<?xml version="1.0"?>
<law><site_title>Virginia Decoded</site_title><site_url>https://vacode.org</site_url><law_id>55295</law_id><section_number>29.1-530.3</section_number><catch_line>Remote hunting prohibited; penalty</catch_line><edition url="https://vacode.org/2025/" slug="2025" current="TRUE" last_updated="">2025</edition><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 id="A"><p><span class="prefix-number">A.</span> It is unlawful for any person to engage in <span class="dictionary">computer-assisted remote hunting</span> or provide or operate a facility that allows others to engage in <span class="dictionary">computer-assisted remote hunting</span> if the wild animal or wild bird being hunted or shot is located in the Commonwealth. <a id="paragraph-202801" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/29.1-530.3/#A"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="B"><p><span class="prefix-number">B.</span> Any person who violates this section is guilty of a Class 1 <span class="dictionary">misdemeanor</span>. In addition to the <span class="dictionary">penalty</span> prescribed herein, the <span class="dictionary">court</span> shall revoke all current hunting licenses 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. Notification of the <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; <a class="law" title="Reckless handling of firearms; reckless handling while hunting" href="/18.2-56.1/">18.2-56.1</a>. <a id="paragraph-202802" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/29.1-530.3/#B"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="C"><p><span class="prefix-number">C.</span> For the purposes of this section &#x201C;<span class="dictionary">computer-assisted remote hunting</span>&#x201D; means the use of a computer or other device, equipment, or software, to remotely control the aiming and discharge of a <span class="dictionary">firearm</span> or other weapon, that allows a person, not physically present, to hunt or shoot any wild animal or wild bird. <a id="paragraph-202803" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/29.1-530.3/#C"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section></text><history>2005, cc. 172, 226; 2010, c. 183.</history><metadata></metadata></law>
