(A) This section is enacted pursuant to authority granted by VA Code §§ 29.1-528 and 15.2-1200, as amended.
(B) It shall be unlawful for any person to hunt deer in the County of Northampton with a rifle; provided, however, that persons to whom a permit has been issued pursuant to VA Code § 29.1-529 may exercise their right under the permit with a rifle from an elevation of at least three feet or higher.
(C) Notwithstanding the prohibition of division (B), it shall be lawful to hunt deer with muzzle-loading rifles (single flintlock or percussion weapons) during any special season for such hunting and during the general firearms deer season if such muzzle-loading rifle be of a caliber not less than .45 rim fire, that it fire a single lead projectile of the same caliber (no sabots), that it be loaded from the muzzle end and that the projectile be propelled by a minimum of 50 grains of black powder or black powder equivalent (Pyrodex). This exception to the provisions of division (B) of this section shall permit the use of telescopic sights but not muzzle-loading pistols.
(D) It shall be unlawful for any person to have in his possession any telescopic sight, muzzle-loading pistol or any firearm other than a muzzle-loading rifle while hunting with a muzzle-loaded rifle in a special muzzle-loading season.
(E) It shall be unlawful for any person to hunt deer with dogs in the County of Northampton.
(F) The muzzle-loading season shall be that season designated as such by the Board of Game and Inland Fisheries and the general firearms deer season in Northampton County.
(G) Hunting includes taking, hunting, pursuing, chasing or shooting and lesser acts, such as attempting to take, hunt, pursue, chase or shoot, and any act of assistance to any person who is hunting or attempting to do so whether the same results in taking or not.
(H) Any person violating any provision of this section shall be guilty of a Class 3 misdemeanor and, upon conviction thereof, shall be punished by a fine of not more than $500.
(Ord. passed 4-8-1991; Am. Ord. passed 6-14-1993; Am. Ord. passed 9-11-1995; Am. Ord. 5-13-2002)