The Town of Chatham, Virginia, annually participates in the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources Urban Archery Deer Season. Chatham is one of many Virginian cities and towns in the program. Specific rules are in place for each participating community. There is generally a fall and spring hunting period each scheduled season.
Hunters and bowmen are encouraged to visit the Urban Archery Deer Season page to keep up with the latest information and changes in the program.
Chatham's rules are as follows:
- No person shall discharge a bow from over or across any street, sidewalk, alley, near primary or secondary highways, roadway, near a school and town parks within the Town limits or toward any building or dwelling in such a manner that an arrow may strike it.
- Except for target shooting, no person shall discharge a bow within one hundred (100) yards of an occupied dwelling, sidewalk, street, or roadway.
- Except for target shooting, archery equipment can only be discharged from a stand elevated at least ten (10) feet off the ground.
- The hunter must obtain written permission from the landowner before hunting and shall carry a copy of the written permission at all times while hunting.
- No person shall hunt deer in the Town by use of dog or dogs.
- Deer carcasses shall be disposed of promptly; this disposal is the sole responsibility of the hunter.
- Hunters must register with the Chatham Town Police to hunt on Town property.
- Hunters, while hunting on Town property, are required to have a safety harness on at all times while in a tree stand.
If you have questions about the program, please contact Chatham Town Hall at (434) 432-9515.