                                 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.