The following local ordinances apply in Cumberland County:
- Sec. 46-111. - Rifle size. (reference)
It shall be unlawful to hunt deer during the regular hunting season with a rifle of .23 caliber or larger either (i) on public lands or (ii) in the area of the county bordered to the north by the James River, to the west by Route 602 from the Willis River, and to the south by Route 45 and Route 684 to the county line except from a tree stand elevated at least ten feet above the ground.
(Code 1990, § 10-11; Ord. of 3-13-2002(1); Ord. of 4-10-2007, § 1)
State Law reference— Authority for above section, Code of Virginia, § 29.1-528.
- Sec. 46-114. - Muzzleloading; groundhog hunting. (reference)
(a) It shall be lawful to hunt deer in the county with muzzleloading rifles during any state-authorized special firearm season for such primitive weapons and during any state-authorized regular deer season for the county.
(b) It shall be unlawful to have in one's immediate possession any firearm other than a muzzleloading rifle while hunting during any special firearm season for such primitive weapons.
(c) "Muzzleloading rifle," for the purposes of this section, shall mean a single-shot flintlock or percussion weapon, excluding muzzleloading pistols, .45 caliber or larger, firing a single lead projectile or sabot (with a .38 caliber or larger nonjacketed lead projectile) of the same caliber loaded from the muzzle of the weapon and propelled by at least 50 grains of black powder (or black powder equivalent).
(d) It shall be lawful to use telescopic sights in conjunction with muzzleloading rifles. It shall be lawful to hunt with a muzzleloading rifle from the ground or from a tree stand elevated to any height.
(e) It shall be lawful to hunt groundhogs with rifles of a caliber larger than .22 rimfire during the season between March 1 and August 31 in the county.(f)Any person convicted of violating this section shall be guilty of a class 3 misdemeanor.
(Code 1990, § 10-13A; Ord. of 3-10-1999; Ord. of 3-13-2002(1); Ord. of 4-10-2007, § 2)
State Law reference— Authority for above section, Code of Virginia, § 29.1-528.
- Sec. 46-115. - Hunting with firearm on or near public highway. (reference)
(a) Under the authority of Code of Virginia, § 29.1-526, hunting or attempting to hunt with a firearm, any game bird or game animal, while the hunting or attempting to hunt is on or within the ditch line of any primary or secondary highway in the county, is prohibited.
(b) A violation of this section shall be a class 3 misdemeanor.
(c) The term "hunt" or "attempt to hunt" shall not include the necessary crossing of highways for the bona fide purpose of going into or leaving a lawful hunting area.
(Code 1990, § 10-13C; Ord. of 8-2-1991)