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In Clarke
County there is no hunting with firearms of
game species from within 100 yds. of a road
and it is unlawful to transport, possess, or
carry a loaded rifle or shotgun in any
vehicle on any public street, road or
highway (Local
Firearms Ordinances [PDF])
Hunting without written permission of
the landowner on posted private property is
unlawful and punishable by a fine of up to
$2500 and/or 12 months in jail (Virginia
Code Section 18.2-134).
You can download a card to be used for
verifying written permission to hunt on
private property by clicking here...
Permission Card to Hunt, Fish, Camp, etc. on
Private Property
[PDF].
This card should be signed by the landowner
and the hunter and carried by the hunter
while hunting.
An
effective property posting strategy should
include a standard sign that accurately
conveys the landowner's policy on
recreational use, systematic placement of
signs along the boundary, routine inspection
and replacement of weathered or vandalized
signs, and a commitment to patrol for and
prosecute violators.
Virginia Code Section 29.1-509, amended in 1982, exempts landowners
who provide recreational opportunities to
the public from liability for injury or
damages provided:
- The
landowner does not charge a fee.
- There
is no gross negligence or "willful or
malicious failure to guard or warn
against a dangerous condition, use or
structure" on the property.
Hunters are responsible for
their own safety and for any damages they
cause to the property of others. Lease
agreements and individual permit cards include codes of ethical conduct while the
holders are on the property.
Hunters must have the permission of the
landowner to track or retrieve wounded game
on private property.
Blaze
Orange Requirements -
- When
hunting any game species during the
firearms deer season, every hunter or
person accompanying a hunter shall wear
a blaze orange hat or blaze orange upper
body clothing that is visible from 360
degrees or display at least 100 square
inches of solid blaze orange material at
shoulder level within body reach and
visible from 360 degrees. Hats may have
a bill or brim color or design other
than solid blaze orange. Hats shall not
be in "camo" style, since the latter is
designated to prevent visibility. A
logo, which does not detract from
visibility, may be worn on a blaze
orange hat.
- Blaze
orange is not required during the
muzzleloading deer season or by
waterfowl hunters, individuals
participating in hunting dog field
trials and fox hunters on horseback
without firearms.
-
Hunters hunting with archery tackle
during an open firearms deer season, in
areas where the discharge of firearms is
prohibited by state law or local
ordinance, are exempt from the blaze
orange requirement.
Hunting Hours -
-
One-half hour before sunrise to
one-half hour after sunset for
non-migratory birds and game animals
except during spring gobbler season.
-
One-half hour before sunrise until
12 noon, during spring gobbler
season except the last 12 days the
hunting hours are from one half hour
before sunrise until sunset.
-
Bobcat, foxes, raccoons, and
opossums may be hunted by day or
night during authorized seasons.
-
Migratory game birds, waterfowl, and
special resident goose (see special
pamphlets for hunting these
species).
-
Nuisance species may be taken day or
night.
Unlawful Feeding of Wildlife -
It is unlawful for any person to
place or distribute food, salt,
minerals or similar substances, to
feed or attract deer from
September1, 2008 – January 3, 2009,
both dates inclusive. It is
unlawful for any person to place or
distribute food, minerals, carrion
or similar substances to feed or
attract bear.
Hunters for the Hungry -
Hunters for the Hungry receives
donated deer from successful
hunters. Funds are raised to cover
the costs of professional
processing, then the venison is
distributed to the needy across the
state. This past season
363,484 pounds of venison was
distributed. Over 3.5 million pounds
or 13.5 million servings of venison
have been distributed in Virginia
since 1991. Each $40.00 contribution
allows another deer to be accepted.
Hunters donating an entire deer are
not required to pay any part of the
processing fee.
The David Horne Hunger Relief Bill
gives you the opportunity to donate
$2.00 to the Hunters for the Hungry
program when you purchase your
hunting license. One hundred percent
of your donation will go to
providing venison to the hungry.
You can make a difference to the
hungry and to the future of hunting
in Virginia. For additional
information call 1-800-352-HUNT
(4868), or e-mail:
hunt4hungry@cs.com, or visit the
Web site at
www.h4hungry.org or write to
P.O. Box 304, Big Island, VA 24526. |