Virginia statute
Va. Code Ann. § 18.2-141 — Cutting or destroying trees; carrying axe, saw, etc., while hunting
Current through 2026 Regular Session
Part of Article 6: Damage to Realty and Personalty Thereon, Code of Virginia.
Criminal charges under this statute
Full text of Va. Code Ann. § 18.2-141
Statutory text current through the 2026 Regular Session. This publication reproduces the text of the Code of Virginia from the official Virginia Law Portal API published by the Virginia General Assembly's Division of Legislative Automated Systems; it is not the official Code of Virginia.
It shall be unlawful for any person while hunting for game or wildlife on the property of another to carry any axe other than a belt axe with a handle less than twenty inches, saw or other tool or instrument customarily used for the purpose of cutting, felling, mutilating or destroying trees without obtaining prior permission of the landowner. Any person violating the provisions of this section shall be guilty of a Class 3 misdemeanor.
Conservation police officers, sheriffs and all law-enforcement officers shall enforce the provisions of this section.
Official sources
Legal terms used in this section
Questions this section answers
Is cutting or destroying trees a felony or a misdemeanor in Virginia?
Cutting or destroying trees is a class 3 misdemeanor in Virginia under Va. Code Ann. § 18.2-141.
Which Virginia statute covers cutting or destroying trees?
Cutting or destroying trees is governed by Va. Code Ann. § 18.2-141 (Cutting or destroying trees; carrying axe, saw, etc., while hunting).
This reference is informational and is not legal advice.