Virginia Law

Chapter 50. Game: Bear

4VAC15-50-10. (Repealed.)

Statutory Authority

§§ 29.1-501 and 29.1-502 of the Code of Virginia.

Historical Notes

Derived from VR325-02-2 § 1, eff. July 1, 1987; amended, Virginia Register Volume 19, Issue 19, eff. July 1, 2003; Volume 25, Issue 25, eff. August 1, 2009; repealed, Virginia Register Volume 27, Issue 23, eff. July 1, 2011.

4VAC15-50-11. Open season; generally.

A. It shall be lawful to hunt bears in the following localities, including the cities and towns therein, during the following seasons:

B. Notwithstanding provisions of subsection A of this section, bears may be hunted from the first Saturday in October through the first Saturday in January, both dates inclusive, within the incorporated limits of any town or city that allows bear hunting.

Statutory Authority

§§ 29.1-103 and 29.1-501 of the Code of Virginia.

Historical Notes

Derived from Virginia Register Volume 27, Issue 23, eff. July 1, 2011; amended, Virginia Register Volume 29, Issue 25, eff. August 15, 2013; Volume 30, Issue 24, eff. August 1, 2014; Volume 33, Issue 23, eff. August 1, 2017; Volume 35, Issue 23, eff. August 1, 2019; Volume 39, Issue 24, eff. July 17, 2023.

4VAC15-50-12. Youth and apprentice hunter bear hunting weekend.

It shall be lawful for hunters 15 years of age and younger and holders of a valid apprentice hunting license, when in compliance with all applicable laws and license requirements, to hunt bears on the second Saturday in October and the following calendar day when accompanied and directly supervised by an adult who has a valid Virginia hunting license on his person or is exempt from purchasing a hunting license. Adult hunters accompanying youth or apprentice bear hunters on this weekend may not carry or discharge weapons. Bear bag limit, weight limits, and all other take restrictions specifically provided in the sections appearing in this chapter apply to this youth weekend. Bear hunting with dogs is prohibited in the Counties of Accomack, Campbell (west of Norfolk Southern Railroad), Fairfax, Grayson (west of Route 16), Henry, Loudoun, Northampton, Patrick, Pittsylvania (west of Norfolk Southern Railroad), Roanoke (south of Interstate 81), Smyth (south of Interstate 81 and west of Route 16), Washington (south of Interstate 81); in the City of Lynchburg; and on Amelia, Chester F. Phelps, G. Richard Thompson, and Pettigrew Wildlife Management Areas. Tracking dogs as described in § 29.1-516.1 of the Code of Virginia may be used.

Statutory Authority

§§ 29.1-103 and 29.1-501 of the Code of Virginia.

Historical Notes

Derived from Virginia Register Volume 29, Issue 25, eff. August 15, 2013; amended, Virginia Register Volume 31, Issue 25, eff. August 1, 2015; Volume 35, Issue 23, eff. August 1, 2019.

4VAC15-50-20. (Repealed.)

Historical Notes

Derived from VR325-02-2 § 2, eff. July 1, 1989; amended, Virginia Register Volume 19, Issue 19, eff. July 1, 2003; Volume 24, Issue 23, eff. July 1, 2008; Volume 25, Issue 25, eff. August 1, 2009; repealed, Virginia Register Volume 27, Issue 23, eff. July 1, 2011.

4VAC15-50-21. (Repealed.)

Historical Notes

Derived from Virginia Register Volume 25, Issue 25, eff. August 1, 2009; repealed, Virginia Register Volume 27, Issue 23, eff. July 1, 2011.

4VAC15-50-22. (Repealed.)

Historical Notes

Derived from Virginia Register Volume 25, Issue 25, eff. August 1, 2009; repealed, Virginia Register Volume 27, Issue 23, eff. July 1, 2011.

4VAC15-50-25. (Repealed.)

Historical Notes

Derived from Virginia Register Volume 13, Issue 18, eff. July 1, 1997; amended, Virginia Register Volume 19, Issue 19, eff. July 1, 2003; Volume 24, Issue 23, eff. July 1, 2008; repealed, Virginia Register Volume 27, Issue 23, eff. July 1, 2011.

4VAC15-50-30. (Repealed.)

Historical Notes

Derived from VR325-02-2 § 3, eff. July 1, 1991; repealed, Virginia Register Volume 19, Issue 19, eff. July 1, 2003.

4VAC15-50-40. Bag limit.

The bag limit for bear shall be one a license year.

Statutory Authority

§§ 29.1-103, 29.1-501, and 29.1-502 of the Code of Virginia.

Historical Notes

Derived from VR325-02-2 § 4, eff. July 1, 1975.

4VAC15-50-50. Minimum weight.

It shall be unlawful to kill a bear of less than 100 pounds live weight or less than 75 pounds dressed weight (entrails and internal organs removed).

Statutory Authority

§§ 29.1-103, 29.1-501, and 29.1-502 of the Code of Virginia.

Historical Notes

Derived from VR325-02-2 § 5, eff. July 1, 1975.

4VAC15-50-60. Female bear accompanied by cub.

It shall be unlawful to take or kill a female bear accompanied by a cub.

Statutory Authority

§§ 29.1-103, 29.1-501, and 29.1-502 of the Code of Virginia.

Historical Notes

Derived from VR325-02-2 § 6, eff. July 1, 1973.

4VAC15-50-70. Archery hunting.

A. It shall be lawful to hunt bear during the special archery season with archery equipment from the first Saturday in October through the Friday prior to the third Monday in November, both dates inclusive.

B. It shall be unlawful to carry firearms while hunting with archery equipment during the special archery seasons, except that hunters 15 years of age and under and apprentice hunters may be in possession of firearms while hunting on youth and apprentice hunter bear hunting weekend as authorized by 4VAC15-50-12 and except that a muzzleloading gun, as defined in 4VAC15-50-71, may be in the possession of a properly licensed muzzleloading gun hunter when and where the early special archery bear season overlaps the early special muzzleloading bear season.

C. It shall be unlawful to use dogs when hunting with archery equipment during the special archery season, except that hounds may be used by hunters participating in the youth and apprentice hunter bear hunting weekend in areas as defined in 4VAC15-50-12, and that tracking dogs as described in § 29.1-516.1 of the Code of Virginia may be used.

Statutory Authority

§ 29.1-501 of the Code of Virginia.

Historical Notes

Derived from VR325-02-2 § 7, eff. July 1, 1987; amended, Virginia Register Volume 13, Issue 18, eff. July 1, 1997; Volume 19, Issue 19, eff. July 1, 2003; Volume 25, Issue 25, eff. August 1, 2009; Volume 27, Issue 25, eff. August 1, 2011; Volume 29, Issue 25, eff. August 15, 2013; Volume 31, Issue 25, eff. August 1, 2015.

4VAC15-50-71. Muzzleloading gun hunting.

A. It shall be lawful to hunt bears during the special muzzleloading season with muzzleloading guns from the Saturday prior to the second Monday in November through the Friday prior to the third Monday in November, both dates inclusive, except in the Cities of Chesapeake, Suffolk, and Virginia Beach.

B. It shall be unlawful to hunt bear with dogs during any special season for hunting with muzzleloading guns, except that tracking dogs as defined in § 29.1-516.1 of the Code of Virginia may be used.

C. Muzzleloading guns, for the purpose of this section, include:

1. Single shot muzzleloading rifles.40 caliber or larger, firing a single projectile or sabot (with a.35 caliber or larger projectile) where the projectile is loaded from the muzzle;

2. Muzzleloading shotguns (one or more barrels) not larger than 10 gauge where the projectiles are loaded from the muzzle;

3. Muzzleloading pistols (one or more barrels).45 caliber or larger, firing a single projectile or sabot (with a.35 caliber or larger projectile) per barrel where the propellant and projectile are loaded from the muzzle; and

4. Muzzleloading revolvers.45 caliber or larger, firing a single projectile or sabot (with a.35 caliber or larger projectile) per cylinder where the propellant and projectile are loaded from the forward end of the cylinder.

D. It shall be unlawful to have in immediate possession any firearm other than a muzzleloading gun while hunting with a muzzleloading gun in a special muzzleloading season.

Statutory Authority

§§ 29.1-103, 29.1-501, and 29.1-502 of the Code of Virginia.

Historical Notes

Derived from Virginia Register Volume 19, Issue 19, eff. July 1, 2003; amended, Virginia Register Volume 22, Issue 19, eff. July 1, 2006; Volume 24, Issue 24, eff. July 8, 2008; Volume 25, Issue 25, eff. August 1, 2009; Volume 27, Issue 23, eff. July 1, 2011; Volume 27, Issue 25, eff. August 1, 2011; Volume 30, Issue 24, eff. August 1, 2014; Volume 33, Issue 23, eff. August 1, 2017; Volume 35, Issue 23, eff. August 1, 2019; Volume 37, Issue 22, eff. July 1, 2021.

4VAC15-50-80. [Expired].

Historical Notes

Derived from VR325-02-2 § 8, eff. July 1, 1991; amended, Virginia Register Volume 9, Issue 22, eff. August 26, 1993; Volume 19, Issue 19, eff. July 1, 2003.

4VAC15-50-81. (Repealed.)

Historical Notes

Derived from Virginia Register Volume 19, Issue 19, eff. July 1, 2004; amended, Virginia Register Volume 20, Issue 23, eff. August 25, 2004; Volume 24, Issue 23, eff. July 1, 2008; Volume 27, Issue 23, eff. July 1, 2011; Volume 31, Issue 25, eff. August 1, 2015; Volume 35, Issue 23, eff. August 1, 2019; Volume 37, Issue 22, eff. July 1, 2021; repealed, Virginia Register Volume 39, Issue 24, eff. July 17, 2023.

4VAC15-50-90. [Expired].

Historical Notes

Derived from VR325-02-2 § 9, eff. July 1, 1991; amended, Virginia Register Volume 9, Issue 22, eff. August 26, 1993; Volume 17, Issue 19, eff. July 4, 2001; Volume 19, Issue 19, eff. July 1, 2003.

4VAC15-50-91. (Repealed.)

Historical Notes

Derived from Virginia Register Volume 19, Issue 19, eff. July 1, 2004; amended, Virginia Register Volume 20, Issue 23, eff. August 25, 2004; Volume 24, Issue 23, eff. July 1, 2008; Volume 35, Issue 23, eff. August 1, 2019; Volume 37, Issue 22, eff. July 1, 2021; repealed, Virginia Register Volume 39, Issue 24, eff. July 17, 2023.

4VAC15-50-100. Trapping prohibited.

It shall be unlawful to trap bear at any time.

Statutory Authority

§§ 29.1-103, 29.1-501, and 29.1-502 of the Code of Virginia.

Historical Notes

Derived from VR325-02-2 § 10.

4VAC15-50-110. Use of dogs in hunting bear.

A. It shall be unlawful to use dogs for the hunting of bear on the Saturday prior to the third Monday in November and for 15 consecutive days following in the counties west of the Blue Ridge Mountains and in the Counties of Amherst (west of Business U.S. 29 from the James River to its intersection with U.S. 29 just south of the town of Amherst continuing north on U.S. 29 to the Tye River), Bedford, and Nelson (west of Route 151) and within the boundaries of the national forests, except that tracking dogs as described in § 29.1-516.1 of the Code of Virginia may be used.

B. It shall be unlawful to use dogs for the hunting of bear on the Saturday prior to the third Monday in November and for 13 consecutive days following in the Counties of Greene and Madison, except that tracking dogs as described in § 29.1-516.1 of the Code of Virginia may be used.

C. It shall be unlawful to use dogs for the hunting of bear during the open season prescribed in 4VAC15-50-11 in the Counties of Campbell (west of Norfolk Southern Railroad), Carroll (east of the New River), Fairfax, Floyd, Franklin, Grayson (east of the New River), Henry, Loudoun, Montgomery (south of Interstate 81), Patrick, Pittsylvania (west of Norfolk Southern Railroad), Pulaski (south of Interstate 81), Roanoke (south of Interstate 81), and Wythe (southeast of the New River or that part bounded by Route 21 on the west, Interstate 81 on the north, the county line on the east, the New River on the southeast, and Cripple Creek on the south); in the City of Lynchburg; and on Amelia, Chester F. Phelps, G. Richard Thompson, and Pettigrew Wildlife Management Areas, except that tracking dogs as described in § 29.1-516.1 of the Code of Virginia may be used.

Statutory Authority

§§ 29.1-103, 29.1-501, and 29.1-502 of the Code of Virginia.

Historical Notes

Derived from VR325-02-2 § 11, eff. July 1, 1978; amended, Virginia Register Volume 19, Issue 19, eff. July 1, 2003; Volume 22, Issue 19, eff. July 1, 2006; Volume 25, Issue 25, eff. August 1, 2009; Volume 27, Issue 25, eff. August 1, 2011; Volume 29, Issue 25, eff. August 15, 2013; Volume 30, Issue 24, eff. August 1, 2014; Volume 31, Issue 25, eff. August 1, 2015; Volume 35, Issue 23, eff. August 1, 2019; Volume 37, Issue 22, eff. July 1, 2021.

4VAC15-50-120. Bear hound training season.

A. It shall be lawful to chase black bear with dogs, without capturing or taking, from August 1 through the last Saturday in September, both dates inclusive, in the Counties of Albemarle, Alleghany, Amherst, Augusta, Bath, Bedford, Bland, Botetourt, Brunswick, Buchanan, Carroll, Charlotte, Craig, Culpeper, Dickenson, Floyd, Franklin, Giles, Grayson (east of Route 16), Greene, Greensville, Highland, Lee, Lunenburg, Madison, Mecklenburg, Montgomery, Nelson, Page, Pulaski, Rappahannock, Roanoke (west of I-81), Rockbridge, Rockingham, Russell, Scott, Shenandoah, Smyth (except for the part southeast of I-81 and west of State Route 16), Tazewell, Warren, Washington (northwest of I-81), Wise, and Wythe and in the Cities of Chesapeake, Suffolk, and Virginia Beach.

B. It shall be lawful to chase black bear with dogs, without capturing or taking, from the Saturday prior to the third Monday in November and for 14 days following, both dates inclusive, in the Counties of Amelia, Appomattox, Buckingham, Brunswick, Campbell (east of the Norfolk Southern Railroad), Charles City, Charlotte, Cumberland, Dinwiddie, Essex, Gloucester, Greensville, Halifax, Isle of Wight, James City, King and Queen, King George, King William, Lancaster, Lunenburg, Mathews, Mecklenburg, Middlesex, New Kent, Northumberland, Nottoway, Pittsylvania (east of the Norfolk Southern Railroad), Prince Edward, Prince George, Richmond, Southampton, Surry, Sussex, Westmoreland, and York.

C. It shall be unlawful to have in possession a firearm, bow, crossbow, or any weapon capable of taking a black bear while participating in the bear hound training season. The meaning of "possession" for the purpose of this section shall include having a firearm, bow, crossbow, or any weapon capable of taking a black bear in or on one's person, vehicle, or conveyance.

Statutory Authority

§§ 29.1-103, 29.1-501, and 29.1-502 of the Code of Virginia.

Historical Notes

Derived from VR325-02-2 § 12, eff. July 15, 1992; amended, Virginia Register Volume 13, Issue 18, eff. July 1, 1997; Volume 15, Issue 19, eff. July 1, 1999; Volume 19, Issue 19, eff. July 1, 2003; Volume 22, Issue 19, eff. July 1, 2006; Volume 25, Issue 25, eff. August 1, 2009; Volume 29, Issue 25, eff. August 15, 2013; Volume 30, Issue 24, eff. August 1, 2014; Volume 31, Issue 25, eff. August 1, 2015; Volume 32, Issue 2, eff. September 4, 2015; Volume 33, Issue 23, eff. August 1, 2017; Volume 35, Issue 23, eff. August 1, 2019; Volume 37, Issue 22, eff. July 1, 2021.