The following local ordinances apply in Staunton City:
- 6.05.070 Shooting at or killing birds or animals. (reference)
(1) It shall be unlawful for any person within the corporate limits of the city to shoot at or kill, by use of a firearm, any bird or animal.
(2) In case of a nuisance from birds or animals, they may be shot under the supervision of the police department, upon permission of the city manager or designee.
(3) The provisions of this section shall not prohibit authorized wildlife management activities or hunting, fishing or trapping as regulated under other titles of the Code of Virginia, including, but not limited to, Title 29.1, or to farming activities as provided under the Code of Virginia, ordinances adopted pursuant to the Code of Virginia, or regulations promulgated thereto.
(4) Urban archery hunting with an arrow from a bow for the purposes of deer hunting within the city limits shall be permitted during the urban archery season, the early archery season, the late archery season, and the general firearms deer season, as designated in regulations set forth or authorization otherwise by the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries, under the following strict conditions:
(a) Any person discharging a bow shall, at all times, while engaged in such activity, have in his possession a copy of valid written permission from the landowner(s) or designee to discharge such a weapon on their property;
(b) Agreement shall have been made in writing, in advance as part of the permission, between the participant and landowner(s) in reference to field dress, with immediate disposition of deer carcasses in such a way that removes all aspects of the carcass from the land and away from any street, sidewalk, alley, roadway, or public land or place within city limits;
(c) All participants must strictly comply with all applicable provisions of the Virginia State Code and Virginia Hunting Regulations and the following conditions:
(i) All hunting shall be done internally to the property for which prior written permission has been granted.
(ii) A person shall neither discharge a bow from, over or across any city-owned property without prior written permission of the city manager or designee, or over or across any street, sidewalk, alley, roadway, or public land or public place within city limits or toward any building or dwelling in such a manner that an arrow may strike it nor shall a person discharge a bow over or across the private property of another without prior written permission.
(iii) No person shall hunt deer within the city limits by use of dog or dogs.(d) Any person violating any provision of this section shall be guilty of a Class 4 misdemeanor for each such offense.
(Ord. 2011-25; Ord. 2011-24; Ord. 2008-03. Code 1964, § 6-4; Code 1985, § 6-7; Ord. 11-11-93).
Charter reference – Authority of council to prohibit abuse of animals, § 11(15).
State law reference – § 3.2-6544 of the Code of Virginia.