Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources –

Proposed Wildlife Regulation Amendments

The Virginia Board of Wildlife Resources, pursuant to §§ 29.1-103, 29.1-501, 29.1-502, 29.1-701, and 29.1-735 of the Code of Virginia, has proposed the below amendments to the Commonwealth’s regulations. Comments can be made at the May 22, 2025 meeting of the Board, 9:00 AM at 7870 Villa Park Dr., Suite 400, Henrico, VA 23228 (comment sign up information will be posted here: https://dwr.virginia.gov/meetings/). After hearing public comment on the final proposed amendments, those passed by a vote will have an anticipated effective date of August 1, 2025. For details regarding proposals, see https://www.dwr.virginia.gov/regulations/. The following regulations are proposed for amendments:

4VAC15-90-10. Open season; generally.

4VAC15-90-70. Archery hunting.

4VAC15-90-80. Muzzleloading gun hunting.

4VAC15-90-89. Earn a buck.

4VAC15-90-91. General firearms season either-sex deer hunting days.

4VAC15-90-530. Special elk hunting license, random drawing license program.

4VAC15-90-540. Special elk hunting license, Landowner License Program.

4VAC15-90-550. Special elk hunting license, Conservation License Program.

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

4VAC15-50-70. Archery hunting.

4VAC15-50-71. Muzzleloading gun hunting.

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

4VAC15-20-50. Definitions; "wild animal," "native animal," "naturalized animal," "nonnative (exotic) animal," and "domestic animal".

4VAC15-20-65. Hunting, trapping, and fishing license and permit fees.

4VAC15-20-120. Appointment of new consignment agents for sale of hunting and fishing licenses.

4VAC15-20-130. Endangered and threatened species; adoption of federal list; additional species enumerated

4VAC15-20-155. Camping on Wildlife Management Areas and other department-owned or department-managed lands.

4VAC15-30-40. Importation requirements, possession, and sale of nonnative (exotic) animals.

4VAC15-40-282. Unauthorized feeding of bear.

4VAC15-40-310 (NEW). Dispatch of game or furbearers.

4VAC15-320-25. Creel and length limits.

4VAC15-160-31. Open season for trapping.

4VAC15-210-51. Open season for trapping.

4VAC15-170-30. Pelts to be sealed before sale, etc.

4VAC15-260-50. Blinds in the City of Virginia Beach.

4VAC15-40-60. Hunting with dogs or possession of weapons in certain locations during closed season.

4VAC15-40-61 (NEW). Hunting and trapping on National Forest, state forest, and department-owned or managed lands.

4VAC15-40-62 (NEW). Shooting ranges on department-owned and managed lands.

4VAC15-40-70. Open dog training season.

4VAC15-210-10. Open season; raccoon chase on areas open to bear hound training; possession of certain devices unlawful.

4VAC15-70-60. Archery hunting with bow and arrow, crossbow, or slingbow.

4VAC15-240-60. Archery hunting.

4VAC15-410-30. Compliance schedule and phase-in provisions.

4VAC15-410-40. Provisions for compliance and minimum standards for boating safety education course competency.

4VAC15-410-50. Boating safety education course provider requirements.

4VAC15-410-70. Boating safety education course certificates.

4VAC15-410-80. Recordkeeping and student records.

4VAC15-410-90. Instructor certification.

4VAC15-410-100. Provisions for open-book tests for classroom courses.

4VAC15-410-110. Equivalency exam criteria.

4VAC15-410-130. Temporary operator’s certificate.

4VAC15-410-140. Virginia Boater Education Course.

4VAC15-430-60. Personal floatation device condition; size and fit; approval marking.

4VAC15-430-150. Ventilation.

4VAC15-430-160. Fire extinguishing equipment application and general provisions.

4VAC15-430-170. Hand-portable fire extinguishers and semiportable fire extinguishing systems.

4VAC15-430-210. Backfire flame control.

Run Date: May 1st, 2025 AD#92720