I am getting confilcting statements from sporting goods stores here in the commonwealth. So I will pose the question here. Are you allowed to use you bow during the blackpowder and gun seasons, and if so do you need to have a blackpowder tag as well.

CFCE

This is quoted from the DGIF website, but I prefer using something that will reach out there and get'em! Why limit yourself?
[*]Muzzleloading shotguns, muzzleloading rifles or archery tackle may be used to hunt during the firearms seasons where not prohibited (see Local Firearms Ordinances and Archery/Muzzleloading License Requirements).
[*]Hunters are allowed to use archery tackle (longbow, recurve, compound, and crossbow) or muzzleloading firearms to deer hunt during the firearms deer season with the following conditions:
[ul][*]all hunters are required to comply with the either-sex deer hunting days for the firearms deer season.[*]use of muzzleloading firearms is allowed only if not otherwise restricted (see local firearms ordinances).[*]muzzleloader deer hunters must wear blaze orange during the firearms deer season.[*]archery deer hunters must wear blaze orange during the firearms deer season except when hunting in areas where the discharge of firearms is prohibited (see local firearms ordinances). [/ul]

Yes you can shoot your bow through those seasons as well, but you do not need a BP license if you're only shooting your bow.

Speaking of archery (not to hijack this thread.....)

Has anyone heard the ruling/State house bill regarding shooting a compound bow in a backyard? I know it was being voted on but Gov Warner hasn't signed anything yet (that I know of).

Butch A.

ButchA, The Governor signed the bill in March and it became effective July, 2005. This is not a new code on the books....merely an amended code. I think you posted this link a few weeks back but here it is again. If you notice, the words that are in italics are the words in the bill that have been added/changed:

http://leg1.state.va.us/cgi-bin/legp504.exe?ses=051&typ=bil&val=HB2741

This does not automatically ban shooting a bow in your back yard. It simply gives each locality the authority to do so in areas it deems too populated to safely shoot.

Thanks. That's right.... Duh! Each locality/county can choose to allow the shooting of bows. I wonder about Henrico county (west end of Richmond)? I'll do some digging to see what's up with it.

Edit: Found it! So, I can still shoot my bow until November 8th? Cool!!! But, if this passes, (and passes throughout the state's localities), I read where iti will be deemed it as a Class IV misdemeanor with a fine of $250 bucks!! [&:]

-----------------------cut 'n paste-----------------------------
283-05
Deferred to November 8, 2005 Meeting

Ordinance to Add to the Code of the County of Henrico Section 13-67 Titled “Shooting Arrows From Bows Generally” to Prohibit Shooting Arrows from Bows in Certain Places in the County and Section 13-68 Titled “Commercial District Defined” to Define Commercial District in Article III of Chapter 13.
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thanks for the information. I truly appreciate the help. Hope everyone manages to find their bucks this season, and have cold meat hanging on more then one occasion.

CFCE