Bow Hunting Restrictions Reduced in Prince William County

Provided, Prince William County Government:

On Jan. 13, the Prince William Board of County Supervisors voted unanimously to amend the County Code, Sec. 31-41., to clarify and to ease restrictions concerning the use of bows.

The amended code allows discharge of an arrow from a bow provided one is more than 100 feet in distance from a “regularly occupied structure,” and has received advance permission from the owner or occupant of the property. Previously, the code required a distance of 300 feet or more from a regularly occupied structure.

Additionally, the amended code prohibits anyone from shooting an arrow across or into another’s property without permission of the owner/occupant of the property. It also prohibits anyone from shooting an arrow across or into any public right-of-way, street or highway.

Hunters are still required to abide by all state and local hunting regulations in addition to these provisions. People will need a hunting license to kill an animal, and must do so only during the appropriate hunting season, said Kevin Rose, the district wildlife biologist for Northern Virginia with the Department of Game and Inland Fisheries. “Hunting licenses are for the prescribed hunting season, set by regulations. You have to buy a license and abide by all hunting regulations.”

Hunting licenses may be renewed and purchased online from the Department of Game and Inland Fisheries and may also be purchased at a number of retail outlets. First-time hunters must attend and pass the Virginia Hunter Education Course before they can obtain a hunting license.

Virginia State Code (29.1-529) provides an exception to the law requiring a hunting license. This code allows for the issuance of “kill permits” and applies to properties of two or more acres zoned Agricultural. Kill permits issued in Prince William County are “extremely rare” according to Rose. They are issued only to protect commercial interests such as vineyards, farms, nurseries, golf courses, orchards, etc. from damage by animals and only allow for the killing of animals at the time they are causing commercial damage.

For questions regarding weapons regulations, please contact the Prince William County Police Department. For questions regarding hunting regulations, please contact the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries.