Virginia prohibits bear wrestling matches as part of its animal cruelty statutes, enacted in the early 1990s after complaints about traveling shows mistreating bears. This law bans not only the wrestling but also promoting, training bears for it, or collecting fees, with penalties including fines or jail time.​
Other Unusual Bans
Several quirky Virginia laws persist or have historical roots. Hunting wild animals is banned on Sundays except in limited cases like raccoons (previously until 2 a.m.), stemming from colonial-era “blue laws.”​
- Multiple cities (e.g., Chesapeake, Newport News, Virginia Beach) restrict trick-or-treating to children 12 or under, with misdemeanor charges for older participants, though rarely enforced.​
- Claims like tickling women or cussing bans lack verified statutes and appear in unverified lists.​
Enforcement Notes
Bear-related rules remain active under Department of Wildlife Resources, prohibiting dislodging bears from trees for hunts or using bait. Obscenity laws cover vulgar language via communications but not general activities.
SOURCES
[1](https://apnews.com/general-news-6fe3780719ae4a98ba380d5bf5262177)
[2](https://www.hurtinva.com/news/5-laws-you-didnt-know-existed-in-virginia)
[3](https://northamericancommunityhub.com/weird-laws-in-virginia/)
[4](https://www.callrobinson.com/blog/virginia-is-for-lovers-and-weird-laws)
[5](https://dwr.virginia.gov/hunting/regulations/bear/)
