{"formats":[{"name":"JSON","format":"json","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-json\/29.1-521.json"},{"name":"Plain Text","format":"text","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-text\/29.1-521.txt"},{"name":"XML","format":"xml","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-xml\/29.1-521.xml"},{"name":"HTML","format":"html","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-html\/29.1-521.html"}],"law_id":61787,"edition_id":1,"section_id":61787,"structure_id":13514,"section_number":"29.1-521","catch_line":"Unlawful to hunt, trap, possess, sell, or transport wild birds and wild animals except as permitted; exception; penalty","history":"Code 1950, \u00a7 29-143; 1962, c. 469; 1974, c. 302; 1979, c. 264; 1987, c. 488; 1988, c. 175; 1989, c. 421; 1990, c. 237; 1994, cc. 244, 436; 1997, c. 249; 1998, c. 415; 2000, c. 13; 2001, cc. 26, 60; 2004, c. 862; 2005, cc. 170, 533, 534; 2006, cc. 20, 215; 2008, cc. 160, 161; 2010, c. 10; 2014, cc. 152, 482; 2015, c. 47; 2016, cc. 10, 62, 121, 372; 2017, c. 530; 2018, cc. 113, 557, 558, 620; 2019, c. 151; 2020, cc. 315, 631; 2022, c. 98.","full_text":"A\n\nThe following is unlawful:1\n\nTo hunt or kill on Sunday (i) any wild bird or wild animal, including any nuisance species, with a gun, firearm, or other weapon, within 200 yards of a place of worship or any accessory structure thereof or (ii) any deer or bear with a gun, firearm, or other weapon with the aid or assistance of dogs.2\n\nTo destroy or harass the nest, eggs, dens, or young of any wild bird or wild animal, except nuisance species, at any time without a permit as required by law.3\n\nTo hunt or attempt to kill or trap any species of wild bird or wild animal after having obtained the daily bag or season limit during such day or season. However, any properly licensed person, or a person exempt from having to obtain a license, who has obtained such daily bag or season limit while hunting may assist others who are hunting game by calling game, retrieving game, handling dogs, or conducting drives if the weapon in his possession is an unloaded firearm, a bow without a nocked arrow, an unloaded slingbow, an unloaded arrowgun, or an unloaded crossbow. Any properly licensed person, or person exempt from having to obtain a license, who has obtained such season limit prior to commencement of the hunt may assist others who are hunting game by calling game, retrieving game, handling dogs, or conducting drives, provided he does not have a firearm, bow, slingbow, arrowgun, or crossbow in his possession.4\n\nTo knowingly occupy any baited blind or other baited place for the purpose of taking or attempting to take any wild bird or wild animal or to put out bait or salt for any wild bird or wild animal for the purpose of taking or killing it. There shall be a rebuttable presumption that a person charged with violating this subdivision knows that he is occupying a baited blind or other baited place for the purpose of taking or attempting to take any wild bird or wild animal. However, this shall not apply to baiting nuisance species of animals and birds, or to baiting traps for the purpose of taking fur-bearing animals that may be lawfully trapped.5\n\nTo kill or capture any wild bird or wild animal adjacent to any area while a field or forest fire is in progress.6\n\nTo shoot or attempt to take any wild bird or wild animal from an automobile or other vehicle, except (i) as provided in § 29.1-521.3 or (ii) for the killing of nuisance species as defined in § 29.1-100 on private property by the owner of such property or his designee from a stationary automobile or other stationary vehicle.7\n\nTo set a trap of any kind on the lands or waters of another without attaching to the trap: (i) the name and address of the trapper; or (ii) an identification number issued by the Department.8\n\nTo set a trap where it would be likely to injure persons, dogs, stock, or fowl.9\n\nTo fail to visit all traps once each day and remove all animals caught, and immediately report to the landowner as to stock, dogs, or fowl that are caught and the date. However, the Director or his designee may authorize employees of federal, state, and local government agencies, and persons holding a valid Commercial Nuisance Animal Permit issued by the Department, to visit body-gripping traps that are completely submerged at least once every 72 hours, and the Board may adopt regulations permitting trappers to visit traps less frequently under specified conditions. The Board shall adopt regulations permitting trappers to use remote trap-checking technology to check traps under specified conditions.10\n\nTo hunt, trap, take, capture, kill, attempt to take, capture, or kill, possess, deliver for transportation, transport, cause to be transported, by any means whatever, receive for transportation or export, or import, at any time or in any manner, any wild bird or wild animal or the carcass or any part thereof, except as specifically permitted by law and only by the manner or means and within the numbers stated. However, the provisions of this section shall not be construed to prohibit the (i) use or transportation of legally taken turkey carcasses, or portions thereof, for the purposes of making or selling turkey callers; (ii) the manufacture or sale of implements, including tools or utensils made from legally harvested deer skeletal parts, including antlers; (iii) the possession of shed antlers; or (iv) the possession, manufacture, or sale of other parts or implements authorized by regulations adopted by the Board.11\n\nTo offer for sale, sell, offer to purchase, or purchase, at any time or in any manner, any wild bird or wild animal or the carcass or any part thereof, except as specifically permitted by law, including subsection D of § 29.1-553. However, any nonprofit organization exempt from taxation under § 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code that is (i) organized to provide wild game as food to the hungry and (ii) authorized by the Department to possess, transport, and distribute donated or unclaimed meat to the hungry may pay a processing fee in order to obtain such meat. Such fee shall not exceed the actual cost for processing the meat. In addition, any nonprofit organization exempt from taxation under § 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code that is (a) organized to support wildlife habitat conservation and (b) approved by the Department shall be allowed to offer wildlife mounts that have undergone the taxidermy process for sale in conjunction with fundraising activities. A violation of this subdivision shall be punishable as provided in § 29.1-553.12\n\nTo offer for sale, sell, offer to purchase, or purchase a hunt guaranteeing the killing of a deer, bear, or wild turkey. Nothing in this subdivision shall prevent a landowner from leasing land for hunting. A violation of this subdivision shall be punishable as provided in § 29.1-553.B\n\nNotwithstanding any other provision of this article, any American Indian who produces verification that he is an enrolled member of a tribe recognized by the Commonwealth, another state, or the U.S. government, may possess, offer for sale, or sell to another American Indian, or offer to purchase or purchase from another American Indian, parts of legally obtained fur-bearing animals, nonmigratory game birds, and game animals, except bear. Such legally obtained parts shall include antlers, hooves, feathers, claws, and bones.\n\t\t\t“Verification” as used in this section shall include (i) display of a valid tribal identification card, (ii) confirmation through a central tribal registry, (iii) a letter from a tribal chief or council, or (iv) certification from a tribal office that the person is an enrolled member of the tribe.C\n\nNotwithstanding any other provision of this chapter, the Department may authorize the use of snake exclusion devices by public utilities at their transmission or distribution facilities and the incidental taking of snakes resulting from the use of such devices.D\n\nA violation of subdivisions A 1 through 10 shall be punishable as a Class 3 misdemeanor.","order_by":null,"text":{"0":{"id":225621,"text":"The following is unlawful:","type":"section","prefixes":["A"],"prefix":"A","entire_prefix":"A","prefix_anchor":"A","level":1,"next_prefix":"A1"},"1":{"id":225622,"text":"To hunt or kill on Sunday (i) any wild bird or wild animal, including any nuisance species, with a gun, firearm, or other weapon, within 200 yards of a place of worship or any accessory structure thereof or (ii) any deer or bear with a gun, firearm, or other weapon with the aid or assistance of dogs.","type":"section","prefixes":["A","1"],"prefix":"1","entire_prefix":"A1","prefix_anchor":"A1","level":2,"prior_prefix":"A","next_prefix":"A2"},"2":{"id":225623,"text":"To destroy or harass the nest, eggs, dens, or young of any wild bird or wild animal, except nuisance species, at any time without a permit as required by law.","type":"section","prefixes":["A","2"],"prefix":"2","entire_prefix":"A2","prefix_anchor":"A2","level":2,"prior_prefix":"A1","next_prefix":"A3"},"3":{"id":225624,"text":"To hunt or attempt to kill or trap any species of wild bird or wild animal after having obtained the daily bag or season limit during such day or season. However, any properly licensed person, or a person exempt from having to obtain a license, who has obtained such daily bag or season limit while hunting may assist others who are hunting game by calling game, retrieving game, handling dogs, or conducting drives if the weapon in his possession is an unloaded firearm, a bow without a nocked arrow, an unloaded slingbow, an unloaded arrowgun, or an unloaded crossbow. Any properly licensed person, or person exempt from having to obtain a license, who has obtained such season limit prior to commencement of the hunt may assist others who are hunting game by calling game, retrieving game, handling dogs, or conducting drives, provided he does not have a firearm, bow, slingbow, arrowgun, or crossbow in his possession.","type":"section","prefixes":["A","3"],"prefix":"3","entire_prefix":"A3","prefix_anchor":"A3","level":2,"prior_prefix":"A2","next_prefix":"A4"},"4":{"id":225625,"text":"To knowingly occupy any baited blind or other baited place for the purpose of taking or attempting to take any wild bird or wild animal or to put out bait or salt for any wild bird or wild animal for the purpose of taking or killing it. There shall be a rebuttable presumption that a person charged with violating this subdivision knows that he is occupying a baited blind or other baited place for the purpose of taking or attempting to take any wild bird or wild animal. However, this shall not apply to baiting nuisance species of animals and birds, or to baiting traps for the purpose of taking fur-bearing animals that may be lawfully trapped.","type":"section","prefixes":["A","4"],"prefix":"4","entire_prefix":"A4","prefix_anchor":"A4","level":2,"prior_prefix":"A3","next_prefix":"A5"},"5":{"id":225626,"text":"To kill or capture any wild bird or wild animal adjacent to any area while a field or forest fire is in progress.","type":"section","prefixes":["A","5"],"prefix":"5","entire_prefix":"A5","prefix_anchor":"A5","level":2,"prior_prefix":"A4","next_prefix":"A6"},"6":{"id":225627,"text":"To shoot or attempt to take any wild bird or wild animal from an automobile or other vehicle, except (i) as provided in § 29.1-521.3 or (ii) for the killing of nuisance species as defined in § 29.1-100 on private property by the owner of such property or his designee from a stationary automobile or other stationary vehicle.","type":"section","prefixes":["A","6"],"prefix":"6","entire_prefix":"A6","prefix_anchor":"A6","level":2,"prior_prefix":"A5","next_prefix":"A7"},"7":{"id":225628,"text":"To set a trap of any kind on the lands or waters of another without attaching to the trap: (i) the name and address of the trapper; or (ii) an identification number issued by the Department.","type":"section","prefixes":["A","7"],"prefix":"7","entire_prefix":"A7","prefix_anchor":"A7","level":2,"prior_prefix":"A6","next_prefix":"A8"},"8":{"id":225629,"text":"To set a trap where it would be likely to injure persons, dogs, stock, or fowl.","type":"section","prefixes":["A","8"],"prefix":"8","entire_prefix":"A8","prefix_anchor":"A8","level":2,"prior_prefix":"A7","next_prefix":"A9"},"9":{"id":225630,"text":"To fail to visit all traps once each day and remove all animals caught, and immediately report to the landowner as to stock, dogs, or fowl that are caught and the date. However, the Director or his designee may authorize employees of federal, state, and local government agencies, and persons holding a valid Commercial Nuisance Animal Permit issued by the Department, to visit body-gripping traps that are completely submerged at least once every 72 hours, and the Board may adopt regulations permitting trappers to visit traps less frequently under specified conditions. The Board shall adopt regulations permitting trappers to use remote trap-checking technology to check traps under specified conditions.","type":"section","prefixes":["A","9"],"prefix":"9","entire_prefix":"A9","prefix_anchor":"A9","level":2,"prior_prefix":"A8","next_prefix":"A10"},"10":{"id":225631,"text":"To hunt, trap, take, capture, kill, attempt to take, capture, or kill, possess, deliver for transportation, transport, cause to be transported, by any means whatever, receive for transportation or export, or import, at any time or in any manner, any wild bird or wild animal or the carcass or any part thereof, except as specifically permitted by law and only by the manner or means and within the numbers stated. However, the provisions of this section shall not be construed to prohibit the (i) use or transportation of legally taken turkey carcasses, or portions thereof, for the purposes of making or selling turkey callers; (ii) the manufacture or sale of implements, including tools or utensils made from legally harvested deer skeletal parts, including antlers; (iii) the possession of shed antlers; or (iv) the possession, manufacture, or sale of other parts or implements authorized by regulations adopted by the Board.","type":"section","prefixes":["A","10"],"prefix":"10","entire_prefix":"A10","prefix_anchor":"A10","level":2,"prior_prefix":"A9","next_prefix":"A11"},"11":{"id":225632,"text":"To offer for sale, sell, offer to purchase, or purchase, at any time or in any manner, any wild bird or wild animal or the carcass or any part thereof, except as specifically permitted by law, including subsection D of § 29.1-553. However, any nonprofit organization exempt from taxation under § 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code that is (i) organized to provide wild game as food to the hungry and (ii) authorized by the Department to possess, transport, and distribute donated or unclaimed meat to the hungry may pay a processing fee in order to obtain such meat. Such fee shall not exceed the actual cost for processing the meat. In addition, any nonprofit organization exempt from taxation under § 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code that is (a) organized to support wildlife habitat conservation and (b) approved by the Department shall be allowed to offer wildlife mounts that have undergone the taxidermy process for sale in conjunction with fundraising activities. A violation of this subdivision shall be punishable as provided in § 29.1-553.","type":"section","prefixes":["A","11"],"prefix":"11","entire_prefix":"A11","prefix_anchor":"A11","level":2,"prior_prefix":"A10","next_prefix":"A12"},"12":{"id":225633,"text":"To offer for sale, sell, offer to purchase, or purchase a hunt guaranteeing the killing of a deer, bear, or wild turkey. Nothing in this subdivision shall prevent a landowner from leasing land for hunting. A violation of this subdivision shall be punishable as provided in § 29.1-553.","type":"section","prefixes":["A","12"],"prefix":"12","entire_prefix":"A12","prefix_anchor":"A12","level":2,"prior_prefix":"A11","next_prefix":"B"},"13":{"id":225634,"text":"Notwithstanding any other provision of this article, any American Indian who produces verification that he is an enrolled member of a tribe recognized by the Commonwealth, another state, or the U.S. government, may possess, offer for sale, or sell to another American Indian, or offer to purchase or purchase from another American Indian, parts of legally obtained fur-bearing animals, nonmigratory game birds, and game animals, except bear. Such legally obtained parts shall include antlers, hooves, feathers, claws, and bones.\n\t\t\t“Verification” as used in this section shall include (i) display of a valid tribal identification card, (ii) confirmation through a central tribal registry, (iii) a letter from a tribal chief or council, or (iv) certification from a tribal office that the person is an enrolled member of the tribe.","type":"section","prefixes":["B"],"prefix":"B","entire_prefix":"B","prefix_anchor":"B","level":1,"prior_prefix":"A12","next_prefix":"C"},"14":{"id":225635,"text":"Notwithstanding any other provision of this chapter, the Department may authorize the use of snake exclusion devices by public utilities at their transmission or distribution facilities and the incidental taking of snakes resulting from the use of such devices.","type":"section","prefixes":["C"],"prefix":"C","entire_prefix":"C","prefix_anchor":"C","level":1,"prior_prefix":"B","next_prefix":"D"},"15":{"id":225636,"text":"A violation of subdivisions A 1 through 10 shall be punishable as a Class 3 misdemeanor.","type":"section","prefixes":["D"],"prefix":"D","entire_prefix":"D","prefix_anchor":"D","level":1,"prior_prefix":"C"}},"ancestry":[{"id":13514,"edition_id":1,"name":"Hunting and Trapping","identifier":"2","label":"article","depth":3,"order_by":1,"parent_id":13513,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:45:06","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:45:06","permalink":{"id":193019,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":13514,"identifier":"2","token":"29.1\/5\/2","url":"\/29.1\/5\/2\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":13513,"edition_id":1,"name":"Wildlife and Fish Laws","identifier":"5","label":"chapter","depth":2,"order_by":1,"parent_id":12934,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:45:06","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:45:06","permalink":{"id":192967,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":13513,"identifier":"5","token":"29.1\/5","url":"\/29.1\/5\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":12934,"edition_id":1,"name":"Wildlife, Inland Fisheries and Boating","identifier":"29.1","label":"title","depth":1,"order_by":1,"parent_id":null,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:44:03","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:44:03","permalink":{"id":192277,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":12934,"identifier":"29.1","token":"29.1","url":"\/29.1\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}}],"structure_contents":[{"id":57566,"structure_id":13514,"section_number":"29.1-510","catch_line":"Big game; small game","url":"\/29.1-510\/","token":"29.1\/5\/2\/29.1-510","metadata":false},{"id":54765,"structure_id":13514,"section_number":"29.1-511","catch_line":"Open season on nuisance species","url":"\/29.1-511\/","token":"29.1\/5\/2\/29.1-511","metadata":false},{"id":57429,"structure_id":13514,"section_number":"29.1-512","catch_line":"Closed season on other species","url":"\/29.1-512\/","token":"29.1\/5\/2\/29.1-512","metadata":false},{"id":72077,"structure_id":13514,"section_number":"29.1-513","catch_line":"Daily and season bag limits as promulgated by Board regulations","url":"\/29.1-513\/","token":"29.1\/5\/2\/29.1-513","metadata":false},{"id":57989,"structure_id":13514,"section_number":"29.1-514","catch_line":"Nonmigratory game birds","url":"\/29.1-514\/","token":"29.1\/5\/2\/29.1-514","metadata":false},{"id":71454,"structure_id":13514,"section_number":"29.1-515","catch_line":"Migratory game birds","url":"\/29.1-515\/","token":"29.1\/5\/2\/29.1-515","metadata":false},{"id":81835,"structure_id":13514,"section_number":"29.1-516","catch_line":"Game animals","url":"\/29.1-516\/","token":"29.1\/5\/2\/29.1-516","metadata":false},{"id":61868,"structure_id":13514,"section_number":"29.1-516.1","catch_line":"Using tracking dogs to retrieve bear, deer, or turkey","url":"\/29.1-516.1\/","token":"29.1\/5\/2\/29.1-516.1","metadata":false},{"id":86513,"structure_id":13514,"section_number":"29.1-516.2","catch_line":"Hunting with dogs; dogs to wear tags","url":"\/29.1-516.2\/","token":"29.1\/5\/2\/29.1-516.2","metadata":false},{"id":83866,"structure_id":13514,"section_number":"29.1-517","catch_line":"Trapping and shooting of fur-bearing animals during closed season","url":"\/29.1-517\/","token":"29.1\/5\/2\/29.1-517","metadata":false},{"id":81824,"structure_id":13514,"section_number":"29.1-518","catch_line":"When killing of beaver permitted","url":"\/29.1-518\/","token":"29.1\/5\/2\/29.1-518","metadata":false},{"id":54547,"structure_id":13514,"section_number":"29.1-519","catch_line":"Guns, pistols, revolvers, etc., which may be used; penalty","url":"\/29.1-519\/","token":"29.1\/5\/2\/29.1-519","metadata":false},{"id":65461,"structure_id":13514,"section_number":"29.1-520","catch_line":"Times for hunting","url":"\/29.1-520\/","token":"29.1\/5\/2\/29.1-520","metadata":false},{"id":61787,"structure_id":13514,"section_number":"29.1-521","catch_line":"Unlawful to hunt, trap, possess, sell, or transport wild birds and wild animals except as permitted; exception; penalty","url":"\/29.1-521\/","token":"29.1\/5\/2\/29.1-521","metadata":false},{"id":59428,"structure_id":13514,"section_number":"29.1-521.1","catch_line":"Willfully impeding hunting or trapping; penalty","url":"\/29.1-521.1\/","token":"29.1\/5\/2\/29.1-521.1","metadata":false},{"id":54761,"structure_id":13514,"section_number":"29.1-521.2","catch_line":"Violation of \u00a7 18.2-286 while hunting; revocation of license and privileges","url":"\/29.1-521.2\/","token":"29.1\/5\/2\/29.1-521.2","metadata":false},{"id":73558,"structure_id":13514,"section_number":"29.1-521.3","catch_line":"Shooting wild birds and wild animals from stationary vehicles by disabled persons","url":"\/29.1-521.3\/","token":"29.1\/5\/2\/29.1-521.3","metadata":false},{"id":71465,"structure_id":13514,"section_number":"29.1-522","catch_line":"Unlawful to kill male deer unless antlers visible above hair","url":"\/29.1-522\/","token":"29.1\/5\/2\/29.1-522","metadata":false},{"id":76993,"structure_id":13514,"section_number":"29.1-523","catch_line":"Killing deer by use of certain lights; acts raising presumption of attempt to kill","url":"\/29.1-523\/","token":"29.1\/5\/2\/29.1-523","metadata":false},{"id":83109,"structure_id":13514,"section_number":"29.1-523.1","catch_line":"Hunting deer with sights after dark; forfeiture of weapon and sighting device","url":"\/29.1-523.1\/","token":"29.1\/5\/2\/29.1-523.1","metadata":false},{"id":82330,"structure_id":13514,"section_number":"29.1-524","catch_line":"Forfeiture of vehicles and weapons used for killing or attempt to kill","url":"\/29.1-524\/","token":"29.1\/5\/2\/29.1-524","metadata":false},{"id":68411,"structure_id":13514,"section_number":"29.1-525","catch_line":"Employment of lights under certain circumstances upon places used by deer","url":"\/29.1-525\/","token":"29.1\/5\/2\/29.1-525","metadata":false},{"id":63880,"structure_id":13514,"section_number":"29.1-525.1","catch_line":"Deer enclosures prohibited; exceptions; penalty","url":"\/29.1-525.1\/","token":"29.1\/5\/2\/29.1-525.1","metadata":false},{"id":73219,"structure_id":13514,"section_number":"29.1-525.2","catch_line":"Fox and coyote enclosures prohibited; penalty","url":"\/29.1-525.2\/","token":"29.1\/5\/2\/29.1-525.2","metadata":false},{"id":71449,"structure_id":13514,"section_number":"29.1-526","catch_line":"Counties and cities may prohibit hunting or trapping near primary and secondary highways","url":"\/29.1-526\/","token":"29.1\/5\/2\/29.1-526","metadata":false},{"id":60237,"structure_id":13514,"section_number":"29.1-527","catch_line":"Counties, cities or towns may prohibit hunting near public schools and county, city, town or regional parks","url":"\/29.1-527\/","token":"29.1\/5\/2\/29.1-527","metadata":false},{"id":76925,"structure_id":13514,"section_number":"29.1-527.1","catch_line":"Localities may prohibit feeding of migratory and nonmigratory waterfowl","url":"\/29.1-527.1\/","token":"29.1\/5\/2\/29.1-527.1","metadata":false},{"id":65690,"structure_id":13514,"section_number":"29.1-527.2","catch_line":"Localities may prohibit feeding of deer","url":"\/29.1-527.2\/","token":"29.1\/5\/2\/29.1-527.2","metadata":false},{"id":70115,"structure_id":13514,"section_number":"29.1-528","catch_line":"Board to develop model ordinances for hunting with firearms; counties or cities may adopt","url":"\/29.1-528\/","token":"29.1\/5\/2\/29.1-528","metadata":false},{"id":75511,"structure_id":13514,"section_number":"29.1-528.1","catch_line":"Board to develop model ordinances for hunting with bow and arrow; counties or cities may adopt","url":"\/29.1-528.1\/","token":"29.1\/5\/2\/29.1-528.1","metadata":false},{"id":65161,"structure_id":13514,"section_number":"29.1-528.2","catch_line":"Local tree stand ordinance; disabled hunter exempt","url":"\/29.1-528.2\/","token":"29.1\/5\/2\/29.1-528.2","metadata":false},{"id":76194,"structure_id":13514,"section_number":"29.1-529","catch_line":"Killing of deer, elk or bear damaging fruit trees, crops, livestock, or personal property; wildlife creating a hazard to aircraft or motor vehicles","url":"\/29.1-529\/","token":"29.1\/5\/2\/29.1-529","metadata":false},{"id":83517,"structure_id":13514,"section_number":"29.1-530","catch_line":"Open and closed season for trapping, bag limits, etc","url":"\/29.1-530\/","token":"29.1\/5\/2\/29.1-530","metadata":false},{"id":59296,"structure_id":13514,"section_number":"29.1-530.1","catch_line":"Solid blaze orange or solid blaze pink clothing required at certain times","url":"\/29.1-530.1\/","token":"29.1\/5\/2\/29.1-530.1","metadata":false},{"id":54480,"structure_id":13514,"section_number":"29.1-530.2","catch_line":"Unlawfully killing bear; penalty","url":"\/29.1-530.2\/","token":"29.1\/5\/2\/29.1-530.2","metadata":false},{"id":55295,"structure_id":13514,"section_number":"29.1-530.3","catch_line":"Remote hunting prohibited; penalty","url":"\/29.1-530.3\/","token":"29.1\/5\/2\/29.1-530.3","metadata":false},{"id":62967,"structure_id":13514,"section_number":"29.1-530.4","catch_line":"Duty of certain entities to report hunting incidents","url":"\/29.1-530.4\/","token":"29.1\/5\/2\/29.1-530.4","metadata":false}],"previous_section":{"id":65461,"structure_id":13514,"section_number":"29.1-520","catch_line":"Times for hunting","url":"\/29.1-520\/","token":"29.1\/5\/2\/29.1-520","metadata":false},"next_section":{"id":59428,"structure_id":13514,"section_number":"29.1-521.1","catch_line":"Willfully impeding hunting or trapping; penalty","url":"\/29.1-521.1\/","token":"29.1\/5\/2\/29.1-521.1","metadata":false},"metadata":false,"official_url":"https:\/\/law.lis.virginia.gov\/vacode\/29.1-521\/","history_text":"

The record of this law\u2019s original creation isn\u2019t available online. It has been modified 25 times. Those modifications are cataloged by \u201cThe Acts of Assembly,\u201d a state publication, by year and chapter. Those modifications that can be read on the General Assembly\u2019s website will be linked accordingly. Those modifications are as follows: in 1962, chapter 469; in 1974, chapter 302; in 1979, chapter 264; in 1987, chapter 488; in 1988, chapter 175; in 1989, chapter 421; in 1990, chapter 237; in 1994, chapters 244<\/a> and 436<\/a>; in 1997, chapter 249<\/a>; in 1998, chapter 415<\/a>; in 2000, chapter 13<\/a>; in 2001, chapters 26<\/a> and 60<\/a>; in 2004, chapter 862<\/a>; in 2005, chapters 170<\/a>, 533<\/a>, and 534<\/a>; in 2006, chapters 20<\/a> and 215<\/a>; in 2008, chapters 160<\/a> and 161<\/a>; in 2010, chapter 10<\/a>; in 2014, chapters 152<\/a> and 482<\/a>; in 2015, chapter 47<\/a>; in 2016, chapters 10<\/a>, 62<\/a>, 121<\/a>, and 372<\/a>; in 2017, chapter 530<\/a>; in 2018, chapters 113<\/a>, 557<\/a>, 558<\/a>, and 620<\/a>; in 2019, chapter 151<\/a>; in 2020, chapters 315<\/a> and 631<\/a>; in 2022, chapter 98<\/a>.<\/p>","references":[{"id":85099,"section_number":"29.1-422","catch_line":"Permits for field trials","order_by":null,"url":"\/29.1-422\/"},{"id":59428,"section_number":"29.1-521.1","catch_line":"Willfully impeding hunting or trapping; penalty","order_by":null,"url":"\/29.1-521.1\/"},{"id":81525,"section_number":"29.1-553","catch_line":"Selling or offering for sale; penalty","order_by":null,"url":"\/29.1-553\/"}],"refers_to":[{"id":60369,"section_number":"29.1-100","catch_line":"Definitions","order_by":null,"url":"\/29.1-100\/"},{"id":73558,"section_number":"29.1-521.3","catch_line":"Shooting wild birds and wild animals from stationary vehicles by disabled persons","order_by":null,"url":"\/29.1-521.3\/"},{"id":81525,"section_number":"29.1-553","catch_line":"Selling or offering for sale; penalty","order_by":null,"url":"\/29.1-553\/"}],"permalink":{"id":193073,"object_type":"law","relational_id":61787,"identifier":"29.1-521","token":"29.1\/5\/2\/29.1-521","url":"\/29.1-521\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1},"url":"\/29.1-521\/","token":"29.1\/5\/2\/29.1-521","dublin_core":{"Title":"Unlawful to hunt, trap, possess, sell, or transport wild birds and wild animals except as permitted; exception; penalty","Type":"Text","Format":"text\/html","Identifier":"\u00a7 29.1-521","Relation":"Code of Virginia"},"html":"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

A.<\/span> The following is unlawful: <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

1.<\/span> To hunt or kill on Sunday (i) any wild bird or wild animal, including any nuisance species<\/span>, with a gun, firearm<\/span>, or other weapon, within 200 yards of a place of worship or any accessory<\/span> structure thereof or (ii) any deer or bear with a gun, firearm<\/span>, or other weapon with the aid or assistance of dogs. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

2.<\/span> To destroy or harass the nest, eggs, dens, or young of any wild bird or wild animal, except nuisance species<\/span>, at any time without a permit as required by law<\/span>. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

3.<\/span> To hunt or attempt to kill or trap any species of wild bird or wild animal after having obtained the daily bag or season limit during such day or season. However, any properly licensed person<\/span>, or a person exempt from having to obtain a license, who has obtained such daily bag or season limit while hunting may assist others who are hunting game<\/span> by calling game<\/span>, retrieving game<\/span>, handling dogs, or conducting drives if the weapon in his possession<\/span> is an unloaded firearm<\/span>, a bow without a nocked arrow, an unloaded slingbow, an unloaded arrowgun, or an unloaded crossbow. Any properly licensed person<\/span>, or person exempt from having to obtain a license, who has obtained such season limit prior to commencement of the hunt may assist others who are hunting game<\/span> by calling game<\/span>, retrieving game<\/span>, handling dogs, or conducting drives, provided he does not have a firearm<\/span>, bow, slingbow, arrowgun, or crossbow in his possession<\/span>. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

4.<\/span> To knowingly occupy any baited blind or other baited place for the purpose of taking or attempting to take any wild bird or wild animal or to put out bait or salt for any wild bird or wild animal for the purpose of taking or killing it. There shall be a rebuttable presumption<\/span> that a person charged with violating this subdivision knows that he is occupying a baited blind or other baited place for the purpose of taking or attempting to take any wild bird or wild animal. However, this shall not apply to baiting nuisance species<\/span> of animals and birds, or to baiting traps for the purpose of taking fur-bearing animals<\/span> that may be lawfully trapped. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

5.<\/span> To kill or capture any wild bird or wild animal adjacent to any area while a field or forest fire is in progress. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

6.<\/span> To shoot or attempt to take any wild bird or wild animal from an automobile or other vehicle, except (i) as provided in § 29.1-521.3<\/a> or (ii) for the killing of nuisance species<\/span> as defined in § 29.1-100<\/a> on private property by the owner of such property or his designee from a stationary automobile or other stationary vehicle. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

7.<\/span> To set a trap of any kind on the lands or waters of another without attaching to the trap: (i) the name and address of the trapper; or (ii) an identification number issued by the Department<\/span>. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

8.<\/span> To set a trap where it would be likely to injure persons, dogs, stock, or fowl. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

9.<\/span> To fail to visit all traps once each day and remove all animals caught, and immediately report to the landowner as to stock, dogs, or fowl that are caught and the date. However, the Director<\/span> or his designee may authorize employees of federal, state, and local government agencies, and persons holding a valid Commercial Nuisance Animal Permit issued by the Department<\/span>, to visit body-gripping traps that are completely submerged at least once every 72 hours, and the Board<\/span> may adopt regulations<\/span> permitting trappers to visit traps less frequently under specified conditions. The Board<\/span> shall adopt regulations<\/span> permitting trappers to use remote trap-checking technology to check traps under specified conditions. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

10.<\/span> To hunt, trap, take, capture, kill, attempt to take, capture, or kill, possess, deliver for transportation<\/span>, transport, cause to be transported, by any means whatever, receive for transportation<\/span> or export, or import, at any time or in any manner, any wild bird or wild animal or the carcass or any part thereof, except as specifically permitted by law<\/span> and only by the manner or means and within the numbers stated. However, the provisions of this section shall not be construed to prohibit the (i) use or transportation<\/span> of legally taken turkey carcasses, or portions thereof, for the purposes of making or selling turkey callers; (ii) the manufacture or sale of implements, including tools or utensils made from legally harvested deer skeletal parts, including antlers; (iii) the possession<\/span> of shed antlers; or (iv) the possession<\/span>, manufacture, or sale of other parts or implements authorized by regulations<\/span> adopted by the Board<\/span>. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

11.<\/span> To offer for sale, sell, offer to purchase, or purchase, at any time or in any manner, any wild bird or wild animal or the carcass or any part thereof, except as specifically permitted by law<\/span>, including subsection D of § 29.1-553<\/a>. However, any nonprofit organization exempt from taxation under § 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code that is (i) organized to provide wild game<\/span> as food to the hungry and (ii) authorized by the Department<\/span> to possess, transport, and distribute donated or unclaimed meat to the hungry may pay a processing fee in order<\/span> to obtain such meat. Such fee shall not exceed the actual cost for processing the meat. In addition, any nonprofit organization exempt from taxation under § 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code that is (a) organized to support wildlife<\/span> habitat conservation and (b) approved by the Department<\/span> shall be allowed to offer wildlife<\/span> mounts that have undergone the taxidermy process for sale in conjunction with fundraising activities. A violation of this subdivision shall be punishable as provided in § 29.1-553<\/a>. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

12.<\/span> To offer for sale, sell, offer to purchase, or purchase a hunt guaranteeing the killing of a deer, bear, or wild turkey. Nothing in this subdivision shall prevent a landowner from leasing land for hunting. A violation of this subdivision shall be punishable as provided in § 29.1-553<\/a>. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

B.<\/span> Notwithstanding any other provision of this article, any American Indian who produces verification<\/span> that he is an enrolled member of a tribe recognized by the Commonwealth, another state, or the U.S. government, may possess, offer for sale, or sell to another American Indian, or offer to purchase or purchase from another American Indian, parts of legally obtained fur-bearing animals<\/span>, nonmigratory game birds<\/span>, and game animals<\/span>, except bear. Such legally obtained parts shall include antlers, hooves, feathers, claws, and bones.\n\t\t\t“Verification<\/span>” as used in this section shall include (i) display of a valid tribal identification card, (ii) confirmation through a central tribal registry, (iii) a letter from a tribal chief or council, or (iv) certification from a tribal office that the person is an enrolled member of the tribe. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

C.<\/span> Notwithstanding any other provision of this chapter, the Department<\/span> may authorize the use of snake exclusion devices by public utilities at their transmission or distribution facilities and the incidental taking of snakes resulting from the use of such devices. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

D.<\/span> A violation of subdivisions A 1 through 10 shall be punishable as a Class 3 misdemeanor<\/span>. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>","plain_text":" CODE OF VIRGINIA\n\nUNLAWFUL TO HUNT, TRAP, POSSESS, SELL, OR TRANSPORT WILD BIRDS AND WILD ANIMALS\nEXCEPT AS PERMITTED; EXCEPTION; PENALTY (\u00a7 29.1-521)\n\nA. The following is unlawful:\n\n 1. To hunt or kill on Sunday (i) any wild bird or wild animal, including any\n nuisance species, with a gun, firearm, or other weapon, within 200 yards of a\n place of worship or any accessory structure thereof or (ii) any deer or bear\n with a gun, firearm, or other weapon with the aid or assistance of dogs.\n\n 2. To destroy or harass the nest, eggs, dens, or young of any wild bird or\n wild animal, except nuisance species, at any time without a permit as required\n by law.\n\n 3. To hunt or attempt to kill or trap any species of wild bird or wild animal\n after having obtained the daily bag or season limit during such day or season.\n However, any properly licensed person, or a person exempt from having to\n obtain a license, who has obtained such daily bag or season limit while\n hunting may assist others who are hunting game by calling game, retrieving\n game, handling dogs, or conducting drives if the weapon in his possession is\n an unloaded firearm, a bow without a nocked arrow, an unloaded slingbow, an\n unloaded arrowgun, or an unloaded crossbow. Any properly licensed person, or\n person exempt from having to obtain a license, who has obtained such season\n limit prior to commencement of the hunt may assist others who are hunting game\n by calling game, retrieving game, handling dogs, or conducting drives,\n provided he does not have a firearm, bow, slingbow, arrowgun, or crossbow in\n his possession.\n\n 4. To knowingly occupy any baited blind or other baited place for the purpose\n of taking or attempting to take any wild bird or wild animal or to put out\n bait or salt for any wild bird or wild animal for the purpose of taking or\n killing it. There shall be a rebuttable presumption that a person charged with\n violating this subdivision knows that he is occupying a baited blind or other\n baited place for the purpose of taking or attempting to take any wild bird or\n wild animal. However, this shall not apply to baiting nuisance species of\n animals and birds, or to baiting traps for the purpose of taking fur-bearing\n animals that may be lawfully trapped.\n\n 5. To kill or capture any wild bird or wild animal adjacent to any area while\n a field or forest fire is in progress.\n\n 6. To shoot or attempt to take any wild bird or wild animal from an automobile\n or other vehicle, except (i) as provided in § 29.1-521.3 or (ii) for the\n killing of nuisance species as defined in § 29.1-100 on private property\n by the owner of such property or his designee from a stationary automobile or\n other stationary vehicle.\n\n 7. To set a trap of any kind on the lands or waters of another without\n attaching to the trap: (i) the name and address of the trapper; or (ii) an\n identification number issued by the Department.\n\n 8. To set a trap where it would be likely to injure persons, dogs, stock, or\n fowl.\n\n 9. To fail to visit all traps once each day and remove all animals caught, and\n immediately report to the landowner as to stock, dogs, or fowl that are caught\n and the date. However, the Director or his designee may authorize employees of\n federal, state, and local government agencies, and persons holding a valid\n Commercial Nuisance Animal Permit issued by the Department, to visit\n body-gripping traps that are completely submerged at least once every 72\n hours, and the Board may adopt regulations permitting trappers to visit traps\n less frequently under specified conditions. The Board shall adopt regulations\n permitting trappers to use remote trap-checking technology to check traps\n under specified conditions.\n\n 10. To hunt, trap, take, capture, kill, attempt to take, capture, or kill,\n possess, deliver for transportation, transport, cause to be transported, by\n any means whatever, receive for transportation or export, or import, at any\n time or in any manner, any wild bird or wild animal or the carcass or any part\n thereof, except as specifically permitted by law and only by the manner or\n means and within the numbers stated. However, the provisions of this section\n shall not be construed to prohibit the (i) use or transportation of legally\n taken turkey carcasses, or portions thereof, for the purposes of making or\n selling turkey callers; (ii) the manufacture or sale of implements, including\n tools or utensils made from legally harvested deer skeletal parts, including\n antlers; (iii) the possession of shed antlers; or (iv) the possession,\n manufacture, or sale of other parts or implements authorized by regulations\n adopted by the Board.\n\n 11. To offer for sale, sell, offer to purchase, or purchase, at any time or in\n any manner, any wild bird or wild animal or the carcass or any part thereof,\n except as specifically permitted by law, including subsection D of §\n 29.1-553. However, any nonprofit organization exempt from taxation under\n § 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code that is (i) organized to provide\n wild game as food to the hungry and (ii) authorized by the Department to\n possess, transport, and distribute donated or unclaimed meat to the hungry may\n pay a processing fee in order to obtain such meat. Such fee shall not exceed\n the actual cost for processing the meat. In addition, any nonprofit\n organization exempt from taxation under § 501(c)(3) of the Internal\n Revenue Code that is (a) organized to support wildlife habitat conservation\n and (b) approved by the Department shall be allowed to offer wildlife mounts\n that have undergone the taxidermy process for sale in conjunction with\n fundraising activities. A violation of this subdivision shall be punishable as\n provided in § 29.1-553.\n\n 12. To offer for sale, sell, offer to purchase, or purchase a hunt\n guaranteeing the killing of a deer, bear, or wild turkey. Nothing in this\n subdivision shall prevent a landowner from leasing land for hunting. A\n violation of this subdivision shall be punishable as provided in §\n 29.1-553.\n\nB. Notwithstanding any other provision of this article, any American Indian who\nproduces verification that he is an enrolled member of a tribe recognized by the\nCommonwealth, another state, or the U.S. government, may possess, offer for\nsale, or sell to another American Indian, or offer to purchase or purchase from\nanother American Indian, parts of legally obtained fur-bearing animals,\nnonmigratory game birds, and game animals, except bear. Such legally obtained\nparts shall include antlers, hooves, feathers, claws, and bones.\n\t\t\t“Verification” as used in this section shall include (i) display\nof a valid tribal identification card, (ii) confirmation through a central\ntribal registry, (iii) a letter from a tribal chief or council, or (iv)\ncertification from a tribal office that the person is an enrolled member of the\ntribe.\n\nC. Notwithstanding any other provision of this chapter, the Department may\nauthorize the use of snake exclusion devices by public utilities at their\ntransmission or distribution facilities and the incidental taking of snakes\nresulting from the use of such devices.\n\nD. A violation of subdivisions A 1 through 10 shall be punishable as a Class 3\nmisdemeanor.\n\nHISTORY: Code 1950, \u00a7 29-143; 1962, c. 469; 1974, c. 302; 1979, c. 264; 1987,\nc. 488; 1988, c. 175; 1989, c. 421; 1990, c. 237; 1994, cc. 244, 436; 1997, c.\n249; 1998, c. 415; 2000, c. 13; 2001, cc. 26, 60; 2004, c. 862; 2005, cc. 170,\n533, 534; 2006, cc. 20, 215; 2008, cc. 160, 161; 2010, c. 10; 2014, cc. 152,\n482; 2015, c. 47; 2016, cc. 10, 62, 121, 372; 2017, c. 530; 2018, cc. 113, 557,\n558, 620; 2019, c. 151; 2020, cc. 315, 631; 2022, c. 98.","edition":{"id":1,"name":"2025","slug":"2025","date_created":"2026-06-21 22:39:22","date_modified":"2026-06-21 22:39:22","current":1,"order_by":1,"last_import":null}}