The following local ordinances apply in Amherst County:
- Sec. 3-76 - Hunting near highways (reference)
(a) It shall be unlawful to hunt or attempt to hunt with a firearm, muzzleloader, arrowgun, or archery tackle any game bird or game animal while the hunting or attempting to hunt is in or across or within the right-of-way of any primary or secondary highway in Amherst County, Virginia.
(b) The term "hunt" or "attempt to hunt" as used in this section shall not include the necessary crossing of such highways for the bona fide purpose of going into or leaving a lawful hunting area.
(Ord. of 8-3-64; Ord. of 4-7-92; Ord. No. 2021-0013, § 1, 12-21-21)
Cross reference— Motor vehicles and traffic, Ch. 9.
- Sec. 12-26 (B) & (C) Prohibited use of parks (reference)
B. Fishing and hunting.
(1) The purchase or sale of fish caught in any park waters is prohibited.
(2) Park visitors may fish in any park waters if they hold a valid state fishing license. Any person fishing within a park
(i) shall conform to the rules and regulations published by the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries and the posted rules and regulations of the park and
(ii) shall carry on his person his valid state fishing license and shall show the same immediately upon demand of any law enforcement officer. Failure to exhibit such license upon demand of any law enforcement officer shall be prima facie
evidence that such person is fishing without a license.(3) Park visitors shall not hunt, trap, or pursue wildlife while within the park. The director may authorize hunting and trapping of wildlife in writing prior to the hunting or trapping if the director determines that to be in the best interest of public health, safety or welfare.
C. Weapons. Due to the presence of children and in light of the expectation of safety that county citizens and others have upon entering parks for entertainment and recreational activities, the use or carrying of weapons in county parks is limited as follows:
(1) Only law enforcement officers engaged in professional duties may discharge in any park any pistol, revolver, shotgun, BB gun, air gun, slingshot, bow and arrow, dart device, or other weapon in which the propelling force is gunpowder, a spring, or air.
(2) No person while in a park shall use, carry or have in his possession any knife with a blade of more than three (3) inches except where such knife is necessary for preparation of food within the park or is being used in connection with any other lawful purpose in the park.
(3) Any person who has a permit to carry a concealed handgun which is valid in the Commonwealth, and who has on his person that valid permit, may carry a concealed handgun in a park.
(4) Shooting into park areas from beyond park property boundaries is prohibited.
(5) The director may authorize in writing the use of a firearm or other potentially dangerous instrument within a county park.