Chapter 240. Game: Turkey
4VAC15-240-10. Open season; generally.
Except as otherwise specifically provided in this chapter, it shall be lawful to hunt turkeys 14 days immediately before the Saturday prior to the first Monday in November; on Thanksgiving Day and the day before; on the Monday nearest December 2 through the last Saturday in December, both dates inclusive; and on the second Saturday in January and for 14 days following.
Statutory Authority
§§ 29.1-103 and 29.1-501 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from VR325-02-22 § 1, eff. July 1, 1987; amended, Virginia Register Volume 11, Issue 18, eff. July 1, 1995; Volume 15, Issue 19, eff. July 7, 1999; Volume 22, Issue 19, eff. July 1, 2006; Volume 27, Issue 23, eff. July 1, 2011; Volume 30, Issue 24, eff. August 1, 2014; Volume 35, Issue 22, eff. August 1, 2019.
4VAC15-240-11. (Repealed.)
Statutory Authority
§§ 29.1-103, 29.1-501 and 29.1-502 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from Virginia Register Volume 24, Issue 23, eff. July 1, 2008; repealed, Virginia Register Volume 27, Issue 23, eff. July 1, 2011.
4VAC15-240-20. Open season; certain counties and areas; two-week season.
It shall be lawful to hunt turkeys 14 days immediately before the Saturday prior to the first Monday in November and on Thanksgiving Day in the Counties of Albemarle, Alleghany, Augusta, Bath, Greene, Highland, Madison, Page, and Rockingham.
Statutory Authority
§§ 29.1-103, 29.1-501, and 29.1-502 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from VR325-02-22 § 2, eff. July 1, 1991; amended, Virginia Register Volume 11, Issue 18, eff. July 1, 1995; Volume 13, Issue 18, eff. July 1, 1997; Volume 15, Issue 19, eff. July 7, 1999; Volume 17, Issue 19, eff. July 4, 2001; Volume 22, Issue 19, eff. July 1, 2006; Volume 24, Issue 23, eff. July 1, 2008; Volume 37, Issue 22, eff. July 1, 2021.
4VAC15-240-30. (Repealed.)
Historical Notes
Derived from VR325-02-22 § 2-1, eff. July 1, 1991; repealed, Virginia Register Volume 11, Issue 18, eff. July 1, 1995.
4VAC15-240-31. Open season; certain counties and areas; four-week season.
It shall be lawful to hunt turkeys 14 days immediately before the Saturday prior to the first Monday in November, on Thanksgiving Day and the day before, and on the Monday closest to December 2 and for 12 days following in the Counties of Accomack, Amelia, Dinwiddie, Gloucester, Greensville, Isle of Wight, James City, Mathews, Middlesex, New Kent, Northampton, Powhatan, Prince George, Southampton, Surry, Sussex, and York (except on Camp Peary) and the City of Suffolk.
Statutory Authority
§§ 29.1-103 and 29.1-501 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from Virginia Register Volume 15, Issue 19, eff. July 7, 1999; amended, Virginia Register Volume 17, Issue 19, eff. July 4, 2001; Volume 19, Issue 19, eff. July 1, 2003; Volume 22, Issue 19, eff. July 1, 2006; Volume 24, Issue 23, eff. July 1, 2008; Volume 27, Issue 23, eff. July 1, 2011; Volume 30, Issue 24, eff. August 1, 2014; Volume 35, Issue 22, eff. August 1, 2019; Volume 39, Issue 24, eff. July 17, 2023.
4VAC15-240-32. Open season; certain counties and areas; six week season.
It shall be lawful to hunt turkeys 14 days immediately before the Saturday prior to the first Monday in November; on Thanksgiving Day and the day before; on the Monday nearest December 2 and for 12 days following, both dates inclusive; and on the second Saturday in January and for 14 days following in the Counties of Amherst, Appomattox, Brunswick, Buchanan, Buckingham, Campbell, Charles City, Charlotte, Chesterfield, Cumberland, Floyd, Fluvanna, Frederick, Goochland, Halifax, Hanover, Henrico, Henry, Louisa, Lunenburg, Mecklenburg, Nottoway, Orange, Patrick, Pittsylvania, Prince Edward, Shenandoah, Spotsylvania, Tazewell, and Warren.
Statutory Authority
§§ 29.1-103 and 29.1-501 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from Virginia Register Volume 35, Issue 22, eff. August 1, 2019; amended, Virginia Register Volume 37, Issue 22, eff. July 1, 2021; Volume 39, Issue 24, eff. July 17, 2023.
4VAC15-240-40. Open season; spring season for bearded turkeys.
A. Except as otherwise provided in this section, it shall be lawful to hunt bearded turkeys from the second Saturday in April and for 35 days following, both dates inclusive, from 1/2 hour before sunrise to 12:00 noon prevailing time during the first 16 days and from 1/2 hour before sunrise to sunset during the last 20 days of the spring season.
B. Turkey hunters 15 years of age and younger and holders of an apprentice hunting license may hunt on the first Saturday in April and the following calendar day from 1/2 hour before sunrise to sunset, when in compliance with applicable license requirements and when accompanied and directly supervised by an adult who has a valid Virginia hunting license on his person or an adult who is exempt from purchasing a hunting license. Adult hunters accompanying youth hunters or apprentice license holders on these days may assist with calling but they shall not carry or discharge weapons. Youth and apprentice turkey hunters are limited on this weekend to one turkey per hunter.
C. Upon receipt of an application from an officer or other designated official representative of any nonprofit organization that has support for sportsmen with impaired mobility as one of its mission statements, the director may issue a permit to an officer or representative of the organization that allows sportsmen with impaired mobility to hunt bearded wild turkeys from 1/2 hour before sunrise to sunset from the 10th through 16th days of the spring season. Such authorization shall be valid only when hunting during an authorized event. All participants shall be in compliance with all requirements of law and regulation that apply during the spring season, and bearded turkeys killed during these events shall count toward daily and annual bag limits.
D. Bearded turkeys may be hunted by calling.
E. It shall be unlawful to use dogs or organized drives for the purpose of hunting.
F. It shall be unlawful to use or have in possession any shot larger than number 2 fine shot when hunting turkeys with a shotgun.
Statutory Authority
§§ 29.1-103, 29.1-501, and 29.1-502 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from VR325-02-22 § 3, eff. July 1, 1991; amended, Virginia Register Volume 9, Issue 22, eff. August 26, 1993; Volume 15, Issue 19, eff. July 7, 1999; Volume 19, Issue 19, eff. July 1, 2003; Errata, 19:23 VA.R. 3412 July 28, 2003; amended, Virginia Register Volume 24, Issue 23, eff. July 1, 2008; 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 37, Issue 22, eff. July 1, 2021; Errata, 38:13 VA.R. 2075 February 14, 2022.
4VAC15-240-50. Continuous closed season in certain counties, cities and areas.
There shall be continuous closed turkey season, except where a special spring season for bearded turkeys is provided for in 4VAC15-240-40, in Arlington County; and in the Cities of Chesapeake, Norfolk, Portsmouth, and Virginia Beach.
Statutory Authority
§§ 29.1-103 and 29.1-501 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from VR325-02-22 § 4, eff. July 1, 1991; amended, Virginia Register Volume 11, Issue 18, eff. July 1, 1995; Volume 15, Issue 19, eff. July 7, 1999; Volume 19, Issue 19, eff. July 1, 2003; Volume 24, Issue 23, eff. July 1, 2008; Volume 33, Issue 23, eff. August 1, 2017.
4VAC15-240-51. Youth and apprentice hunter fall turkey hunting weekend.
In counties, cities, and areas with a fall turkey season, hunters 15 years of age and younger and holders of an apprentice hunting license may hunt turkey on the second Saturday in October and the following calendar day when in compliance with applicable license requirements and 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 hunters or apprentice license holders on these days may assist with calling turkey but they shall not carry or discharge weapons. Youth and apprentice turkey hunters are limited on this weekend to one turkey per hunter.
Statutory Authority
§§ 29.1-103 and 29.1-501 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from Virginia Register Volume 24, Issue 23, eff. July 1, 2008; amended, Virginia Register Volume 29, Issue 25, eff. August 15, 2013; Volume 31, Issue 25, eff. August 1, 2015; Volume 35, Issue 22, eff. August 1, 2019.
4VAC15-240-60. Archery hunting.
A. Season. It shall be lawful to hunt turkey with archery equipment or a slingbow in those counties and areas open to fall turkey hunting from the first Saturday in October through the Friday prior to the third Monday in November, both dates inclusive.
B. Bag limit. The daily and seasonal bag limit for hunting turkey with archery equipment or a slingbow shall be the same as permitted during the general turkey season in those counties and areas open to fall turkey hunting, and any turkey taken shall apply toward the total season bag limit.
C. Carrying firearms prohibited. It shall be unlawful to carry firearms while hunting with archery equipment or a slingbow during the special archery season.
D. Use of dogs prohibited during archery season. It shall be unlawful to use dogs when hunting with archery equipment from the first Saturday in October through the Saturday prior to the second Monday in November, both dates inclusive.
Statutory Authority
§§ 29.1-103, 29.1-501, and 29.1-502 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from VR325-02-22 § 5, eff. July 1, 1987; amended, Virginia Register Volume 9, Issue 22, eff. August 26, 1993; Volume 13, Issue 18, eff. July 1, 1997; Volume 29, Issue 25, eff. August 15, 2013; Volume 31, Issue 25, eff. August 1, 2015; Volume 33, Issue 23, eff. August 1, 2017; Volume 37, Issue 22, eff. July 1, 2021.
4VAC15-240-70. Bag limit.
The bag limit for hunting turkeys shall be one a day, three a license year, no more than two of which may be taken in the fall.
Statutory Authority
§§ 29.1-501 and 29.1-502 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from VR325-02-22 § 6, eff. July 1, 1987; amended, Virginia Register Volume 15, Issue 19, eff. July 7, 1999.
4VAC15-240-80. [Expired].
Historical Notes
Derived from VR325-02-22 § 7, eff. July 1, 1991; amended, Virginia Register Volume 9, Issue 22, eff. August 26, 1993; Volume 19, Issue 19, eff. July 1, 2003.
4VAC15-240-81. (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 25, Issue 25, eff. August 1, 2009; Volume 27, Issue 23, eff. July 1, 2011; Volume 31, Issue 25, eff. August 1, 2015; Volume 37, Issue 22, eff. July 1, 2021; repealed, Virginia Register Volume 39, Issue 24, eff. July 17, 2023.
4VAC15-240-90. [Expired].
Historical Notes
Derived from VR325-02-22 § 8, 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.
4VAC15-240-91. (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 25, Issue 25, eff. August 1, 2009; Volume 27, Issue 23, eff. July 1, 2011; Volume 37, Issue 22, eff. July 1, 2021; repealed, Virginia Register Volume 39, Issue 24, eff. July 17, 2023.
Forms (4VAC15-240)
Card Check - Turkey, Bear, Deer, Form 115 (eff. 8/04).