Is this minimum barrel length actually codified in Virginia statute or VDGIF regulation or is it a "carryover" regulation related to the minimum barrel length for Title I shotguns under Federal law (e.g. National Firearms Act of 1934)?  If it is so codified, I would very much like a cite for the statute or regulation.

§ 18.2-303.1. What article does not prohibit.

Nothing contained in this article shall prohibit or interfere with the possession of a "sawed-off" shotgun or "sawed-off" rifle for scientific purposes, the possession of a "sawed-off" shotgun or "sawed-off" rifle possessed in compliance with federal law or the possession of a "sawed-off" shotgun or "sawed-off" rifle not usable as a firing weapon and possessed as a curiosity, ornament, or keepsake.

Quoted:
So I read a thread a few weeks back pointing out that the VDGIF Regulations Digest says (and I quote) "Shotgun barrels must be at least 18 inches long" (source, Hunting & Trapping in VA, July 2016-June 2017, page 20, Legal Use of Firearms and Archery Tackle).

Well, that stuck in my craw, so I fired off an email to VDGIF and posed the question:


Today I got a call from a nice VDGIF officer who confirmed my suspicion, that the 18" barrel length is not codified anywhere in Virginia hunting regulations, and is a carry-over from Virginia code which prohibits barrels shorter than 18", unless you have a stamp.  



His explicit statement was, that if you have a stamped SBS, and you carry that Form 1/4 with you while hunting (to prove it's a legal firearm), and you are otherwise legal with respect to shotgun hunting rules (plugged mag for migratory, shot size limitations, not using slugs in no-slug counties etc.) you are PERFECTLY LEGAL to use a shotgun of whatever barrel length you want to hunt game in Virginia.

<a href="https://flic.kr/p/G7vL66" target="_blank">https://c8.staticflickr.com/2/1543/26327976255_62dca3c3d1_c.jpg</a>DSC_5312-Turkey SBS by FredMan, on Flickr

Or you know, have a piece of paper tht might avoid that as an ace in the hole... whichever you want to do buddy.

Quoted:
That Remington (20ga.?) is sweet!  What changes, if any, did you need to make it run reliably?

Quoted:
Do you have the contact info for that officer? I would like to get this in writing myself. I was considering using my SBR for deer.

Quoted:
I would further examine this issue before officially challenging it in the field.  

It may not be a written code in Va, but it might be a game commission regulation.  

If it is a reg you be at risk of losing your hunting license for violating it.

2014 Virginia Code
Title 29.1 - Game, Inland Fisheries and Boating
§ 29.1-519. Guns, pistols, revolvers, etc., which may be used; penalty

Universal Citation: VA Code § 29.1-519 (2014)

A. All wild birds and wild animals may be hunted with the following weapons unless shooting is expressly prohibited:

1. A shotgun or muzzleloading shotgun not larger than 10 gauge;

2. An automatic-loading or hand-operated repeating shotgun capable of holding not more than three shells the magazine of which has been cut off or plugged with a one-piece filler incapable of removal through the loading end, so as to reduce the capacity of the gun to not more than three shells at one time in the magazine and chamber combined, unless otherwise allowed by Board regulations;

3. A rifle, a muzzleloading rifle, or an air rifle;

4. A bow and arrow;

5. [Expired.]

6. A crossbow, which is a type of bow and arrow, in accordance with the provisions of § 29.1-306.

B. A pistol, muzzleloading pistol, or revolver may be used to hunt nuisance species of birds and animals.

C. In the counties west of the Blue Ridge Mountains, and counties east of the Blue Ridge where rifles of a caliber larger than .22 caliber may be used for hunting wild birds and animals, game birds and animals may be hunted with pistols or revolvers firing cartridges rated in manufacturers' tables at 350 foot pounds of energy or greater and under the same restrictions and conditions as apply to rifles, provided that no cartridge shall be used with a bullet of less than .23 caliber. In no event shall pistols or revolvers firing cartridges rated in manufacturers' tables at 350 foot pounds of energy or greater be used if rifles of a caliber larger than .22 caliber are not authorized for hunting purposes.

D. The use of muzzleloading pistols and .22 caliber rimfire handguns is permitted for hunting small game where .22 caliber rifles are permitted.

E. The use of muzzleloading pistols of .45 caliber or larger is permitted for hunting big game where and in those seasons when the use of muzzleloading rifles is permitted. The Board may adopt regulations that specify the types of muzzleloading pistols and the projectiles and propellants that shall be permitted.

F. The hunting of wild birds and wild animals with fully automatic firearms, defined as a machine gun in § 18.2-288, is prohibited.

G. The hunting of wild birds or wild animals with (i) weapons other than those authorized by this section or (ii) weapons that have been prohibited by this section shall be punishable as a Class 3 misdemeanor.

Code 1950, § 29-140; 1962, c. 469; 1964, c. 441; 1974, cc. 108, 302; 1977, c. 377; 1983, c. 166; 1987, c. 488; 1988, c. 162; 1989, c. 421; 1993, c. 684; 1998, c. 144; 2002, c. 157; 2005, c. 8; 2007, c. 643; 2014, cc. 117, 136.