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<law><site_title>Virginia Decoded</site_title><site_url>https://vacode.org</site_url><law_id>58703</law_id><section_number>29.1-103</section_number><catch_line>Powers and duties of the Board</catch_line><edition url="https://vacode.org/2025/" slug="2025" current="TRUE" last_updated="">2025</edition><referred_to_by><reference>29.1-104</reference><reference>29.1-113</reference><reference>29.1-300.4</reference><reference>29.1-302.02</reference><reference>29.1-302.03</reference><reference>29.1-302.1</reference><reference>29.1-302.2</reference><reference>29.1-302.3</reference><reference>29.1-302.4</reference><reference>29.1-303</reference><reference>29.1-303.1</reference><reference>29.1-303.2</reference><reference>29.1-303.2:1</reference><reference>29.1-303.3</reference><reference>29.1-304</reference><reference>29.1-305</reference><reference>29.1-305.2</reference><reference>29.1-306</reference><reference>29.1-307</reference><reference>29.1-309</reference><reference>29.1-309.1</reference><reference>29.1-309.2</reference><reference>29.1-309.3</reference><reference>29.1-310</reference><reference>29.1-310.2</reference><reference>29.1-311</reference><reference>29.1-315.1</reference><reference>29.1-318</reference><reference>29.1-343</reference></referred_to_by><structure><unit label="title" level="1" order_by="1" identifier="29.1">Wildlife, Inland Fisheries and Boating</unit><unit label="chapter" level="2" order_by="1" identifier="1">Administration of Wildlife Resources</unit><unit label="article" level="3" order_by="1" identifier="2">Board of Game and Inland Fisheries</unit></structure><text>
						<section><p>The <span class="dictionary">Board</span> is responsible for carrying out the purposes and provisions of this title and is authorized to:</p></section>
						<section id="1"><p><span class="prefix-number">1.</span> Appoint the <span class="dictionary">Director</span> of the <span class="dictionary">Department</span>. <a id="paragraph-215116" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/29.1-103/#1"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="2"><p><span class="prefix-number">2.</span> Acquire by purchase, lease, exchange, gift or otherwise, lands and waters in the Commonwealth and to establish buildings, structures, dams, lakes and ponds on such lands and waters. However, it is the policy of the Commonwealth that there shall be no net loss of those public lands managed by the <span class="dictionary">Department</span> that are available for hunting in Virginia. <a id="paragraph-215117" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/29.1-103/#2"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="3"><p><span class="prefix-number">3.</span> Conduct operations for the preservation and propagation of game birds, <span class="dictionary">game animals</span>, fish and other <span class="dictionary">wildlife</span> in <span class="dictionary">order</span> to increase, replenish and restock the lands and inland waters of the Commonwealth. <a id="paragraph-215118" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/29.1-103/#3"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="4"><p><span class="prefix-number">4.</span> Purchase, lease, or otherwise acquire lands and waters for game and fish refuges, preserves or public shooting and <span class="dictionary">fishing</span>, and establish such lands and waters under appropriate <span class="dictionary">regulations</span>. <a id="paragraph-215119" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/29.1-103/#4"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="5"><p><span class="prefix-number">5.</span> Acquire by purchase, lease, or otherwise, lands and structures for use as public landings, wharves, or docks; to improve such lands and structures; and to control the use of all such public landings, wharves, or docks by <span class="dictionary">regulation</span>. <a id="paragraph-215120" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/29.1-103/#5"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="6"><p><span class="prefix-number">6.</span> Acquire and introduce any new species of game birds, <span class="dictionary">game animals</span>, or fish on the lands and within the waters of the Commonwealth, with the authorization and cooperation of the local government for the locality where the introduction occurs. <a id="paragraph-215121" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/29.1-103/#6"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="7"><p><span class="prefix-number">7.</span> Restock, replenish and increase any depleted native species of game birds, <span class="dictionary">game animals</span>, or fish. <a id="paragraph-215122" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/29.1-103/#7"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="8"><p><span class="prefix-number">8.</span> Have educational matter pertaining to <span class="dictionary">wildlife</span> published and distributed. <a id="paragraph-215123" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/29.1-103/#8"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="9"><p><span class="prefix-number">9.</span> Hold exhibits throughout the Commonwealth for the purpose of educating school children, agriculturists and other persons in the preservation and propagation of <span class="dictionary">wildlife</span> in the Commonwealth. <a id="paragraph-215124" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/29.1-103/#9"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="10"><p><span class="prefix-number">10.</span> Control land owned by and under control of the Commonwealth in Back Bay, its tributaries and the North Landing River from the North Carolina line to North Landing Bridge. The <span class="dictionary">Board</span> shall regulate or prohibit by <span class="dictionary">regulation</span> any drilling, dredging or other operation designed to recover or obtain shells, minerals, or other substances in <span class="dictionary">order</span> to prevent practices and operations which would harm the area for fish and <span class="dictionary">wildlife</span>. <a id="paragraph-215125" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/29.1-103/#10"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="11"><p><span class="prefix-number">11.</span> Exercise powers it may deem advisable for conserving, protecting, replenishing, propagating and increasing the supply of game birds, <span class="dictionary">game animals</span>, fish and other <span class="dictionary">wildlife</span> of the Commonwealth. <a id="paragraph-215126" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/29.1-103/#11"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="12"><p><span class="prefix-number">12.</span> Adopt resolutions or <span class="dictionary">regulations</span> conferring upon the <span class="dictionary">Director</span> all such powers, authorities and duties as the <span class="dictionary">Board</span> possesses and deems necessary or proper to carry out the purposes of this title. <a id="paragraph-215127" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/29.1-103/#12"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="13"><p><span class="prefix-number">13.</span> Administer and manage the Virginia Fish Passage Grant and Revolving Loan Fund pursuant to Article 1.1 (&#xA7; <a class="law" title="Creation and management of Fund" href="/29.1-101.2/">29.1-101.2</a> et seq.) of Chapter 1. <a id="paragraph-215128" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/29.1-103/#13"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="14"><p><span class="prefix-number">14.</span> Establish and collect admittance, parking, or other use fees at certain <span class="dictionary">Department</span>-owned facilities as determined by the <span class="dictionary">Board</span>. Any daily fee established by the <span class="dictionary">Board</span> shall not exceed $3. Any annual fee established by the <span class="dictionary">Board</span> shall not exceed the cost of an annual state resident <span class="dictionary">fishing</span> license pursuant to subdivision A 2 of &#xA7; <a class="law" title="Fees to fish" href="/29.1-310/">29.1-310</a>, or an annual state resident hunting license pursuant to subdivision 2 of &#xA7; <a class="law" title="Fees to hunt" href="/29.1-303/">29.1-303</a>. <a id="paragraph-215129" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/29.1-103/#14"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="15"><p><span class="prefix-number">15.</span> Establish and collect a use fee through the issuance of an annual hunting stamp required to be obtained to hunt on private lands managed by the <span class="dictionary">Department</span> through a lease agreement or other similar <span class="dictionary">memorandum</span> of agreement. The annual hunting stamp shall be in addition to the required licenses to hunt, and the cost of such stamp shall be the same as the cost of the annual state resident hunting license in &#xA7; <a class="law" title="Fees to hunt" href="/29.1-303/">29.1-303</a>. <a id="paragraph-215130" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/29.1-103/#15"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="16"><p><span class="prefix-number">16.</span> Revise, as it deems appropriate, through the promulgation of <span class="dictionary">regulations</span> as prescribed in Article 1 (&#xA7; <a class="law" title="Reserved" href="/29.1-500/">29.1-500</a> et seq.), the fees charged for all hunting, <span class="dictionary">fishing</span> and trapping licenses authorized under Articles 1 (&#xA7; <a class="law" title="Unlawful to hunt, trap or fish without license" href="/29.1-300/">29.1-300</a> et seq.) and 2 (&#xA7; <a class="law" title="Hunting waterfowl from unlicensed blinds and without season license" href="/29.1-340/">29.1-340</a> et seq.) of Chapter 3, notwithstanding any other provision of this title. Beginning July 1, 2004, and no more frequently than once every three years thereafter, such license fees for residents may be increased or decreased no more than $5. Beginning July 1, 2007, and no more frequently than once every three years thereafter, the <span class="dictionary">Board</span> may increase or decrease license fees for nonresidents, authorized under Article 1 (&#xA7; <a class="law" title="Unlawful to hunt, trap or fish without license" href="/29.1-300/">29.1-300</a> et seq.) of Chapter 3, no more than $50. <a id="paragraph-215131" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/29.1-103/#16"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="17"><p><span class="prefix-number">17.</span> Take such regulatory or other action as it may determine to be necessary to enable the Commonwealth to become a <span class="dictionary">party</span> to the Interstate <span class="dictionary">Wildlife</span> Violator Compact, as authorized in Article 2.1 (&#xA7; <a class="law" title="Wildlife Violator Compact" href="/29.1-530.5/">29.1-530.5</a>), and to implement the Compact in the Commonwealth. The promulgation of any <span class="dictionary">regulations</span> pursuant to this subdivision shall be as prescribed in Article 1 (&#xA7; <a class="law" title="Reserved" href="/29.1-500/">29.1-500</a> et seq.). <a id="paragraph-215132" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/29.1-103/#17"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="18"><p><span class="prefix-number">18.</span> Adopt <span class="dictionary">regulations</span> that allow any person who holds a valid license to hunt or trap to manufacture and sell products made from <span class="dictionary">wildlife</span> that he has lawfully taken, except where the <span class="dictionary">Board</span> determines that such manufacture or sale is detrimental to public health or sound <span class="dictionary">wildlife</span> management. <a id="paragraph-215133" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/29.1-103/#18"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section></text><history>Code 1950, &#xA7;&#xA7; 29-6, 29-11; 1970, c. 254; 1979, c. 264; 1980, c. 301; 1987, c. 488; 1992, c. 887; 2003, c. 562; 2004, cc. 280, 1027; 2007, cc. 35, 906; 2009, c. 648; 2011, cc. 805, 841; 2016, c. 121.</history><metadata></metadata></law>
