MIGRATORY GAME BIRD HUNTING - IN VIRGINIA July 2019-June 2020

 
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MIGRATORY GAME BIRD HUNTING - IN VIRGINIA July 2019-June 2020
MIGRATORY
GAME BIRD
HUNTING
IN VIRGINIA
   July 2019-June 2020

   INCLUDING
   • Dove
   • Woodcock
   • Snipe
   • Rail
   • Gallinule/Moorhen
   • All Waterfowl

Virginia Department of
Game and Inland Fisheries
www.dgif.virginia.gov
www.gooutdoorsvirginia.com
MIGRATORY GAME BIRD HUNTING - IN VIRGINIA July 2019-June 2020
GEAR UP | GET OUT
        • We love the outdoors as much as you •

                                                      The “Gentleman’s Gauge,”
                                         the in-between 16 is, to many hunters, the ideal ammunition
                                                                                   for the perfect gun.

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                                                           Sweet Sixteen Shotgun
                                                  Gloss walnut stock, brass bead front sight, humpback receiver,
                                            ergo balanced, recoil operated kinematic drive, auto loader shotgun,
                                                                             16 gauge, Invector-DS choke tubes.

10150 LAKERIDGE PARKWAY   |ASHLAND, VIRGINIA 23005 | www.greentophuntfish.com   |   (804) 550-2188
                          M-F: 9AM-9PM SA: 8AM-6PM SU: 9AM-5PM
MIGRATORY GAME BIRD HUNTING - IN VIRGINIA July 2019-June 2020
MIGRATORY
GAME BIRD
HUNTING
IN VIRGINIA                                                                                                                                                      Meghan Marchetti / DGIF

      July 2019-June 2020                                     WHAT’S NEW FOR 2019-2020...................................................................4
                                                              GENERAL INFORMATION
                                                                SHOOTING HOURS ....................................................................................4
                                                                POSSESSION LIMITS.................................................................................4
                                                                NON-TOXIC SHOT......................................................................................4
                                                                BLAZE COLORED REQUIREMENT .............................................................4
                                                                YOUTH & VETERANS WATERFOWL HUNTING DAYS.................................4
                                                              LICENSE FEES .............................................................................................6
                                                              REGULATIONS BY SPECIES
Commonwealth of Virginia                                        DOVE .......................................................................................................10
Ralph S. Northam, Governor                                      RAILS, GALLINULE, AND MOORHEN ......................................................10
Secretary of Natural Resources                                  WOODCOCK AND SNIPE .........................................................................11
Matthew J. Strickler                                            SEPTEMBER TEAL ..................................................................................12
Department of Game and Inland Fisheries                         DUCKS.....................................................................................................12
Gary Martel, Acting Executive Director                          SEA DUCKS .............................................................................................13
Members of the Board
                                                                MERGANSERS.........................................................................................13
Mamie A. Parker, Ph.D., Chair, Dulles                           COOTS ....................................................................................................14
John W. Daniel II, Vice-chair, Richmond
Leon Boyd, Vansant
                                                                CANADA GOOSE .....................................................................................14
Ryan J. Brown, Goochland                                        SEPT. CANADA GOOSE AND LIGHT GOOSE............................................15
Nicole S. Butterworth, Vinton                                   ATLANTIC BRANT ...................................................................................16
H. S. Caudill, North Tazewell
Catherine H. Claiborne, Richmond                                TUNDRA SWAN .......................................................................................16
Douglas Dear, Chair, Syria
Karen Terwilliger, Locustville
                                                              WHAT TERMS DO I NEED TO UNDERSTAND? ........................................17
Brian Vincent, Farmville
G. K. Washington, Dillwyn
                                                              WATERFOWL HUNTING SAFETY TIPS ....................................................18
                                                              WATERFOWL QUOTA/MANAGED HUNTS ...............................................19
Mission Statement
Conserve and manage wildlife populations and habitat          LAWFUL HUNTING METHODS ................................................................ 22
for the benefit of present and future generations.
Connect people to Virginia’s outdoors through boating,        UNLAWFUL HUNTING METHODS ........................................................... 23
education, fishing, hunting, trapping, wildlife viewing
and other wildlife-related activities. Protect people and     WATERFOWL BLIND LAWS ..................................................................... 24
property by promoting safe outdoor experiences and
managing human-wildlife conflicts.                            AREAS CLOSED TO WATERFOWL HUNTING ......................................... 27
The Department of Game and Inland Fisheries shall             PERMISSION TO HUNT ............................................................................ 27
afford to all persons an equal access to Department
programs and facilities without regard to race, color,        SUNRISE-SUNSET TIMETABLE............................................................... 29
religion, disability, national origin, sexual orientation,
gender identity, age, political affiliation, or veteran’s
status. If you believe that you have been discriminated
against in any program, activity, or facility, please write   This publication is to be used as a supplement to Hunting and Trapping in Virginia, 2019-2020 booklet and is for general
to: Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries,         use and contains information regarding programs, policies, regulations, rules, or fees of the Virginia Department
                                                              of Game and Inland Fisheries (DGIF) current at the time of printing. Information may change after printing and any
Attn: Executive Director’s Office, 7870 Villa Park Dr,        changes will supersede the information in this publication. DGIF’s programs, policies, regulations, rules, or fees can be
Suite 400, P.O. Box 90778, Henrico, VA 23228.                 found at www.dgif.virginia.gov. Specific laws are found in the Code of Virginia (http://law.lis.virginia.gov/vacode) or the Game
                                                              Department Regulation Manual (http://law.lis.virginia.gov/admincode/title4/agency15). For answers to specific questions about
On the Cover:                                                 hunting and fishing, contact the Department of Game and Inland Fisheries office nearest you or visit www.dgif.virginia.gov.
Black ducks, photo © John Ford
                                                              Caution: More restrictive regulations may apply to National Wildlife Refuges open to public hunting. For additional information
                                                              on federal regulations, contact the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Office of Law Enforcement, 5721 South Laburnum Ave.,
Inside illustrations © Spike Knuth                            Richmond, VA 23231; phone (804) 771-2883, 771-2280; FAX (804) 222-8421.
                                                              The sale of advertising paid a large portion of the cost of this publication. The Department of Game and Inland Fisheries neither
                                                              endorses the products or services offered in the advertising, nor accepts any liability from the use of such products or services.
MIGRATORY GAME BIRD HUNTING - IN VIRGINIA July 2019-June 2020
DIRECTOR’S
                              MESSAGE
                                                                   Few activities harbor the coming of fall more than the Labor
                                                                   Day weekend and a dove field in the heat of the day. We com-
                                                                   ment on how much better the birds will fly when it cools off
                                                                   while a drop of sweat stings our dominant eye as we scan
                                                                   the horizon. Some may also choose to split the day up with
                                                                   early goose hunting with their waterfowl partners of the
                                                                   upcoming season. While about 90% of our hunters identify
    Meghan Marchetti / DGIF

                                                                   themselves at least in part as deer hunters few are more pas-
                                                                   sionate than those seeking migratory birds. Remember that
                                                                   there are few better opportunities to introduce and nurture
                                                                   new hunters and outdoor enthusiasts than in a dove field or          Williamstown, MA | Birmingham, AL
                                                                   a waterfowl blind.
                                                                         Fifteen years ago Virginia’s Migratory Waterfowl Con-
                                                                   servation Stamp was created to protect, restore and enhance
                                                                   waterfowl habitats. The revenue is divided 50/50 between
                                                                   non-profit organizations and DGIF for these purposes. Res-
                              toration projects at Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge, Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge,
                                                                                                                                   About This Guide
                              False Cape State Park and numerous private lands have been completed. Parcels of property
                              containing significant wetlands have been purchased including the Mattaponi, Doe Creek and
                              Ware Creek Wildlife Management Areas. Virginia was the first state to combine state waterfowl        This high-quality guide is offered to you
                              funds and non-game funds in support of breeding habitat development in Canada.                       by the Virginia Department of Game and
                                    Regardless of your age it is important to remember that safety always comes first. Frigid      Inland Fisheries through its unique part-
                              waters, navigation hazards, darkness, and frequent fog make boating for waterfowlers especially      nership with J.F. Griffin Publishing, LLC.
                              dangerous. Always wear PFD’s when not in a stationary blind or on shore. Close proximity of
                                                                                                                                   The revenue generated through ad sales
                              hunters in blinds, restricted areas and boats makes gun safety a must.
                                    In short we are working with our conservation partners to be good stewards and repre-          significantly lowers production costs and
                              sentatives of you our constituents. We thank you for your support and for being the true leaders     generates savings. These savings translate
                              of conservation through your actions and support. I hope you have a enjoyable and safe season.       into additional funds for other important
                                                                                                                                   agency programs.
                              Gary Martel                                                                                          If you have any feedback or are inter-
                              Acting Executive Director, DGIF                                                                      ested in advertising, please contact us at
                                                                                                                                   413.884.1001 or at www.JFGriffin.com

                                                                                                                                              Graphic Design:

                                    VIRGINIA’S WILDLIFE                                                                               Jon Gulley, Dane Fay, John Corey,
                                                                                                                                      Evelyn Haddad, Chris Sobolowski
                                    RESTORATION
                                    PROGRAM AND YOU
                                    Hunters and trappers create many opportunities for Virginians to enjoy excep-
                                    tional hunting, trapping, and wildlife watching. Through the Federal Assistance
                                    in Wildlife Restoration program, you help the Virginia Department of Game and
                                    Inland Fisheries make wildlife-oriented outdoor recreation even better each time
                                    you buy a firearm, ammunition, or a hunting or trapping license.
                                    When you buy hunting-related equipment, a portion of the excise tax levied on
                                    the manufacturer goes to the Federal Assistance in Wildlife Restoration pro-
                                    gram. Virginia currently receives approximately $12 million each year from this
                                    program, which funds a large portion of the Department’s habitat management
                                    and wildlife population research projects.

                                                                                                                                         This guide is also
                                                                                                                                         available online at

                                                                                            Photo by Meghan Marchetti / DGIF

2                             2019–2020 VIRGINIA MIGRATORY GAME BIRD HUNTING                                                                           WWW.DGIF.VIRGINIA.GOV
MIGRATORY GAME BIRD HUNTING - IN VIRGINIA July 2019-June 2020
CONTACT
                                                                                                                                               INFORMATION
Headquarters                                         Regional Offices
7870 Villa Park Drive, Suite 400                     Region 1                                                            Region 4
Henrico, VA 23228-0778                               3801 John Tyler Memorial Hwy.                                       P.O. Box 996, 517 Lee Highway
(804) 367-1000; (804) 367-1278 V/TDD                 Charles City, VA 23030                                              Verona, VA 24482
Mailing Address:                                     (804) 829-6580                                                      (540) 248-9360
P. O. Box 90778
Henrico, VA 23228-0778                               Region 2                                                            1320 Belman Road
                                                     1132 Thomas Jefferson Road                                           Fredericksburg, VA 22401
Note: The Headquarters Office is the only              Forest, VA 24551-9223                                               (540) 899-4169
Department location where public visitors may        (434) 525-7522
purchase licenses and title/register a boat. These
services are not available at the Regional Offices.    Region 3
                                                     1796 Highway Sixteen
                                                     Marion, VA 24354
                                                     (276) 783-4860

Additional Contacts
Report Wildlife Violations Only                      Virginia Department of Forestry                                     USDA Wildlife Services
(800) 237-5712 or wildcrime@dgif.virginia.gov        Headquarters: (434) 977-6555                                        (804) 739-7739
                                                     State Forests: (804) 492-4121
Boating Registration/                                www.dof.virginia.gov/stateforest/recreation/                        U. S. Forest Service Supervisor
License Fees                                         hunting.htm                                                         George Washington and
(804) 367-1000                                                                                                           Jefferson Forest
                                                     Department of Conservation and                                      www.fs.usda.gov/gwj
Quota Hunts                                          Recreation Reservation Center                                       (540) 265-5100 or (888) 265-0019
www.gooutdoorsvirginia.com                           www.dcr.virginia.gov
                                                     (800) 933-7275                                                      U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
                                                                                                                         (Federal wildlife inquiries only)
                                                                                                                         (804) 771-2883; (804) 771-2280

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WWW.DGIF.VIRGINIA.GOV                                                                                                  2019 –2020 VIRGINIA MIGRATORY GAME BIRD HUNTING   3
MIGRATORY GAME BIRD HUNTING - IN VIRGINIA July 2019-June 2020
WHAT’S NEW
    FOR 2019-2020?
    • Duck Bag limits: the daily bag limit for Mal-      • Veterans Waterfowl hunting days have been              50 days, 2 geese per day, to 30 days with 1
      lards has been reduced from 4 birds (only 2          added and will be held on the same days                goose per day (page 14).
      hens), to 2 birds (only 1 hen), and the pintail      as Youth Waterfowl hunting days (page 4).            • The Atlantic Brant hunting season has been
      bag limit has been reduced from 2 to 1 bird        • The Canada goose season in the Atlantic                reduced from 60 days, 2 brant per day, to 30
      daily (page 12).                                     Population (AP) Zone has been reduced from             days and 2 brant per day (page 16).

                                                         Non-toxic Shot
    General Information
                                                                                                                • Hunters using an enclosed ground (pop-up,
                                                         Non-toxic shot approved by the Department                chair, box, etc.) that conceals them from
                                                         [steel, bismuth-tin, Iron-tungsten, Iron-tung-           view shall display at least 100 square inches
    Migratory Game Birds                                 sten-nickel (HEVISHOT), copper-clad iron,                of solid blaze colored material, visible from
    Migratory game birds means species of water-         tungsten-bronze, tungsten-iron-copper-nickel,            360 degrees attached to or immediately above
    fowl (ducks, geese, brant, swans, and mergan-        tungsten matrix, tungsten-polymer, tungsten-             the blind. This blaze color is in addition to
    sers) and webless species (coots, doves, gal-        tin-iron, tungsten-tin-bismuth, tungsten-tin-            any worn on the hunter’s person.
    linules, moorhens, rails, snipe, and woodcock).      iron-nickel, and tungsten-iron-polymer] is
                                                         required for hunting all waterfowl, mergansers,        Exceptions
    Shooting Hours                                       coots, moorhens, gallinules, snipe, and rails.         • Blaze colored clothing is not required of
    No person shall take migratory game birds            Lead shot is not allowed for hunting these spe-          waterfowl hunters, dove hunters, individuals
    except during the hours open to shooting as          cies and cannot be in possession in the field            participating in hunting dog field trials, and
    prescribed. Shooting hours for all waterfowl,        while hunting these species. Shot size should            fox hunters on horseback without firearms.
    all seasons is one-half hour before sunrise until    be no larger than “T”.                                 • Hunters hunting with archery tackle during
    sunset, (except when otherwise permitted in                                                                   an open firearms deer season in areas where
    the September Canada Goose season and the            Blaze Colored Requirement                                the discharge of firearms is prohibited by
    Light Goose Conservation Order season). See          The term “blaze colored” in reference to clothing        state law or local ordinance, are exempt from
    sunrise-sunset timetable on page 29. Non-toxic       or other items required for specific safe hunting        the blaze color requirement.
    shot is required for all waterfowl hunting and       practices shall be one of two colors: 1) traditional   • Other than muzzleloader deer hunters, blaze
    for rail and snipe hunting.                          blaze orange or 2) bright pink or fluorescent pink       colored clothing is not required of any hunters
                                                         which will be known as blaze pink.                       hunting during the muzzleloader deer seasons.
    Possession Limits                                       When hunting any species during a firearms
    The possession limit for migratory game birds        deer season and on youth apprentice deer hunt-
    is 3 times the daily bag limit (except for light     ing weekend:
    geese and tundra swans), but no one is allowed       • Every hunter (see exceptions below), or per-
    to have more than one daily bag limit of game           sons accompanying a hunter, shall wear a
    in his possession while in the forests, fields, or      solid blaze colored (blaze orange or blaze
    waters of this state. Wounded birds reduced             pink) hat or solid blaze colored upper body
    to possession shall be immediately killed and           clothing that is visible from 360 degrees or
    included in the daily bag limit.                        display at least 100 square inches of solid blaze
                                                            colored material at shoulder level within body
    Sunday Hunting                                          reach and visible from 360 degrees.
    Hunting for waterfowl (ducks, coot, geese, brant,    • Hats may have a bill or brim color or design
    and swan) and rails (including gallinules and           other than solid blaze color. Hats shall not
    moorhens) is allowed on Sundays (on private             be in “camo” style, since the latter is designed
    lands and on public lands as permitted by the           to prevent visibility. A logo, which does not
    landowner) subject to geographical limitations          detract from visibility, may be worn on a
    established by the Director of the Department           blaze colored hat.
    and except within 200 yards of a house of wor-
    ship or any accessory structure thereof.

          YOUTH & VETERANS WATERFOWL HUNTING DAYS
          October 26, 2019 and February 8, 2020
          Statewide. Open to Youth 15 years of age and under, Military Veterans (as defined in section 101 of title 38, United States
          Code) and members of the Armed Forces on active duty, including members of the National Guard and Reserves on active duty
          (other than for training). Participants may harvest the allowed daily bag limit of ducks (see above), sea ducks (including in the
          Special Sea Duck Zone), and other waterfowl, including Atlantic brant, coots, mergansers, gallinules, moorhens, light geese, 1
          Canada goose in the Atlantic Population Zone, 5 Canada geese in the Southern James Bay Population and Resident Popula-
          tion zones, and 1 tundra swan (if in possession of a tundra swan permit) on the designated days. Resident youth aged 12–15,
          nonresident youth age 15 or under, and Veterans need a valid Virginia hunting license, unless license exempt. All hunters partici-
          pating must be Virginia HIP registered (www.gooutdoorsvirginia.com). All youth must be accompanied and directly supervised
          by an adult at least 18 years of age or older who has a valid Virginia hunting license (unless license exempt). The accompanying
          adult cannot hunt ducks (unless they are a Veteran), but may hunt for those species for which there is an open season.

4   2019–2020 VIRGINIA MIGRATORY GAME BIRD HUNTING                                                                                     WWW.DGIF.VIRGINIA.GOV
MIGRATORY GAME BIRD HUNTING - IN VIRGINIA July 2019-June 2020
DON’T FORGET                              FEDERAL ELECTRONIC
TO REGISTER                               OR “E-STAMP” DUCK
WITH HIP                                  STAMP PROGRAM
All hunters (whether licensed or          A Federal Duck Stamp is
license-exempt) who plan to hunt          required for all persons 16
migratory game birds including            years and older in order to
dove, waterfowl, rail, woodcock,          hunt waterfowl. A convenient
snipe, coots, gallinules, or moor-        online option is available
hens, must be registered with the         whereby hunters can obtain
Virginia Harvest Information Pro-         an E-stamp for $27.50. The
gram (HIP). A new HIP registration        E-stamp is valid immediately
is required each year. Hunters are        following the purchase and
no longer given a separate HIP            for up to 45 days. The actual
number, but confirmation of your          Federal Duck Stamp will be
HIP registration will be printed on       mailed to the customer within
your license, or issued separately        45 days and must be signed
for license-exempt hunters. Infor-        and carried thereafter while
mation obtained from HIP is vital         hunting waterfowl. Waterfowl     2019-2020 Federal Duck Stamp
for the management of migratory           hunters can still purchase       Artwork by Scot Storm
birds in Virginia. Register for HIP       their Federal Duck Stamp at      ©All rights reserved by USFWS
online at www.gooutdoorsvirginia.         some U.S. Post Offices at a
com or call 888-788-9772.                 cost of $25.00.
If you DO NOT hunt the migratory          To obtain the E-stamp Federal Duck Stamp go to the Department’s website
birds noted above, you DO NOT             (www.gooutdoorsvirginia.com) and click on hunting and fishing licenses or visit
need to register for HIP.                 one of over 800 license agents throughout the Commonwealth.

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                                                                                                                            5
MIGRATORY GAME BIRD HUNTING - IN VIRGINIA July 2019-June 2020
LICENSE
    FEES
    (Issuance fee is included in all prices.)
    Resident and nonresident licenses are valid for one year from the date of purchase except the bear license, deer/turkey license, and the Virginia migratory water-
    fowl conservation stamp (which are valid July 1-June 30 only), the apprentice hunting license (valid for 2 years from date of purchase), and lifetime licenses. The
    bear license and deer/turkey license that are part of a package (e.g. Sportsman’s License or combo licenses) are also only valid July 1–June 30. For information on
    Hunter Education requirements see page 7 in the hunting and trapping digest or go to www.dgif.virginia.gov/hunting/education. It is unlawful to alter, change,
    borrow, or lend a hunting license or permit.
    For Legacy, Lifetime, and Veterans Lifetime Licenses and information please see page 8.

    Resident Hunting Licenses                                                           Nonresident Hunting Licenses
                                 LICENSES                                     FEE                                  LICENSES                                     FEE
     Resident Sportsman’s License (age 16 and older)                     $100.00         Nonresident Hunting License* (age 16 and older)                     $111.00
       Includes hunting license, bear license, deer/turkey license, archery li-          Nonresident 3-Day Hunt License* (age 16 and older)                   $60.00
       cense, muzzleloading license, freshwater fishing license, and trout license.        Must be 3 consecutive days
     Resident Hunting License* (age 16 and older)                                        Nonresident Apprentice Hunting License*                               $21.00
       1-year license                                                     $23.00            Valid for 2 years from date of purchase.
       2-year license                                                     $44.00         Nonresident Annual Hunting License for 70% or Greater Service-Connect-
                                                                                         ed Partially Disabled Veterans and Service-Connected Totally and Perma-
       3-year license                                                     $65.00         nently Disabled Veterans
       4-year license                                                     $86.00            Nonresident Veterans rated 70% or greater or as Total and Permanent
     Resident County or City Hunting License* (age 16 and older)          $16.00            Service-Connected by the U.S. Dept. of Veterans Affairs Administrative
                                                                                            Office may apply for a discounted annual hunting license by application
       For county or city of residence only.                                                only. Please note this license does not include bear, deer/turkey, archery,
     Resident Apprentice Hunting License*                                 $11.00            muzzleloading or other applicable licenses, stamp, and/or permits.
       Valid for 2 years from date of purchase.                                             *Special Annual Basic Freshwater Fishing & Hunting Licenses for Partially
                                                                                            Disabled Veterans
     Resident Senior Citizen Hunting License* (age 65 and over)           $9.00             *Special Annual Basic Freshwater Fishing & Hunting License for Nonresi-
     Resident Annual Hunting License for 70 Percent or Greater Service-                     dent Totally and Permanently
     Connected Partially Disabled Veterans                                                 Please visit www.dgif.virginia.gov for applications listed above, instruc-
       Resident Veterans rated 70% or greater service-connected by the U.S.                tions, and prices. Applications may be mailed or brought into our Henrico
       Dept. of Veterans Affairs Administrative Office may apply for a discount-           office location only.
       ed annual hunting license,. Please note this license does not include bear,       Nonresident Junior Hunting License* (under age 12)                    $13.00
       deer/turkey, archery, muzzleloading or other applicable licenses, stamp,          Nonresident Junior Hunting License* (age 12 to 15)                   $16.00
       and/or permits. Please visit www.dgif.virginia.gov for application, instruc-
                                                                                         Nonresident Youth Combination Hunting License (under age 16)         $31.00
       tions, and prices. Applications may be mailed or brought into our Henrico
       office location only.                                                                Includes hunting license, bear license, deer/turkey license, archery
                                                                                            license, and muzzleloading license.
     Resident Junior Hunting License*                                                   * Annual bear license, deer/turkey license and all applicable licenses, stamps,
                                                                          $8.50
     (age 12 to 15; optional for under 12 years old)                                      or permits are required in addition to this license.
     Resident Youth Combination Hunting License (age 12 to 15)            $16.00

       Includes hunting license, bear license, deer/turkey license, archery
       license, and muzzleloading license.
                                                                                               WHERE TO OBTAIN A LICENSE
                                                                                               Online
    * Annual bear license, deer/turkey license and all applicable licenses, stamps,            www.gooutdoorsvirginia.com.
      or permits are required in addition to this license.
                                                                                               • Create Your Customer Account: The new Go Out-
                                                                                                 doors Virginia site allows you to create a unique cus-
                                                                                                 tomer account to access licenses and products that
                                                                                                 apply to you based on age and residency.
                                                                                               • Existing Customers: Log in using your date of birth
                                                                                                 and either your DGIF Customer ID or your previous
                                                                                                 year’s DGIF license number and license year. Select
           WHAT LICENSES DO I NEED?                                                              the license(s) you want, pay with your credit card and
                                                                                                 print your license if needed.
           To Hunt Dove, Woodcock, Snipe, or Rail
           A hunting license (unless license exempt), and a HIP
                                                                                               In Person
           registration is required. A National Forest Permit or State                         Sold by some clerks of the Circuit Court and hundreds
           Forest Use Permit may also be required.                                             of license agents around the state. Not sold at Depart-
                                                                                               ment regional offices. To find a license agent visit:
           To Hunt Waterfowl                                                                   https://license.gooutdoorsvirginia.com/Licensing/Lo-
           A hunting license (unless license exempt), a HIP registra-                          cateAgent.Aspx
           tion, a Federal Duck stamp (16 years and older), and a
           Virginia Duck Stamp (16 years and older, unless license
                                                                                               By Phone /Mobile Phone
           exempt) are required. A National Forest Permit or State                             (804) 367-1000 during regular business hours, or use
           Forest Use Permit may also be required.                                             your GoOutdoors Virginia mobile app.

6   2019–2020 VIRGINIA MIGRATORY GAME BIRD HUNTING                                                                                               WWW.DGIF.VIRGINIA.GOV
MIGRATORY GAME BIRD HUNTING - IN VIRGINIA July 2019-June 2020
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MIGRATORY GAME BIRD HUNTING - IN VIRGINIA July 2019-June 2020
LICENSE
    FEES
    For Legacy, Lifetime, and Veterans Lifetime Licenses and information please see below.

    Miscellaneous Licenses,
    Permits, and Stamps
    One or more of the following may be required in addition to a resident or
    nonresident hunting license.

                                LICENSES                                    FEE                                     PERMITS                                     FEE
     All blind licenses are available for purchase online at www.gooutdoorsvirginia.    National Forest Permit                                                $4.00
     com or through any number of DGIF license agents throughout the state.                To hunt and trap within National Forest. Not required of residents under
     There is an option to select if a metal plate is needed (new or replacement). If      the age of 16 to trap; residents who have an annual senior citizen hunting
     purchased online or through a license agent you will receive a license showing        license ($9.00) or a lifetime license issued before 7/1/88.
     your blind information; the decal and metal plate (if requested) will be mailed
                                                                                        Virginia State Forest Use Permit (age 16 or older)                   $16.00
     separately within 5 to 7 business days.
                                                                                           Allows hunting, trapping, fishing, mountain biking, and horse riding. No
     Stationary Blind                                                       $23.50
                                                                                           motorized vehicles on gated roads/trails (open or closed). Sold in coopera-
         When purchasing a stationary blind license, you must provide GPS                  tion with the Virginia Department of Forestry.
         coordinates along with a description of where the blind is located. These
                                                                                                                                                              $4.00
         coordinates are needed to help evaluate whether blinds are within the          Access Permit
                                                                                                                                                             per day
         required distances, and they will help in future improvements of the blind
         licensing process. Coordinates should be reported as latitude and lon-            • The permit fee is $4 for a daily permit or $23 for an annual permit. The
         gitude and can be entered in one of three formats: 1) Degrees, minutes,               access permit may be purchased online or at any license agent.
         seconds (35° 45’ 52”), 2) Degrees and decimal minutes (35° 45.87’), or              • An access permit is not required of any person, 17 years of age or
         3) Decimal degrees (35.76°).                                                          older, accessing a wildlife management area or DGIF fishing lake, if
     Floating Blind                                                         $41.00             they have in their possession a valid hunting, freshwater fishing, or
     Offshore Blind Stake (limit 4 per licensee)                            $6.00              trapping license or current boat registration.
     Nonresident Hunting Preserve                                           $23.00           • The access permit requirement does not apply to Department-owned
         To hunt within the boundaries of a licensed shooting preserve, in lieu of             boat ramps or segments of the Appalachian Trail on Department-
         other required licenses.                                                              owned land.
                                                                                             • Daily group rates are available. For more information go to
                                                                                               www.dgif.virginia.gov/access permit/.

                                                                                                                     STAMPS                                     FEE
                                                                                        Federal Migratory Duck E-Stamp                                        $27.50
                                                                                           To take migratory waterfowl; required of persons 16 years of age and over
                                                                                           in addition to hunting license. Valid July 1 through June 30. See page 5.
                                                                                        Virginia Migratory Waterfowl Conservation Stamp                       $10.00
                                                                                           Required of persons 16 years of age and older, unless license exempt.
                                                                                           Valid July 1 through June 30.

           LIFETIME AND SPECIAL ANNUAL LICENSES
           Legacy Lifetime                                                               • Resident Junior Lifetime Hunting license is available to
                                                                                           Virginia residents under the age of 12. This license will ex-
           • Available to Virginia residents and non-residents under                       pire on their 12th birthday, and is transferable when they
             the age of 2 years upon date of application receipt to De-                    complete and submit the Youth Hunter Education Compli-
             partment of Game and Inland Fisheries.                                        ance form and a copy of their Hunter Safety or equivalent
           • The legacy hunting lifetime license is valid until the indi-                  completed certificate.
             vidual’s 12th birthday at which time they must complete
             an approved hunter education course or equivalent, then
                                                                                         Veteran Total and Permanent
             transfer the legacy to a regular hunting lifetime at no ad-                 Service-Connected Lifetime
             ditional charge.                                                            • Virginia residents who are rated as total and permanently
                                                                                           service-connected disabled by the U.S. Veterans Admin-
           Lifetime
                                                                                           istration office may apply for this lifetime license(s).
           • Virginia resident and non-residents lifetime licenses available.
                                                                                         • The Veteran lifetime hunting license includes small game
           • Virginia residents may purchase their lifetime licenses online                state hunting, bear, deer/turkey, archery, muzzleloading.
             through www.gooutdoorsvirginia.com provided their Vir-                        All other applicable licenses, stamps, or permits are re-
             ginia residency status can be verified through Virginia DMV.                  quired in addition to this license.
           • The lifetime hunting license equals the state hunting li-                   • Please visit www.dgif.virginia.gov for applications, prices,
             censes; all other applicable licenses, stamps, or permits                     and further instructions when applying for a lifetime license.
             are required in addition to this license.

8   2019–2020 VIRGINIA MIGRATORY GAME BIRD HUNTING                                                                                            WWW.DGIF.VIRGINIA.GOV
VIRGINIA WILDLIFE GRANT PROGRAM

Your hunting license purchase supports conservation;
  your merchandise purchase supports the hunting
  heritage and other outdoor activities through the
   Virginia Wildlife Grant Program which awarded
 $80,000 in 2018 to connect youth to the outdoors.
  To make a purchase go to GoOutdoorsVirginia.com

                                                                                          Grant submission date opens on August 1, 2019.
                                                                                           See more at: virginiawildlife.gov/grant-program

  THE VIRGINIA CONSERVATION POLICE OFFICER
                    Protectors of Virginia’s Wildlife and Natural Resources
 The badge of the Conservation Police Officer (CPO) represents those who
 have dedicated their lives to the protection of wildlife and natural resources,
 as well as promoting a safe environment for anglers, hunters, boaters, and
 other outdoor enthusiasts. To earn it requires comprehensive training and
 highly specialized skills, along with a passion for the outdoors and its wildlife.
 Conservation Police Officers are fully certified sworn officers through the
 Department of Criminal Justice Services, with the authority to enforce all of
 the laws of Virginia. However, due to the unique nature of this profession,
 those who wear the badge of the CPO are unlike any other police officer.                                         CITIZEN
 Each CPO must be able to take on many different roles — from educator and                                       FEEDBACK:
 ambassador to outdoor enthusiast; from evidence technician to boat collision reconstructionist;                Your feedback, whether
 and from crime analyst to wildlife crime detective responsible for managing informants.                   positive or negative, is important.
 CPOs also provide public safety and emergency response, sometimes during severe weather
                                                                                                            Visit dgif.virginia.gov/ops to
 conditions, requiring that they put their lives on the line to rescue others.
                                                                                                            see how you can file an Officer
 CPOs frequently conduct patrols in remote areas on foot, ATV, and boat — usually without                   Commendation or Complaint,
 back-up and often under the cover of darkness. In these types of stressful situations, CPOs must           or express a Law Enforcement
 “…maintain calm in the face of danger, scorn or ridicule; demonstrate self-restraint; and be constantly   Division Praise or Dissatisfaction.
 mindful of the welfare of others.” (CONSERVATION POLICE OFFICER’S CODE OF ETHICS)

                                                                                                                                                 9
REGULATIONS
     BY SPECIES
                                                      Statewide Dove Hunting Seasons
     Dove                                             First Segment                                   Second Segment
                                                      September 2-October 27                          November 27-December 4

                                                      Hours:                                          Third Segment
                                                      September 2                                     December 24-January 18
                                                      • 12:00 noon until sunset.
                                                                                                      Hours for Second and Third Segments:
                                                      September 3-October 27                          One-half hour before sunrise until sunset.
                                                      • One-half hour before sunrise until sunset.
                                                                                                      Bag Limit
                                                      No Sunday hunting of dove on public waters      15 per day, 45 in possession. Composed of
                                                      or on public lands.                             mourning doves and white-winged doves, singly
                                                                                                      or in combination.

                                                      Dove Hunting On Wildlife Management Areas
                                                      Dove hunting is permitted within the boundaries of the following wildlife management areas:
                                                      Amelia, Big Survey, Briery Creek, Cavalier, Chickahominy, Clinch Mountain, Crooked Creek,
                                                      Dick Cross, Fairystone, Featherfin, Gathright, Goshen, Hardware River, Hidden Valley, High-
                                                      land, Horsepen, James River, Little North Mountain, Mattaponi, Oakley Forest, Pettigrew, C.F.
                                                      Phelps, Powhatan, Rapidan, Stewarts Creek, Thompson, Ware Creek, and White Oak Moun-
                                                      tain. Additional information on specific Wildlife Management Areas (WMAs) can be found
                                                      at (https://www.dgif.virginia.gov/wma/), and the Managed Dove Fields section of our website
                                                      (https://www.dgif.virginia.gov/wildlife/dove/) provides a summary of WMAs that have actively
                                                      managed dove fields for this year.

                                                      First Segment                                   Second Segment
                                                      September 2-October 27                          November 27-December 4

                                                      Hours:                                          Third Segment
                                                      September 2                                     December 24-January 18
                                                      • 12:00 noon until sunset.
                                                                                                      Hours for Second and Third Segments:
                                                      September 3-October 27                          One-half hour before sunrise until sunset.
                                                      • One-half hour before sunrise until sunset.    Hunting permitted daily except Sundays.
                                                      • Hunting permitted on Wednesdays and Sat-
                                                        urdays only.                                  Bag Limit
                                                                                                      15 per day, 45 in possession. Composed of
                                                                                                      mourning doves and white-winged doves, singly
                                                                                                      or in combination.

     Rails                                            Season                                          Attention Rail and Snipe Hunters
                                                      September 7-November 15                         In Virginia, non-toxic shot is required for hunt-
                                                                                                      ing rails, gallinules, moorhens, and snipe, in
                                                      Hours                                           addition to all waterfowl, mergansers, and coots.
                                                      One-half hour before sunrise until sunset.
                                                                                                      Sunday hunting for rails, gallinule, and
                                                      Bag Limit                                       moorhens is allowed on private lands and
                                                      Clapper/King 15 — counted together daily,       public lands as permitted by the landowner.
                                                      45 in possession.

                                                      Sora/Virginia 25 — counted together daily,
                                                      75 in possession.

     Gallinule and                                    Gallinule/Moorhen — 15 per day, 45 in posses-
                                                      sion. (singly or in combination)

     Moorhen

10   2019–2020 VIRGINIA MIGRATORY GAME BIRD HUNTING                                                                          WWW.DGIF.VIRGINIA.GOV
Woodcock
                            Season                                        Bag Limit
                            November 20-December 8                        3 per day, 9 in possession.
                            December 21-January 15
                                                                          No Sunday hunting of woodcock on public
                            Hours                                         waters or on public lands.
                            One-half hour before sunrise until sunset.

Snipe                       Season                                        Attention Rail and Snipe Hunters
                            October 11-14                                 In Virginia, non-toxic shot is required for hunt-
                            October 21-January 31                         ing rails, gallinules, moorhens, and snipe, in
                                                                          addition to all waterfowl, mergansers, and coots.
                            Hours
                            One-half hour before sunrise until sunset.    No Sunday hunting of snipe on public waters
                                                                          or on public lands.
                            Bag Limit
                            8 per day, 24 in possession.

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                                                                                                                              11
REGULATIONS
     BY SPECIES
                                                                                                            *Note: Hunters are reminded to positively
     September Teal                                     Season: East of I-95
                                                        September 17-September 30                           identify their ducks before shooting, since other
                                                                                                            species, such as wood ducks, may be in the area.
                                                        Season: West of I-95
                                                        September 21-September 30                           Special Requirements
                                                                                                            In addition to a HIP registration, a federal
                                                        Hours                                               migratory duck stamp and a Virginia Migra-
                                                        One-half hour before sunrise until sunset.          tory Waterfowl Conservation Stamp (unless
                                                                                                            license exempt) are also required to hunt teal
                                                        Bag Limit                                           during this season.
                                                        6 per day, 18 in possession.*
                                                        (any combination of blue-winged and green-
                                                        winged teal only)

     Ducks                                              Seasons
                                                        October 11-14 (Black duck closed)
                                                                                                            Hours
                                                                                                            One-half hour before sunrise until sunset.
                                                        November 20-December 1
                                                        December 19-January 31                              Closed season on harlequin ducks.

                                                        Bag Limit                                           The possession limit is three times the daily
                                                        Daily Bag Limit: 6 ducks of any species except      bag limit. No person may take more than one
                                                        for the following restrictions: can include no      daily bag limit in any one day.
                                                        more than 2 mallards (only 1 hen mallards),
                                                        4 scoters, 4 long-tailed ducks, 4 eiders, 3 wood
                                                        ducks, 2 redheads, 2 scaup, 1 pintail, 2 black
                                                        ducks (except closed during Oct. 11–14), 2
                                                        canvasbacks, 1 mottled duck, and 1 fulvous
                                                        whistling duck.

     Waterfowl Hunting On Wildlife Management Areas
     For information about quota or managed hunts for   by 1:00 p.m. Hunting on Friday and Saturday of      general waterfowl season. Hunters may hunt
     waterfowl and dove on Department WMAs, see         the October segment (Oct. 11 & 12) and on the       until 1:00 p.m. and must have all decoys up and
     page 19 or go online at www.dgif.virginia.gov.     opening day of the November-December segment        be away from the impoundments by 2:00 p.m.
        Waterfowl hunting on the James River WMA is     (Nov. 20) and the December–January segment          The area is open on Sundays for scouting and
     permitted only on the opening day, Wednesdays,     (Dec. 19) will be by Quota hunt only—see page       wildlife viewing.
     and Saturdays of the duck and goose seasons.       20. Outside of the duck season segments listed          Waterfowl hunting on the Robert W. Duncan
        Waterfowl hunting on the Mattaponi Wildlife     above, waterfowl hunting on Game Farm Marsh         WMA is permitted only on October 11, 12, 13,
     Management Area is permitted only on October       is open with no restrictions on hunt days, times,   14, and on Thursdays and Sundays of the duck
     11, 12, 13, and 14,, and on Mondays, Wednesdays,   or hunter numbers.                                  and goose seasons.
     and Saturdays of the duck and goose seasons.          Waterfowl hunting on and within 500 yards of         Waterfowl hunting on Mattaponi Bluffs WMA
        Game Farm Marsh WMA is open for hunting         the Ware Creek WMA is permitted (except por-        is permitted only on October 11, 12, 13, 14, at any
     on Friday, Saturday, and Monday of the October     tions of Philbates Creek) on Tuesdays, Thursdays,   time during the multi-species quota hunt period
     segment of the duck season (11, 12 and 14), and    and Saturdays of the duck and goose seasons.        by the selected individuals and guests, and on
     on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays during       Hunters may not occupy their hunting location       Wednesdays and Saturdays after the quota hunt
     the November-December (Nov. 20-Dec. 1), and        until 5 a.m. and hunting must end by 1 p.m.         period (Jan 5 - end of waterfowl season).
     December–January (Dec. 19-Jan. 31) segments           Waterfowl hunting at Doe Creek WMA is                For information about waterfowl hunting on
     of the duck season. Hunters may not occupy the     open to walk-in hunting on Saturdays only for       other WMAs see our website at https://www.
     area before 5:00 a.m. and must vacate the area     half days during the last two segments of the       dgif.virginia.gov/wma.

                                              DGIF’S MOBILE APP                            Sync & Download Licenses
                                          Go Outdoors VA                                   Always have your licenses ready for you & your family.

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12
Outside the Special
Special                                         Season
                                                November 9-January 7                                     Sea Duck Zone

Sea Duck Season                                                                                          Sea ducks cannot be taken in the Sea Duck
                                                Bag Limit                                                Zone after January 7. Sea ducks can, however,

in the *Special                                 5 per day (15 in possession), but may include no
                                                more than 4 scoters, 4 eiders or 4 long-tailed ducks.
                                                                                                         be taken during the regular duck season (Oct.
                                                                                                         11-14, Nov. 20-Dec. 1 and Dec. 19–Jan. 31) in

Sea Duck Zone                                                                                            all other areas outside of the sea duck zone
                                                *Special Sea Duck Zone Boundary                          (i.e.: within 800 yards of any shore, island or
                                                Those waters at a distance greater than 800              emergent vegetation…), since they are included
Sea duck species are scoter, long-tailed duck   yards from any shore, island, or emergent vege-          in the regular season duck bag. No more than 4
(formerly oldsquaw), and eider.                 tation in the following areas: the ocean waters of       scoters, 4 eiders or 4 long-tails can be included
                                                Virginia, the tidal waters of Northampton and            in the regular season daily limit of 6 ducks.
                                                Accomack counties, and the Chesapeake Bay
                                                and each of its tributaries up to the first high-
                                                way bridge. Back Bay and its tributaries are not
                                                included in the special sea duck hunting area.

Mergansers                                      Seasons                                                  Bag Limit
                                                October 11-14                                            5 birds daily, of which only 2 birds may be a
                                                November 20-December 1                                   hooded merganser (15 in possession, only 6 of
                                                December 19-January 31                                   which may be hooded mergansers).

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                                                                                                                                                                       13
REGULATIONS
     BY SPECIES

     Coots                                            Seasons                                                                                                     Bag Limit
                                                      October 11-14                                                                                               15 per day, 45 in possession.
                                                      November 20-December 1
                                                      December 19-January 31

     Canada Goose
                                                      Atlantic Population Zone (AP) Seasons                                                                       Southern James Bay Population
                                                      December 21-29                                                                                              Zone (SJBP) Seasons
                                                      January 11-31                                                                                               November 20-December 1
     (Includes White-fronted Geese)                                                                                                                               December 19-January 14
                                                      Bag Limit                                                                                                   January 15-February 15
                                                      1 goose per day (3 in possession).
                                                                                                                                                                  Bag Limit
                                                      Resident Population Zone (RP) Seasons                                                                       3 geese per day: Nov. 20-Dec. 1 and
                                                      November 20-December 1                                                                                      Dec. 19-Jan. 14. (9 in possession)
                                                      December 19-February 24                                                                                     5 geese per day: Jan. 15-Feb. 15. (15 in possession)

                                                      Bag Limit                                                                                                   Shooting Hours - All Zones
                                                      5 geese per day (15 in possession).                                                                         One-half hour before sunrise to sunset.

                                                      Canada Goose Zones
                                                      The dividing lines between the hunting zones are as follows:

                                                      Atlantic Population (AP) Hunt Zone                                                                          line) at the West Virginia-Virginia border, south
                                                      The area east of the Stafford/King George                                                                    to Interstate 64 (the Blue Ridge line follows
                                                      County line from the Potomac River south to                                                                 county borders along the western edge of
                                                      the Rappahannock River, then west along the                                                                 Loudoun-Fauquier-Rappahannock-Madison-
                                                      Stafford County line to Interstate 95, then south                                                            Green-Albemarle and into Nelson counties),
                                                      along Interstate 95 to Route 460 in Petersburg,                                                             then east along Interstate 64 to Route 15, then
                                                      then southeast along Route 460 to Route 32 in                                                               south along Route 15 to the North Carolina line.
                                                      the city of Suffolk, then south along Route 32
                                                      to the North Carolina border.                                                                               Resident Population (RP) Hunt Zone
                                                                                                                                                                  The portion of the state west of the SJBP
                                                      Southern James Bay Population                                                                               Hunt Zone.
                                                      (SJBP) Hunt Zone
                                                      The area to the west of the AP Hunt Zone
                                                      boundary and east of the following line: the
                                                      “Blue Ridge” (Loudoun County-Clarke County                                                                                       FR
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14   2019–2020 VIRGINIA MIGRATORY GAME BIRD HUNTING                                                                                                                                                                                                   WWW.DGIF.VIRGINIA.GOV
September
                                                    Season                                                                                                  Bag Limit
                                                    September 1-September 25                                                                                10 per day, 30 in possession.

Canada Goose                                        Hunt Zone                                                                                               September Canada goose hunting is not per-
                                                    Statewide.                                                                                              mitted within the boundaries of the Amelia
                                                                                                                                                            and Dick Cross Wildlife Management Areas.
                                                    Hours: East of I-95
                                                    September 1-16                                                                                          Special Requirements
                                                    • One-half hour before sunrise to one-half                                                              In addition to a HIP registration, a federal
                                                      hour after sunset.                                                                                    migratory duck stamp and a Virginia Migra-
                                                                                                                                                            tory Waterfowl Conservation Stamp (unless
                                                    September 17-25                                                                                         license exempt) are also required to hunt geese
                                                    • One-half hour before sunrise to sunset.                                                               during this season.

                                                    Hours: West of I-95                                                                                     Note: Electronic calls and unplugged shotguns
                                                    September 1-20                                                                                          are not allowed for hunting Canada geese.
                                                    • One-half hour before sunrise to one-half
                                                      hour after sunset.

                                                    September 21-25
                                                    • One-half hour before sunrise to sunset.

Light Goose                                         Regular Season                                                                                          by phone (866-721-6911), and obtain a Hunter
                                                    October 17-January 31: statewide                                                                        Activity Report prior to hunting. The Hunter
(Greater and Lesser Snow Geese and Ross’s Geese)                                                                                                            Activity Report must be submitted to the
                                                    Bag Limit                                                                                               Department within two weeks following the
                                                    25 per day, no possession limit.                                                                        close of the season, either through the agency
                                                                                                                                                            website (above) or by mail (Light Goose Conser-
                                                    Shooting Hours                                                                                          vation Order, 3801 John Tyler Memorial High-
                                                    One-half hour before sunrise to sunset.                                                                 way, Charles City, VA 23030). Registration will
                                                                                                                                                            begin December 7, 2019.
                                                    Conservation Order Season
                                                    (See hunt zone in blue below.)                                                                          Conservation Order Season Zone
                                                    February 1-April 5                                                                                      Same as the AP Canada Goose Zone — the
                                                                                                                                                            area east of the Stafford/King George County
                                                    Bag Limit                                                                                               line from the Potomac River south to the Rap-
                                                    No daily or possession limit.                                                                           pahannock River, then west along the Stafford
                                                                                                                                                            County line to Interstate 95, then south along
                                                    Special Hunting Methods: Electronic calls,                                                              Interstate 95 to Route 460 in Petersburg, then
                                                    unplugged shotguns, and extended shooting                                                               southeast along Route 460 to Route 32 in the
                                                    hours are allowed.                                                                                      city of Suffolk, then south along Route 32 to the
                                                                                                                                                            North Carolina border.
                                                    Shooting Hours: One-half hour before sunrise
                                                    to one-half hour after sunset.
                                                                                    Conservation Order Season Hunt Zone
                                                    All hunters who plan to participate in the Con-
                                                    servation Order season must register either                                                                                                 ED
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WWW.DGIF.VIRGINIA.GOV                                                                                                                                  2019 –2020 VIRGINIA MIGRATORY GAME BIRD HUNTING                                                                                                                                   15
REGULATIONS
     BY SPECIES

     Atlantic
                                                      Seasons                                             Bag limit
                                                      December 21-29                                      2 per day, 6 in possession.

     Brant                                            January 11-31

                                                                                                          Virginia hunting license. A hunter may only
     Tundra Swan                                      Seasons
                                                      November 20-January 31                              apply for a swan permit online through the
                                                                                                          Department’s website at www.gooutdoors-
                                                      Bag limit                                           virginia.com.
                                                      1 per permit.                                          Swan hunting permits are non-transferable
                                                                                                          and are valid for use only by the person to whom
                                                      Tundra Swan Hunt Area                               issued. Permits must be in the immediate pos-
                                                      Hunting will be permitted in all counties and       session of the permit holder while swan hunt-
                                                      portions of counties lying east of I-95 and south   ing. Immediately at the time and place of kill
                                                      of the Prince William/Stafford County line           successful permittees must cancel their swan
                                                      in Chopawamsic Creek at Quantico Marine             hunting permit by permanently recording the
                                                      Corps Base.                                         month and day of kill and by attaching the
                                                                                                          permit to the swan as instructed. The DGIF
                                                      Tundra Swan Permit                                  is required to obtain hunter participation and
                                                      Before any person may hunt tundra swans in          harvest information to offer this tundra swan
                                                      Virginia, he or she must first apply for and        hunting season. Hunters are required to com-
                                                      receive a tundra swan hunt permit. Permits          plete a tundra swan report online on our website
                                                      are issued through a special drawing. The dead-     (www.gooutdoorsvirginia.com) at the end of
                                                      line to submit applications for this drawing        their hunt. Those who fail to submit their hunt
                                                      is September 27, 2019. The Department will          report by February 15, 2020 are ineligible for
                                                      issue no more than 801 swan hunting permits.        future drawings.
                                                      The drawing is open only to holders of a valid

           SPORTSMEN: BOAT SMART,                                                                               WATERFOWL
           WEAR YOUR LIFE JACKET                                                                                INFORMATION
           Wearing a life jacket may save your life. It is estimated that 80 percent of boat-                   The web is a wonderful tool for
           ing-related drownings could have been prevented had the victim been wearing                          waterfowlers. Information on
           a life jacket.                                                                                       season dates and bag limits can
                                                                                                                be found along with information
           The newest type of life jacket, the manual or automatic inflatable, is lightweight
                                                                                                                on waterfowl population status,
           and comfortable. They are versatile enough to be worn at any time of the year,
                                                                                                                habitat conditions, as well as
           and fit easily over a hunting coat or sweater.
                                                                                                                current waterfowl research being
                                                                                                                conducted in Virginia. Sites we
           Safety Tips                                                                                          recommend include:
           • Check the weather before leaving.                                                                  Virginia Department of
           • Wear a life jacket or float coat.                                                                  Game & Inland Fisheries
                                                                                                                Waterfowl Homepage
           • Remain seated and keep weight evenly distributed.
                                                                                                                www.dgif.virginia.gov/wildlife/
           • Anchor from the bow, never from the stern.                                                         waterfowl/
           • Properly load your boat.                                                                           USFWS and Flyway
                                                                                                                Council website
           • Stay with your boat if it should capsize.
                                                                                                                www.flyways.us
           • Dress for the water temperature—guard against
                                                                                                                Federal Register Documents
             hypothermia.
                                                                                                                www.fws.gov/policy/
           • Leave the alcohol at home.
           For more information, contact Boating Education at: BoatSafety@dgif.virginia.gov.

16   2019–2020 VIRGINIA MIGRATORY GAME BIRD HUNTING                                                                              WWW.DGIF.VIRGINIA.GOV
DEFINITIONS
                                                                                                                                                 & TERMS
                                                     Aggregate possession limit means the maxi-
What Terms                                                                                                   that is conducted in accordance with official
                                                     mum number of migratory game birds of a single          recommendations of state Extension Specialists

Do I Need to                                         species or combination of species taken in the          of the Cooperative Extension Service of the U.S.
                                                     United States permitted to be possessed by any          Department of Agriculture.

Understand?                                          one person when taking and possession occurs
                                                     in more than one specified geographic area for          Normal soil stabilization practice means a
                                                     which a possession limit is prescribed. The aggre-      planting for agricultural soil erosion control
Migratory birds are birds protected by federal       gate possession limit is equal to, but shall not        or post-mining land reclamation conducted in
law as a result of treaties signed with other        exceed, the largest possession limit prescribed         accordance with official recommendations of
countries. Protected migratory birds are listed      for any one of the species or specified geographic      state Extension Specialists of the Cooperative
in Title 50 Code of Federal Regulations, Sec-        areas in which taking and possession occurs.            Extension Service of the U.S. Department of
tion. 10.13. This list includes almost all birds                                                             Agriculture for agricultural soil erosion control.
found in the United States with the exception        Personal abode means one’s principal or ordi-
of the house sparrow, feral pigeon (commonly         nary home or dwelling place, as distinguished           Baited area means any area on which salt, grain,
called rock dove), European starling, Eurasian       from one’s temporary or transient place of abode        or other feed has been placed, exposed, depos-
collared-dove, mute swan, and upland game            or dwelling such as a hunting club, or any club         ited, distributed, or scattered, if that salt, grain,
birds (which are protected by state laws).           house, cabin, tent or trailer house used as a hunt-     or other feed could serve as a lure or attraction
   All migratory birds are protected. However,       ing club, or any hotel, motel, or rooming house         for migratory game birds to, on, or over areas
a subset of migratory birds classified as migra-     used during a hunting, pleasure, or business trip.      where hunters are attempting to take them. Any
tory game birds may be hunted in accordance                                                                  such area will remain a baited area for ten days
with state and federal regulations. The list of      Migratory bird preservation facility means:             following the complete removal of all such salt,
migratory game birds includes species of ducks,      1. Any person who, at their residence or place          grain, or other feed.
geese (including brant), swans, mergansers,             of business and for hire or other consid-
doves, rails, coots, gallinules and moorhens,           eration; or                                          Baiting means the direct or indirect placing,
woodcock, and snipe.                                 2. Any taxidermist, cold-storage facility or            exposing, depositing, distributing, or scattering
                                                        locker plant which, for hire or other con-           of salt, grain, or other feed that could serve as a
Daily bag limit means the maximum number                sideration; or                                       lure or attraction for migratory game birds to,
of migratory game birds of a single species or       3. Any hunting club which, in the normal                on, or over any areas where hunters are attempt-
combination (aggregate) of species permitted            course of operations, receives, possesses,           ing to take them.
to be taken by one person in any one day during         or has in custody any migratory game birds
the open season in any one specified geographic         belonging to another person for purposes             Manipulation means the alteration of natural
area for which a daily bag limit is prescribed.         of picking, cleaning, freezing, processing,          vegetation or agricultural crops by activities that
                                                        storage, or shipment.                                include but are not limited to mowing, shred-
Aggregate daily bag limit means the maxi-                                                                    ding, dicing, rolling, chopping, trampling, flatten-
mum number of migratory game birds per-              Normal agricultural planting, harvesting, or            ing, burning, or herbicide treatments. The term
mitted to be taken by one person in any one          post-harvest manipulation means a planting or           manipulation does not include the distributing
day during the open season when such person          harvesting undertaken for the purpose of produc-        or scattering of grain, seed, or other feed after
hunts in more than one specified geographic          ing and gathering a crop, or manipulation after         removal from or storage on the field where grown.
area and/or for more than one species for which      such harvest and removal of grain. In Virginia,
a combined daily bag limit is prescribed. The        this also applies to food plots that are planted for    Natural vegetation means any non-agricul-
aggregate daily bag limit is equal to, but shall     the purpose of hunting migratory game birds.            tural, native, or naturalized plant species that
not exceed, the largest daily bag limit prescribed   Relevant factors include recommended planting           grows at a site in response to planting or from
for any one species or for any one specified         dates, proper seed distribution, seed bed prepara-      existing seeds or other propagules. The term
geographic area in which taking occurs.              tion, application rate, and seed viability. These       natural vegetation does not include planted
                                                     practices are to be conducted in accordance             millet. However, planted millet that grows on
Possession limit means the maximum number            with official recommendations of State Exten-             its own in subsequent years after the year of
of migratory game birds of a single species or       sion Specialists of the Cooperative Extension           planting is considered natural vegetation.
a combination of species permitted to be pos-        Service of the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
sessed by any one person when lawfully taken in      For official recommendations visit https://pubs.
the United States in any one specified geographic    ext.vt.edu/424/424-100/424-100_pdf.pdf.
area for which a possession limit is prescribed.     • Official recommendations state the guide-
                                                        lines for planting wheat in Virginia are one
                                                        week before to one week after the first killing
                                                        frost, October 15–November 15 in eastern
                                                        Virginia; October 1–November 1 in the Pied-
                                                        mont; October 1–October 25 west of the Blue
                                                        Ridge. Plant 120–150 lbs. per acre (36 seeds
                                                        per sq. ft. or 20 seeds per drill ft. in 7" rows).
                                                        Plant in 6–8" rows or solid seeded.
                                                     • Wheat planted or scattered outside of these
                                                        guidelines does not satisfy the definition of
                                                        normal agricultural planting. Therefore,
                                                        it is unlawful to hunt migratory game birds
                                                        over such areas.

                                                     Normal agricultural operation means a nor-
                                                     mal agricultural planting, harvesting, post-
©Spike Knuth                                         harvest manipulation, or agricultural practice

WWW.DGIF.VIRGINIA.GOV                                                                                                                                                17
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