The following local ordinances apply in Caroline County:
- Sec. 56-1. - Hunting; discharge of firearms; exemptions. (reference)
It shall be unlawful for any person to hunt in the County with a rifle or pistol of a caliber higher than .22 rimfire except as provided hereafter.
(1) Rifles and pistols using centerfire ammunition .23 caliber or greater (pistols must generate at least 350 foot pounds of energy or greater) may be used for the hunting and killing of deer during the prescribed open season exclusively when hunting from an elevated hunting platform at least eight feet above ground level, except that such weapon may also be discharged on the ground when it is necessary to do so in order to dispatch deer wounded from the elevated hunting platform.
(2) Muzzle-loading rifles may be used for the hunting and killing of deer during the prescribed open season.
(3) Turkey shall not be hunted with a rifle greater than .22 caliber.(4)Rifles with caliber larger than .22 rimfire may be used for hunting of groundhogs, coyotes, and feral hogs during any respective season as permitted by state law and/or permitted under state law for the control of destructive animals.
Any person hunting in the county pursuant to the provisions of this section shall also comply with all safety and other regulations of this Code and the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources.
(Amended by Ord. of 4-13-2021; Ord. of 10-12-2021)