4VAC15-90-89. Game: Deer. Earn a buck.
Summary
The proposal is to (i) implement the Earn A Buck regulation in Chesterfield, Craig, Giles, and Spotsylvania Counties; and (ii) clarify that deer taken on kill permits do not fulfill Earn a Buck requirements.
Proposed Language
Note: In the “Proposed Language” document, underlined text denotes proposed new language, while text with a strikethrough denotes language that is proposed to be deleted.
Rationale
- Chesterfield County and Spotsylvania County are two of the fastest growing/developing counties in Virginia and the deer population is currently above objective. Increasing antlerless harvest is necessary to help alleviate human conflicts with deer in these urbanizing counties. Deer populations in Craig and Giles County have remained above objective for a number of years. In addition, these counties are adjacent to a CWD disease management area. The next step to address deer population levels and be proactive regarding CWD risks is to include these two counties in the Earn a Buck regulation.
- The taking of deer on kill permits is not considered hunting, and as such, the intent has never been for such deer to count toward Earn a Buck requirements. This proposal addresses questions the Department has received in recent years.