VIRGINIA

Deer Hunting Season Dates and Resources

Youth Deer Hunting Day

September 26

• Statewide, except in Fairfax, Loudoun, and Prince William counties.
• Deer hunters 15 years of age and under, when in compliance with all applicable laws and license requirements, may hunt deer when accompanied and directly supervised by an adult who has a valid Virginia hunting license on his person or is exempt from purchasing a hunting license.
• Deer of either sex may be taken.
• Modern firearms, muzzleloading firearms, and archery tackle can be used, subject to local firearms restrictions.
• Adult hunters accompanying youth deer hunters may not carry or discharge weapons.
• Blaze orange requirements and exceptions for firearms deer season are in effect (see General Hunting Regulations).
• Deer hunting with dogs is prohibited.

Archery Deer Seasons

Early Antlerless-Only Archery Season

During this season only antlerless deer may be taken.

September 5-October 2

• In Fairfax, Loudoun and Prince William counties (except on Department-owned lands).

Archery Either-Sex Deer Hunting

• Deer of either sex may be taken full season during the early and late archery seasons, unless otherwise noted below.
• Only antlered deer may be taken during the early and late archery deer seasons on PALS (Public Access Lands) in Dickenson County.

Early Archery Season

October 3-November 13: Statewide

Late Archery Seasons

November 30-January 2:

• In all areas west of the Blue Ridge (except Clarke and Floyd counties and on private lands in Frederick County).
• In the counties (including the cities and towns within) of Amherst (west of Rt. 29), Bedford, Campbell (west of Norfolk Southern Railroad), and Nelson (west of Rt. 151).
• On the Chester F. Phelps WMAand on National Forest lands in Frederick County.

December 1-January 2:

• In the cities of Chesapeake, Suffolk (east of the Dismal Swamp line), and Virginia Beach.

December 14-January 2:

• In the counties (including the cities and towns within) of Floyd, Franklin, Henry, and Patrick.

Virginia Bowhunter Survey Participants Needed

In 1997,the Department initiated a statewide bowhunter survey to obtain information on bear,deer,turkey,small game,and furbearer populations. Deer data collected provides important information relative to deer population trends,adult sex ratios,and recruitment. Approximately 300 archers have participated in the past few years. The Department would like to increase the number and distribution of cooperators across the Commonwealth. If you would like to participate in this survey,please indicate your interest and send your mailing address to mike.fies@dgif.virginia.gov. Participants will receive an annual survey form to complete during the early archery deer season and a copy of the results after they are compiled. The Department appreciates your interest and cooperation.

Urban Archery Deer Seasons

During this season only antlerless deer may be taken.
September 5-October 2 and January 4-March 27

• Within the incorporated limits of the cities of Colonial Heights, Danville, Emporia, Franklin, Fredericksburg, Lynchburg, Martinsville, Radford, Richmond, Staunton, Winchester and the towns of Altavista, Amherst, Blacksburg, Christiansburg, Farmville, Independence, Kenbridge, Pulaski, Purcellville, Richlands, Rocky Mount, Saltville, Tazewell, West Point and in Fairfax County.
• Lists of properties available for hunting are not maintained by the Department or local governments.
• Go to the Urban Archery Season page on this website for local restrictions and other urban archery information.

Legal Methods and Restrictions During Archery Deer Seasons

Special restrictions may apply during this season. See Legal Use of Firearms and Archery Equipment and Local Firearms Ordinances for details.

• Archery tackle (including crossbows) only.
• Broadhead widths must be at least 7/8-inch wide or expand upon impact to 7/8-inch.
• Bows must be capable of propelling a broadhead arrow at least 125 yards.
• It is unlawful to use explosive head arrows or arrows to which any drug, chemical or toxic substance has been added.
• It is unlawful to use dogs.
• IIt is unlawful to have a firearm in possession (see exception for concealed handgun permit holders) except that a muzzleloading firearm, as defined in the muzzleloader deer seasons section, may also be in possession when and where there is an overlap with a muzzleloading deer season where deer hunting with a rifle or muzzleloading firearm is permitted.

Muzzleloader Deer Seasons

Early Muzzleloader Season

October 31-November 13:

• In all areas where deer hunting with a rifle or muzzleloading firearm is permitted unless noted in the season exception listed below.
• Season Exceptions:
• Closed in the cities of Chesapeake, Suffolk (east of the Dismal Swamp line), and Virginia Beach.

Either-sex Deer Hunting Days East of the Blue Ridge:
October 31-November 13 (full season):

• In all areas (including Occoneechee State Park) unless otherwise noted below.
• November 7:
• On State Forest lands, State Park lands (except Occoneechee State Park), Department-owned lands, and Philpott Reservoir.
• Antlered deer only-no either-sex deer hunting days:
• OOn National Forest lands in Amherst, Bedford and Nelson counties.

Either-sex Deer Hunting Days West of the Blue Ridge:

• November 7:
• On private lands in Alleghany, Augusta, Bath, Bland, Botetourt, Craig, Giles, Highland, Page, Pulaski, Rockbridge, Rockingham (except on private lands west of Routes 613 and 731), Scott, Shenandoah, and Wythe counties and on National Forest lands in Craig, Bland, Giles, Montgomery, and Pulaski counties and on National Forest and Department-owned lands in Carroll, Roanoke, and Wythe counties.
• October 31-November 13 (full season):
• In Clarke and Floyd counties and on private lands in Carroll, Frederick, Grayson, Montgomery, Roanoke, and Warren counties.
• Antlered deer only-no either-sex deer hunting days:
• In the counties of Buchanan, Dickenson, Lee, Russell, Smyth, Tazewell, Washington, and Wise and on National Forest lands in Alleghany, Botetourt, Frederick, Grayson, Page, Rockingham, Scott, Shenandoah, and Warren counties, and on National Forest and Department-owned lands in Augusta, Bath, Highland, and Rockbridge counties and on Grayson Highlands State Park and on private lands west of Routes 613 and 731 in Rockingham County.

Late Muzzleloader Season

December 12-January 2:

• West of the Blue Ridge (except Clarke County and on private lands in Frederick County).
• East of the Blue Ridge in the counties (including cities and towns within) of Amherst (west of Rt. 29), Bedford, Campbell (west of Norfolk Southern Railroad), Franklin, Henry, Nelson (west of Rt. 151), and Patrick, and in the cities of Chesapeake, Suffolk (east of the Dismal Swamp line), and Virginia Beach.

Either-sex Deer Hunting Days:

• December 28-January 2:
• On private lands in Alleghany, Augusta, Bath, Bland, Botetourt, Craig, Giles, Highland, Page, Pulaski, Rockbridge, Rockingham (except on private lands west of Routes 613 and 731), Shenandoah, and Wythe counties and on National Forest lands in Craig, Bland, Giles, Montgomery, and Pulaski counties and on National Forest and Department-owned lands in Carroll, Roanoke, and Wythe counties and in the cities of Chesapeake, Suffolk (east of the Dismal Swamp line), and Virginia Beach.
• December 12-January 2 (full season):
• In the counties of Amherst (west of U.S. Route 29 except on National Forest lands), Bedford (except on National Forest lands), Campbell (west of Norfolk Southern Railroad), Floyd, Franklin, Henry, Nelson (west of Route 151 except on National Forest lands), and Patrick and on private lands in Carroll, Grayson, Montgomery, Roanoke and Warren counties.
• January 2:
• In the counties of Dickenson (north of Rt. 83), Lee, Russell, Scott, Smyth, Tazewell, Washington, and Wise and on National Forest lands in Alleghany, Amherst, Bedford, Botetourt, Frederick, Grayson, Nelson, Page, Rockingham, Shenandoah, and Warren counties, and on National Forest and Department-owned lands in Augusta, Bath, Highland, and Rockbridge counties and on private lands west of Routes 613 and 731 in Rockingham County and Grayson Highlands State Park.
• Antlered deer only-no either-sex deer hunting days:
• In Buchanan and Dickenson (south of Rt. 83).