Virginia Hunting Laws Licensing & Regulations

Hunting in Virginia

Virginia is one of the top states in the country for big-game hunting. Hunters will be able to take huge animals such as turkeys, black bears, elk, and deer. Small game is also plentiful in Virginia. The Virginia hunting season is held in the Appalachian Mountains.

Hunting regulations in Virginia

Hunting also includes the use, setting, and drawing of any equipment to take games, whether or not the act of taking the game is successful. You are a part of the hunting process if you aid anyone in the taking of game and wildlife in Virginia.

Some of the hunting limitations, laws, and regulations in Virginia include the following:

Convicted Felon Hunters Face Restrictions

Convicted hunters are not permitted to have guns in their possession when hunting. Possession of muzzleloaders is included. Convicted felons who have previously had their rights to possess firearms restored at the state or federal level are exempt. Furthermore, this prohibition only applies to the possession of guns and not archery, air rifles, or bows.

Use of Loaded Firearms Restriction

In the state of Virginia, a firearm is loaded in the following situations:

If there are shells in the magazine or chamber,
If the nipple is equipped with a percussion cap,
If the gunpowder is in the frozen pan,
In the case of crossbows, they will be deemed loaded when cocked.

Plugged Shotgun Restrictions

Shotguns used to shoot migratory birds in Virginia are only allowed to have three shells in the chamber and magazines. If a plug is required to limit the firearm’s capacity, it will only be a single component.

Suppressor Restrictions

You can take game if you have a suppressor that is legally licensed for hunting in Virginia. You will need the consent of the landowner to hunt with suppressors on private grounds in Virginia.

Regulations for Archery Equipment

In Virginia, it is legal to use compound bows, recurve bows, longbows, and crossbows to hunt game, wildlife, and feral pigs. However, the sort of arrow allowed for hunting species such as bears, deer, and feral hogs should be one with a broadhead. Other restrictions, such as arrow draw weight, length, and let-off, are not controlled for Virginia hunting.

Hunting is prohibited in Virginia.

Some of the prohibited activities while hunting in Virginia are as follows:

It is illegal to hunt on private property that you do not own or without the permission of the landowner. This involves looking for game in railroad, electrical, or gas lines. If the land is posted for hunting, you must seek written permission before hunting on it.
It is illegal in Virginia to hunt while under the influence of alcohol.
Possessing, importing, holding, or releasing wildlife in Virginia without a proper permit from the Virginia Department of Natural Resources is illegal.
It is prohibited to conceal your ownership of illegally obtained games, wildlife, or parts of their bodies.
It is illegal in Virginia to kill or cripple a game if you do not intend to take or retrieve it.
It is illegal to take, kill, or shoot farm deer such as elk, axis deer, fallow deer, red deer, and so on. It is also illegal in Virginia to take, kill, or fire at any exotic wild animal, including deer, antelope, and sheep kept with wildlife licenses for pleasure, sports, and amusement.
It is illegal to hunt or shoot at a game animal from the other side of a major road.
It is illegal to hunt from a vehicle, including a motorboat, a powerboat, or an aircraft.
It is illegal to purchase or sell games or parts of their bodies. Only antlers, tails from squirrels and deer hunting in Virginia, hides from furbearers hunting in Virginia, and body products from elks are exempt.
It is illegal to use a computer or any other similar technology to remotely discharge firearms for the purpose of hunting games or wildlife.
To hunt game in Virginia, it is illegal to utilize things such as chemicals, narcotics, explosives, gas, electronically generated sounds, poisons, and so on.
To take games in Virginia, it is illegal to employ baits, pitfalls, hooks, nets, snares, decoys, deadfalls, and other similar devices.
It is illegal to use communication devices while hunting or pursuing game or wildlife.
It is illegal to disturb games and wildlife in their burrows, holes, or other places where they make their homes.
It is against the law in Virginia to shoot a firearm within 50 yards of any public road.
It is illegal to use lights to blind wildlife when hunting.

Dressing Rules for Hunters

for hunting in specific seasons. While hunting in Virginia, all hunters and escorts must wear fluorescent yellow outer clothes. The cloth must be at least 550 square inches in size and cover the hunter’s waist. A headcover is also possible.

The following are some of the seasons when this dressing is required:

season for deer hunting using firearms and archaic weapons.
Bear hunting with firearms and traditional weapons is legal.
Hunting feral hogs during bear or deer season using a firearm

In Virginia, open carry is permitted while hunting.

Open carry is authorized in Virginia, especially for hunting.

As a result, you can legally own, handle, and use firearms and other forms of weapons for hunting, fishing, legal wildlife gaming, and camping.

The state has hunter harassment regulations that make it illegal to disrupt authorized hunting activity.

Among them are the following:

A person must not intentionally interfere with or disrupt hunting activities such as fishing and gambling in any state-owned or privately held wildlife area or aquatic body.
A person must not attempt to change the natural habitat of wildlife or aquatic bodies in order to hinder or interfere with legitimate hunting in the state.

Hunting LicHunting Permit and Tags in Virginia

Hunting licenses, permits, and tags in Virginia are issued depending on age and residency. They also have different validity periods.

The following licenses, permits, and tags are issued:

License for Hunting and Fishing

In Virginia, this license combines both hunting and fishing. Holders of this license will be permitted to participate in hunting seasons and fish in numerous bodies of water within the state. The license is valid for three years and is available to both Virginia citizens and nonresidents. Residents pay $30 for a yearly license, while non-residents pay $150. The one that is only valid for one day costs $5 for residents and $30 for non-residents. Then there’s the one-day hunting and fishing license, which costs $1 for residents and $10 for non-residents.

License for Apprentice Hunting and Fishing

This license is valid in Georgia for both fishing and hunting and can be obtained by beginners who require supervision when hunting or fishing. It has a one-day validity and costs $5 for residents and $30 for non-residents.

Hunting License

This is a Virginia hunting license that is accessible to state citizens between the ages of 16 and 64. Nonresident hunters can also obtain it as an out-of-state hunting license. Virginia hunting licenses are valid for three years. Residents pay $15 for a yearly license, while non-residents pay $100. The one that is only valid for one day costs $5 for residents and $20 for non-residents. Then there’s the extra-day hunting and fishing license, which costs $1 for residents and $6 for non-residents.

Senior Sportsman’s Permit

This license is available to all Virginia citizens over the age of 65. A sportsman’s license will allow you to go hunting and fishing. It is, however, exempt from elk hunting. It has a one-year validity period and costs $7.

Licenses for large games

This license is available to both citizens and nonresidents who want to hunt large game in Virginia. It has been good for three years. Residents pay $25 for a yearly license, while non-residents pay $225. A one-day pass costs $10 for residents and $130 for non-residents. Then there’s the extra-day hunting and fishing license, which costs $2 for residents and $8 for non-residents.

Trapping Permit

This is a Virginia game-trapping license that is available to both residents and non-residents of the state. It is only valid for the season of the game in question. Residents pay $40, while non-residents pay $325.

Shooting Preserve Permit

This permit is good for two years. It is available to both residents and nonresidents and costs $12 per person.

Stamps of Migratory Birds and Waterfowl

This is an annual stamp for migratory birds and waterfowl hunting in Virginia. It is valid for two years and is available to both residents and non-residents for $5.

Hunting License for People with Disabilities

This license is eligible for disabled Virginia citizens who desire to participate in state hunting activities. This license has two terms of validity. The annual license is $3, while the three-year license is $9.

Permits and Tags for Virginia Fishing

The following fishing licenses, permits, and tags are available in Virginia:

Fishing License

This license allows holders to fish in a variety of Virginia water bodies. It is open to inhabitants between the ages of 26 and 64, as well as nonresidents of all ages. This license has three different validity periods. Residents pay $15 for a yearly license, while non-residents pay $100. The one that is only valid for one day costs $5 for residents and $20 for non-residents. Then there’s the extra-day hunting and fishing license, which costs $1 for residents and $6 for non-residents.

Youth Fishing License (optional)

This is a fishing license accessible to Virginia teenagers between the ages of 12 and 15. Nonresidents, regardless of age, are not permitted to obtain this license. It is good until the young person reaches the age of 17, and it costs $10.

Trout Permit

This license is required for citizens and nonresidents aged 16 and over who want to fish for mountain trout in Virginia. This license can only be used in conjunction with a basic fishing license. The trout license is valid for three years. Residents pay $10 for a yearly license, while non-residents pay $25. The one that is only valid for one day costs $5 for residents and $10 for non-residents. Then there’s the one-day hunting and fishing license, which costs $1 for residents and $2 for non-residents.

Commercial Fishing Permit

This license is available for commercial use to both citizens and non-residents; however, it is only valid during the hunting season. Residents pay $20, while non-residents pay $200.

License for Disabled Anglers

This license is accessible to Virginia citizens who are disabled and have valid documentation of disability. Non-residents are not eligible to apply. A handicap fishing license in Virginia has two validity periods. The one that is valid for one year costs $3, and the one that is valid for three years costs $9.

2020/2021 Virginia Hunting Season

In Virginia, there are several seasons for hunting games, which are further separated into seasons for the weapons that can be used to hunt these games.

Virginia’s shooting season for various wildlife in 2020–21 includes the following:

Seasons for shooting deer in Virginia

Archery Season (September 12th to January 10th)
Extended Archery Season (September 12th to January 31st)
Season of Primitive Weapons (10th of October to 10th of January)
Firearms Season (October 17th to January 10th)

Seasons for hunting bears in Virginia

Archery Season (September 12th to January 10th)
Season of Primitive Weapons (10th of October to 10th of January)
Firearms Season (October 17th to January 10th)

Turkey Season in Virginia

General Hunting Season (March 20th to May 15th)
Special Opportunity Youth and Mobility Impaired Season (March 13th to 14th)

Elk hunting season in Virginia

General Hunting Season (from the sunset of August 14th to the sunrise of October 5th)

Small Game Hunting Season in Virginia

Season of the Fox and Bobcat (December 1st to February 28th)
Grouse Season (October 15th to February 28th)
Opossum Season (October 15th to February 28th)
Quail Season (November 14th to February 28th)
Rabbit Season (November 14th to February 28th)
Raccoon Season (October 15th to February 28th)
Squirrel Season (August 15th to February 28th)
Woodcock Season (December 5th to January 18th)

It is crucial to note that the dates for each game season in Virginia may vary depending on the hunting zone. In addition, hunting restrictions, bag limits, and special hunting seasons in Virginia vary depending on the game and season.

Virginia Fishing and Wildlife Games

The following games and fauna are available for hunting in Virginia:

Deer hunting in Virginia

Deer hunting is highly popular in Virginia, and it is one of the states in the US with a lot of deer hunting sites. Virginia has around 100 Wildlife Management Areas, each of which ensures excellent deer hunting. The white-tailed deer is found across the state, but it is most common in coastal marsh and forest areas.

Hunting for black bears in Virginia

Because of the state’s growing bear population, black bear hunting in Virginia is on the rise. The number of bears in Virginia is estimated to be in the thousands.

Elk hunting in Virginia

Wetland regions are used for elk hunting in Virginia. They live in swamps, marshes, ponds, lakes, rivers, and other natural bodies of water. Elks have also been discovered in Virginia drainages and ditches near human settlements.

Bobcat hunting in Virginia

Bobcats are one of the most prevalent predators in North America, and they are found across Virginia. They live in different sections of the state, depending on where they can find the greatest prey. Bobcat hunting in Virginia is done mostly in agricultural and woodland areas, where they are most common.

Fox hunting in Virginia

The red fox is a species of fox found in Virginia. The appearance of Red Fox in the United States is due to Europeans who moved there. The red fox can be found practically everywhere in the United States, including Virginia. Red fox hunting in Virginia takes place in the areas of the state where they are most common: forested forests, meadows, and croplands.

Turkey hunting in Virginia

Turkey hunting is quite popular in Virginia, and the state has roughly five species of the animal. Turkeys are widely distributed in Virginia, and wild turkeys can be found practically anywhere.

Hunting for Virginia Grouse

Northern Virginia’s hilly regions are home to grouse. They are birds that like high altitudes. They are also available on several of the state’s public hunting properties.

Rabbit hunting in Virginia

The Eastern cottontail rabbit is the most popular species for rabbit hunting in Virginia. Appalachian cottontail rabbits, marsh rabbits, and swamp rabbits are also present. Cottontail rabbits are the common name for all of them.

Raccoon hunting in Virginia

Raccoons can be found in a variety of habitats in Virginia. They are usually found in the state’s water bodies, such as marches, lakes, streams, wetlands, and rivers. They can also be found in areas with hardwood trees.

Shooting ranges in Virginia

The following public shooting ranges are located in Virginia and are open to the public:

Shooting Range at White Oak Mountain WMA
Timber Ridge Shooting Range
Mr. Marksman.
The Frontier.
The Silver Eagles Organization
Small Arms Range for Sharpshooters
Sporting Clays from Old Forge
Fairfax NRA Range
Rifle Range in Norfolk County
Skeet and Trap Range, NAS Oceana
shooting range at Hite Hollow.
Shooting Range at Gathright WMA
Franklin County Gun Club is a non-profit organization.
Shooting Range at Chickahominy WMA
The Clark Brothers
Shooting Range at Gathright WMA
WMA shooting range C. F. Phelps
Shooting Range in the Amelia Wildlife Management Area (WMA)
The Blue Ridge Arsenal
The Bull Run Public Shooting Range is a shooting range open to the public.

Hunting Land in Virginia for Sale and Lease

Virginia hunting lands for sale include the following:

315 acres in Carroll County, with a magnificent rebuilt farmhouse and cottages, barns, and a ridgetop location.
106-acre beautiful log cabin situated among the folds of the Blue Ridge Mountains in Amherst County, Virginia
228 acres of incredible privacy, deep water, and waterfront acreage hunting. Lynch Station is located in Bedford County.
47 acres in Suffolk, Suffolk City County, for construction, recreation, family compound, and large game hunting.
In Bandy Tazewell County, there are 73 acres of running creek for deer, bear, and turkey hunting, as well as possible ATV trails.
In Suffolk City County, there are 20 acres available for development, entertainment, family compounding, and large game hunting.
In Yale, Sussex County, there are 302 acres for turkey hunting, timber, and residential land.
Kenbridge, Lunenburg County, has 114 acres of great hunting and recreational acreage for sale.
In Axton, Henry County, there are 148.18 acres of land with abundant wildlife like as deer, turkey, and bear.

Virginia hunting lands for lease include the following:

Pittsylvania County has a 240-acre year-round lease available.
75 acres of hunting land are for sale in Beloxam, Accomack County.
100 acres of beautiful wooded land with some fields in Bedford County
478 acres of whitetail deer land are available for lease in Page County, south of Stanley.

Public Hunting Lands in Virginia

Virginia’s public hunting lands include the following:

Accomack County has 447 acres dedicated to whitetail deer, turkey, and duck hunting.
7500 acres in Wythe County for whitetail deer, turkey, predator, and exotic hunting.
3164 acres in Prince Edward County for turkey and exotic hunting.
Highland County has 14283 acres for hunting whitetail deer, turkey, predators, and exotics.
1400 acres in Mecklenburg County for Dove, Quail, Duck, and Exotics hunting.
5217 acres in Charles City County for whitetail deer, turkey, dove, duck, and exotics hunting.