SEARCH SITE
VIRGINIA LAW PORTAL
- Code of Virginia
- Virginia Administrative Code
- Constitution of Virginia
- Charters
- Authorities
- Compacts
- Uncodified Acts
- RIS Users (account required)
SEARCHABLE DATABASES
- Bills & Resolutions
session legislation - Bill Summaries
session summaries - Reports to the General Assembly
House and Senate documents - Legislative Liaisons
State agency contacts
ACROSS SESSIONS
- Subject Index: Since 1995
- Bills & Resolutions: Since 1994
- Summaries: Since 1994
Developed and maintained by the Division of Legislative Automated Systems.
2011 SESSION
11100955DBe it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:
1. That the Code of Virginia is amended by adding a section numbered 29.1-516.1 as follows:
§ 29.1-516.1. Retrieving tracking dogs.
Tracking dogs maintained and controlled on a lead may be used to find a wounded or dead bear or deer statewide during any archery, muzzleloader, or firearm bear or deer hunting season, or within 24 hours of the end of such season, provided that those who are involved in the retrieval effort have permission to hunt on or to access the land being searched and do not have any weapons in their possession as defined in this section. In counties or portions of counties (i) where it is lawful to hunt bear or deer with dogs, (ii) during bear or deer hunting seasons when the use of dogs is lawful, or (iii) during legal hunting hours, hunters may possess legal weapons and unrestrained dogs while searching for a wounded or dead bear or deer provided that those who are involved in the retrieval effort have permission from the owner of the land to hunt on or to access the land being searched.
For the purposes of this section, the term "possession" means having any bow, crossbow, or firearm in or on one's person.