Bear

Bear License

To hunt bears, residents and nonresidents must purchase a bear license in addition to all other applicable licenses, permits or stamps, unless license exempt.

Unlawful to Feed Bears

It shall be unlawful for anyone, including (but not limited to) private citizens, homeowners associations, corporations, or government entities to place, distribute, or allow the placement of food, minerals, carrion, trash, or similar substances to feed or attract bear. Nor, upon notification by Department personnel, shall anyone continue to place, distribute or allow the placement of any food, mineral, carrion, trash or similar substances for any purpose if the placement of these materials results in the presence of any bears. After such notification, such person shall be in violation of the law if the placing, distribution, or presence of such food, minerals, carrion, trash or similar substances continues.

Unlawful to Shoot Without Intent to Retrieve the Bear

No person shall kill or cripple and knowingly allow any game animal to be wasted without making a reasonable effort to retrieve the animal and retain it in their possession.

Unlawful to Dislodge and Continue to Hunt

It is unlawful to dislodge an animal from a tree for the intent of continuing a hunt, chase, or for the purpose of training dogs.

Bag Limits

One per license year, at least 100 pounds live weight or 75 pounds dressed weight (all internal organs removed). Females with cubs may not be harvested.

Bear Checking

All bears must be checked at an official bear check station. Locations for bear check stations are available on the DGIF Web site or by calling 1-804-367-1000 during normal business hours.

Bear information will need to be recorded on a Black Bear Check Card. Do not record information on Deer and Turkey Check Card. Tooth collection is mandatory, and the tooth envelope is part of the Black Bear Check Card.

Look Up the Age of Your Harvested Bear Online!

The age of your harvested bear will be available online 9 to 10 months after the hunting season ends online.

Tracking Dogs

Tracking dogs maintained and controlled on a lead may be used to find a wounded or dead bear or deer statewide during any archery, muzzleloader, or firearm bear or deer hunting season, or within 24 hours of the end of such season, provided that those who are involved in the retrieval effort have permission to hunt on or to access the land being searched and do not have any weapons in their possession.

Youth and Apprentice Bear Hunting Day

October 8-9

• Statewide
• Resident and nonresident youth hunters 15 years of age and under or holders of a valid apprentice hunting license, when in compliance with all applicable laws and licenses, may hunt when accompanied and directly supervised by an adult who has a valid Virginia hunting license or is exempt from purchasing a hunting license. Nonresident youth of any age need to have the appropriate licenses (unless exempt from purchasing a license).
• Bear bag limit, weight limits, and all other take restrictions apply. If a bear is taken on this weekend, the youth or apprentice hunter may not take another bear in any season.
• Blaze orange is required in areas with an open deer firearms season during this weekend. If hunting in an area with no open deer firearms season this weekend, blaze orange is strongly recommended.
• Bears may be taken with the aid of dogs on Saturday statewide except in:
  • The counties of Accomack, Campbell (west of the Norfolk Southern Railroad), Fairfax, Grayson (west of State Route 16), Henry, Loudon, Northampton, Patrick, Pittsylvania (west of the Norfolk Southern Railroad), Roanoke (south of I-81), Smyth (that part south of I-81 and west of State Route 16), and Washington (south of I-81)
  • On the Amelia, Chester F. Phelps, Featherfin, G. Richard Thompson, Mattaponi, Merrimac Farm, and Pettigrew Wildlife Management Areas.
• Tracking dogs maintained and controlled on a lead may be used to find a wounded or dead bear.
• All bears must be checked at an official bear check station.
• Adult hunters accompanying youth or apprentice bear hunters:
  • do not need a bear license on this weekend.
  • shall not carry or discharge a firearm.
  • shall maintain close visual and verbal contact with, provide adequate direction to, and can immediately assume control of the firearm.

Archery Bear Season

October 1 through November 18: Statewide

Legal Methods and Restrictions

Special restrictions apply to archery tackle use during this season. Click here for more information.

• Archery tackle only.
• Broadhead widths must be at least 7/8-inch wide or expand upon impact to 7/8-inch.
• It is unlawful to use explosive head arrows or arrows to which any drug, chemical, or toxic substance has been added.
• It is unlawful to use dogs, except that dogs may be used to track wounded or dead bear (see Hunting with Dogs) and dogs may be used by youth or apprentice bear hunters to take bears on October 8.
• It is unlawful to have a firearm in possession, except that a muzzleloading firearm as defined in the muzzleloader bear season section, may also be in possession when and where there is an overlap with a muzzleloading bear season where bear hunting with a rifle or muzzleloading firearm is permitted. (See exception for valid concealed handgun permit holders).

Muzzleoader Bear Season

November 12 through 18: Statewide in all areas where hunting with a muzzleloading rifle is permitted.

Legal Methods and Restrictions

Special restrictions apply to specific firearms use during this season. See Legal Use of Firearms and Archery Equipment and Local Firearms Ordinances for details.

• Only muzzleloading firearms, .45 caliber or larger, loaded from the muzzle of the gun.
• Muzzleloading firearms must be single shot, capable of firing only a single bullet or saboted bullet (.38 caliber or larger).
• Flintlock, percussion, or electronic ignitions are permitted.
• It is unlawful to have in immediate possession any firearm other than a muzzleloading gun while hunting with a muzzleloader. (See exception for valid concealed handgun permit holders).
• Must use at least 50 grains of black powder or black powder equivalent.
• Smokeless powder is allowed in muzzleloading firearms designed for it. Never use smokeless powder of any type in any quantity in a muzzleloading firearm that is not specifically designed for it.
• Scopes are permitted.
• For the purposes of transportation in a vehicle, muzzleloading firearms are considered “unloaded” when all powder has been removed from the flashpan, or the percussion cap, primer, or battery has been removed from the firearm. For complete safety, a muzzleloader should be emptied by shooting into soft ground.
• It is unlawful to use dogs, except that dogs may be used to track wounded or dead bear (see Hunting with Dogs).

Firearms Bear Season

October 1 through January 7

In the cities of Chesapeake, Suffolk, and Virginia Beach.

November 28 through January 7

In the counties of Albemarle, Alleghany, Amherst, Arlington, Augusta, Bath, Bedford, Bland, Botetourt, Caroline, Chesterfield, Clarke, Craig, Culpeper, Fairfax, Fauquier, Fluvanna, Frederick, Giles, Goochland, Greene, Hanover, Henrico, Highland, Loudoun, Louisa, Madison, Montgomery, (northwest of I-81), Nelson, Orange, Page, Powhatan, Prince William, Pulaski (northwest of I-81), Rappahannock, Roanoke, Rockbridge, Rockingham, Shenandoah, Smyth (northwest of I-81), Spotsylvania, Stafford, Tazewell, Warren, Washington (northwest of I-81 and east of Route 19), Wythe (northwest of I-81), and on the Clinch Mountain and Hidden Valley Wildlife Management Areas and Channels State Forest and within the incorporated limits of any independent city, not listed, that allows bear hunting.

December 5 through 24

In the counties of Carroll, Floyd, Franklin, Grayson, Henry, Montgomery (southeast of I-81), Patrick, Pulaski (southeast of I-81), Smyth (southeast of I-81), Washington (southeast of I-81), Wythe (southeast of I-81).

December 5 through January 7

In the counties of Buchanan, Dickenson, Lee, Russell, Scott, Washington (northwest of I-81 and west of Route 19), and Wise.

Exception

Clinch Mountain and Hidden Valley Wildlife Management Areas and Channels State Forest (see November 28-January 7 season).

December 5 through 10

In the counties of Amelia, Appomattox, Brunswick, Buckingham, Campbell, Charles City, Charlotte, Cumberland, Dinwiddie, Essex, Gloucester, Greensville, Halifax, Isle of Wight, James City, King and Queen, King George, King William, Lancaster, Lunenburg, Mathews, Mecklenburg, Middlesex, New Kent, Northumberland, Nottoway, Pittsylvania, Prince Edward, Prince George, Richmond, Southampton, Surry, Sussex, Westmoreland, and York.

Closed

In the counties of Accomack and Northampton.

Legal Methods and Restrictions

Special restrictions apply to specific firearms use during this season. See Legal Use of Firearms and Archery Equipment and Local Firearms Ordinances for details.

• Modern firearms
• Archery tackle (including crossbows)
• Muzzleloading firearms

Dogs May Be Used to Hunt Bear Except:

• During the firearms deer season in the counties west of the Blue Ridge and in the counties of Amherst (west of Rt. 29), Bedford, and Nelson (west of Rt. 151).
• During the first 14 hunting days of the firearms deer season in Madison and Greene counties.
• During the firearms bear season in the counties of Campbell (west of Norfolk Southern Railroad), Carroll (east of the New River), Fairfax, Floyd, Franklin, Grayson (east of the New River), Henry, Loudoun, Montgomery (south of I-81), Patrick, Pittsylvania (west of Norfolk Southern Railroad), Pulaski (south of I-81), Roanoke (south of I-81), and Wythe (southeast of the New River or that part bounded by Rt. 21 on the west, I-81 on the north, the county line on the east, the New River on the south-east and Cripple Creek on the south), and in the city of Lynchburg.
• On the Amelia, Chester F. Phelps, Featherfin, G. Richard Thompson, Mattaponi, Merrimac Farm, and Pettigrew Wildlife Management Areas.
• When hunting during the archery or muzzleloading bear seasons, except in certain counties during the youth/ apprentice bear hunting weekend.
• On Cavalier WMA dogs may only be used during the Bear Hound Training Season from August 13 through 31.
• On Sundays while in possession of a weapon. The meaning of “possession” for the purpose of this section shall include, but not be limited to, having a firearm, bow, crossbow, or any weapon capable of taking a black bear in or on one’s person, vehicle, or conveyance.

Bear Hound Training/Chase Season

NO BLACK BEAR MAYBE TAKEN DURING THIS SEASON.

August 13 through September 24*

Certain counties, see map. *Dogs may be used during Bear Hound Training Season on Cavalier WMA only August 13-31.

September 3 through 24

Certain counties, see map.

Closed

Certain counties, see map.

November 19 through December 3

Certain counties, see map.

Closed

Certain counties, see map.

Hours

4:00 A.M. to 10:00 P.M., including Sundays.

Licenses Required

Same for hunting seasons where bears can be taken. See licenses, stamps and permits section for appropriate required licenses.

Unlawful Methods

• It is unlawful to have in possession a firearm, bow, crossbow, or any weapon capable of taking a black bear while participating in the bear hound training season. The meaning of “possession” for the purpose of this section shall include, but not be limited to, having a firearm, bow, crossbow, or any weapon capable of taking a black bear in or on one’s person, vehicle, or conveyance.
• It is unlawful to dislodge an animal from a tree for the intent of continuing a hunt, or chase, or for the purpose of training dogs.

Deer

General Information

Bag Limits

East of the Blue Ridge (except on National Forest lands in Amherst, Bedford, and Nelson counties)

The bag limit for deer shall be two a day, six a license year. Of the six-deer limit, no more than three may be antlered deer and at least three must be antlerless deer (unless noted in the exception below).

• The daily bag limit for deer shall be unlimited in Arlington, Fairfax, Loudoun, and Prince William counties (including the cities and towns within). However, no more than three antlered deer may be killed in a license year.

West of the Blue Ridge and on National Forest lands in Amherst, Bedford, and Nelson counties

The bag limit for deer shall be one a day and five a license year. Of the five-deer limit, no more than two may be antlered deer and at least three must be antlerless deer (unless noted in the exceptions below).

• The daily bag limit for deer shall be two a day on private lands in Clarke, Frederick, Roanoke, Shenandoah, and Warren counties (including the cities and towns within).
• If a deer hunter kills two antlered bucks in a license year in Alleghany, Augusta, Bath, Highland, Rockbridge, Rockingham, or Shenandoah County, at least one of the bucks must have at least four antler points, one inch or longer, on one side of the antlers.

Earn a Buck (EAB)

For the purposes of this section, the term “license year” defines the period between July 1 and June 30 of the following year.

Arlington County (including the cities and towns within) During a license year, it shall be unlawful to take a second antlered deer in Arlington County prior to taking at least two antlerless deer in Arlington County, and it shall be unlawful to take a third antlered deer in Arlington County prior to taking at least three antlerless deer in Arlington County. Local firearms ordinances prohibit the discharge of firearms in Arlington County.

Bedford County on private lands (including the cities and towns within) During a license year, it shall be unlawful to take a second antlered deer on private lands in Bedford County prior to taking at least one antlerless deer on private lands in Bedford County, and it shall be unlawful to take a third antlered deer on private lands in Bedford County prior to taking at least two antlerless deer on private lands in Bedford County.

Clarke County on private lands (including the cities and towns within) During a license year, it shall be unlawful to take a second antlered deer on private lands in Clarke County prior to taking at least one antlerless deer on private lands in Clarke County.

Fairfax County (including the cities and towns within) During a license year, it shall be unlawful to take a second antlered deer in Fairfax County prior to taking at least two antlerless deer in Fairfax County, and it shall be unlawful to take a third antlered deer in Fairfax County prior to taking at least three antlerless deer in Fairfax County.

Frederick County on private lands (including the cities and towns within) During a license year, it shall be unlawful to take a second antlered deer on private lands in Frederick County prior to taking at least one antlerless deer on private lands in Frederick County.

Loudoun County (including the cities and towns within) During a license year, it shall be unlawful to take a second antlered deer in Loudoun County prior to taking at least two antlerless deer in Loudoun County, and it shall be unlawful to take a third antlered deer in Loudoun County prior to taking at least three antlerless deer in Loudoun County.

Prince William County except on Department of Defense (DOD) lands (including the cities and towns within) During a license year, it shall be unlawful to take a second antlered deer in Prince William County (except on DOD lands) prior to taking at least two antlerless deer in Prince William County (except on DOD lands), and it shall be unlawful to take a third antlered deer in Prince William County (except on DOD lands) prior to taking at least three antlerless deer in Prince William County (except on DOD lands).

Rappahannock County on private lands (including the cities and towns within) During a license year, it shall be unlawful to take a second antlered deer on private lands in Rappahannock County prior to taking at least one antlerless deer on private lands in Rappahannock County, and it shall be unlawful to take a third antlered deer on private lands in Rappahannock County prior to taking at least two antlerless deer on private lands in Rappahannock County.

Roanoke County on private lands (including the cities and towns within) During a license year, it shall be unlawful to take a second antlered deer on private lands in Roanoke County prior to taking at least one antlerless deer on private lands in Roanoke County.

Warren County on private lands (including the cities and towns within) During a license year, it shall be unlawful to take a second antlered deer on private lands in Warren County prior to taking at least one antlerless deer on private lands in Warren County.

For more information go to the Earn a Buck (EAB) Questions & Answers section.

Bag Limit Exceptions

• Deer hunters, including those exempt from purchasing a license, on private land and authorized public lands may take more than the license-year bag limit of antlerless deer by using bonus deer permits or special permits (DCAP, DMAP, and DPOP).
• DCAP, DMAP, and DPOP tags do not count against the daily or season bag limit.

Bonus Deer Permits

• Are valid for one year from date of purchase.
• Are valid for antlerless deer only.
• Are valid only on private lands and authorized public lands.
• Are valid only on designated either-sex deer hunting days.
• Are valid during all archery, muzzleloader, and firearms deer seasons.
• Allow deer to be taken in addition to the license year bag limit.
• Do not allow the daily bag limit to be exceeded.
• Are not valid on National Forest and Department-owned lands.
• Are not valid in Buchanan, Dickenson, and Wise counties.
• Come with no restriction on number that may be purchased and used.

Hunters for the Hungry

We hope you will consider joining with this innovative program to help feed the hungry. Hunters for the Hungry encourages successful hunters to donate deer that are surplus to their families needs at participating processing locations. Funds are raised to cover the costs of professional processing, then the venison is distributed to the needy across the Commonwealth. This past season 279,279 pounds of venison were distributed. This brings total distribution since 1991 to over 4.9 million pounds, nearly 20.9 million servings.

Hunters donating an entire deer are not required to pay any part of the processing fee. If you are asked to do so, please contact our office. However, if you desire to make a monetary contribution we encourage you to send it to our office at P.O. Box 304, Big Island, VA 24526. Legislation passed in 2003 in honor of program founder, David Horne, also gives hunters an opportunity to make a donation at the time they purchase their hunting license.

You can make a difference to the hungry and to the future of hunting in Virginia. For additional information and for a list of participating processors, please email: hunt4hungry@cs.com, visit the website at www.h4hungry.org, call 1-800-352-HUNT (4868), or write to P.O. Box 304, Big Island, VA 24526.

Tree Stand Safety Guidelines

• Use a full-body safety harness to secure yourself to the tree. Stay attached whenever you are off the ground. Minimize slack in the tether so that if you fall, it will not be very far. This reduces the risk of injury and may allow you to climb back into your stand. Hanging in a harness for a long time may cause irreversible injury or death. Have a plan for self-rescue.
• Never climb with equipment; use a haul line to get your unloaded gun or bow into and out of the tree stand. Crossbows may be raised while cocked, but should never be loaded with an arrow until you are securely in the stand and ready to hunt. It can be dangerous to try to cock a crossbow while in a tree.
• Keep manufactured tree stands in good working condition. Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions carefully.
• Many falls occur because of the failure of homemade stands, especially as they age. It is best to avoid them.
• While most manufactured tree stands are safe if used properly, they are occasionally found to be defective and recalled. To find out if your stand has been recalled, check the Consumer Product Safety Commission website.

Antlered and Antlerless Deer

• Antlered or Antlerless? How to Tell the Difference (PDF)

Deer Tags

• Either-sex deer tags (commonly called “buck” tags) may be used on antlered or antlerless deer.
• Antlerless-only deer tags (commonly called “doe” tags) may only be used on antlerless deer.

Antlered and Antlerless Deer

Antlered Deer

• Antlered deer must have antlers visible above the hairline.
• An antlered deer must be tagged with an either-sex deer tag.

Antlerless Deer

• Antlerless deer may only be taken during designated either-sex deer hunting days during the archery season(s), muzzleloading season(s), and firearms season(s). Youth deer hunters, see Youth and Apprentice Deer Hunting Weekend and Youth Antlerless Deer Regulation provisions below.
• Antlerless deer (does, button bucks, and shed antlered bucks) may be tagged with an antlerless-only deer tag or an either-sex deer tag.
• Button bucks, male fawns approximately six months old, are considered antlerless deer. The hair covered bumps on a button buck’s head are not antlers. They are the pedicels from which the antlers will grow the next year.
• Antlered deer that have shed their antlers, usually in late December or early January, are also considered antlerless deer. When checking a shed-antlered buck by telephone or Internet, it should be checked as an antlered deer with zero antler points.

Antler Point Restrictions

Alleghany, Augusta, Bath, Highland, Rockbridge, Rockingham, and Shenandoah Counties

If a deer hunter kills two antlered bucks in a license year, at least one of the bucks must have at least four antler points, one inch or longer, on one side of the antlers in each of the counties listed above.

Fairystone and Featherfin WMAs

On the Quality Deer Management Area of the Fairystone WMA and Featherfin WMA a legal antlered deer is a deer with at least four antler points, one inch or longer, on one side.

Youth Antlerless Deer Regulation

Resident or nonresident deer hunters 15 years of age and under may take one antlerless deer per license year on days other than designated either-sex deer hunting days during the muzzleloading season(s) or the firearms season(s) in all counties that have at least one either-sex deer hunting day during the firearms deer season. This regulation applies to all private and public lands (National Forest, State Forests, WMAs, etc.) statewide (except on public and private lands in Buchanan, Dickenson, and Wise counties). This regulation is in addition to either-sex deer hunting days. For example, if a youth deer hunter, 15 years of age or younger, killed one or more antlerless deer on designated either-sex deer hunting days, he or she could still take one antlerless deer on a day not designated an either-sex day.

Youth and Apprentice Deer Hunting Day

September 24 and 25

• Statewide.
• Resident and nonresident youth hunters 15 years of age and under or holders of a valid apprentice hunting license, when in compliance with all applicable laws and licenses, may hunt when accompanied and directly supervised by an adult who has a valid Virginia hunting license or is exempt from purchasing a hunting license. Nonresident youth of any age need to have the appropriate licenses (unless exempt from purchasing a license).
• Deer of either sex may be taken.
• Antlerless deer taken on the youth and apprentice deer hunting weekend are in addition to an antlerless deer taken under the youth antlerless deer regulation and on either-sex deer hunting days.
• Deer harvested by youth or apprentice hunters count against their daily and season bag limit.
• Blaze orange requirements and exceptions for firearms deer season are in effect (see General Hunting Regulations).
• Deer hunting with dogs is prohibited, except that tracking dogs are allowed (see Hunting with Dogs).
• Adult hunters accompanying youth or apprentice deer hunters:
  • do not need a deer/turkey license on this weekend.
  • shall not carry or discharge a weapon.
  • shall maintain close visual and verbal contact with, provide adequate direction to, and can immediately assume control of the firearm.
• Unless specified above, all other normal firearm deer regulations apply (e.g., daily and season bag limits, tagging and checking, EAB, special antler restrictions, etc.).

Archery Deer Seasons

Early Archery Season

October 1 through November 18: Statewide

Late Archery Seasons

December 4 through January 7:

• In all areas west of the Blue Ridge unless noted in the season exception below. Season Exception: Clarke and Floyd counties and on private lands in Frederick County.
• In the counties (including the cities and towns within) of Amherst (west of Route 29), Bedford, and Nelson (west of Route 151).

December 5 through January 7:

• On the Chester F. Phelps WMA and on National Forest Lands in Frederick County.

December 1 through January 7:

• In the cities of Chesapeake, Suffolk (east of the Dismal Swamp line), and Virginia Beach.

December 18 through January 7:

• In the counties (including the cities and towns within) of Floyd, Franklin, Henry, and Patrick.

Archery Either-Sex Deer Hunting

• Deer of either sex may be taken full season during the early and late archery deer seasons, including the cities of Chesapeake, Virginia Beach and Suffolk (east of the Dismal Swamp Line), unless otherwise noted below.
  • Only antlered deer may be taken during the early and late archery deer seasons on PALS (Public Access Lands) in Dickenson County.

Northern VA Late Antlerless-only Season

During this season only antlerless deer may be taken.

March 27, 2017 through April 30, 2017

• In Arlington, Fairfax, Loudoun, and Prince William counties (including the cities and towns within).

Bowhunters Needed for Survey

The Department has an ongoing statewide bowhunter survey to obtain information on bear, deer, turkey, small game, and furbearer populations. Participants will receive an annual survey form to complete during the early archery deer season and a copy of the results after they are compiled. To participate, please contact Mike Fies with your mailing address at mike.fies@dgif.virginia.gov.

Urban Archery Deer Seasons

During this season only antlerless deer may be taken.

September 3 through 30 and January 8, 2017 through March 26, 2017

• Within the incorporated limits of the cities of Chesapeake (except on Department-owned lands), Colonial Heights, Danville, Emporia, Franklin, Fredericksburg, Galax, Hopewell, Lexington, Lynchburg, Martinsville, Poquoson, Radford, Richmond, Staunton, Suffolk, and Winchester; and in the towns of Altavista, Amherst, Bedford, Blacksburg, Blackstone, Chatham, Christiansburg, Farmville, Front Royal, Halifax, Hurt, Independence, Irvington, Kenbridge, Pearisburg, Pulaski, Richlands, Rocky Mount, Saltville, Smithfield, Stuart, Tazewell, West Point, and Wytheville; and in the counties of Chesterfield, Fairfax, James City, Roanoke (except on National Forest and Department-owned lands), and York.
• Archery or crossbow deer hunters hunting during the early urban archery deer season are required to wear blaze orange on the Youth and Apprentice Deer Hunting Weekend. For exceptions to the blaze orange requirement see page 17.
• Lists of properties available for hunting are not maintained by the Department or local governments.
• Go to the Urban Archery Season page on this website for local restrictions and other urban archery information.
• All other “normal” deer regulations apply (e.g., daily and season bag limits, tagging and checking, DMAP, DCAP, EAB, special antler restrictions, etc.).

Legal Methods and Restrictions During Archery Deer Seasons

Special restrictions may apply during this season. See Legal Use of Firearms and Archery Equipment and Local Firearms Ordinances for details.

• Archery tackle (including crossbows).
• Broadhead widths must be at least 7/8-inch wide or expand upon impact to 7/8-inch.
• It is unlawful to use explosive head arrows or arrows to which any drug, chemical, or toxic substance has been added.
• It is unlawful to use dogs, except that dogs may be used to track wounded or dead deer (see Hunting with Dogs, page 18).
• It is unlawful to have a firearm in possession except that a muzzleloading firearm, as defined in the muzzleloader deer seasons section, may also be in possession when and where there is an overlap with a muzzleloading deer season where deer hunting with a rifle or muzzleloading firearm is permitted. (See exception for valid concealed handgun permit holders).

Muzzleloader Deer Seasons

In all areas where hunting with a muzzleloading rifle is permitted.

Note: Deer hunters west of the Blue Ridge Mountains may take both of their season limit of two antlered deer during the early muzzleloading season.

Muzzleloader deer hunters and persons accompanying a muzzleloader deer hunter shall wear blaze orange, except when physically located in a tree stand or other stationary hunting locations.

Early Muzzleloader Season

November 5 through 18:

• There is no early muzzleloading season in the cities of Chesapeake, Virginia Beach, or Suffolk (east of the Dismal Swamp line) since it occurs during the general firearms season.

Either-sex Deer Hunting East of the Blue Ridge: November 5 through 18 (full season):

• In all areas (including Merrimac Farm WMA and Occoneechee State Park) unless otherwise noted below.
• November 12:
  • On State Forest lands, State Park lands (except Occoneechee State Park), Department-owned lands (except Merrimac Farm WMA), and Philpott Reservoir.
• Antlered deer only-no either-sex deer hunting days:
  • On National Forest lands in Amherst, Bedford, and Nelson counties.

Either-sex Deer Hunting West of the Blue Ridge:

• November 5 through 18 (full season):
  • On private lands in Carroll, Clarke, Floyd, Frederick, Grayson, Montgomery, Roanoke, Shenandoah, and Warren counties.
• November 12 and November14 through November 18:
  • On private lands in Botetourt County.
• November 12:
  • On private lands in Alleghany, Augusta, Bath, Bland, Craig, Giles, Highland, Page, Pulaski, Rockbridge, Rockingham (except on private lands west of Routes 613 and 731), Scott, Smyth, Washington, and Wythe counties.
• Antlered deer only-no either-sex deer hunting days:
  • On National Forest and Department-owned lands in all counties west of the Blue Ridge Mountains.
  • On private lands in Buchanan, Dickenson, Lee, Rockingham (west of Routes 613 and 731), Russell, Tazewell, and Wise counties.
  • On Channels State Forest, Grayson Highlands State Park, PALS (Public Access Lands) in Dickenson County, and Flannagan Reservoir.

Late Muzzleloader Season East of the Blue Ridge

December 17 through January 7:

In the counties (including the cities and towns within) of Amherst (west of Route 29), Bedford, Franklin, Henry, Nelson (west of Route 151), and Patrick, and in the cities of Chesapeake, Suffolk (east of the Dismal Swamp line), and Virginia Beach.

Either-sex Deer Hunting East of the Blue Ridge:

• December 17 through January 7 (full season):
  • In the counties of Amherst (west of Route 29 except on National Forest lands), Bedford (except on National Forest lands), Franklin, Henry, Nelson (west of Route 151 except on National Forest lands), and Patrick.
• January 2 through 7:
  • In the cities of Chesapeake, Suffolk (east of the Dismal Swamp line), and Virginia Beach.
• January 7:
  • On National Forest lands in Amherst, Bedford, and Nelson counties.

Late Muzzleloader Season West of the Blue Ridge

December 17 through January 7:

Season Exception:

• Closed in Clarke County and on private lands in Frederick County since it occurs during the general firearms season.

Either-sex Deer Hunting West of the Blue Ridge:

• December 17 through January 7 (full season):
  • On private lands in Carroll, Floyd, Grayson, Montgomery, Roanoke, Shenandoah, and Warren counties.
• January 2 through 7:
  • On private lands in Augusta, Bland, Botetourt, Craig, Giles, Page, Pulaski, Rockbridge, Rockingham (except on private lands west of Routes 613 and 731), Scott, Smyth, Washington, and Wythe counties.
  • On National Forest and Department-owned lands in Carroll, Craig, Bland, Giles, Montgomery, Pulaski, Roanoke, and Wythe counties.
• January 7:
  • On private lands in Alleghany, Bath, Dickenson (north of Route 83), Highland, Lee, Rockingham (west of Routes 613 and 731), Russell, Tazewell, and Wise counties.
  • On National Forest and Department-owned lands in Alleghany, Augusta, Bath, Botetourt, Dickenson (north of Route 83), Frederick, Grayson, Highland, Lee, Page, Rockbridge, Rockingham, Russell, Scott, Shenandoah, Smyth, Tazewell, Warren, Washington, and Wise counties.
  • On Channels State Forest, Grayson Highlands State Park, and Flannagan Reservoir.
• Antlered deer only—no either-sex deer hunting days:
  • On private lands in Buchanan and Dickenson (south of Route 83) counties.
  • On PALS (Public Access Lands) in Dickenson County.

Legal Methods and Restrictions During Muzzleloader Deer Seasons

Special restrictions apply to specific firearms use during this season. See Legal Use of Firearms and Archery Equipment and Local Firearms Ordinances for details.

• Only muzzleloading firearms, .45 caliber or larger, loaded from the muzzle of the gun.
• Muzzleloading firearms must be single shot, capable of firing only a single bullet or saboted bullet (.38 caliber or larger).
• Flintlock, percussion, or electronic ignitions are permitted.
• Must use at least 50 grains of black powder or black powder equivalent.
• Muzzleloading pistols which meet the four restrictions listed above are legal.
• It is unlawful to have in immediate possession any firearm other than a muzzleloading firearm while hunting with a muzzleloader (see exception for valid concealed handgun permit holders).
• Smokeless powder is allowed in muzzleloading firearms designed for it. Never use smokeless powder in a muzzleloading firearm that is not specifically designed for it.
• Scopes are permitted.
• For the purposes of transportation in a vehicle, muzzleloading firearms are considered “unloaded” when all powder has been removed from the flashpan, or the percussion cap, primer, or battery has been removed from the firearm.
• It is unlawful to hunt deer with dogs, except that dogs may be used to track wounded or dead deer (see Hunting with Dogs)
• It is lawful to carry archery tackle when and where there is an overlap with a deer archery and muzzleloading season.
• Deer of either sex may be taken full season during the muzzleloading seasons within the incorporated limits of any city or town in the Commonwealth that allows deer hunting except in the cities of Chesapeake, Suffolk (east of the Dismal Swamp line), and Virginia Beach and in the cities and towns of Buchanan, Dickenson, and Wise counties and only with the weapons (archery tackle and/or muzzleloaders) authorized by each individual city or town.
• Muzzleloader deer hunters and persons accompanying a muzzleloader deer hunter shall wear blaze orange, except when physically located in a tree stand or other stationary hunting location.

Firearms Deer Seasons

November 19 through December 3

In the counties (including the cities and towns within) of Amherst (west of Rt. 29), Bedford*,
Botetourt, Carroll, Craig, Giles, Grayson, Montgomery, Nelson (west of Rt. 151), Pulaski, Roanoke*, Shenandoah, Warren*, and Wythe.

Either-sex Deer Hunting Days:

• November 19 through December 3 (full season): In all areas unless otherwise noted below.
  • November 26 and December 3: On National Forest lands and Department-owned lands in Carroll and Roanoke counties and on National Forest lands in Craig, Giles, Montgomery, Pulaski, and Wythe counties and on Big Survey WMA.
  • December 3: On National Forest lands and Department-owned lands in Botetourt County and on National Forest lands in Amherst, Bedford, Nelson, Shenandoah, and Warren counties.
  • Antlered deer only-no either-sex deer hunting days: On National Forest lands in Grayson County and on portions of Grayson Highlands State Park. Special Youth Antlerless Deer Regulation applies.

November 19 through December 3

In the counties (including the cities and towns within) of Lee, Page, Rockbridge, Russell, and
Tazewell.

Either-sex Deer Hunting Days

• November 26, December 2 and 3: In all areas unless otherwise noted below.
  • December 3: On National Forest and Department-owned lands in Rockbridge County and on National Forest lands in Page County.
  • Antlered deer only-no either-sex deer hunting days: On National Forest lands in Lee and Tazewell counties and on Clinch Mountain WMA, Channels State Forest, and Hidden Valley WMA. Special Youth Antlerless Deer Regulation applies.

November 19 through January 7

In the counties (including the cities and towns within) of Accomack, Albemarle, Arlington*,
Clarke*, Culpeper (see season exception for C.F. Phelps WMA below), Fairfax*, Fauquier (see
season exception for C. F. Phelps WMA below), Frederick* (see season exception for National Forest lands below), Greene, Greensville, Hanover, Henrico, Isle of Wight, James City, King George, Lancaster, Loudoun*, Madison, Northampton, Northumberland, Orange, Prince George, Prince William*, Rappahannock*, Richmond, Southampton, Stafford, Suffolk (west of the Dismal Swamp line), Surry, Sussex, Westmoreland, and York. (*denotes EAB county)

• In Arlington County*, City of Hampton, and City of Richmond (in the City of Richmond:
  archery only, no special permit is required for archery deer hunting). Note: Local Ordinances prohibit the discharge of firearms in these areas (see Local Firearms Ordinances). (*denotes EAB county)
• In the City of Lynchburg (on private lands for which a special permit has been issued by the Chief of Police). In the City of Newport News: archery only, no special permit is required for archery deer hunting.
• In Fairfax County* a special landowner permit is required to firearms deer hunt on
  private lands. Contact the Div. of Animal Control, 4500 West Ox Road, Fairfax, VA
  22030 for details. No special police permit is required for archery deer hunting.

Season Exception

• November 19 through December 3: On C.F. Phelps WMA and National Forest lands
  in Frederick County.

Either-sex Deer Hunting Days

• November 19 through January 7 (full season): In all areas unless otherwise noted below.
  • November 26, December 3, December 10, and December 12 through January 7: On Rapidan WMA.
  • November 26 and January 7: On G.R. Thompson WMA.
  • November 26 and December 3: On C.F. Phelps WMA.
  • December 3: On National Forest lands in Frederick County.
  • Antlered deer only-no either-sex deer hunting days: On the Carlisle Tract of the
    Hog Island WMA, and Ragged Island WMA. Special Youth Antlerless Deer Regulation applies.

Northern VA Early and Late Anterless-only Firearms Deer Seasons

During these seasons only antlerless deer may be taken.

Early: September 3 through 30

Late: January 8, 2017 through March 26, 2017:

In the counties of Arlington*, Fairfax*, Loudoun*, and Prince William* (including the cities
and towns within). Local firearm ordinances prohibit the discharge of firearms in Arlington
County. To firearms deer hunt on private lands in Fairfax County a special landowner permit
is required (see above).

All legal deer hunting weapons including bows, crossbows, muzzleloaders, pistols, shotguns,
and rifles are legal. Local firearms ordinances still apply.

All other “normal” deer regulations apply (e.g., daily and season bag limits, tagging and
checking, DCAP, DMAP, EAB, etc.).

November 19 through January 7

In the counties (including the cities and towns within) of Appomattox, Brunswick, Buckingham,
Charlotte, Dinwiddie, Lunenburg, Mecklenburg, Nottoway, and Prince Edward.

Either-sex Deer Hunting Days:

• November 26, December 3, and January 2 through 7: In all areas unless otherwise noted below.
  • November 26, December 3, December 10, and December 12 through January 7: On Featherfin WMA (by quota hunt only).
  • November 26, December 3, and January 2 through 7: On Briery Creek, Dick Cross, and Horsepen Lake WMAs.
  • November 26 and December 3: On Appomattox-Buckingham and Prince Edward State Forests.

November 19 through January 7

In the counties (including the cities and towns within) of Amelia, Caroline, Chesterfield, Cumberland, Fluvanna, King and Queen, King William, and Powhatan.

Either-sex Deer Hunting Days:

• November 26, December 3, and December 26 through January 7: In all areas unless otherwise noted below.
  • November 26, December 3, and December 26 through January 7: On Powhatan WMA.
  • November 26, December 3 and January 2 though 7: On Amelia and Mattaponi WMAs.
  • November 26 and December 3:On Cumberland State Forest.

November 19 through December 3

In the counties (including the cities and towns within) of Augusta, Rockingham, Scott, Smyth,
and Washington.

Either-sex Deer Hunting Days:

• November 26 and November 28 through December 3: In all areas unless otherwise noted below.
  • December 3: On National Forest and Department-owned lands in Augusta County,
    and on National Forest lands in Rockingham County and on private lands west of Routes 613 and 731 in Rockingham County.
  • Antlered deer only-no either-sex deer hunting days: On National Forest lands in Scott, Smyth, and Washington counties and on Clinch Mountain and Hidden Valley WMAs, Hungry Mother State Park, and Channels State Forest. Special Youth Antlerless Deer Regulation applies.

November 19 through December 17

In the counties (including the cities and towns within) of Henry and Patrick.

Either-sex Deer Hunting Days:

• November 26, December 3, and December 5 through 17 In all areas unless otherwise noted below.
  • November 26 and December 12 through 17: On Fairystone Farms and Turkeycock Mountain WMAs, designated areas of Fairystone State Park, and Philpott Reservoir.

October 1 through November 30

In the cities of Chesapeake, Suffolk (east of the Dismal Swamp line), and Virginia Beach.

Either-sex Deer Hunting Days:

• October 8, October 15, and November 18 through November 30: In all areas.

November 19 through December 3

In the counties (including the cities and towns within) of Buchanan, Dickenson, and Wise.

Either-sex Deer Hunting Days:

• Antlered deer only-no either-sex deer hunting days in all areas. Special Youth Antlerless Deer Regulation does not apply.

November 19 through December 17

In the counties (including the cities and towns within) of Floyd and Franklin.

Either-sex Deer Hunting Days:

• November 19 through December 17 (full season):
  In all areas unless otherwise noted below.
  • November 26 and December 12 through 17: On Philpott Reservoir and Turkeycock Mountain WMA.

November 19 through January 7

In the counties (including the cities and towns within) of Amherst (east of Rt. 29), Campbell,
Charles City, Essex, Gloucester, Goochland, Halifax, Louisa, Mathews, Middlesex, Nelson
(east of Rt. 151), New Kent, Pittsylvania and Spotsylvania. Note: Dogs may not be used for
deer hunting in Campbell County (west of Norfolk Southern Railroad) and in Pittsylvania
County (west of Norfolk Southern Railroad).

Either-sex Deer Hunting Days:

• November 26, December 3, December 10, and December 12 through January 7:
  In all areas unless otherwise noted below.
  • November 26 and January 2 through 7: On James River WMA.
  • November 26 and January 7: On White Oak Mountain WMA.
  • Antlered deer only-no either-sex deer hunting days: On Chickahominy WMA. Special Youth Antlerless Deer Regulation applies.

November 19 through December 3

In the counties (including the cities and towns within) of Alleghany, Bath, Bland, and Highland.

Either-sex Deer Hunting Days:

• November 26 and December 3: In all areas unless otherwise noted below.
  • November 26 and December 3: On National Forest lands in Bland County.
  • December 3: On National Forest lands in Alleghany County and on National Forest and Department-owned lands in Bath and Highland counties.

Firearms Either-sex Deer Hunting For Incorporated Cities and Towns

Deer of either sex may be taken full season in the incorporated limits of any city or town in Virginia that allows deer hunting except in the cities of Chesapeake, Suffolk (east of the Dismal Swamp line), and Virginia Beach, but only with the specific weapons authorized by each individual city or town.

Legal Methods and Restrictions During Firearms Deer Seasons:

Special restrictions apply to specific firearms use during this season. See Legal Use of Firearms and Local Firearms Ordinances for details.

• Modern firearms.
• Hunters are allowed to use archery tackle or muzzleloading firearms to deer hunt during the firearms deer season with the following conditions:
  • all hunters are required to comply with the either-sex deer hunting days for the firearms deer season.
  • use of muzzleloading firearms is allowed only if not otherwise restricted.
  • muzzleloader deer hunters must wear blaze orange during the firearms deer season.
  • archery deer hunters must wear blaze orange during the firearms deer season except when hunting in areas where the discharge of firearms is prohibited.

Dogs May Not Be Used For Deer Hunting:

• On Sunday while in possession of a weapon.
• West of the Blue Ridge.
• East of the Blue Ridge in Bedford, Fairfax, Franklin, Henry, Loudoun, Northampton, and Patrick counties, and Amherst (west of Rt. 29), Campbell (west of Norfolk Southern Railroad), Nelson (west of Rt. 151), Pittsylvania (west of Norfolk Southern Railroad), and the City of Lynchburg.
• When hunting during archery and muzzleloading seasons and on the Youth and Apprentice Deer Hunting Weekend.
• On many military areas. Check individual Post regulations.
• On Amelia, Cavalier, Doe Creek, Featherfin, Mattaponi, Merrimac Farm, Pettigrew, Chester F. Phelps, and G. Richard Thompson Wildlife Management Areas.
• During the first 14 hunting days of the firearms deer season in Madison and Greene counties.

Tracking Dogs:

• Tracking dogs maintained and controlled on a lead may be used to find a wounded or dead bear or deer statewide during any archery, muzzleloader, or firearm bear or deer hunting season, or within 24 hours of the end of such season, provided that those who are involved in the retrieval effort have permission to hunt on or to access the land being searched and do not have any weapons in their possession.

Elk

• Elk of either sex, antlered or antlerless, may be taken during any open deer season using weapons legal for deer during that season (except that elk season is closed in the counties of Buchanan, Dickenson, and Wise.)
• The taking of an elk counts toward the hunter’s daily and license year bag limit for deer.
• Licenses, tag validation, and checking requirements for elk are the same as for deer.
• It is unlawful to destroy the identity (sex) of any harvested elk until checked. Elk may be dismembered to pack it out from the place of kill. The identity of the sex and all parts of the carcass must be present when the elk is checked.

Successful hunters, upon checking an elk, must contact the Department at (804) 367-0044 to schedule the collection of biological samples for disease testing. This number is intended only to make arrangements to obtain tissue samples from harvested elk. No other game checking or other wildlife issues will be answered using this number. For general wildlife questions, call (804) 367-1000 during normal business hours.

Turkey

Bag Limits:

General:

One per day, three per license year, no more than two of which may be taken in the fall.

Archery and Fall Firearms Season:

One per day, either sex may be taken.

Spring Turkey Season:

One per day, bearded turkeys only.

Checking Fall and Spring Turkeys

Wild turkeys killed in the fall (except those killed in January) must be checked at a Game Check Station, by telephone, or the Internet checking system.

Wild turkeys killed in January must be checked using the telephone or Internet checking system.

Wild turkeys killed in the spring gobbler season must be checked using the telephone or Internet checking system.

Archery Turkey Season

October 1 through November 12: Statewide

• Statewide except in areas where there is a closed firearm season on turkey.

Legal Methods and Restrictions for Archery Turkey Season

Special restrictions apply to specific firearms use during this season. See Legal Use of Firearms and Archery Equipment and Local Firearms Ordinances for details.

• Archery tackle (including crossbows) only.
• Decoys and blinds may be used.
• Broadhead widths must be at least 7/8-inch wide or expand upon impact to 7/8-inch.
• It is unlawful to use dogs when hunting with archery tackle during the archery season.
• It is unlawful to have a firearm in possession (see exception for valid concealed handgun permit holders.

Youth and Apprentice Fall Turkey Hunting Weekend

October 15 and 16:

• Statewide in counties, cities, and areas with a fall turkey season.
• Resident and nonresident youth hunters 15 years of age and under or holders of a valid apprentice hunting license, when in compliance with all applicable laws and licenses, may hunt when accompanied and directly supervised by an adult who has a valid Virginia hunting license or is exempt from purchasing a hunting license. Nonresident youth of any age need to have the appropriate licenses (unless exempt from purchasing a license).
• Hunting hours are from 1/2 hour before sunrise to 1/2 hour after sunset.
• Bag limit is one turkey (either sex) per youth/ apprentice hunter, per weekend.
• Turkeys harvested by youth or apprentice hunters count against their daily and season bag limit.
• Adult hunters accompanying youth or apprentice turkey hunters:
  • do not need a deer/turkey license.
  • may assist with calling.
  • shall not carry or discharge a firearm.
  • shall maintain close visual and verbal contact with, provide adequate direction to, and can immediately assume control of the firearm.

Fall Firearms Turkey Seasons

October 29 through November 11 and November 24:

In the counties of Albemarle, Allegheny, Augusta, Bath, Greene, Highland, Madison, Orange, Page, Rockingham, and Warren.

October 29 through November 11, November 24, December 5 through 31, and January 14 through 28:

In the counties of Amelia, Amherst, Appomattox, Bedford, Bland, Botetourt, Brunswick, Buckingham, Campbell, Caroline, Carroll, Charlotte, Chesterfield, Clarke, Craig, Culpeper, Cumberland, Dickenson, Dinwiddie, Essex, Fairfax, Fauquier, Floyd, Fluvanna, Franklin, Frederick, Giles, Goochland, Grayson, Greensville, Halifax, Hanover, Henrico, Henry, King and Queen, King William, Lee, Loudoun, Louisa, Lunenburg, Mecklenburg, Montgomery, Nelson, Nottoway, Patrick, Pittsylvania, Powhatan, Prince Edward, Prince William, Pulaski, Rappahannock, Roanoke, Rockbridge, Russell, Scott, Shenandoah, Smyth, Spotsylvania, Stafford, Tazewell, Washington, Wise, and Wythe, and on Camp Peary.

Closed:

In the county of Arlington and the cities of Chesapeake, Hampton, Newport News, Norfolk, Portsmouth, and Virginia Beach.

October 29 through November 11, November 24, and December 5 through 17:

In the counties of Accomack, Buchanan, Charles City, Gloucester, Isle of Wight, James City, King George, Lancaster, Matthews, Middlesex, New Kent, Northampton, Northumberland, Prince George, Richmond, Southampton, Surry, Sussex, Westmoreland, York (except on Camp Peary), and City of Suffolk.

Legal Methods and Restrictions for Fall Firearms Seasons and Youth and Apprentice Fall Turkey Hunting Weekend

Special restrictions apply to specific firearms use during this season. See Legal Use of Firearms and Archery Equipment and Local Firearms Ordinances for details.

• Modern firearms.
• Archery tackle (including crossbows).
• Muzzleloading firearms.
• Decoys and blinds may be used.
• Dogs may be used.
• Unlawful to use electronic calls.

Youth and Apprentice Spring Turkey Hunting Weekend

April 1 and 2, 2017:

• Statewide.
• Resident and nonresident youth hunters 15 years of age and under or holders of a valid apprentice hunting license, when in compliance with all applicable laws and licenses, may hunt when accompanied and directly supervised by an adult who has a valid Virginia hunting license or is exempt from purchasing a hunting license. Nonresident youth of any age need to have the appropriate licenses (unless exempt from purchasing a license).
• Hunting hours are from 1/2 hour before sunrise to sunset.
• Bag limit is one turkey (bearded bird only) per youth/apprentice hunter, per weekend.
• Turkeys harvested by youth or apprentice hunters count against their daily and season bag limit.
• Adult hunters accompanying youth or apprentice turkey hunters:
  • do not need a deer/turkey license on this weekend.
  • may assist with calling.
  • shall not carry or discharge a weapon.
  • shall maintain close visual and verbal contact with, provide adequate direction to, and can immediately assume control of the firearm.

Spring Turkey Season

New:

• Spring Gobbler Harvest Numbers Trending Higher »
• The 2017 Spring Gobbler Overview »
• Looking for great spring gobbler hunting opportunities? Read our Wildlife Management Area report »

Bag Limit:

One per day, bearded turkeys only. Hunters may take one, two, or three bearded turkeys depending on how many turkeys were taken in the fall season.

Seasons: Statewide

April 8 through 30, 2017:

• One-half hour before sunrise until 12 noon each day.

May 1 through 13, 2017:

• One-half hour before sunrise to sunset.

Legal Methods and Restrictions for Spring Firearms and Youth and Apprentice Spring Turkey Hunting Weekend

Special restrictions apply to specific firearms use during these seasons. See Legal Use of Firearms and Archery Equipment and Local Firearms Ordinances for details.

• Modern firearms.
• Archery tackle.
• Muzzleloading firearms.
• Decoys and blinds may be used.
• It is unlawful to use electronic calls.
• It is unlawful to use dogs during spring turkey season.
• When using a shotgun it is unlawful to use or have in possession any shot larger than number 2 fine shot during spring turkey season.

Small Game Hunting Seasons

Legal Methods and Restrictions

Special restrictions apply to specific firearms use during this season. See Legal Use of Firearms and Archery Equipment and Local Firearms Ordinances for details.

• Modern firearms.
• Archery tackle.
• Muzzleloading firearms.
• Dogs may be used

Crow

Season:

August 20 through March 18 on Wednesdays, Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays.

September 3 through March 18 On National Forest Lands and Department lands on Wednesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays only.

• Crows are a federally regulated migratory species; however, no HIP number is required and hunters may use unplugged shotguns to hunt them.
• Electronic calls may be used on private and public lands. Written permission of the landowner is not required to hunt crows with electronic calls, except when hunting on posted property or on Sundays. Electronic calls may not be attached to or played from a vehicle.

Groundhog

Season:

• Continuous open season on private lands.
• Groundhog hunting on National Forest lands and Department lands is permitted from September 1-March 10 and during the spring turkey season.
• Groundhog hunting is permitted during the spring squirrel season only on Department lands that are open for spring squirrel hunting.
• Groundhog hunting is not permitted on National Forest lands during the spring squirrel season.

Hunting Preserves

Pen-raised game birds may be taken on licensed hunting preserves from September 1 through April 30, including Sundays. A list of hunting preserves open to the public may be obtained at the Department’s Richmond office or on the Shooting Preserves page on this website. A resident hunting on a licensed hunting preserve is required to have a hunting license. A nonresident is required to have either a nonresident hunting license or a special nonresident hunting (shooting) preserve license which is valid only within the boundaries of licensed hunting preserves.

Also see the Virginia Wildlife magazine article “Upland Game Bird Trail” (PDF).

Grouse

Bag Limit:

Three per day.

Season:

• October 29 through February 11: west of I-95
• Continuous closed season: east of I-95

Quail and Pheasant

Bag Limits:

• Quail: six per day
• Pheasant: no daily or seasonal bag limit

Season:

• November 12 through January 31

Rabbit

Bag Limit:

• Six per day

Season:

• November 5 through February 28

Squirrel (Gray, Red, and Fox)

Bag Limit:

• All squirrels combined – six per day.

Fall Seasons:

• Gray and Red Squirrels: September 3 through February 28 – statewide
• Fox Squirrels: September 3 through January 31 in the following designated areas only – Counties west of the Blue Ridge and in the counties of Albemarle, Bedford, Culpeper, Fauquier, Franklin, Greene, Loudoun, Madison, Orange, Patrick, Prince William, and Rappahannock.

Spring Season:

• June 3 through 17, 2017: Closed on National Forest lands.

Gray and red squirrels may be harvested statewide, unless otherwise posted, and on the following wildlife management areas: Amelia, Big Survey, Big Woods, Briery Creek, Cavalier, Chickahominy, Dick Cross, Doe Creek, Fairystone (including Fairystone State Park and Philpott Reservoir), Featherfin, Gathright, Goshen, Hardware River, Havens, Highland, Hog Island (Carlisle Tract only), Horsepen, James River, Lake Robertson, Little North Mountain, Mattaponi, Merrimac Farm, Pettigrew, Phelps, Powhatan (including the Goochland Tract), Rapidan, Short Hills, Stewarts Creek, G. Richard Thompson, Turkeycock Mountain, and White Oak Mountain.

Fox squirrels may be harvested on all lands, unless otherwise posted, in all counties with an open fox squirrel season during the fall squirrel season and on the following wildlife management areas: Big Survey, Gathright, Goshen, Havens, Highland, Lake Robertson, Little North Mountain, Merrimac Farm, Phelps, Rapidan, Short Hills, Stewarts Creek, and G. Richard Thompson.

Furbearer Hunting Seasons

Legal Methods and Restrictions

Special restrictions apply to specific firearms use during these seasons. See Legal Use of Firearms and Archery Equipment and Local Firearms Ordinances for details.

• Modern firearms.
• Archery tackle.
• Muzzleloading firearms.
• Dogs may be used (except where prohibited, see Hunting with Dogs).
• Electronic calls may be used for bobcat, coyote, and fox as long as the call is not attached to or played from a vehicle.
• Hunting permitted day or night.
• Lights may be used as long as the light is not attached to or cast from a vehicle.
• Night vision scopes and laser sights may be used.
• No hunting of raccoons on Sundays, except until 2:00 a.m. on Sunday mornings.
• Sunday hunting of furbearers other than raccoons is permitted on private lands with written permission of the landowner.
• No Sunday hunting of furbearers on public lands, except raccoons, which may be hunted until 2:00 a.m. on Sunday mornings.

Bobcat

Bag Limit

Two per hunting party taken between noon one day and noon the following day.

Archery

Season:

October 1 through 31: statewide

Legal Methods and Restrictions

• It is unlawful to use dogs when hunting with bow and arrow or crossbow during the bobcat archery season.
• It is unlawful to have a firearm in possession.

Firearms

Season:

November 1 through February 28: statewide

Dogs May Not Be Used to Hunt Bobcats:

During the firearms season for deer in the counties of Alleghany, Amherst (west of Route 29), Augusta, Bath, Bedford, Botetourt, Campbell (west of Norfolk Southern Railroad), Clarke, Frederick, Highland, Nelson (west of Rt. 151), Page, Pittsylvania (west of Norfolk Southern Railroad), Rockbridge, Rockingham, Shenandoah, and Warren and within the boundaries of the George Washington/Jefferson National Forests.

Electronic Checking Requirement for Bobcats

All hunters or trappers who kill a bobcat are required to report the kill within 24 hours through the Department’s electronic harvest reporting system. Bobcats can be checked with a touch-tone telephone (a rotary phone will not work) by calling the toll-free number 1-866-GOT-GAME (468-4263). Bobcats can also be checked online.

Before using the telephone or Internet checking system, you will need your hunting license number, a pen, and a piece of paper to record your confirmation number. If you are exempt from purchasing a license, you will need your driver’s license number or the last four digits of your Social Security number.

At the end of the check-in session, you will be provided with a confirmation number that is a letter followed by 11 digits. Write this number down and store it in a secure location where it can be retrieved to prove compliance with the checking requirement or to request CITES tags. If your telephone or Internet session is cut off before you get a complete confirmation number, start the session again and continue until the complete confirmation number is obtained. If you have more than one bobcat to check in, you will have the opportunity to report additional animals at the end of the session.

If you plan to take the bobcat to a taxidermist, you must securely attach written documentation to the carcass that includes the full name of the hunter or trapper, date of kill, and the harvest confirmation number.

Bobcats legally killed by landowners outside the season are not required to be checked in using the electronic harvest reporting system. If you plan to take a bobcat to a taxidermist that does not require checking, you must securely attach the same information described above (except for the confirmation number) and a description of how the bobcat was legally obtained.

CITES Tagging Requirement For Bobcats

Bobcat pelts that are sold, traded, or transported out of state must also have a CITES tag affixed to each animal. A valid confirmation number will be needed to obtain a CITES tag. No CITES tag is needed to have a bobcat mounted by a Virginia taxidermist or to ship a bobcat pelt out-of-state for tanning purposes (unless required by the state where the tannery is located).

To obtain a CITES tag for a bobcat, contact License Sales and Information at (866) 721-6911 during regular business hours. If you cannot reach License Sales and Information, you can contact a Conservation Police Officer through your nearest Department regional office) or your local Sheriff’s Office (after hours). Every effort will be made to provide CITES tags as quickly as possible, but we may not be able to accommodate short notice requests received on weekends or after hours. Nonresident hunters or trappers who need to leave the state before they are able to secure a CITES tag should plan to leave the bobcat pelt or carcass in the care of someone in Virginia until a tag can be attached.

Make sure that you have a valid harvest confirmation number for each CITES tag requested. Tags ordered from our Customer Service Center will be mailed directly to the hunter or trapper, along with instructions for tagging. If a bobcat pelt is required to have a CITES tag affixed, it must be tagged by April 1.

Coyote

Season:

Continuous open season except on National Forest lands and Department lands. Coyote hunting on National Forest lands and Department lands is permitted from September 1 through March 10 and during the spring turkey season. Coyotes may also be hunted on Department lands during the spring squirrel season unless otherwise posted (see area listings for spring squirrel season).

Coyote Bounty Law

Coyote bounties are not administered by DGIF. Counties have the option of establishing their own coyote bounty system. For more information, hunters and trappers should contact their County Administrator or County Board of Supervisors.

Fisher

Continuous closed season for hunting or trapping fisher. Please report verifiable sightings.

Opossum

Season:

October 15 through March 10: statewide

Skunk

Season:

Continuous open season to hunt striped skunk except on National Forest lands and Department lands.

Striped skunk hunting on National Forest lands and Department lands is permitted from September 1 through March 10 and during the spring turkey season. Striped skunks may also be hunted on Department lands during the spring squirrel season unless otherwise posted (see area listings for spring squirrel season).

Continuous closed season for taking spotted skunks, and the pelts of spotted skunks may not be sold.

Fox

Firearms

Season:

November 1 through February 28

Closed in Albemarle, Clarke, Culpeper, Fauquier (except Quantico), Loudoun, Louisa, and Rappahannock counties.

Dogs May Not Be Used to Hunt Foxes:

During the firearms season for deer on the Gathright, Goshen, Highland, and Little North Mountain Wildlife Management Areas and within the boundaries of the George Washington/ Jefferson National Forests.

Chase Only

NO FOXES MAY BE TAKEN EXCEPT DURING THE FIREARMS SEASON.

Licenses Required:

License requirements are the same as those for hunting foxes with firearms. However, a Fox Hunting License to hunt foxes on horseback with hounds without firearms may be purchased in lieu of a basic hunting license. This license exempts the licensee from having to complete the hunter education program.

Season:

Continuous open season statewide (including Sundays) unless noted below.

• Closed March 1 through October 31 and during the firearms season for deer on the George Washington/Jefferson National Forests and on Gathright, Goshen, G. Richard Thompson, Highland, and Little North Mountain WMAs.
• Closed March 1 through October 31 on Rapidan WMA.

Restrictions:

• Unlawful to have in possession a firearm when hunting fox outside of the firearms fox season. Possession shall include, but not be limited to, having any firearm in or on one’s person, vehicle, or conveyance.

Electronic Calls

Electronic calls may be used to hunt bobcats, coyotes, crows and foxes, but not other species. With the exception of crows (see page 46), written permission of the landowner is required to hunt with electronic calls on private lands. Electronic calls may also be used on public lands (except where specifically prohibited) during periods when the use of firearms is allowed. Electronic calls may not be attached to or played from a vehicle.

Raccoon

Bag Limit:

• East of the Blue Ridge: Two per hunter taken between noon one day and noon the following day.
• West of the Blue Ridge: Two per hunting party (individual or organized) taken between noon one day and noon the following day.

Firearms

Season:

October 15 through March 10: statewide

Legal Methods and Restrictions

• Raccoons may be hunted until 2:00 a.m. Sunday mornings.
• Lights may be used as long as the light is not attached to or cast from a vehicle.

Chase-Only Season

NO RACCOON MAY BE TAKEN EXCEPT DURING THE FIREARMS SEASON.

Continuous open season statewide (including Sundays) Except on Department-controlled lands west of the Blue Ridge Mountains and on National Forest lands.

August 13 through September 24 (including Sundays) On Department-controlled lands west of the Blue Ridge Mountains and on National Forest lands where bear hound training is permitted).

Restrictions:

It is unlawful to have in possession a firearm, bow, axe, or any tree climbing device when chasing raccoons outside of the firearms season. Possession shall include, but not be limited to, having these devices in or on one’s person, vehicle, or conveyance while engaged in the act of chasing.

Doves:

Season Dates	Sep 2-Oct 29
	Nov 22-Nov 29
	Dec 23-Jan 15
Shooting Hours	Sep 2-Sep 8	Noon until sunset
	Sep 9-Oct 29	½ hr before sunrise to sunset
	Nov 22-Nov 29	½ hr before sunrise to sunset
	Dec 23-Jan 15	½ hr before sunrise to sunset
Bag Limit	15 daily & 45 in possession. Composed of mourning doves and white-winged doves, singly or in combination.
Woodcock
Season Dates	Nov 20-Dec 8
	Dec 21-Jan 15
Bag Limit	3 daily, 9 in possession
Shooting Hours	½ hr before sunrise until sunset
Snipe
Season Dates	Oct 6-Oct 9
	Oct 21-Jan 31
Bag Limit	8 daily, 24 in possession
Shooting Hours	½ hr before sunrise until sunset
September Teal Season
Season Dates	Sep 16-Sep 30 Hunt area: East of I-95
	Sep 21-Sep 30 Hunt area: West of I-95
Bag Limit	6 daily, 18 in possession (Blue-winged & Green-winged teal only)
Shooting Hours	½ hr before sunrise to sunset
Ducks, Mergansers, Coots
Season Dates	Oct 6-9 (Black duck closed)
	Nov 15-Nov 26
	Dec 16-Jan 28
	Oct 21, Feb 3-Youth days
Bag Limit	Ducks – Daily bag limit: 6 ducks of any species except for the following restrictions: can include no more than 4 mallards (only 2 can be hen mallards), 3 wood ducks, 2 scaup, 2 redheads, 2 canvasback, 2 black duck (except closed Oct 6-9), 1 pintail, 1 mottled duck, 1 fulvous whistling duck, 4 scoters, 4 long-tailed ducks and 4 eiders. Closed season on harlequin duck.
	Mergansers – 5 mergansers daily, of which only 2 birds may be hooded mergansers.
	American Coot – 15 daily
	The possession limit is three times the daily bag limit
Shooting Hours	½ hr before sunrise until sunset daily

Fishing

Creel & Length Limit	Geographic Exceptions	Creel or Length Limits for Exceptions
Bass	Briery Creek Lake	No bass 16 to 24 inches, only 1 per day longer than 24 inches
5 per day in the aggregate (combined) No statewide length limits	Buggs Island (Kerr)	Only 2 of 5 bass less than 14 inches
	Claytor Lake	No bass less than 12 inches
	Flannagan Reservoir	No bass less than 12 inches
	Lake Gaston	Only 2 of 5 bass less than 14 inches
	Leesville Reservoir	Only 2 of 5 bass less than 14 inches
	Lake Moomaw	No bass less than 12 inches
	Philpott Reservoir	No bass less than 12 inches
	Quantico Marine Base waters	No bass 12 to 15 inches
	Smith Mt. Lake and its tributaries below Niagara Dam	Only 2 of 5 bass less than 14 inches
	South Holston Reservoir	No smallmouth less than 15 inches, 15 spotted bass per day
	Clinch River–within the boundaries of Scott, Wise, Russell or Tazewell counties	No bass less than 20 inches, only 1 bass per day longer than 20 inches
	Dan River and tributaries down-stream from the Union Street Dam, Danville	Only 2 of 5 bass less than 14 inches
	James River–Confluence of the Jackson and Cowpasture rivers (Botetourt Cty) downstream to the 14th St. Bridge in Richmond	No bass 14 to 22 inches, only 1 per day longer than 22 inches
	New River–Fields Dam (Grayson County) downstream to the VA-WV state line and its tributaries Little River downstream from Little River Dam in Montgomery County, Big Walker Creek from the Norfolk Southern Railroad Bridge downstream to the New River and Wolf Creek from the Narrows Dam downstream to the New River in Giles County. (This does not include Claytor Lake which is delineated as: The upper end of the island at Allisonia downstream to the dam.)	No bass 14 to 22 inches, only 1 per day longer than 22 inches
	North Fork Holston River–Rt. 91 Bridge upstream of Saltville, Va. downstream to the Va-Tn state line	No bass less than 20 inches, only 1 per day longer than 20 inches
	North Fork Shenandoah River– Rt. 42 bridge, Rockingham Co. downstream to the confluence with S. Fork Shenandoah at Front Royal	No bass 11 to 14 inches
	Potomac River – Virginia tidal tributaries above Rt. 301 bridge	No bass less than 15 inches from March 1 through June 15
	Roanoke (Staunton) River–and its tributaries below Difficult Creek, Charlotte County	Only 2 of 5 bass less than 14 inches
	Shenandoah River– Confluence of South Fork and North Fork rivers, Front Royal, downstream to the Warren Dam, near Front Royal	No bass 11 to 14 inches
	Base of Warren Dam, near Front Royal downstream to Rt. 17/50 bridge	No bass 14 to 20 inches, only 1 per day longer than 20 inches
	Rt. 17/50 bridge downstream to VA–WV state line	No bass 11 to 14 inches
	South Fork Shenandoah River– Confluence of North and South rivers below Port Republic, downstream to Shenandoah Dam, near Town of Shenandoah	No bass 11 to 14 inches
	Base of Shenandoah Dam, near Town of Shenandoah, downstream to Luray Dam, near Luray	No bass 14 to 20 inches, only 1 per day longer than 20 inches
	Base of Luray Dam, near Luray, downstream to the confluence with North Fork of Shenandoah, Front Royal	No bass 11 to 14 inches
	Staunton River–Leesville Dam (Campbell County) downstream to the mouth of Difficult Creek, Charlotte County	No smallmouth bass less than 20 inches, only 1 per day longer than 20 inches
Striped Bass	Buggs Island (Kerr) Reservoir including the Staunton (Roanoke) River to Leesville Dam and the Dan River to the Union Street Dam (Danville)	October 1–May 31: 2 per day in the aggregate (combined) No striped bass or hybrid striped bass less than 24 inches
4 per day in the aggregate No fish less than 20 inches		June 1–September 30: 4 per day in the aggregate (combined) No length limit.
	Lake Gaston	4 per day in the aggregate (combined) October 1–May 31: No striped bass or hybrid striped bass less than 20 inches June 1–September 30: No length limit
	Smith Mountain Lake and its tributaries, including the Roanoke River upstream to Niagara Dam	2 per day in the aggregate (combined) November 1–May 31: No striped bass 30 to 40 inches June 1–October 31: No length limit
Walleye, Saugeye	New River upstream of Buck Dam in Carroll County	No walleye less than 20 inches
5 per day in the aggregate No walleye or saugeye less than 18 inches	New River downstream from Claytor Dam	No walleye less than 18 inches
	Claytor Lake and the New River upstream of Claytor Lake Dam to Buck Dam in Carroll County	February 1–May 31: 2 walleye per day; no walleye 19 to 28 inches June 1–January 31: 5 walleye per day; no walleye less than 20 inches
Sauger
2 per day No statewide length limits	None apply	None apply
White Bass
5 per day No statewide length limits	South Holston Reservoir	No harvest or possession (catch and release only)
Chain Pickerel
5 per day No statewide length limits	Gaston and Buggs Island (Kerr) reservoirs	No daily limit
Northern Pike
2 per day No pike less than 20 inches	None apply	None apply
Muskellunge
2 per day No muskellunge less than 30 inches	New River-Fields Dam (Grayson County) downstream to Claytor Dam, including Claytor Lake	1 per day No muskellunge less than 42 inches
	New River-Claytor Dam downstream to VA-WV state line	1 per day June 1–last day of February: No muskellunge between 40 to 48 inches March 1–May 31: No muskellunge less than 48 inches
Bluegill
50 per day in the aggregate (combined) No statewide length limits	Gaston and Buggs Island (Kerr) reservoirs and that portion of the New River from the VA–NC state line downstream to the confluence of the New and Little rivers in Grayson County	No daily limit
Crappie
25 per day in the aggregate (combined) No statewide length limits	Gaston and Buggs Island (Kerr) reservoirs and that portion of the New River from the VA–NC state line downstream to the confluence of the New and Little rivers in Grayson County	No daily limit
	Flannagan and South Holston reservoirs	No crappie less than 10 inches; South Holston Res.–15 per day in the aggregate (combined)
Rock Bass
25 per day No statewide length limits	Gaston and Buggs Island (Kerr) reservoirs and that portion of the New River from the VA–NC state line downstream to the confluence of the New and Little rivers in Grayson County	No daily limit
	Nottoway and Meherrin rivers and their tributaries	5 per day in the aggregate (combined) with Roanoke bass No rock bass less than 8 inches
	South Holston Reservoir	20 per day
Roanoke Bass
No statewide daily limit No statewide length limits	Nottoway and Meherrin rivers and their tributaries	5 per day in the aggregate (combined) with rock bass No Roanoke bass less than 8 inches
Perch
No statewide daily limit No statewide length limit	Lake Moomaw	10 per day
Trout
6 per day 7 inch minimum size No minimum size limit	South Holston Reservoir	7 fish per day—only 2 lake trout. No minimum size.
Catfish
Channel, White and Flathead 20 per day No length limits	All rivers below the fall line	No daily limit
Blue	Kerr Reservoir
20 per day No statewide length limits	James River and its tributaries below the fall line and York River and its tributaries (including the Pamunkey River and Mataponi River) below the fall line All rivers below the fall line other than the James River and its tributaries and the York River and its tributaries	20 per day, except only 1 blue catfish per day longer than 32 inches No daily limit, except only 1 blue catfish per day longer than 32 inches No daily limit
Yellow, brown, black, flat, and snail bullhead No daily limit No length limits	None apply	None apply
All Catfish	South Holston Reservoir	20 per day, only 1 catfish per day longer than 34 inches