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.
2024 SESSION
24104241DBe it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:
1. That § 29.1-539 of the Code of Virginia is amended and reenacted as follows:
§ 29.1-539. Claiming deer, bear, turkey, or elk struck by motor vehicle.
A. Any
person driving a motor vehicle who collides with a deer or, bear, turkey, or
elk or who discovers a deer, bear, turkey, or elk that
has been killed in a collision with a motor vehicle may,
upon compliance with the provisions of this section and at any
time of year, keep the deer or
bear claim such animal
for his own use as if the animal had been killed by that person during hunting
season for the animal.
B. Any
person so killing any deer or, bear, turkey, or
elk or who discovers a deer, bear, turkey, or elk that has been killed in a
collision with a motor vehicle shall immediately report the
accident to the a
conservation police officer or other law-enforcement officer of the county or
city where the accident occurred. The conservation police officer or other
law-enforcement officer shall view the deer or bear such animal and if he believes
that the deer or bear such animal was killed by the a
collision with the a motor vehicle or injured to
such an extent as to require its death, he shall award the animal to the person
claiming the deer or bear, it and shall give the person a certificate to that effect on forms furnished by
the Department call for service number or a report
number.
C. If any person driving a motor vehicle who collides with a deer, bear, turkey, or elk, or person who discovers a deer, bear, turkey, or elk that has been killed in a collision with a motor vehicle, does not claim such animal, a conservation police officer or other law-enforcement officer may award such animal to any other person who wishes to claim it pursuant to this section.