News Flash

Sept. 4, 2018 - Canadian goose hunting season opened Sept. 1, causing questions from both hunters, boaters, and residents who live near the water and have heard shots nearby. As a reminder, it’s illegal to shoot a gun within the city of Hampton. However, it is legal to hunt migratory birds offshore, with some limitations:

• Hunting must be from a stationary or mobile blind, which is inspected by and is registered with the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries, in the Chesapeake Bay and all water with city jurisdiction; and 
• Hunters must use a shotgun loaded with shot not heavier than double ought buckshot; and
• No shot shall be discharged landward within 500 feet of the shoreline.

Both the Hampton Police boat and the state game department were patrolling the waters over the Labor Day weekend. The law limiting shooting in the city reads:  "It shall be unlawful for any person to discharge shots, bullets, pellets or any similar thing from a firearm, air gun, spring gun, pellet gun or similar implement within five hundred (500) feet of any dwelling or occupied structure or any street, alley or other public way in the city.”

Questions about hunting should be directed to the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries at dgifweb@dgif.virginia.gov or (804) 367–1000.