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Virginia Hunting Season 2023

We set out to create the most simplified guide to Virginia hunting seasons for 2023.

Want to find out season dates, learn about regulations and bag limits, understand license requirements, and get access helpful links?

Then you’ll love the info outlined in today’s guide. Let’s dive right in.

Virginia Hunting Seasons

Virginia Hunting Season Dates

Virginia has some great deer and black bear hunting.

Virginia Deer Season 2023

SeasonOpening DateClosing DateZone
Firearms General Season11/13/2111/27/21
Firearms Full Season11/13/211/1/22
Early Archery*10/2/2111/12/21-Statewide
Late Archery*11/28/211/1/22-In all areas west of the Blue Ridge unless noted below.
-Season Exception: Clarke and Floyd counties and on private lands in Frederick County.
11/29/211/1/22-On all National Forest and Department-owned lands west of the Blue Ridge.
-On the C. F. Phelps WMA.
-On National Forest lands in Amherst, Bedford and Nelson counties.
12/1/211/1/22-In the cities of Chesapeake, Suffolk (east of the Dismal Swamp line), and Virginia Beach.
12/12/211/1/22-In the counties (including the cities and towns within) of Amherst (west of Route 29), Bedford, Floyd, Franklin, Henry, Nelson (west of Route 151), and Patrick.
Early Muzzleloader*10/30/2111/12/21-There is no early muzzleloader season in the cities of Chesapeake, Suffolk (east of the Dismal Swamp line), or Virginia Beach since it occurs during the general firearms season.
Late Muzzleloader Season West of the Blue Ridge*12/11/211/1/22-In all areas west of the Blue Ridge unless noted in the season exception below.
Season Exception:
There is no late muzzleloader season in Clarke County and on private lands in Frederick County since it occurs during the general firearms season.

Virginia Wild Turkey Season 2023

Fall Archery: October 2, 2023 - November 12, 2023

Fall Youth: October 9, 2023 - October 10, 2023

Fall General Turkey: October 16 - January 22, 2024

Spring General Turkey: April 9, 2024 - May 14, 2024

Spring Youth: April 2, 2024 - April 3, 2024

Virginia Bear Season 2023

SeasonOpening DateClosing DateZone
Archery10/2/2111/12/21Statewide
Muzzleloader11/6/2111/12/21Statewide in all areas where hunting with a muzzleloading rifle is permitted.
Early Firearms9/27/219/29/21*See below for details.
General Season10/1/211/1/22Chesapeake, Suffolk, Virginia Beach
11/22/211/1/22*See below for details.
11/29/211/1/22*See below for details.
11/29/2112/18/21*See below for details.
Bear Hound
Chase/ Training
11/13/2111/27/21
8/1/219/25/21

Virginia Hunting Zone 2023

See the map below for a breakdown of Virginia's hunting zones:

Virginia Bag Limit 2023

Virginia Hunting License 2023

In order to qualify for a liscence you can be :

  1. Resident of the city, county or state for 6 months, immediately preceding the date of
    purchasing a license.
  2. Legal Voters in Virginia
    In addition to hunting bear, deer or turkey a license is required in addition to a hunting license. If you were to get an archery in addition to hunting, you will need a permit plus license.
LicenseResidentNonresident
Sportsmans$100N/A
Resident 1 Year Hunting License$23$111
Bear$21$151
Archery$18$31
Muzzleloading$18$31

Virginia Hunting Regulations 2023

You have to wear orange while hunting in Virginia.

Helpful Resources

Official State Site: https://dwr.virginia.gov/hunting/regulations/

FAQs
When does hunting season start in Virginia?

Virginia's deer season opens as early as September 4, 2023.

What animals can you hunt in Virginia?

In Virginia you can hunt deer, elk, coyote, turkey, bear, fox, duck, pheasant, dove and more.

How much is a hunting license in Virginia?

A hunting license costs $23 for residents and $111 for nonresidents. You will then need additional licenses depending on the weapon and animal you're hunting.

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Born in the northeast, Hunters Guides originally began as a resource to help hunters navigate complex season regulations. After a few months, we realized there was a greater opportunity to help promote hunting. So we started creating the resource we wish existed - a site rich with videos, tutorials and how-to's.

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