{"formats":[{"name":"JSON","format":"json","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-json\/29.1-523.json"},{"name":"Plain Text","format":"text","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-text\/29.1-523.txt"},{"name":"XML","format":"xml","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-xml\/29.1-523.xml"},{"name":"HTML","format":"html","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-html\/29.1-523.html"}],"law_id":76993,"edition_id":1,"section_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","history":"1962, c. 520, \u00a7 29-144.2; 1970, c. 79; 1973, c. 369; 1980, cc. 602, 607, \u00a7 29-144.4:1; 1987, c. 488; 1994, c. 113; 2002, c. 157; 2010, c. 183.","full_text":"Any person who kills or attempts to kill any deer between a half hour after sunset and a half hour before sunrise by use of a light attached to any vehicle or a spotlight or flashlight shall be guilty of a Class 2 misdemeanor. The flashing of a light attached to any vehicle or a spotlight or flashlight from any vehicle between a half hour after sunset and half hour before sunrise by any person or persons, then in possession of a firearm, crossbow, or bow and arrow or speargun, without good cause, shall raise a presumption of an attempt to kill deer in violation of this section. Every person in or on any such vehicle shall be deemed a principal in the second degree and subject to the same punishment as a principal in the first degree. Every person who, in any manner, aids, abets or acts in concert with any person or persons violating this section shall be deemed a principal in the second degree and subject to the same punishment as a principal in the first degree.\n\t\tIn addition to the penalty prescribed herein, the court shall revoke the current hunting license and privileges of the person convicted of violating this section and prohibit that person from hunting for a period of one to five years. If found hunting during this prohibited period, the person shall be guilty of a Class 2 misdemeanor. Notification of such revocation or prohibition shall be forwarded to the Department pursuant to subsections C and D of \u00a7 18.2-56.1.\n\t\tThis section shall not apply to persons duly authorized to kill deer according to the provisions of \u00a7 29.1-529.","order_by":null,"text":{"0":{"id":276329,"text":"Any person who kills or attempts to kill any deer between a half hour after sunset and a half hour before sunrise by use of a light attached to any vehicle or a spotlight or flashlight shall be guilty of a Class 2 misdemeanor. The flashing of a light attached to any vehicle or a spotlight or flashlight from any vehicle between a half hour after sunset and half hour before sunrise by any person or persons, then in possession of a firearm, crossbow, or bow and arrow or speargun, without good cause, shall raise a presumption of an attempt to kill deer in violation of this section. Every person in or on any such vehicle shall be deemed a principal in the second degree and subject to the same punishment as a principal in the first degree. Every person who, in any manner, aids, abets or acts in concert with any person or persons violating this section shall be deemed a principal in the second degree and subject to the same punishment as a principal in the first degree.\n\t\tIn addition to the penalty prescribed herein, the court shall revoke the current hunting license and privileges of the person convicted of violating this section and prohibit that person from hunting for a period of one to five years. If found hunting during this prohibited period, the person shall be guilty of a Class 2 misdemeanor. Notification of such revocation or prohibition shall be forwarded to the Department pursuant to subsections C and D of \u00a7 18.2-56.1.\n\t\tThis section shall not apply to persons duly authorized to kill deer according to the provisions of \u00a7 29.1-529.","type":"section","prefixes":[""],"prefix":"","entire_prefix":"","prefix_anchor":"","level":1}},"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":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},"next_section":{"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},"metadata":false,"official_url":"https:\/\/law.lis.virginia.gov\/vacode\/29.1-523\/","history_text":"<p>This law was first created in 1962. The record of its establishment is cataloged in chapter 520 of that year\u2019s edition of \u201cActs of Assembly,\u201d the annual state publication listing all changes made to the Code of Virginia in that year. Unfortunately, the 1962 \u201cActs\u201d aren\u2019t available online. It has been modified 7 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 1970, chapter 79; in 1973, chapter 369; in 1980, chapters 602 and 607; in 1987, chapter 488; in 1994, chapter <a href=\"https:\/\/legacylis.virginia.gov\/cgi-bin\/legp604.exe?941+ful+CHAP0113\">113<\/a>; in 2002, chapter <a href=\"https:\/\/legacylis.virginia.gov\/cgi-bin\/legp604.exe?021+ful+CHAP0157\">157<\/a>; in 2010, chapter <a href=\"https:\/\/legacylis.virginia.gov\/cgi-bin\/legp604.exe?101+ful+CHAP0183\">183<\/a>.<\/p>","references":[{"id":82330,"section_number":"29.1-524","catch_line":"Forfeiture of vehicles and weapons used for killing or attempt to kill","order_by":null,"url":"\/29.1-524\/"},{"id":71853,"section_number":"29.1-551","catch_line":"Assessment of value of game or fish unlawfully taken","order_by":null,"url":"\/29.1-551\/"}],"refers_to":[{"id":75271,"section_number":"18.2-56.1","catch_line":"Reckless handling of firearms; reckless handling while hunting","order_by":null,"url":"\/18.2-56.1\/"},{"id":76194,"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","order_by":null,"url":"\/29.1-529\/"}],"permalink":{"id":193093,"object_type":"law","relational_id":76993,"identifier":"29.1-523","token":"29.1\/5\/2\/29.1-523","url":"\/29.1-523\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1},"url":"\/29.1-523\/","token":"29.1\/5\/2\/29.1-523","dublin_core":{"Title":"Killing deer by use of certain lights; acts raising presumption of attempt to kill","Type":"Text","Format":"text\/html","Identifier":"\u00a7 29.1-523","Relation":"Code of Virginia"},"html":"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section><p>Any person who kills or attempts to kill any deer between a half hour after sunset and a half hour before sunrise by use of a light attached to any vehicle or a spotlight or flashlight shall be guilty of a Class 2 <span class=\"dictionary\">misdemeanor<\/span>. The flashing of a light attached to any vehicle or a spotlight or flashlight from any vehicle between a half hour after sunset and half hour before sunrise by any person or persons, then in <span class=\"dictionary\">possession<\/span> of a <span class=\"dictionary\">firearm<\/span>, crossbow, or bow and arrow or speargun, without good cause, shall raise a <span class=\"dictionary\">presumption<\/span> of an attempt to kill deer in violation of this section. Every person in or on any such vehicle shall be deemed a principal in the second degree and subject to the same punishment as a principal in the first degree. Every person who, in any manner, aids, abets or acts in concert with any person or persons violating this section shall be deemed a principal in the second degree and subject to the same punishment as a principal in the first degree.\n\t\tIn addition to the <span class=\"dictionary\">penalty<\/span> prescribed herein, the <span class=\"dictionary\">court<\/span> shall revoke the current hunting license and <span class=\"dictionary\">privileges<\/span> of the person convicted of violating this section and prohibit that person from hunting for a period of one to five years. If found hunting during this prohibited period, the person shall be guilty of a Class 2 <span class=\"dictionary\">misdemeanor<\/span>. Notification of such <span class=\"dictionary\">revocation<\/span> or prohibition shall be forwarded to the <span class=\"dictionary\">Department<\/span> pursuant to subsections C and D of \u00a7&nbsp;<a class=\"law\" title=\"Reckless handling of firearms; reckless handling while hunting\" href=\"\/18.2-56.1\/\">18.2-56.1<\/a>.\n\t\tThis section shall not apply to persons duly authorized to kill deer according to the provisions of \u00a7&nbsp;<a class=\"law\" title=\"Killing of deer, elk or bear damaging fruit trees, crops, livestock, or personal property; wildlife creating a hazard to aircraft or motor vehicles\" href=\"\/29.1-529\/\">29.1-529<\/a>.<\/p><\/section>","plain_text":"                                 CODE OF VIRGINIA\n\nKILLING DEER BY USE OF CERTAIN LIGHTS; ACTS RAISING PRESUMPTION OF ATTEMPT TO\nKILL (\u00a7 29.1-523)\n\nAny person who kills or attempts to kill any deer between a half hour after\nsunset and a half hour before sunrise by use of a light attached to any vehicle\nor a spotlight or flashlight shall be guilty of a Class 2 misdemeanor. The\nflashing of a light attached to any vehicle or a spotlight or flashlight from\nany vehicle between a half hour after sunset and half hour before sunrise by any\nperson or persons, then in possession of a firearm, crossbow, or bow and arrow\nor speargun, without good cause, shall raise a presumption of an attempt to kill\ndeer in violation of this section. Every person in or on any such vehicle shall\nbe deemed a principal in the second degree and subject to the same punishment as\na principal in the first degree. Every person who, in any manner, aids, abets or\nacts in concert with any person or persons violating this section shall be\ndeemed a principal in the second degree and subject to the same punishment as a\nprincipal in the first degree.\n\t\tIn addition to the penalty prescribed herein, the court shall revoke the\ncurrent hunting license and privileges of the person convicted of violating this\nsection and prohibit that person from hunting for a period of one to five years.\nIf found hunting during this prohibited period, the person shall be guilty of a\nClass 2 misdemeanor. Notification of such revocation or prohibition shall be\nforwarded to the Department pursuant to subsections C and D of \u00a7 18.2-56.1.\n\t\tThis section shall not apply to persons duly authorized to kill deer according\nto the provisions of \u00a7 29.1-529.\n\nHISTORY: 1962, c. 520, \u00a7 29-144.2; 1970, c. 79; 1973, c. 369; 1980, cc. 602,\n607, \u00a7 29-144.4:1; 1987, c. 488; 1994, c. 113; 2002, c. 157; 2010, c. 183.","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}}