{"formats":[{"name":"JSON","format":"json","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-json\/29.1-529.json"},{"name":"Plain Text","format":"text","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-text\/29.1-529.txt"},{"name":"XML","format":"xml","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-xml\/29.1-529.xml"},{"name":"HTML","format":"html","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-html\/29.1-529.html"}],"law_id":76194,"edition_id":1,"section_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","history":"Code 1950, \u00a7 29-145.1; 1954, c. 686; 1956, c. 684; 1958, cc. 315, 609; 1960, c. 129; 1962, c. 229; 1970, c. 79; 1980, c. 271; 1987, cc. 48, 488; 1991, c. 99; 1993, cc. 204, 273; 1994, c. 571; 1996, c. 314; 1998, c. 179; 1999, c. 563; 2000, c. 6; 2002, c. 174; 2003, cc. 123, 135; 2004, c. 447; 2008, cc. 17, 260; 2009, cc. 8, 305; 2010, c. 5; 2012, c. 247; 2013, c. 346; 2020, c. 958.","full_text":"A\n\nWhenever deer, elk or bear are damaging fruit trees, crops, livestock or personal property utilized for commercial agricultural production in the Commonwealth, the owner or lessee of the lands on which such damage is done shall immediately report the damage to the Director or his designee for investigation. If after investigation the Director or his designee finds that deer or bear are responsible for the damage, he shall authorize in writing the owner, lessee or any other person designated by the Director or his designee to kill such deer or bear when they are found upon the land upon which the damages occurred. However, the Director or his designee shall have the option of authorizing nonlethal control measures rather than authorizing the killing of elk or bear, provided that such measures occur within a reasonable period of time; and whenever deer cause damage on parcels of land of five acres or less, except when such acreage is used for commercial agricultural production, the Director or his designee shall have discretion as to whether to issue a written authorization to kill the deer. The Director or his designee may limit such authorization by specifying in writing the number of animals to be killed and duration for which the authorization is effective and may in proximity to residential areas and under other appropriate circumstances limit or prohibit the authorization between 11:00 p.m. and one-half hour before sunrise of the following day. The Director or his designees issuing these authorizations shall specify in writing that only antlerless deer shall be killed, unless the Director or his designee determines that there is clear and convincing evidence that the damage was done by deer with antlers. Any owner or lessee of land who has been issued a written authorization shall not be issued an authorization in subsequent years unless he can demonstrate to the satisfaction of the Director or his designee that during the period following the prior authorization, the owner or his designee has hunted bear or deer on the land for which he received a previous authorization.B\n\nSubject to the provisions of subsection A, the Director or his designee may issue a written authorization to kill deer causing damage to residential plants, whether ornamental, noncommercial agricultural, or other types of residential plants. The Director may charge a fee not to exceed actual costs. The holder of this written authorization shall be subject to local ordinances, including those regulating the discharge of firearms.C\n\nWhenever wildlife is creating a hazard to the operation of any aircraft or to the facilities connected with the operation of aircraft, the person or persons responsible for the safe operation of the aircraft or facilities shall report such fact to the Director or his designee for investigation. If after investigation the Director or his designee finds that wildlife is creating a hazard, he shall authorize such person or persons or their representatives to kill wildlife when the wildlife is found to be creating such a hazard. As used in this subsection, the term “wildlife” shall not include any federally protected species.D\n\nWhenever deer are creating a hazard to the operation of motor vehicle traffic within the corporate limits of any city or town, the operator of a motor vehicle or chief law-enforcement officer of the city or town may report such fact to the Director or his designee for investigation. If after investigation the Director or his designee finds that deer are creating a hazard within such city or town, he may authorize responsible persons, or their representatives, to kill the deer when they are found to be creating such a hazard.E\n\nWhenever deer are damaging property in a locality in which deer herd population reduction has been recommended in the current Deer Management Plan adopted by the Board, the owner or lessee of the lands on which such damage is being done may report such damage to the Director or his designee for investigation. If after investigation the Director or his designee finds that deer are responsible for the damage, he may authorize in writing the owner, lessee or any other person designated by the Director or his designee to kill such deer when they are found upon the land upon which the damages occurred. The Director or his designee also may limit such authorization by specifying in writing the number of animals to be killed and the period of time for which the authorization is effective. The requirement in subsection A of this section, that an owner or lessee of land demonstrate that during the period following the prior authorization deer or bear have been hunted on his land, shall not apply to any locality that conducts a deer population control program authorized by the Department.F\n\nThe Director or his designee may revoke or refuse to reissue any authorization granted under this section when it has been shown by a preponderance of the evidence that an abuse of the authorization has occurred. Such evidence may include a complaint filed by any person with the Department alleging that an abuse of the written authorization has occurred. Any person aggrieved by the issuance, denial or revocation of a written authorization can appeal the decision to the Department. Any person convicted of violating any provision of the hunting and trapping laws and regulations shall be entitled to receive written authorization to kill deer or bear. However, such person shall not (i) be designated as a shooter nor (ii) carry out the authorized activity for a person who has received such written authorization for a period of at least two years and up to five years following his most recent conviction for violating any provision of the hunting and trapping laws and regulations. In determining the appropriate length of this restriction, the Director shall take into account the nature and severity of the most recent violation and of any past violations of the hunting and trapping laws and regulations by the applicant. No person shall be designated as a shooter under this section during a period when such person’s hunting license or privileges to hunt have been suspended or revoked.G\n\nThe Director or his designee may authorize, subject to the provisions of this section, the killing of deer over bait within the political boundaries of any city or town, or any county with a special late antlerless season, in the Commonwealth when requested by a certified letter from the governing body of such locality.H\n\nThe parts of any deer or bear killed pursuant to this section or wildlife killed pursuant to subsection C shall not be used for the purposes of taxidermy, mounts, or any public display unless authorized by the Director or his designee. However, the meat of any such animal may be used for human consumption. The carcass and any unused meat of any such animal shall be disposed of within 24 hours of being killed. Any person who violates any provision of this subsection is guilty of a Class 3 misdemeanor.I\n\nIt is unlawful to willfully and intentionally impede any person who is engaged in the lawful killing of a bear or deer pursuant to written authorization issued under this section. Any person convicted of a violation of this subsection is guilty of a Class 3 misdemeanor.","order_by":null,"text":{"0":{"id":273626,"text":"Whenever deer, elk or bear are damaging fruit trees, crops, livestock or personal property utilized for commercial agricultural production in the Commonwealth, the owner or lessee of the lands on which such damage is done shall immediately report the damage to the Director or his designee for investigation. If after investigation the Director or his designee finds that deer or bear are responsible for the damage, he shall authorize in writing the owner, lessee or any other person designated by the Director or his designee to kill such deer or bear when they are found upon the land upon which the damages occurred. However, the Director or his designee shall have the option of authorizing nonlethal control measures rather than authorizing the killing of elk or bear, provided that such measures occur within a reasonable period of time; and whenever deer cause damage on parcels of land of five acres or less, except when such acreage is used for commercial agricultural production, the Director or his designee shall have discretion as to whether to issue a written authorization to kill the deer. The Director or his designee may limit such authorization by specifying in writing the number of animals to be killed and duration for which the authorization is effective and may in proximity to residential areas and under other appropriate circumstances limit or prohibit the authorization between 11:00 p.m. and one-half hour before sunrise of the following day. The Director or his designees issuing these authorizations shall specify in writing that only antlerless deer shall be killed, unless the Director or his designee determines that there is clear and convincing evidence that the damage was done by deer with antlers. Any owner or lessee of land who has been issued a written authorization shall not be issued an authorization in subsequent years unless he can demonstrate to the satisfaction of the Director or his designee that during the period following the prior authorization, the owner or his designee has hunted bear or deer on the land for which he received a previous authorization.","type":"section","prefixes":["A"],"prefix":"A","entire_prefix":"A","prefix_anchor":"A","level":1,"next_prefix":"B"},"1":{"id":273627,"text":"Subject to the provisions of subsection A, the Director or his designee may issue a written authorization to kill deer causing damage to residential plants, whether ornamental, noncommercial agricultural, or other types of residential plants. The Director may charge a fee not to exceed actual costs. The holder of this written authorization shall be subject to local ordinances, including those regulating the discharge of firearms.","type":"section","prefixes":["B"],"prefix":"B","entire_prefix":"B","prefix_anchor":"B","level":1,"prior_prefix":"A","next_prefix":"C"},"2":{"id":273628,"text":"Whenever wildlife is creating a hazard to the operation of any aircraft or to the facilities connected with the operation of aircraft, the person or persons responsible for the safe operation of the aircraft or facilities shall report such fact to the Director or his designee for investigation. If after investigation the Director or his designee finds that wildlife is creating a hazard, he shall authorize such person or persons or their representatives to kill wildlife when the wildlife is found to be creating such a hazard. As used in this subsection, the term “wildlife” shall not include any federally protected species.","type":"section","prefixes":["C"],"prefix":"C","entire_prefix":"C","prefix_anchor":"C","level":1,"prior_prefix":"B","next_prefix":"D"},"3":{"id":273629,"text":"Whenever deer are creating a hazard to the operation of motor vehicle traffic within the corporate limits of any city or town, the operator of a motor vehicle or chief law-enforcement officer of the city or town may report such fact to the Director or his designee for investigation. If after investigation the Director or his designee finds that deer are creating a hazard within such city or town, he may authorize responsible persons, or their representatives, to kill the deer when they are found to be creating such a hazard.","type":"section","prefixes":["D"],"prefix":"D","entire_prefix":"D","prefix_anchor":"D","level":1,"prior_prefix":"C","next_prefix":"E"},"4":{"id":273630,"text":"Whenever deer are damaging property in a locality in which deer herd population reduction has been recommended in the current Deer Management Plan adopted by the Board, the owner or lessee of the lands on which such damage is being done may report such damage to the Director or his designee for investigation. If after investigation the Director or his designee finds that deer are responsible for the damage, he may authorize in writing the owner, lessee or any other person designated by the Director or his designee to kill such deer when they are found upon the land upon which the damages occurred. The Director or his designee also may limit such authorization by specifying in writing the number of animals to be killed and the period of time for which the authorization is effective. The requirement in subsection A of this section, that an owner or lessee of land demonstrate that during the period following the prior authorization deer or bear have been hunted on his land, shall not apply to any locality that conducts a deer population control program authorized by the Department.","type":"section","prefixes":["E"],"prefix":"E","entire_prefix":"E","prefix_anchor":"E","level":1,"prior_prefix":"D","next_prefix":"F"},"5":{"id":273631,"text":"The Director or his designee may revoke or refuse to reissue any authorization granted under this section when it has been shown by a preponderance of the evidence that an abuse of the authorization has occurred. Such evidence may include a complaint filed by any person with the Department alleging that an abuse of the written authorization has occurred. Any person aggrieved by the issuance, denial or revocation of a written authorization can appeal the decision to the Department. Any person convicted of violating any provision of the hunting and trapping laws and regulations shall be entitled to receive written authorization to kill deer or bear. However, such person shall not (i) be designated as a shooter nor (ii) carry out the authorized activity for a person who has received such written authorization for a period of at least two years and up to five years following his most recent conviction for violating any provision of the hunting and trapping laws and regulations. In determining the appropriate length of this restriction, the Director shall take into account the nature and severity of the most recent violation and of any past violations of the hunting and trapping laws and regulations by the applicant. No person shall be designated as a shooter under this section during a period when such person’s hunting license or privileges to hunt have been suspended or revoked.","type":"section","prefixes":["F"],"prefix":"F","entire_prefix":"F","prefix_anchor":"F","level":1,"prior_prefix":"E","next_prefix":"G"},"6":{"id":273632,"text":"The Director or his designee may authorize, subject to the provisions of this section, the killing of deer over bait within the political boundaries of any city or town, or any county with a special late antlerless season, in the Commonwealth when requested by a certified letter from the governing body of such locality.","type":"section","prefixes":["G"],"prefix":"G","entire_prefix":"G","prefix_anchor":"G","level":1,"prior_prefix":"F","next_prefix":"H"},"7":{"id":273633,"text":"The parts of any deer or bear killed pursuant to this section or wildlife killed pursuant to subsection C shall not be used for the purposes of taxidermy, mounts, or any public display unless authorized by the Director or his designee. However, the meat of any such animal may be used for human consumption. The carcass and any unused meat of any such animal shall be disposed of within 24 hours of being killed. Any person who violates any provision of this subsection is guilty of a Class 3 misdemeanor.","type":"section","prefixes":["H"],"prefix":"H","entire_prefix":"H","prefix_anchor":"H","level":1,"prior_prefix":"G","next_prefix":"I"},"8":{"id":273634,"text":"It is unlawful to willfully and intentionally impede any person who is engaged in the lawful killing of a bear or deer pursuant to written authorization issued under this section. Any person convicted of a violation of this subsection is guilty of a Class 3 misdemeanor.","type":"section","prefixes":["I"],"prefix":"I","entire_prefix":"I","prefix_anchor":"I","level":1,"prior_prefix":"H"}},"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":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},"next_section":{"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},"metadata":false,"official_url":"https:\/\/law.lis.virginia.gov\/vacode\/29.1-529\/","history_text":"

The record of this law\u2019s original creation isn\u2019t available online. It has been modified 24 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 1954, chapter 686; in 1956, chapter 684; in 1958, chapters 315 and 609; in 1960, chapter 129; in 1962, chapter 229; in 1970, chapter 79; in 1980, chapter 271; in 1987, chapters 48 and 488; in 1991, chapter 99; in 1993, chapters 204 and 273; in 1994, chapter 571<\/a>; in 1996, chapter 314<\/a>; in 1998, chapter 179<\/a>; in 1999, chapter 563<\/a>; in 2000, chapter 6<\/a>; in 2002, chapter 174<\/a>; in 2003, chapters 123<\/a> and 135<\/a>; in 2004, chapter 447<\/a>; in 2008, chapters 17<\/a> and 260<\/a>; in 2009, chapters 8<\/a> and 305<\/a>; in 2010, chapter 5<\/a>; in 2012, chapter 247<\/a>; in 2013, chapter 346<\/a>; in 2020, chapter 958<\/a>.<\/p>","references":[{"id":70796,"section_number":"15.2-1113","catch_line":"Dangerous, etc., business or employment; transportation of offensive substances; explosive or inflammable substances; fireworks","order_by":null,"url":"\/15.2-1113\/"},{"id":86923,"section_number":"15.2-1209","catch_line":"Prohibiting outdoor shooting of firearms or arrows from bows or arrowguns in certain areas","order_by":null,"url":"\/15.2-1209\/"},{"id":76993,"section_number":"29.1-523","catch_line":"Killing deer by use of certain lights; acts raising presumption of attempt to kill","order_by":null,"url":"\/29.1-523\/"},{"id":83109,"section_number":"29.1-523.1","catch_line":"Hunting deer with sights after dark; forfeiture of weapon and sighting device","order_by":null,"url":"\/29.1-523.1\/"}],"refers_to":false,"permalink":{"id":193145,"object_type":"law","relational_id":76194,"identifier":"29.1-529","token":"29.1\/5\/2\/29.1-529","url":"\/29.1-529\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1},"url":"\/29.1-529\/","token":"29.1\/5\/2\/29.1-529","dublin_core":{"Title":"Killing of deer, elk or bear damaging fruit trees, crops, livestock, or personal property; wildlife creating a hazard to aircraft or motor vehicles","Type":"Text","Format":"text\/html","Identifier":"\u00a7 29.1-529","Relation":"Code of Virginia"},"html":"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

A.<\/span> Whenever deer, elk or bear are damaging fruit trees, crops, livestock or personal property utilized for commercial agricultural production in the Commonwealth, the owner or lessee of the lands on which such damage is done shall immediately report the damage to the Director<\/span> or his designee for investigation. If after investigation the Director<\/span> or his designee finds that deer or bear are responsible for the damage, he shall authorize in writing the owner, lessee or any other person designated by the Director<\/span> or his designee to kill such deer or bear when they are found upon the land upon which the damages<\/span> occurred. However, the Director<\/span> or his designee shall have the option of authorizing nonlethal control measures rather than authorizing the killing of elk or bear, provided that such measures occur within a reasonable period of time; and whenever deer cause damage on parcels of land of five acres or less, except when such acreage is used for commercial agricultural production, the Director<\/span> or his designee shall have discretion as to whether to issue<\/span> a written authorization to kill the deer. The Director<\/span> or his designee may limit such authorization by specifying in writing the number of animals to be killed and duration for which the authorization is effective and may in proximity to residential areas and under other appropriate circumstances limit or prohibit the authorization between 11:00 p.m. and one-half hour before sunrise of the following day. The Director<\/span> or his designees issuing these authorizations shall specify in writing that only antlerless deer shall be killed, unless the Director<\/span> or his designee determines that there is clear and convincing evidence<\/span> that the damage was done by deer with antlers. Any owner or lessee of land who has been issued a written authorization shall not be issued an authorization in subsequent years unless he can demonstrate to the satisfaction of the Director<\/span> or his designee that during the period following the prior authorization, the owner or his designee has hunted bear or deer on the land for which he received a previous authorization. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

B.<\/span> Subject to the provisions of subsection A, the Director<\/span> or his designee may issue<\/span> a written authorization to kill deer causing damage to residential plants, whether ornamental, noncommercial agricultural, or other types of residential plants. The Director<\/span> may charge a fee not to exceed actual costs. The holder of this written authorization shall be subject to local ordinances<\/span>, including those regulating the discharge of firearms<\/span>. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

C.<\/span> Whenever wildlife<\/span> is creating a hazard to the operation of any aircraft or to the facilities connected with the operation of aircraft, the person or persons responsible for the safe operation of the aircraft or facilities shall report such fact<\/span> to the Director<\/span> or his designee for investigation. If after investigation the Director<\/span> or his designee finds that wildlife<\/span> is creating a hazard, he shall authorize such person or persons or their representatives to kill wildlife<\/span> when the wildlife<\/span> is found to be creating such a hazard. As used in this subsection, the term “wildlife<\/span>” shall not include any federally protected species. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

D.<\/span> Whenever deer are creating a hazard to the operation of motor vehicle traffic within the corporate limits of any city or town, the operator of a motor vehicle or chief law<\/span>-enforcement officer of the city or town may report such fact<\/span> to the Director<\/span> or his designee for investigation. If after investigation the Director<\/span> or his designee finds that deer are creating a hazard within such city or town, he may authorize responsible persons, or their representatives, to kill the deer when they are found to be creating such a hazard. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

E.<\/span> Whenever deer are damaging property in a locality in which deer herd population reduction has been recommended in the current Deer Management Plan adopted by the Board<\/span>, the owner or lessee of the lands on which such damage is being done may report such damage to the Director<\/span> or his designee for investigation. If after investigation the Director<\/span> or his designee finds that deer are responsible for the damage, he may authorize in writing the owner, lessee or any other person designated by the Director<\/span> or his designee to kill such deer when they are found upon the land upon which the damages<\/span> occurred. The Director<\/span> or his designee also may limit such authorization by specifying in writing the number of animals to be killed and the period of time for which the authorization is effective. The requirement in subsection A of this section, that an owner or lessee of land demonstrate that during the period following the prior authorization deer or bear have been hunted on his land, shall not apply to any locality that conducts a deer population control program authorized by the Department<\/span>. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

F.<\/span> The Director<\/span> or his designee may revoke or refuse to reissue any authorization granted under this section when it has been shown by a preponderance of the evidence<\/span> that an abuse of the authorization has occurred. Such evidence may include a complaint filed by any person with the Department<\/span> alleging that an abuse of the written authorization has occurred. Any person aggrieved by the issuance, denial or revocation<\/span> of a written authorization can appeal<\/span> the decision to the Department<\/span>. Any person convicted of violating any provision of the hunting and trapping<\/span> laws<\/span> and regulations<\/span> shall be entitled to receive written authorization to kill deer or bear. However, such person shall not (i) be designated as a shooter nor (ii) carry out the authorized activity for a person who has received such written authorization for a period of at least two years and up to five years following his most recent conviction<\/span> for violating any provision of the hunting and trapping<\/span> laws<\/span> and regulations<\/span>. In determining the appropriate length of this restriction, the Director<\/span> shall take into account the nature and severity of the most recent violation and of any past violations of the hunting and trapping<\/span> laws<\/span> and regulations<\/span> by the applicant. No person shall be designated as a shooter under this section during a period when such person’s hunting license or privileges<\/span> to hunt have been suspended or revoked. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

G.<\/span> The Director<\/span> or his designee may authorize, subject to the provisions of this section, the killing of deer over bait within the political boundaries of any city or town, or any county with a special late antlerless season, in the Commonwealth when requested by a certified letter from the governing body of such locality. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

H.<\/span> The parts of any deer or bear killed pursuant to this section or wildlife<\/span> killed pursuant to subsection C shall not be used for the purposes of taxidermy, mounts, or any public display unless authorized by the Director<\/span> or his designee. However, the meat of any such animal may be used for human consumption. The carcass and any unused meat of any such animal shall be disposed of within 24 hours of being killed. Any person who violates any provision of this subsection is guilty of a Class 3 misdemeanor<\/span>. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

I.<\/span> It is unlawful to willfully and intentionally impede any person who is engaged in the lawful killing of a bear or deer pursuant to written authorization issued under this section. Any person convicted of a violation of this subsection is guilty of a Class 3 misdemeanor<\/span>. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>","plain_text":" CODE OF VIRGINIA\n\nKILLING OF DEER, ELK OR BEAR DAMAGING FRUIT TREES, CROPS, LIVESTOCK, OR PERSONAL\nPROPERTY; WILDLIFE CREATING A HAZARD TO AIRCRAFT OR MOTOR VEHICLES (\u00a7 29.1-529)\n\nA. Whenever deer, elk or bear are damaging fruit trees, crops, livestock or\npersonal property utilized for commercial agricultural production in the\nCommonwealth, the owner or lessee of the lands on which such damage is done\nshall immediately report the damage to the Director or his designee for\ninvestigation. If after investigation the Director or his designee finds that\ndeer or bear are responsible for the damage, he shall authorize in writing the\nowner, lessee or any other person designated by the Director or his designee to\nkill such deer or bear when they are found upon the land upon which the damages\noccurred. However, the Director or his designee shall have the option of\nauthorizing nonlethal control measures rather than authorizing the killing of\nelk or bear, provided that such measures occur within a reasonable period of\ntime; and whenever deer cause damage on parcels of land of five acres or less,\nexcept when such acreage is used for commercial agricultural production, the\nDirector or his designee shall have discretion as to whether to issue a written\nauthorization to kill the deer. The Director or his designee may limit such\nauthorization by specifying in writing the number of animals to be killed and\nduration for which the authorization is effective and may in proximity to\nresidential areas and under other appropriate circumstances limit or prohibit\nthe authorization between 11:00 p.m. and one-half hour before sunrise of the\nfollowing day. The Director or his designees issuing these authorizations shall\nspecify in writing that only antlerless deer shall be killed, unless the\nDirector or his designee determines that there is clear and convincing evidence\nthat the damage was done by deer with antlers. Any owner or lessee of land who\nhas been issued a written authorization shall not be issued an authorization in\nsubsequent years unless he can demonstrate to the satisfaction of the Director\nor his designee that during the period following the prior authorization, the\nowner or his designee has hunted bear or deer on the land for which he received\na previous authorization.\n\nB. Subject to the provisions of subsection A, the Director or his designee may\nissue a written authorization to kill deer causing damage to residential plants,\nwhether ornamental, noncommercial agricultural, or other types of residential\nplants. The Director may charge a fee not to exceed actual costs. The holder of\nthis written authorization shall be subject to local ordinances, including those\nregulating the discharge of firearms.\n\nC. Whenever wildlife is creating a hazard to the operation of any aircraft or to\nthe facilities connected with the operation of aircraft, the person or persons\nresponsible for the safe operation of the aircraft or facilities shall report\nsuch fact to the Director or his designee for investigation. If after\ninvestigation the Director or his designee finds that wildlife is creating a\nhazard, he shall authorize such person or persons or their representatives to\nkill wildlife when the wildlife is found to be creating such a hazard. As used\nin this subsection, the term “wildlife” shall not include any\nfederally protected species.\n\nD. Whenever deer are creating a hazard to the operation of motor vehicle traffic\nwithin the corporate limits of any city or town, the operator of a motor vehicle\nor chief law-enforcement officer of the city or town may report such fact to the\nDirector or his designee for investigation. If after investigation the Director\nor his designee finds that deer are creating a hazard within such city or town,\nhe may authorize responsible persons, or their representatives, to kill the deer\nwhen they are found to be creating such a hazard.\n\nE. Whenever deer are damaging property in a locality in which deer herd\npopulation reduction has been recommended in the current Deer Management Plan\nadopted by the Board, the owner or lessee of the lands on which such damage is\nbeing done may report such damage to the Director or his designee for\ninvestigation. If after investigation the Director or his designee finds that\ndeer are responsible for the damage, he may authorize in writing the owner,\nlessee or any other person designated by the Director or his designee to kill\nsuch deer when they are found upon the land upon which the damages occurred. The\nDirector or his designee also may limit such authorization by specifying in\nwriting the number of animals to be killed and the period of time for which the\nauthorization is effective. The requirement in subsection A of this section,\nthat an owner or lessee of land demonstrate that during the period following the\nprior authorization deer or bear have been hunted on his land, shall not apply\nto any locality that conducts a deer population control program authorized by\nthe Department.\n\nF. The Director or his designee may revoke or refuse to reissue any\nauthorization granted under this section when it has been shown by a\npreponderance of the evidence that an abuse of the authorization has occurred.\nSuch evidence may include a complaint filed by any person with the Department\nalleging that an abuse of the written authorization has occurred. Any person\naggrieved by the issuance, denial or revocation of a written authorization can\nappeal the decision to the Department. Any person convicted of violating any\nprovision of the hunting and trapping laws and regulations shall be entitled to\nreceive written authorization to kill deer or bear. However, such person shall\nnot (i) be designated as a shooter nor (ii) carry out the authorized activity\nfor a person who has received such written authorization for a period of at\nleast two years and up to five years following his most recent conviction for\nviolating any provision of the hunting and trapping laws and regulations. In\ndetermining the appropriate length of this restriction, the Director shall take\ninto account the nature and severity of the most recent violation and of any\npast violations of the hunting and trapping laws and regulations by the\napplicant. No person shall be designated as a shooter under this section during\na period when such person’s hunting license or privileges to hunt have\nbeen suspended or revoked.\n\nG. The Director or his designee may authorize, subject to the provisions of this\nsection, the killing of deer over bait within the political boundaries of any\ncity or town, or any county with a special late antlerless season, in the\nCommonwealth when requested by a certified letter from the governing body of\nsuch locality.\n\nH. The parts of any deer or bear killed pursuant to this section or wildlife\nkilled pursuant to subsection C shall not be used for the purposes of taxidermy,\nmounts, or any public display unless authorized by the Director or his designee.\nHowever, the meat of any such animal may be used for human consumption. The\ncarcass and any unused meat of any such animal shall be disposed of within 24\nhours of being killed. Any person who violates any provision of this subsection\nis guilty of a Class 3 misdemeanor.\n\nI. It is unlawful to willfully and intentionally impede any person who is\nengaged in the lawful killing of a bear or deer pursuant to written\nauthorization issued under this section. Any person convicted of a violation of\nthis subsection is guilty of a Class 3 misdemeanor.\n\nHISTORY: Code 1950, \u00a7 29-145.1; 1954, c. 686; 1956, c. 684; 1958, cc. 315, 609;\n1960, c. 129; 1962, c. 229; 1970, c. 79; 1980, c. 271; 1987, cc. 48, 488; 1991,\nc. 99; 1993, cc. 204, 273; 1994, c. 571; 1996, c. 314; 1998, c. 179; 1999, c.\n563; 2000, c. 6; 2002, c. 174; 2003, cc. 123, 135; 2004, c. 447; 2008, cc. 17,\n260; 2009, cc. 8, 305; 2010, c. 5; 2012, c. 247; 2013, c. 346; 2020, c. 958.","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}}