Where can I hunt in Virginia with a .308 caliber rifle?

[npakhchanian]

I live in Stafford Virginia and I have a .308 hunting rifle. I was wondering what counties can i use my .308 to hunt in? I have been told multiple things like yes but only in a tree stand or only if I am in the mountains. I tried to look it up in the DGIF website and the hunting and trapping (VDGIF) magazine and the only info I can fine is .23 caliber or bigger.

[MarcSpaz]

Lots of variables. Public land? Private land? How far are you willing to drive? What do you want to hunt? What season/time of year? On and on...

I would recommend having the answers to those questions and the calling the ranger station for the district you want to hunt in. Especially since they will be the ones enforcing the laws where you plan to hunt. However, they will likely tell you to download and read the 2017–2018 Hunting & Trapping in Virginia Regulations Digest from the website.

[Jon]

This is the reference that I've always used for target shooting or hunting. Looks like you should be ok in Stafford. Refer to the guide for other locals.


https://www.dgif.virginia.gov/wp-conten ... nances.pdf

[npakhchanian]

So I am going to be hunting white tail deer. I was invited to go hunt on a friend of a friends private property in stafford by the Potomac river. I just wanted to make sure I am 100% hunting legally. Ill call the ranger station, that actually seems like the best idea.

[jdonovan]

If you want legal advice DO NOT ASK THE POLICE. They do not have to have full knowledge of all of the law, strange as that seems. If you want legal advice you want to talk to a lawyer.

read the rules linked above, if the county ordinances does not prohibit rifles, then they are permitted.

Stafford has 2 rules above base state hunting regulations.

81. It shall be unlawful to shoot or hunt within 100 yards of any regularly occupied structure without written permission of its owner or occupant or within 100 yards of any private road located in a subdivision where lots are 10 acres or less in size without written permission of the owner or occupant.

82. It shall be unlawful to shoot or hunt on any county property including, but not limited to, schools, parks, pools, the courthouse and other county offices

Rifles of all calibers .24 and larger are permitted. You need not be in a tree stand.

Your host should know you are a new hunter, and should be providing you guidance, and helping to answer your questions. If he is not, I'll be happy to step up, and help you. We need more people getting into hunting, and the current hunters owe it to the sport to help the new hunters get started.

[SHMIV]

I'll second the motion to not rely on LEO for legal advice. I was actually arrested by a Virginia State Trooper, last summer. The Trooper lectured me on laws, all the way to jail.

After a very uncomfortable ride (handcuffs suck), followed by about an hour and a half in a cold holding cell, I sat by that Trooper, in front of the magistrate, who basically lectured HIM on laws. Turns out that it's not illegal to be witness to, and victim of, a crime, after all. The Trooper (along with several Dinwiddie deputies) whipped out about 20 different laws, all of which they got wrong.

I walked out of there free, and wasn't formally charged with anything. But, still, due to their extreme ignorance of the laws and statutes (that they swore to uphold!), I was still cuffed and carted off to jail in front of my wife, my friends, and my neighbors.

So, yeah. Seek legal advice from a lawyer. Preferably, one that would defend your actions, based on his advice, in a court of law.

While, in general, I have the utmost respect for our law enforcement, and am usually inclined to give them the benefit of the doubt, my personal experience has shown me that there are a few guys who can't be trusted to read the signage on their cruisers; much less the laws.

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[Hammer]

Isn't there a mandatory hunting course? I'm prepping for my first hunt as well.

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[Hammer]

Isn't there a mandatory hunting course? I'm prepping for my first hunt as well.

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[jdonovan]

yes, hunters need to take a hunter education course, but there is an option to get in the field faster.

Apprentice Hunting License
https://www.dgif.virginia.gov/hunting/a ... e-license/

Gives you 2 years to 'apprentice' with an experienced hunter. You can go hunting under the direct supervision of a licensed hunter before taking hunter education classes. You can not hunt alone until you complete the hunter education course.

[Hammer]

Good info! Thank you. I've started the prerequisite material but the book is 108 pages

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[louisaguns]

Any county which allows centerfire rifles for big game hunting is a county you can use your .308. You need to refer to the "local firearms ordinances, laws and regulations section" in the hunting/trapping digest.

[Viper21]

The Hunters education requirement applies to anyone who's never had a hunting license before....

It's a pretty simple, & short process.

http://vahea.org/hunter-education-classes/

Lots of private places offer these classes. They are usually inexpensive, & typically done in 1 or 2 nights. They are all classroom. They aren't like the were years ago. I took Hunter's Ed in 1984. Back then, it was a 3 day deal. In addition to classroom, there was an outdoor course to navigate, & a shooting requirement. Quite a bit different now... it's 100% classroom, & 98% common sense...