Virginia archery season offers hunters great game options like elk and deer. You also have turkey and small game like quail and squirrel in abundance throughout the state. Virginia hunting seasons are available throughout the year, with amazing landscapes set against the backdrop of the Appalachian Mountains.
Archery season Archery Season, 2022-2023
The “Mother of States” has a stable deer population, and it’s renowned as one of the country’s best states for deer hunting, with estimates of 1.27 million animals throughout all hunting zones. Plan your trip using the mobile hunting app available on the government website.
When does Archery Season Start in VA?
Virginia Bear Seasons
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Youth Hunt October 8-9
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Archery October 1-November 18
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General Season October 1-January 7*
*Season dates vary by zone. Hunters may harvest one bear per year. Bear minimum weight limits are 100 lbs live or 75 lbs field dressed. It’s illegal to take female bears with cubs.
Virginia Deer Seasons
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Youth Hunt September 24-25
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Early Archery October 1-November 18
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Late Archery December 1-January 7*
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Urban Archery September 3-30 / January 8-March 26
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NOVA Late Archery March 27-April 30
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General Season November 19-January 7*
*Season dates vary by region.
Virginia Elk Seasons
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The general season runs alongside the open deer season
Taking elk counts toward your deer permit and bag limit. Licenses and check-in procedures are the same as deer. Successful elk hunters must contact the Department of Game and Inland Fisheries to allow the collection of disease samples. Elk hunting is closed in some zones.
Virginia Turkey Seasons
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Fall Archery October 1-November 18
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Fall Youth Hunt October 8-9
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Fall General Season October 22-January 28*
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Spring General Season April 8-May 13
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Spring 2023 Youth Hunt April 1-2
*Season dates vary by region. Hunters may take one turkey per day, no more than two total during the fall season, and three per year.
Virginia Small Game Seasons
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Crow August 20-March 17
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Groundhog Open Season
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Grouse October 29-February 11 / Closed west of I-95
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Quail and Pheasant November 12-January 31
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Rabbit November 5-February 28
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Squirrel Red/Gray September 3-Feb. 28
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Fox September 3-January 31
Special seasons, bag limits, and hunting regulations vary based on season and animal.
What are the Legal Hunting Hours in Virginia (VA)?
Legal hunting hours start 30-minutes before sunrise to 30-minutes after sunset.
Hunting Licenses and Permits in VA
Visit the Virginia Fish, Wildlife & Parks website for more details on purchasing your hunting licenses and permits.
Virginia Residents
A resident is a person who has lived in the state permanently for three months. Active duty military personnel and full-time students count as residents.
Non-Residents
Non-residents over must purchase Hunting Licenses.
Youth Hunting Licenses
Virginia residents and non-residents under 12 don’t need a hunting license or education. Non-residents under 12 must have a hunting license but don’t need hunting education. All hunters under 12 must hunt with a licensed adult. Virginia residents and non-residents ages 12 to 15 may purchase a junior hunting license.
Senior Hunting Licenses
Virginia residents aged 65 can apply for the reduced-fee Resident Senior Citizen Hunting License.
Disability Licenses
Permanently disabled Virginia residents and non-residents can apply for a Totally and Permanently Disabled Resident Special Hunting Lifetime License.
Veteran and Military Licenses
Active-duty military personnel stationed in Virginia for a minimum of 30 days can buy a resident hunting license. Resident veterans with service-connected disabilities can apply for a reduced-fee Resident Annual Hunting License for 70% Partially Disabled Veterans. Or they can apply for the free Service-Connected Totally and Permanently Disabled Veteran Resident Lifetime Hunting License.
Migratory Waterfowl Requirements
Hunters aged 16 or older must buy a Virginia Migratory Bird Permit and Federal Duck Stamp when hunting migratory waterfowl. The permit is proof of participation in the Harvest Information Program (HIP).
License Expiration
Virginia hunting licenses are valid from July 1 to June 30 of the following year. Virginia residents and non-residents can purchase lifetime hunting licenses.
Check out our guide 30+ Hunting Rules to Keep You Safe while bowhunting in the wild.
