                                 CODE OF VIRGINIA

GAME ANIMALS (§ 29.1-516)

The following provisions shall apply to the killing and hunting of the
particular game animals listed:
		Black bear. &#8212; A black bear may be killed by any person when (i) it is
inflicting or attempting to inflict injury to a person or (ii) when a person is
in pursuit of the bear commenced immediately after the commission of such
offense. Any person killing a bear under this provision shall immediately report
the killing to a state conservation police officer.
		Deer. &#8212; It is unlawful for a person to kill or attempt to kill a deer in
the water of any stream, lake, or pond. It is unlawful to hunt deer with dogs in
the counties west of the Blue Ridge Mountains.
		Fox. &#8212; There is a continuous open season for hunting with dogs only. The
hunting or pursuit of foxes shall mean the actual following of the dogs while in
pursuit of a fox or foxes or the managing of the dog or dogs, including by the
use of a Global Positioning System (GPS) or other electronic tracking device,
while the fox or foxes are being hunted or pursued. Nothing in this section
shall preclude the managing of dogs by the use of a GPS or other electronic
tracking device by hunters when hunting other game animals. Foxes may be killed
at any time by the owner or tenant of any land when such animals are doing
damage to domestic stock or fowl.
		Rabbits and squirrels. &#8212; It is unlawful to kill rabbits or squirrels
during the closed season; however, the following persons may kill rabbits or
squirrels for their own use during the closed season:

1. A landowner and members of his immediate family;

2. Resident members of hunt clubs who own the land in fee, either jointly or
through a holding company;

3. Tenants residing on the premises, with the written permission of the
landowner.
			When such animals are committing substantial damage to fruit trees, gardens,
crops, or other property, the owner of the premises may kill the animals or have
them killed under a permit obtained from the conservation police officer.

HISTORY: Code 1950, § 29-138; 1960, c. 590; 1962, c. 469; 1977, c. 377; 1980,
c. 271; 1984, c. 6; 1987, c. 488; 2007, c. 87; 2013, c. 345.