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<law><site_title>Virginia Decoded</site_title><site_url>https://vacode.org</site_url><law_id>76993</law_id><section_number>29.1-523</section_number><catch_line>Killing deer by use of certain lights; acts raising presumption of attempt to kill</catch_line><edition url="https://vacode.org/2025/" slug="2025" current="TRUE" last_updated="">2025</edition><referred_to_by><reference>29.1-524</reference><reference>29.1-551</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="5">Wildlife and Fish Laws</unit><unit label="article" level="3" order_by="1" identifier="2">Hunting and Trapping</unit></structure><text>
						<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.
		In 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 &#xA7;&#xA0;<a class="law" title="Reckless handling of firearms; reckless handling while hunting" href="/18.2-56.1/">18.2-56.1</a>.
		This section shall not apply to persons duly authorized to kill deer according to the provisions of &#xA7;&#xA0;<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></text><history>1962, c. 520, &#xA7; 29-144.2; 1970, c. 79; 1973, c. 369; 1980, cc. 602, 607, &#xA7; 29-144.4:1; 1987, c. 488; 1994, c. 113; 2002, c. 157; 2010, c. 183.</history><metadata></metadata></law>
