Virginia outdoor will impress you with its exciting and varied hunting opportunities. It’s time to prepare and plan for the thrilling experiences that lie ahead as hunters excitedly anticipate the start of the hunting season. This thorough schedule guide will provide all the information you need for a successful and enjoyable hunting season in Virginia, whether you are an experienced hunter or a novice. Let’s explore the world of Virginia hunting and be ready for a season to remember, from crucial dates and places to particular restrictions and hunting chances.
Virginia Hunting Schedules
Deer, elk, bear, and turkey are among the bigger game species that may be found in Virginia, along with minor game like squirrels and quail. Virginia has year-round hunting seasons in the stunning Appalachian Mountains.
For a thrilling hunting season, Virginia offers the ideal mix of breathtaking nature, American history, and southern charm.
Here’s a structured, visually organized table format with proper headings while maintaining uniqueness and readability:
🦌 Big Game
White-Tailed Deer
| Season Type | Dates (2025-2026) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Archery (Early) | Oct 4 – Nov 14 | Statewide |
| Archery (Late) | Nov 30 – Jan 3 | County-specific |
| Urban Archery | Sep 6 – Oct 3 / Jan 4 – Mar 29 | Extended seasons |
| Muzzleloader | Nov 1–14 (Early) / Dec 13 – Jan 3 (Late) | |
| Firearms | Nov 15 – Jan 3 | Varies by county |
| Youth Weekend | Sep 27–28 |
Bag Limits:
- East of Blue Ridge: 2/day, 6/year
- West of Blue Ridge: 2/day, 5/year
🐻 Black Bear
| Zone | Dates | Restrictions |
|---|---|---|
| Western | Sep 29 – Jan 3 | Buchanan, Dickenson, Lee |
| Central | Oct 4 – Jan 3 | |
| Eastern Shore | Closed | No hunting |
| Youth Weekend | Oct 11–12 |
Rules:
- 1 bear/year (≥100 lbs live weight)
- No cubs or sows with cubs
🦃 Turkey
Spring 2026
| Segment | Dates | Hunting Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Regular | Apr 11–26 | ½ hr before sunrise–noon |
| Extended | Apr 27 – May 16 | All day |
| Youth Weekend | Apr 4–5 |
Fall 2025:
- Archery: Oct 4 – Nov 14
- Firearms: Oct 18 – Jan 24 (county-specific)
- Bag Limit: 1/day (either sex)
🦫 Furbearers
| Species | Season Dates | Special Rules |
|---|---|---|
| Bobcat | Archery: Oct 4–31 / Firearms: Nov 1 – Feb 28 | 2/day, electronic reporting |
| Coyote | Year-round (private) / Sep 1 – Mar 10 (public) | No bag limit |
| Fox | Red: Nov 1 – Feb 28 / Gray: Jan 1 – Feb 28 | No harvest during chase |
| Raccoon | Oct 15 – Mar 10 | 2/day (east), 2/party (west) |
🐦 Upland Birds & Small Game
| Species | Dates | Bag Limit |
|---|---|---|
| Grouse | Oct 25 – Feb 14 | 3/day |
| Quail | Nov 8 – Jan 31 | 6/day |
| Squirrel | Sep 6 – Feb 28 (Fall) / Jun 6–20 (Spring) | 6/day |
| Rabbit | Nov 1 – Feb 28 | 6/day |
🦆 Waterfowl
Ducks
- Segments:
- Oct 10–13, 2025
- Nov 19–30, 2025
- Dec 19, 2025 – Jan 31, 2026
- Bag Limit: 6/day (species restrictions apply)
Geese
| Type | Dates | Daily Limit |
|---|---|---|
| Canada (Resident) | Nov 19–30 / Dec 19 – Feb 22 | 5 |
| Light (Snow/Ross’s) | Oct 18 – Jan 31 / Feb 1 – Apr 5 (Conservation) | 25+ |
🎯 Special Seasons
- Sunday Hunting: Allowed (except 200 yards from places of worship).
- Quota Hunts: WMAs (apply by August; lottery for elk, turkey, etc.).
(All dates subject to change; verify with Virginia DWR.)
Regulations
- One bear is caught yearly. Bears need 100 pounds to survive (or minimum 75 pounds field dressed). Nursing bears are off-limits.
- Elk hunting reduces bag limits and deer licenses. Elk are licensed and registered like deer. Successful elk hunters must contact GIF to collect disease samples. In areas where elk populations are rebuilding, the Virginia Department of Game & Inland Fisheries has banned elk hunting.
- A hunter may take one turkey every day, two in fall, and three annually.
VA Hunting License.
| (Licenses) | For Non-Resident | For Resident |
|---|---|---|
| (Sportsmans) | Not Applicable | 100 USD |
| (Resident 1 Year Hunting License) | 111 USD | 23 USD |
| (Bear) | 151 USD | 21 USD |
| (Archery) | 31 USD | 18 USD |
| (Muzzleloading) | 31 USD | 18 USD |
To be eligible for a license, you must be:
• Applicants must have lived in the city, county, or state for six months before purchasing a license.
• Legal Virginia voters: Bear, deer, and turkey hunting need a license. Archery hunting requires a license and permission.
VA Hunting Important & Quick Links
FAQ
What are the dates for the Virginia hunting season?
Archery game runs from September to December, and there are other reasons for shooting deer with firearms. Quail shooting with a shotgun is permitted from October to December, and there are specified seasons for both firearm and muzzleloader bear hunting. During the archery in October and the gun season in November, turkey hunting may be enjoyed.
Is it legal to go hunting on Sundays in the state of Virginia?
Virginia allows Sunday hunting. Hunters may now hunt all week thanks to the lifting of the Sunday hunting ban. However, certain restrictions apply. Sundays prohibit shooting deer or bears with dogs or guns within 200 yards of a place of worship or any accessory structure. These rules allow hunters to incorporate Sundays in their Virginia hunting trips and maximize the season.
Can I hunt on Sundays on private land without a formal permit?
If you get the landowner’s permission, you may hunt on Sundays in Virginia without a permit. You must have a Virginia hunting license and follow hunting laws. Respect the landowner’s property and rules. Hunters may hunt on Virginia private property on Sundays by following these rules and getting permission.
Is it acceptable to use a firearm or other lethal weapon, together with the assistance of a dog, to hunt bears or deer on Sundays?
No, it is not permissible to hunt bears or deer on Sundays in Virginia using a firearm or any other dangerous weapon with a dog. This activity is specifically prohibited by the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources, except for using a dog to track injured or dead animals. Sunday dog-hunting for deer or bear may result in fines up to $500, as well as possible Class 3 misdemeanor charges that could lead to up to 6 months in jail and/or fines of up to $1,000. Hunters must follow these rules and use ethical hunting techniques.
Can I hunt deer or bear with a dog in Virginia?
It’s generally forbidden to use dogs to hunt deer or bears in Virginia. There could be certain exceptions, such as utilizing dogs to find injured or deceased wildlife.
Dates & Regulations Source: dwr.virginia.gov
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