About Hunting in Virginia
Historically throughout eastern North America , including Virginia Elk and big game were found, However by the late 1800s unsustainable hunting and habitat resulted in much fewer elk.
That is why protecting the wildlife that surrounds this area is so important and people have nightly and daily routines to monitor suspicious activity so this doesn’t repeat itself in history. Making sure that all precautions and measures are taken are highly important so that the herds have a high population and stay well managed throughout. Restore the wild with Virginia and help ongoing habitat restoration projects across the commonwealth!
Virginia Hunting Seasons
Big Game: Bear, Deer, Elk, Bobcat
Small Game: Groundhog, Rabbit, Squirrel
Birds: Turkey, Crow, Waterfowl
Virginia Hunting Season Dates 2021
| Season | Dates | Zones | Limit | Notes |
| Early Archery | Oct 3- Nov 13 | Statewide | No more than 2 a day, 6 a license year | |
| Late Archery | Nov 29- Jan 2 | In all areas W. of Blue Ridge | No more than 2 a day , 6 a license year | Except Clarke & Floyd counties – private lands in Frederick County. |
| Nov 30- Jan 2 | On all national forest and Department owned lands west of the Blue Ridge- National forests lands in amherst, bedford, nelson | No more than 2 a day , 6 a license year | ||
| Dec 1- Jan 2 | Cities of chesapeake, suffolk (E. of dismal swamp line) & virginia beach | No more than 2 a day , 6 a license year | ||
| Dec 13- January 2 | In counties of Amherst, Bedford, Floyd, Franklin, Henry, Nelson & Patrick | No more than 2 a day , 6 a license year | ||
| Muzzleloader | Oct 31- Nov 13 | No season in Chesapeake, Virginia Beach or Suffolk E. of the Dismal Swamp land) | 2 antlered deer | Antlered deer may be taken every day of the season, Antlerless deer may only be taken on either sex deer. |
| Hunting Days East of the Blue Ridge | No more than 2 a day , 6 a license year | Either Sex- In all areas | ||
| Late Muzzleloader | Dec 12- Jan 2 | Statewide | No more than 2 a day , 6 a license year | |
| Firearms Deer Season | Nov 14- 28 | In counties, Augusta, Botetourt, Carroll, Craig, Giles, Grayson, Montgomery, Pulaski, Roanoke, Rockingham, Shenandoah, Smyth, Warren and Wythe. | No more than 2 a day , 6 a license year | Either Sex |
Virginia Bear Hunting Season 2021
| Season | Dates | Zones |
| Archery | Oct 3- Nov 13 | Statewide |
| Muzzleloader | Nov 7- 13 | Statewide that hunting with a muzzleloading rifle is permitted. |
| Early Firearms | Sept 28- 30 | All west of the ridge and counties right behind the line deemed “east side.’ |
| Firearm | Oct 1- Jan 2,2021 | Chesapeake, Suffolk and Virginia Beach |
| Nov 23 – Jan 2 | West of the ridge and north east with the furthest county Chesterfield | |
| Nov 30- Jan 2 | South East ridge counties | |
| Nov 30 – Dec 19 | Most southern and eastern parts | |
| Bear Hound Chase/ Training | Nov 14- 28 | Most southern and eastern parts |
| Aug 1- Sept 26 | All west and counties on the east of the ridge. |
Virginia Hunting License
In order to qualify for a licence you can be :
- Resident of the city, county or state for 6 months, immediately preceding the date of
purchasing a license. - 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.
| License | Resident | Nonresident |
| Sportsmans | $100 | N/A |
| Resident county or city hunting license | $16.00 | $111 |
| Bear | $21.00 | $151 |
| Archery | $18.00 | $31 |
Find a Hunting Guide
Virginia Hunting News
There are so many multiple types of species offered throughout this great state, starting with the bobcat, black bear, coyote to even the smallest cotton mouse, there are so many varieties and we want to stay motivated to protect them all, so there are abundant natural resources to go around for everybody. To stay highly motivated people can help with an array of issues, including a natural disaster or conducting themselves as a leader for those to follow so that everyone takes the proper measures to stay safe.
Link to Official Site
Virginia State Regulation Site: https://dwr.virginia.gov/conservation-police/
Virginia State PDF:
https://dwr.virginia.gov/wp-content/uploads/media/2020-2021-Virginia-Hunting-and-Trapping-Regulations-Digest.pdf
Virginia License: https://gooutdoorsvirginia.com/