Virginia Administrative Code
Title 4 - CONSERVATION AND NATURAL RESOURCES
Agency 15 - DEPARTMENT OF WILDLIFE RESOURCES
Chapter 40 - GAME: IN GENERAL
Section 4VAC15-40-284 - Intentionally crippling or harming game animals prohibited; dislodging an animal from a tree prohibited; and use of radio tracking equipment to aid in the chase, harvest, or capture of wildlife prohibited

A. No person shall intentionally cripple or otherwise harm any game animal for the intent of continuing a hunt or chase, or for the purpose of training dogs. Upon treeing, baying, or otherwise containing an animal in a manner that offers the animal no avenue of escape, the person or the hunting party shall either (i) harvest the animal if within a legal take season and by using lawful methods of take or (ii) terminate the chase by retrieving the dogs and allowing the animal freedom to escape for the remainder of the same calendar day.

B. It shall be unlawful to dislodge an animal from a tree for the intent of continuing a hunt or chase, or for the purpose of training dogs.

C. It shall be unlawful to use radio tracking equipment, except on dogs, to aid in the chase, harvest or capture of wildlife. No part of this section shall be construed to prohibit the use of radio tracking equipment for wildlife management activities conducted or authorized by the department or for the location or recovery of dogs.