First Published

Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources –

Proposed Wildlife Regulations

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 August 20, 2026 meeting of the Board, 9:00AM 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 comments on the final proposed amendments, those passed by a vote will have an anticipated effective date of September 22, 2026. For details regarding proposals and other means of providing comment, see https://www.dwr.virginia.gov/regulations/. The following regulations are proposed for amendments:

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.

4VAC15-20-130. 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.

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

4VAC15-90-294. Rehabilitation of cervids.

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

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

4VAC15-320-60. Approval required to stock fish into inland waters.

4VAC15-330-150. Special provision applicable to trout fishing using artificial lures with single hook.

4VAC15-340-60. Seines, traps, and nets prohibited in certain areas.

4VAC15-350-60. Trotlines, juglines, limblines, or set poles.

4VAC15-360-10. Taking aquatic invertebrates, amphibians, reptiles, and nongame fish for private use.

4VAC15-370-50. Regulatory markers and aids to navigation.

4VAC15-370-51. Regulatory markers and aids to navigation maintenance.

4VAC15-380-120. Certificate of registration and titling fees.

4VAC15-390-10. Applicability.

4VAC15-430-30. Personal flotation devices required.

4VAC15-430-211 (NEW). Engine cut-off switch required.

July 23, 2026 AD#103892