{"formats":[{"name":"JSON","format":"json","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-json\/29.1-554.json"},{"name":"Plain Text","format":"text","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-text\/29.1-554.txt"},{"name":"XML","format":"xml","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-xml\/29.1-554.xml"},{"name":"HTML","format":"html","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-html\/29.1-554.html"}],"law_id":62488,"edition_id":1,"section_id":62488,"structure_id":14126,"section_number":"29.1-554","catch_line":"Violation of sanctuaries, refuges, preserves and water used for propagation","history":"Code 1950, \u00a7 29-171; 1987, c. 488; 2020, c. 315.","full_text":"It shall be unlawful for any person, including a property owner, to commit the following acts, the violation of which shall constitute a Class 3 misdemeanor:\n\n1\n\nTo violate any regulation of the Board concerning refuges, sanctuaries and public shooting or fishing preserves in impounded waters or in forest and watershed areas owned by the United States government;2\n\nTo damage the boundary enclosure of or enter a game refuge owned, leased or operated by the Board for the purpose of harassing any bird or animal, or permit his dog or livestock to go thereon;3\n\nTo fish or trespass with intent to fish upon any waters or lands being utilized for fish propagation, or damage or destroy any pond, pool, flume, dam, pipeline, property or appliance belonging to or being utilized by the Board; or4\n\nTo interfere with, obstruct, pollute, or diminish the natural flow of water into or through a fish hatchery.","order_by":null,"text":{"0":{"id":227896,"text":"It shall be unlawful for any person, including a property owner, to commit the following acts, the violation of which shall constitute a Class 3 misdemeanor:","type":"section","prefixes":[""],"prefix":"","entire_prefix":"","prefix_anchor":"","level":1,"next_prefix":"1"},"1":{"id":227897,"text":"To violate any regulation of the Board concerning refuges, sanctuaries and public shooting or fishing preserves in impounded waters or in forest and watershed areas owned by the United States government;","type":"section","prefixes":["1"],"prefix":"1","entire_prefix":"1","prefix_anchor":"1","level":1,"prior_prefix":"","next_prefix":"2"},"2":{"id":227898,"text":"To damage the boundary enclosure of or enter a game refuge owned, leased or operated by the Board for the purpose of harassing any bird or animal, or permit his dog or livestock to go thereon;","type":"section","prefixes":["2"],"prefix":"2","entire_prefix":"2","prefix_anchor":"2","level":1,"prior_prefix":"1","next_prefix":"3"},"3":{"id":227899,"text":"To fish or trespass with intent to fish upon any waters or lands being utilized for fish propagation, or damage or destroy any pond, pool, flume, dam, pipeline, property or appliance belonging to or being utilized by the Board; or","type":"section","prefixes":["3"],"prefix":"3","entire_prefix":"3","prefix_anchor":"3","level":1,"prior_prefix":"2","next_prefix":"4"},"4":{"id":227900,"text":"To interfere with, obstruct, pollute, or diminish the natural flow of water into or through a fish hatchery.","type":"section","prefixes":["4"],"prefix":"4","entire_prefix":"4","prefix_anchor":"4","level":1,"prior_prefix":"3"}},"ancestry":[{"id":14126,"edition_id":1,"name":"Penalties in General","identifier":"5","label":"article","depth":3,"order_by":1,"parent_id":13513,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:46:56","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:46:56","permalink":{"id":193243,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":14126,"identifier":"5","token":"29.1\/5\/5","url":"\/29.1\/5\/5\/","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":77599,"structure_id":14126,"section_number":"29.1-546","catch_line":"General penalty","url":"\/29.1-546\/","token":"29.1\/5\/5\/29.1-546","metadata":false},{"id":69204,"structure_id":14126,"section_number":"29.1-547","catch_line":"Trapping, selling, purchasing, etc., migratory game birds","url":"\/29.1-547\/","token":"29.1\/5\/5\/29.1-547","metadata":false},{"id":56728,"structure_id":14126,"section_number":"29.1-548","catch_line":"Killing deer illegally","url":"\/29.1-548\/","token":"29.1\/5\/5\/29.1-548","metadata":false},{"id":83897,"structure_id":14126,"section_number":"29.1-549","catch_line":"Hunting deer from watercraft","url":"\/29.1-549\/","token":"29.1\/5\/5\/29.1-549","metadata":false},{"id":56875,"structure_id":14126,"section_number":"29.1-550","catch_line":"Taking game or fish during closed season or exceeding bag limit","url":"\/29.1-550\/","token":"29.1\/5\/5\/29.1-550","metadata":false},{"id":71853,"structure_id":14126,"section_number":"29.1-551","catch_line":"Assessment of value of game or fish unlawfully taken","url":"\/29.1-551\/","token":"29.1\/5\/5\/29.1-551","metadata":false},{"id":70078,"structure_id":14126,"section_number":"29.1-552","catch_line":"Killing wild turkey during closed season","url":"\/29.1-552\/","token":"29.1\/5\/5\/29.1-552","metadata":false},{"id":81525,"structure_id":14126,"section_number":"29.1-553","catch_line":"Selling or offering for sale; penalty","url":"\/29.1-553\/","token":"29.1\/5\/5\/29.1-553","metadata":false},{"id":65084,"structure_id":14126,"section_number":"29.1-553.1","catch_line":"Penalty for wanton waste","url":"\/29.1-553.1\/","token":"29.1\/5\/5\/29.1-553.1","metadata":false},{"id":62488,"structure_id":14126,"section_number":"29.1-554","catch_line":"Violation of sanctuaries, refuges, preserves and water used for propagation","url":"\/29.1-554\/","token":"29.1\/5\/5\/29.1-554","metadata":false},{"id":83505,"structure_id":14126,"section_number":"29.1-554.1","catch_line":"Impeding lawful fishing in inland waters; penalty","url":"\/29.1-554.1\/","token":"29.1\/5\/5\/29.1-554.1","metadata":false},{"id":55264,"structure_id":14126,"section_number":"29.1-555","catch_line":"Reserved","url":"\/29.1-555\/","token":"29.1\/5\/5\/29.1-555","metadata":false},{"id":84106,"structure_id":14126,"section_number":"29.1-556","catch_line":"Unlawful devices to be destroyed","url":"\/29.1-556\/","token":"29.1\/5\/5\/29.1-556","metadata":false},{"id":57261,"structure_id":14126,"section_number":"29.1-556.1","catch_line":"Release of certain balloons prohibited; civil penalty; community service","url":"\/29.1-556.1\/","token":"29.1\/5\/5\/29.1-556.1","metadata":false},{"id":70113,"structure_id":14126,"section_number":"29.1-557","catch_line":"Confiscation of wild birds and animals under certain circumstances; disposition","url":"\/29.1-557\/","token":"29.1\/5\/5\/29.1-557","metadata":false},{"id":74019,"structure_id":14126,"section_number":"29.1-558","catch_line":"Reserved","url":"\/29.1-558\/","token":"29.1\/5\/5\/29.1-558","metadata":false},{"id":60769,"structure_id":14126,"section_number":"29.1-561","catch_line":"Self-incrimination","url":"\/29.1-561\/","token":"29.1\/5\/5\/29.1-561","metadata":false},{"id":57759,"structure_id":14126,"section_number":"29.1-562","catch_line":"Reserved","url":"\/29.1-562\/","token":"29.1\/5\/5\/29.1-562","metadata":false}],"previous_section":{"id":65084,"structure_id":14126,"section_number":"29.1-553.1","catch_line":"Penalty for wanton waste","url":"\/29.1-553.1\/","token":"29.1\/5\/5\/29.1-553.1","metadata":false},"next_section":{"id":83505,"structure_id":14126,"section_number":"29.1-554.1","catch_line":"Impeding lawful fishing in inland waters; penalty","url":"\/29.1-554.1\/","token":"29.1\/5\/5\/29.1-554.1","metadata":false},"metadata":false,"official_url":"https:\/\/law.lis.virginia.gov\/vacode\/29.1-554\/","history_text":"

The record of this law\u2019s original creation isn\u2019t available online. It has been modified 2 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 1987, chapter 488; in 2020, chapter 315<\/a>.<\/p>","references":[{"id":62126,"section_number":"29.1-113","catch_line":"Admittance, parking, and use at certain Department-owned facilities or Department-leased land; civil penalty","order_by":null,"url":"\/29.1-113\/"}],"refers_to":false,"permalink":{"id":193281,"object_type":"law","relational_id":62488,"identifier":"29.1-554","token":"29.1\/5\/5\/29.1-554","url":"\/29.1-554\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1},"url":"\/29.1-554\/","token":"29.1\/5\/5\/29.1-554","dublin_core":{"Title":"Violation of sanctuaries, refuges, preserves and water used for propagation","Type":"Text","Format":"text\/html","Identifier":"\u00a7 29.1-554","Relation":"Code of Virginia"},"html":"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

It shall be unlawful for any person, including a property owner, to commit the following acts, the violation of which shall constitute a Class 3 misdemeanor<\/span>:<\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

1.<\/span> To violate any regulation<\/span> of the Board<\/span> concerning refuges, sanctuaries and public shooting or fishing<\/span> preserves in impounded waters or in forest and watershed areas owned by the United States government; <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

2.<\/span> To damage the boundary enclosure of or enter a game<\/span> refuge owned, leased or operated by the Board<\/span> for the purpose of harassing any bird or animal, or permit his dog or livestock to go thereon; <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

3.<\/span> To fish or trespass with intent<\/span> to fish upon any waters or lands being utilized for fish propagation, or damage or destroy any pond, pool, flume, dam, pipeline, property or appliance belonging to or being utilized by the Board<\/span>; or <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

4.<\/span> To interfere with, obstruct, pollute, or diminish the natural flow of water into or through a fish hatchery. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>","plain_text":" CODE OF VIRGINIA\n\nVIOLATION OF SANCTUARIES, REFUGES, PRESERVES AND WATER USED FOR PROPAGATION (\u00a7\n29.1-554)\n\nIt shall be unlawful for any person, including a property owner, to commit the\nfollowing acts, the violation of which shall constitute a Class 3 misdemeanor:\n\n1. To violate any regulation of the Board concerning refuges, sanctuaries and\npublic shooting or fishing preserves in impounded waters or in forest and\nwatershed areas owned by the United States government;\n\n2. To damage the boundary enclosure of or enter a game refuge owned, leased or\noperated by the Board for the purpose of harassing any bird or animal, or permit\nhis dog or livestock to go thereon;\n\n3. To fish or trespass with intent to fish upon any waters or lands being\nutilized for fish propagation, or damage or destroy any pond, pool, flume, dam,\npipeline, property or appliance belonging to or being utilized by the Board; or\n\n4. To interfere with, obstruct, pollute, or diminish the natural flow of water\ninto or through a fish hatchery.\n\nHISTORY: Code 1950, \u00a7 29-171; 1987, c. 488; 2020, c. 315.","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}}