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.
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.
Virginia Hunting Seasons
Bear
Season
Dates
Areas
Archery Bear Season
October 5 to November 15
Statewide
Youth and Apprentice Bear Hunting Weekend
October 12 and 13
Statewide
Muzzleloader Bear Season
November 9 to 15
Statewide
Early Firearms Bear Season
September 30 to October 2
Specific counties including Bland, Buchanan, Craig, and others
Firearms Bear Season
October 1 to January 4
Cities of Chesapeake, Suffolk, and Virginia Beach
Firearms Bear Season
November 25 to January 4
Various counties including Albemarle, Alleghany, Amherst, and others
Firearms Bear Season
December 2 to January 4
Counties including Amelia, Appomattox, Brunswick, and others
Deer
Archery
Early Archery
October 5 – November 15
Late Archery
December 1 – January 4, December 15 – January 4
Archery Either-Sex
Full season during early and late archery
Urban Archery
September 7 – October 4, January 5, 2025 – March 30, 2025 (antlerless only)
NOVA Late Archery
March 31, 2025 – April 27, 2025 (antlerless only)
Muzzleloader
Early Muzzleloader
November 2 – November 15 (either-sex east of Blue Ridge)
Late Muzzleloader
December 14 – January 4 (either-sex east of Blue Ridge)
Firearms
General Firearms
November 16 – November 30 (various options)
Extended Firearms
November 16 – January 4 (various options)
Early and Late Antlerless Only
September 7 – October 4, January 5, 2025 – March 30, 2025
Combined Cities and Towns
November 16 – January 4 (either-sex)
Elk
Elk Management Zone
Elk Hunt
October 12 – October 18, 2024
Permits
Six permits
Outside Elk Management Zone
Archery
October 5 – November 15
December 1 – January 4
December 15 – January 4
Urban Archery
September 7 – October 4
January 5, 2025 – March 30, 2025 (antlerless only)
NOVA Late Archery
March 31, 2025 – April 27, 2025 (antlerless only)
Muzzleloader
November 2 – November 15
December 14 – January 4
Firearms
November 16 – November 30
November 16 – January 4
Early and Late Antlerless Only
September 7 – October 4
January 5, 2025 – March 30, 2025
Combined Cities and Towns
November 16 – January 4
Turkey
Archery Turkey
October 5 – November 15
Youth and Apprentice Fall Turkey Weekend
October 12 – October 13
Fall Firearms Turkey
October 19 – November 1
November 28 (in select counties)
October 19 – November 1
November 27 – November 28
December 2 – December 28
January 11 – January 25 (in select counties)
October 19 – November 1
November 27 – November 28
December 2 – December 14 (in select counties)
October 19 – November 1
November 27 – November 28
December 2 – December 14
January 11 – January 25 (in select counties)
Youth and Apprentice Spring Turkey Weekend
April 5 – April 6
Spring Turkey
April 12 – April 27 (sunrise to 12 noon)
April 28 – May 17 (sunrise to sunset)
VA Furbearer
Bobcat
Archery Season
October 5 – October 31
Firearms Season
November 1 – February 28
Coyote
Continuous open
Except on National Forest and Department lands from September 1 – March 10 and during the spring turkey season
Fisher
Continuous closed
Red Fox
Firearms Season
November 1 – February 28 (closed in select counties)
Gray Fox
January 1 – February 28 (closed in select counties)
Opossum
October 15 – March 10
Raccoon
October 15 – March 10
Raccoon
Chase-Only
Continuous open season statewide, except on Department-controlled lands west of the Blue Ridge Mountains and on National Forest lands
August 1 – September 28 on Department-controlled lands west of the Blue Ridge Mountains and on National Forest lands where bear hound training is permitted
Striped Skunk
Continuous open
Except on National Forest and Department lands from September 1 – March 10 and during the spring turkey season
Spotted Skunk
Continuous closed
VA Furbearer Trapping
Furbearer
Trapping
Beaver
December 1 – February 28
Bobcat
November 15 – February 29
Coyote
Continuous open
Fisher
Continuous closed
Red Fox
November 15 – February 28
Gray Fox
November 15 – February 28
Mink
December 1 – February 28
Muskrat
December 1 – February 28
Nutria
Continuous open
Opossum
November 15 – February 28
Otter
December 1 – February 28
Rabbit
October 15 – January 31 (box traps only)
Raccoon
November 15 – February 28
Striped Skunk
Continuous open
Spotted Skunk
Continuous closed
Weasel
December 1 – February 28
Small Games in Virginia
Small Game
Dates
Crow
August 17 – March 21 (Mon, Wed, Fri, Sat)
September 2 – March 10 (Mon, Wed, Fri, Sat)
Groundhog
Continuous open season on private lands
September 1 – March 10
During spring turkey season on National Forest and Department lands
During spring squirrel season on Department lands
Grouse
October 26 – February 8 west of I-95
Continuous closed east of I-95
Quail & Pheasant
November 9 – January 31
Rabbit
November 2 – February 28
Squirrel (Gray, Red)
September 7 – February 28
Fox Squirrel
September 7 – January 31
Spring Squirrel
June 7 – 21, 2025 (Closed on National Forest lands)
VA Migratory
Virginia Dove
First Segment: September 2 – October 20
15 per day, 45 in possession. Mourning doves and white-winged doves, singly or in combination
Second Segment: November 23 – December 1
Third Segment: December 20 – January 20
Rails and Gallinules
September 13 – November 3
Clapper/King Rails: 15 counted together daily (only 1 king rail), possession limit 45 (only 3 king rails)
November 14 – December 1
Sora/Virginia Rails: 25 counted together daily, 75 in possession
Gallinules: 15 per day counted together, 45 in possession
Woodcock
November 11 – November 30
3 per day, 9 in possession
December 27 – January 20
Snipe
September 30 – December 1
8 per day, 24 in possession
December 19 – January 31
VA Waterfowl
Species
Season Dates
Bag Limit
September Teal
East of I-95: September 16 – 30
6 per day, 18 in possession (blue-winged and green-winged teal only)
West of I-95: September 21 – 30
Mergansers
October 11 – 14
5 birds daily, 15 in possession
November 20 – December 1
December 19 – January 31
Ducks
October 11 – 14
6 ducks of any species with restrictions
November 20 – December 1
Possession limit: 3 times the daily bag limit
December 19 – January 31
Coots
October 11 – 14
15 per day, 45 in possession
November 20 – December 1
December 19 – January 31
Canada Goose
Atlantic Population Zone:
2 per day (6 in possession)
December 19 – January 1
January 16 – 31
Resident Population Zone:
5 per day (15 in possession)
November 20 – December 1
December 19 – February 23
September Canada Goose
September 1 – 25
10 per day, 30 in possession
Light Goose
October 17 – January 31
25 per day, no possession limit
Atlantic Brant
December 23 – 31
1 per day, 3 in possession
January 11 – 31
Tundra Swan
November 15 – January 31
1 per permittee per season
WMA Waterfowl Hunting
WMA
Season Dates
James River
Opening day, Wednesdays, and Saturdays of the duck and goose seasons
Mattaponi
October 11–14
Game Farm Marsh
October 11, 12, 14; November 20–December 1; December 19–January 31
Ware Creek
Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays of the duck and goose seasons
Doe Creek
Saturdays during the last two segments of the general waterfowl season
Robert W. Duncan
October 11–14, Thursdays, and Sundays of the duck and goose seasons
Mattaponi Bluffs
October 11–14; January 6–February 8, 2025, Wednesdays and Saturdays after quota hunt period
Youth & Veterans Days
October 26, 2024; February 8, 2025
Youth & Veterans Waterfowl Hunt
Youth & Veterans Waterfowl Hunting Days
26-Oct-24
Statewide
28-Feb-25
Statewide
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.
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.
John Lewis, the passionate founder of HuntingSeasons.org, is committed to promoting responsible hunting and a profound love for the wilderness. With years of expertise, his platform serves as a reliable guide for hunting enthusiasts, advocating ethical practices and nature preservation.
