell, Scott, Smyth, Tazewell, Washington, Wise, and in Grayson Highlands State Park and national forest lands in Grayson County, and on private lands in Frederick, Roanoke, and Warren counties) and on national forest and department-owned lands in Roanoke County and on national forest lands in Frederick and Warren counties and on national forest lands in Amherst, Bedford, and Nelson counties. Additionally, deer of either sex may be taken during the entire early special muzzleloading season in Clarke and Floyd counties and on private lands in Frederick, Roanoke and Warren counties. unless otherwise noted below:

- 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 and Philpott Reservoir.

- 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 during the entire late special muzzleloading season in the counties (including the cities and towns within) of Amherst (west of U.S. Route 29 except on national forest lands), Bedford (except on national forest lands), Campbell (west of Norfolk Southern Railroad), Franklin, Henry, Nelson (west of Route 151 except on national forest lands), Patrick, and Pittsylvania (west of Norfolk Southern Railroad). It shall be lawful to hunt deer of either sex during the last six days of the late special muzzleloading season in all counties west of the Blue Ridge Mountains (except Buchanan, Dickenson, Floyd, in Grayson Highlands State Park and national forest lands in Grayson, Lee, Russell, Scott, Smyth, Tazewell, Washington, Wise, and on private lands in Roanoke and Warren Counties) and on national forest and department-owned lands in Roanoke County and on national forest lands in Warren County and on national forest lands in Amherst, Bedford, Frederick, and Nelson counties and in the cities of Chesapeake, Suffolk (east of the Dismal Swamp line), and Virginia Beach. Provided further it shall be lawful to hunt deer of either sex during the last day only of the late special muzzleloading season in the counties of Lee, Russell, Scott, Smyth, Tazewell, and Washington and in Grayson Highlands State Park and national forest lands in Grayson County. Additionally, deer of either-sex may be taken during the entire late special muzzleloading season in Floyd County and on private lands in Roanoke and Warren Counties. on the second Saturday only during the early special muzzleloading season west of the Blue Ridge Mountains unless otherwise noted below:

- Deer of either sex may be taken during the entire early special muzzleloading season in Clarke and Floyd counties and on private lands in Carroll, Frederick, Grayson, Montgomery, Roanoke, and Warren counties.

- Antlered bucks only—no either sex deer hunting days during the early special muzzleloading season in Buchanan, Dickenson, Lee, Russell, Smyth, Tazewell, Washington, and Wise counties and on national forest lands in Alleghany, Botetourt, Frederick, Grayson, Page, Rockingham, Scott, Shenandoah, Warren, and on national forest and department-owned lands in Augusta, Bath, Highland, and Rockbridge counties and on Grayson Highlands 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 below:

- 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 U.S. Route 29 except on national forest lands), Bedford (except on national forest lands), Campbell (west of Norfolk Southern Railroad), Floyd, Franklin, Henry, Nelson (west of Route 151, except on national forest lands), and Patrick and on private lands in Carroll, Grayson, Montgomery, Roanoke and Warren counties.

- Deer of either sex may be taken the last day only during the late special muzzleloading season in Dickenson (north of Route 83), Lee, Russell, Scott, Smyth, Tazewell, Washington, and Wise counties and on national forest lands in Alleghany, Amherst, Bedford, Botetourt, Frederick, Grayson, Nelson, Page, Rockingham, Shenandoah, and Warren counties, and on national forest and department-owned lands in Augusta, Bath, Highland, and Rockbridge counties and on private lands west of Routes 613 and 731 in Rockingham County and Grayson Highlands State Park.

- Antlered bucks only—no either-sex deer hunting days during the late special muzzleloading season in Buchanan and Dickenson (south of Route 83).

E. 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 counties of Buchanan, Dickenson, and Wise and in the cities of Chesapeake, Suffolk, and Virginia Beach.

F. G. It shall be unlawful to hunt deer with dogs during any special season for hunting with muzzleloading guns.

G. H. A muzzleloading gun, for the purpose of this section, means a single shot weapon, excluding muzzleloading pistols, .45 caliber or larger, firing a single projectile or sabot (with a .38 caliber or larger projectile) of the same caliber loaded from the muzzle of the weapon and propelled by at least 50 grains of black powder (or black powder equivalent or smokeless powder).

H. I. It shall be unlawful to have in immediate possession any firearm other than a muzzleloading gun while hunting with a muzzleloading gun in a special muzzleloading season.

4VAC15-90-90. Bag limit, bonus deer permits and special antlerless provision for youth hunters and earn a buck.

A. The bag limit for deer east of the Blue Ridge Mountains (except on national forest lands in Amherst, Bedford, and Nelson counties) is two per day, six per license year, three of which must be antlerless [ , except that a fourth deer of either sex may be taken in Greensville, Southampton, Surry, and Sussex counties using a designated tag on the bonus deer permit ].

B. The bag limit for deer west of the Blue Ridge Mountains and on national forest lands in Amherst, Bedford, and Nelson counties is one per day, five per license year, three of which must be antlerless. Only one antlered buck may be taken during the special early muzzleloading season per hunter. Only one antlered buck taken in Shenandoah County per license year may have less than four antler points one inch or longer on one side of the antlers.

C. Except as noted in subsection E below, anterless antlerless deer may be taken only during designated either-sex deer hunting days during the special archery seasons, special muzzleloading seasons, and the general firearms season.

D. Bonus deer permits shall be valid on private land in counties and cities where deer hunting is permitted (except Buchanan, Dickenson, and Wise counties) during the special archery seasons, special muzzleloading seasons, and the general firearms season. Bonus deer permits shall be valid on public lands, including state parks, state forests, national wildlife refuges, military areas, etc., as authorized by the managing agency. Unless otherwise posted or authorized in writing for wildlife management areas by the department, or for national forest lands by the U.S. Forest Service, the use of bonus permits is prohibited on department-owned and national forest lands. Bonus deer permits shall be valid for antlerless deer only [ , except that one designated either-sex tag may be used per license year in Greensville, Southampton, Surry, and Sussex counties ]. Deer taken on bonus permits shall count against the daily bag limit but are in addition to the seasonal bag limit.

E. Deer hunters 15 years of age and under, including those exempt from purchasing a hunting license, when in compliance with all applicable laws and license requirements, may take one antlerless deer per license year on days other than designated either-sex deer hunting days during the special muzzleloading seasons or the general firearms season in all counties that have at least one either-sex deer hunting day during the general firearms deer season.

F. Earn a buck. At least one antlerless deer must be taken on private lands in Bedford, Fairfax, Fauquier, Franklin, Loudoun, Patrick, Prince William, or Roanoke counties before the second antlered deer of the license year may be taken on private lands in any of these counties. Furthermore, at least two antlerless deer must have been taken on private lands in Bedford, Fairfax, Fauquier, Franklin, Loudoun, Patrick, or Prince William counties before the third antlered deer of the license year may be taken on private lands in any of these counties.

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 and the last two hunting days.

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

Amelia County: the second and third Saturdays and the last six 12 hunting days.

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

Amherst County (east of U.S. Route 29): the second, third, and fourth Saturdays and the last 24 hunting days.

Amherst County (west of U.S. Route 29): full season.

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

Appomattox County: the second and third Saturdays and the last six 12 hunting days.

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

-Featherfin WMA: the second, third, and fourth Saturdays and the last 24 hunting days.

Arlington County: full season.

Augusta County: the second Saturday and the last six hunting days.

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

Bath County: the second Saturday and the last two hunting days.

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

Bedford County: full season.

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

Bland County: the second Saturday and the last six hunting days.

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

Botetourt County: full season.

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

Brunswick County: the second and third Saturdays and the last six 12 hunting 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 12 hunting days.

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

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

-Featherfin WMA: the second, third, and fourth Saturdays and the last 24 hunting days.

Campbell County (east of Norfolk Southern Railroad): the second, third, and fourth Saturdays and the last 24 hunting days.

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

Caroline County: the second and, third, and fourth Saturdays and the last six 24 hunting days.

Carroll County: full season.

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

Charles City County: the second and third Saturdays and the last 12 hunting days 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 12 hunting days.

Chesapeake (City of): the first and second Saturdays following October 1st and the last 12 hunting days full season.

Chesterfield County: the second and third Saturdays and the last 12 hunting days full season.

Clarke County: full season.

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

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

Culpeper County: the second, third, and fourth Saturdays and the last 24 hunting days full season.

-Chester F. Phelps WMA: the second Saturday.

Cumberland County: the second and third Saturdays and the last six 12 hunting days.

-Cumberland State Forest: the second Saturday and third Saturdays.

Dickenson County: 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 12 hunting days.

Essex County: the second, third, and fourth Saturdays and the last 24 hunting days full season.

Fairfax County: full season (restricted to certain parcels of land by special permit).

Fauquier County: full season.

-G. Richard Thompson WMA: the second Saturday and the last hunting day.

-Chester F. Phelps WMA: the second Saturday.

Floyd County: full season.

Fluvanna County: second and third Saturdays and the last six 12 hunting days.

Franklin County: full season.

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

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

Frederick County: full season

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

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

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

Gloucester County: the second, third, and fourth Saturdays and the last 24 hunting days full season.

Goochland County (east of U.S. Route 522): the second, third, and fourth Saturdays and the last 24 hunting days.

Goochland County (west of U.S. Route 522): the second and third Saturdays and last six 12 hunting days.

Grayson County: full season.

-National forest lands and portions of Grayson Highland Highlands State Park open to hunting: the second Saturday and the last hunting day.

Greene County: the second, third, and fourth Saturdays and the last 24 hunting days full season.

Greensville County: full season.

Halifax County: the second, third, and fourth Saturdays and the last 24 hunting days.

Hanover County: the second, third, and fourth Saturdays and the last 24 hunting days.

Henrico County: the second, third, and fourth Saturdays and the last 24 hunting days full season.

Henry County: full season.

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

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

Highland County: the second Saturday and the last two hunting days.

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

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: the second and third Saturdays and last 12 hunting days full season.

King and Queen County: the second, third, and fourth Saturdays and the last 24 hunting days full season.

King George County: the second and, third, and fourth Saturdays and the last 12 24 hunting days.

King William County: the second and, third, and fourth Saturdays and the last 12 24 hunting days.

Lancaster County: the second, third, and fourth Saturdays and the last 24 hunting days full season.

Lee County: the second Saturday and the last two hunting days.

-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 six 12 hunting days.

Lunenburg County: the second and third Saturdays and the last six 12 hunting days.

Madison County: the second, third, and fourth Saturdays and the last 24 hunting days full season.

-Rapidan WMA: the second, third, and fourth Saturdays and the last 24 hunting days.

Mathews County: the second and, third, and fourth Saturdays and last 12 24 hunting days.

Mecklenburg County: the second and third Saturdays and the last six 12 hunting days.

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

Middlesex County: the second and, third, and fourth Saturdays and last 12 24 hunting days.

Montgomery County: full season.

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

Nelson County (east of Route 151): the second, third, and fourth Saturdays and the last 24 hunting days.

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

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

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

New Kent County: the second, third, and fourth Saturdays and the last 24 hunting days full season.

Northampton County: full season.

Northumberland County: the second, third, and fourth Saturdays and the last 24 hunting days full season.

Nottoway County: the second and third Saturdays and the last six 12 hunting days.

Orange County: the second, third, and fourth Saturdays and the last 24 hunting days full season.

Page County: the second Saturday and the last two hunting days.

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

Patrick County: full season.

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

Pittsylvania County (east of Norfolk Southern Railroad): the second, third, and fourth Saturdays and the last 24 hunting days.

-White Oak Mountain WMA: the second Saturday and the last hunting day.

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

Powhatan County: the second and, third, and fourth Saturdays and the last 12 24 hunting days.

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

Prince Edward County: the second and third Saturdays and the last six 12 hunting days.

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

-Featherfin WMA: the second, third, and fourth Saturdays and the last 24 hunting days.

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

Prince George County: the second and, third, and fourth Saturdays and the last six 24 hunting days.

Prince William County: full season.

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

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

Rappahannock County: the second, third, and fourth Saturdays and the last 24 hunting days full season.

Richmond County: the second, third, and fourth Saturdays and the last 24 hunting days full season.

Roanoke County: full season.

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

Rockbridge County: the second Saturday and the last two hunting days.

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

Rockingham County: the second Saturday and the last six hunting days.

-National forest lands and private lands west of Routes 613 and 731: the second Saturday and the last hunting day.

Russell County: the second Saturday and the last two hunting days.

-Clinch Mountain WMA, Hidden Valley WMA, and state forest lands: the second Saturday and the Channels State Forest: the last hunting day.

Scott County: the second Saturday and the last six hunting days.

-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 second Saturday and the last hunting day.

Smyth County: the second Saturday and the last two six hunting days.

-National forest lands, Clinch Mountain WMA, and Hidden Valley WMA Hungry Mother State Park: the second Saturday and the last hunting day.

Southampton County: full season.

Spotsylvania County: the second, third, and fourth Saturdays and the last 24 hunting days.

Stafford County: the second, third, and fourth Saturdays and the last 24 hunting days.

Suffolk (City of; east of the Dismal Swamp line): the first and second Saturdays following October 1st and the last 12 hunting days): full season.

Suffolk (City of; west of the Dismal Swamp line): the second, third, and fourth Saturdays and the last 24 hunting days.

Surry County: full season.

-Carlisle Tract 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.

Tazewell County: the second Saturday and the last two hunting days.

-National forest lands, Clinch Mountain WMA, and Hidden Valley WMA: the second Saturday and the last hunting day.

Virginia Beach (City of): the first and second Saturdays following October 1 and the last 12 hunting days full season.

Warren County: full season.

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

Washington County: the second Saturday and the last two six hunting days.

-National forest lands, Clinch Mountain WMA, Hidden Valley WMA, and state forest lands: the second Saturday and the Channels State Forest: the last hunting day.

Westmoreland County: the second, third, and fourth Saturdays and the last 24 hunting days full season.

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

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

-National forest lands and Big Survey WMA: the second Saturday and the last hunting day.

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.

4VAC15-90-231. Validating tags and checking deer by licensee or permittee.

A. Any person killing a deer shall, before removing the carcass from the place of kill, validate an appropriate tag on his special license for hunting [ bear, ] deer [ , ] and turkey, bonus deer permit, or special permit by completely removing the designated notch area from the tag. Place of kill shall be defined as the location where the animal is first reduced to possession. It shall be unlawful for any person to validate (notch) a deer tag from any special license for hunting [ bear, ] deer [ , ] and turkey, bonus deer permit, or special permit prior to the killing of a deer. A deer tag that is mistakenly validated (notched) prior to the killing of a deer must be immediately voided by the licensee or permittee by writing, in ink, the word "VOID" on the line provided on the license tag.

B. Upon killing a deer and validating (notching) a license tag, bonus deer permit or special permit, as provided above, the licensee or permittee shall, upon vehicle transport of the carcass or at the conclusion of legal hunting hours, whichever occurs first, and without unnecessary delay, present the carcass and validated (notched) license tag, bonus deer permit or special permit to an authorized checking station or to an appropriate representative of the department in the county or adjoining county in which the deer was killed or report the kill through the department's automated harvest reporting system. At such time, the person checking or reporting the carcass will be given a game check card furnished by the department or a confirmation number from the automated reporting system. The successful hunter shall then immediately record the game check card number or confirmation number, in ink, on the line provided on the tag that was validated (notched) in the field. If checked at a big game check station, the game check card must be kept in possession with the carcass until the carcass is processed. If the carcass is left unattended, the game check card must be securely attached to the carcass. If the kill is reported using the automated harvest reporting system, no check card is required as long as the hunter who killed the animal is in possession of the carcass. If the automated harvest reported carcass is left unattended or transferred to the possession of another individual, written documentation including the successful hunter's full name, the date the animal was killed, and the confirmation number must be created and kept in possession with the carcass until the carcass is processed. If the carcass is left unattended, this written documentation must be securely attached to the carcass.

C. It shall be unlawful for any person to destroy the identity of the sex of any deer killed unless and until the license tag, bonus deer permit or special permit is validated (notched) and checked as required by this section. Successful deer hunters are allowed to dismember the carcass to pack it out from the place of kill, after an appropriate license tag has been validated (notched) as required above, as long as they do not destroy the identity of the sex and all the parts of the carcass are present when the deer is checked at a big game check station or reported through the automated harvest reporting system. Any deer found in the possession of any person without a validated (notched) license tag or documentation that the deer has been checked (via a big game check station or the automated harvest reporting system) as required by this section shall be forfeited to the Commonwealth to be disposed of as provided by law.

VA.R. Doc. No. R09-1961; Filed July 31, 2009, 12:40 p.m.