2015-2016 Deer Seasons:
Archery Season:
Early Archery Season:
Oct. 3 – Nov. 13: Statewide
Late Archery Season:
Nov. 29 – Jan. 2: In all areas west of the Blue Ridge, and in the counties of Amherst (west of Route 29), Bedford, and Nelson (west of Route 151).
Nov. 30 – Jan. 2: On the Chester F. Phelps WMA and on National Forest Lands in Frederick County
Dec. 1 – Jan. 2: In the cities of Chesapeake, Suffolk (east of the Dismal Swamp line), and Virginia Beach
Dec. 13 – Jan. 2: In the counties of Floyd, Franklin, Henry, and Patrick
Northern VA Late Antlerless-only Season:
Mar. 28 – Apr. 24: In Arlington, Fairfax, Loudoun, and Prince William counties. During this season only antlerless deer may be taken.
Urban Archery Deer Seasons:
Sept. 5 – Oct. 2, Jan. 3 – Mar. 27: Within the incorporated limits of the cities of Chesapeake (except on Department-owned lands), Colonial Heights, Danville, Emporia, Franklin, Fredericksburg, Galax, Hopewell, Lexington, Lynchburg, Martinsville, Poquoson, Radford, Richmond, Staunton, Suffolk, and Winchester; and in the towns of Altavista, Amherst, Bedford, Blacksburg, Blackstone, Chatham, Christiansburg, Farmville, Halifax, Hurt, Independence, Irvington, Kenbridge, Pearisburg, Pulaski, Richlands, Rocky Mount, Saltville, Smithfield, Stuart, Tazewell, West Point, and Wytheville; and in the counties of Chesterfield, Fairfax, James City, Roanoke (except on National Forest and Department-owned lands), and York. Archery or crossbow deer hunters hunting during the early urban archery deer season are required to wear blaze orange on the Youth and Apprentice Deer Hunting Weekend. For exceptions to the blaze orange requirement. During this season only antlerless deer may be taken.
Muzzleloader Deer Season:
Oct. 31 – Nov.13: There is no early muzzleloading season in the cities of Chesapeake, Virginia Beach, or Suffolk (east of the Dismal Swamp line) since it occurs during the general firearms season.
Either-sex Deer Hunting East & West of the Blue Ridge:
Oct. 31 – Nov. 13 (full season): In all areas (including Merrimac Farm WMA and Occoneechee State Park). On private lands in Carroll, Clarke, Floyd, Frederick, Grayson, Montgomery, Roanoke, Shenandoah, and Warren counties.
Nov. 7, Nov. 9 – Nov. 13: On private lands in Botetourt County.
Nov. 7: On private lands in Alleghany, Augusta, Bath, Bland, Craig, Giles, Highland, Page, Pulaski, Rockbridge, Rockingham (except on private lands west of Routes 613 and 731), Scott, Smyth, Washington, and Wythe counties.
Antlered deer only-no either-sex deer hunting days: On National Forest and Department-owned lands in all counties west of the Blue Ridge Mountains. On private lands in Buchanan, Dickenson, Lee, Rockingham (west of Routes 613 and 731), Russell, Tazewell, and Wise counties. On Channels State Forest, Grayson Highlands State Park, PALS (Public Access Lands) in Dickenson County, and Flannagan Reservoir.
Late Muzzleloader Season East of the Blue Ridge:
Dec. 12 – Jan. 2: In the counties of Amherst (west of Route 29), Bedford, Franklin, Henry, Nelson (west of Route 151), and Patrick, and in the cities of Chesapeake, Suffolk (east of the Dismal Swamp line), and Virginia Beach.
Either-sex Deer Hunting East of the Blue Ridge:
Dec. 12 – Jan. 2 (full season): In the counties of Amherst (west of Route 29 except on National Forest lands), Bedford (except on National Forest lands), Franklin, Henry, Nelson (west of Route 151 except on National Forest lands), and Patrick.
Dec. 28 – Jan. 2: In the cities of Chesapeake, Suffolk (east of the Dismal Swamp line), and Virginia Beach.
Jan. 2: On National Forest lands in Amherst, Bedford, and Nelson counties.
Late Muzzleloader Season West of the Blue Ridge:
Dec. 12 – Jan. 2: Season Exception: Closed in Clarke County and on private lands in Frederick County since it occurs during the general firearms season.
Either-sex Deer Hunting West of the Blue Ridge:
Dec. 12 – Jan. 2 (full season): On private lands in Carroll, Floyd, Grayson, Montgomery, Roanoke, Shenandoah, and Warren counties.
Dec. 28 – Jan. 2: On private lands in Augusta, Bland, Botetourt, Craig, Giles, Page, Pulaski, Rockbridge, Rockingham (except on private lands west of Routes 613 and 731), Scott, Smyth, Washington, and Wythe counties. On National Forest and Department-owned lands in Carroll, Craig, Bland, Giles, Montgomery, Pulaski, Roanoke, and Wythe counties.
Jan. 2: On private lands in Alleghany, Bath, Dickenson (north of Route 83), Highland, Lee, Rockingham (west of Routes 613 and 731), Russell, Tazewell, and Wise counties. On National Forest and Department-owned lands in Alleghany, Augusta, Bath, Botetourt, Dickenson (north of Route 83), Frederick, Grayson, Highland, Lee, Page, Rockbridge, Rockingham, Russell, Scott, Shenandoah, Smyth, Tazewell, Warren, Washington, and Wise. On Channels State Forest, Grayson Highlands State Park, and Flannagan Reservoir.
Firearms Deer Season:
Nov. 14 – Nov. 28: In the counties of Amherst (west of Rt. 29), Bedford, Botetourt, Carroll, Craig, Giles, Grayson, Montgomery, Nelson (west of Rt. 151), Pulaski, Roanoke, Shenandoah, Warren, and Wythe.
Nov. 14 – Nov. 28: In the counties of Lee, Page, Rockbridge, Russell, and Tazewell.
Nov. 14 – Jan. 2: In the counties of Accomack, Albemarle, Arlington, Clarke, Culpeper, Fairfax, Fauquier, Frederick, Greene, Greensville, Hanover, Henrico, Isle of Wight, James City, King George, Lancaster, Loudoun, Madison, Northampton, Northumberland, Orange, Prince George, Prince William, Rappahannock, Richmond, Southampton, Stafford, Suffolk (west of the Dismal Swamp line), Surry, Sussex, Westmoreland, and York.
Sept. 5 – Oct. 2, Jan. 3 – Mar. 27: In the counties of Arlington, Fairfax, Loudoun, and Prince William. Local firearm ordinances prohibit the discharge of firearms in Arlington County.
Nov. 14 – Jan. 2: In the counties of Appomattox, Brunswick, Buckingham, Charlotte, Dinwiddie, Lunenburg, Mecklenburg, Nottoway, Prince Edward, Amelia, Caroline, Chesterfield, Cumberland, Fluvanna, King and Queen, King William, Powhatan, Amherst (east of Rt. 29), Campbell, Charles City, Essex, Gloucester, Goochland, Halifax, Louisa, Mathews, Middlesex, Nelson (east of Rt. 151), New Kent, Pittsylvania and Spotsylvania.
Nov. 14 – Nov. 28: In the counties of Augusta, Rockingham, Scott, Smyth, Washington, Buchanan, Dickenson, Wise, Alleghany, Bath, Bland, and Highland.
Nov. 14 – Dec. 12: In the counties of Henry, Patrick, Floyd, and Franklin.
Oct. 1 – Nov. 30: In the cities of Chesapeake, Suffolk (east of the Dismal Swamp line), and Virginia Beach.
2015-2016 Bear Seasons:
Youth & Apprentice Bear Hunting Day: Oct. 10-11
Statewide, bag limit is one per license year, at least 100 pounds live weight or 75 pounds dressed weight
Archery Bear Season: Oct. 3 – Nov. 13
Statewide, bag limit is one per license year, at least 100 pounds live weight or 75 pounds dressed weight
Muzzleloader Bear Season: Nov. 7 – 13
Statewide in all areas where hunting with a muzzleloading rifle is permitted, bag limit is one per license year, at least 100 pounds live weight or 75 pounds dressed weight
Firearms Bear Season:
Oct. 1 – Jan. 2: In the cities of Chesapeake, Suffolk, and Virginia Beach.
Nov. 23 – Jan. 2: In the counties of Albemarle, Alleghany, Amherst, Arlington, Augusta, Bath, Bedford, Bland, Botetourt, Caroline, Chesterfield, Clarke, Craig, Culpeper, Fairfax, Fauquier, Fluvanna, Frederick, Giles, Goochland, Greene, Hanover, Henrico, Highland, Loudoun, Louisa, Madison, Montgomery, Nelson, Orange, Page, Powhatan, Prince William, Pulaski, Rappahannock, Roanoke, Rockbridge, Rockingham, Shenandoah, Smyth, Spotsylvania, Stafford, Tazewell, Warren, Washington, Wythe, and on the Clinch Mountain and Hidden Valley Wildlife Management Areas and Channels State Forest and within the incorporated limits of any independent city, not listed, that allows bear hunting.
Dec. 7 – Dec. 26: In the counties of Carroll, Floyd, Franklin, Grayson, Henry, Montgomery, Patrick, Pulaski, Smyth, Washington, Wythe.
Dec. 7 – Jan. 2: In the counties of Buchanan, Dickenson, Lee, Russell, Scott, Washington, and Wise.
Nov. 30 – Dec. 5: In the counties of Amelia, Appomattox, Brunswick, Buckingham, Campbell, Charles City, Charlotte, Cumberland, Dinwiddie, Essex, Gloucester, Greensville, Halifax, Isle of Wight, James City, King and Queen, King George, King William, Lancaster, Lunenburg, Mathews, Mecklenburg, Middlesex, New Kent, Northumberland, Nottoway, Pittsylvania, Prince Edward, Prince George, Richmond, Southampton, Surry, Sussex, Westmoreland, and York.
2015-2016 Turkey Seasons:
Youth & Apprentice Fall Turkey Hunting Day: Oct. 17 – Oct. 18
Statewide in counties, cities, and areas with a fall turkey season, bag limit is one turkey per youth/apprentice hunter, per weekend.
Archery Turkey Season: Oct. 3 – Nov. 7
Statewide, bag limit is one per day, three per license year, no more than two of which may be taken in the fall.
Fall Firearms Turkey Seasons:
Oct. 24 – Nov. 6, Nov. 26: In the counties of Albemarle, Allegheny, Augusta, Bath, Greene, Highland, Madison, Orange, Page, Rockingham, and Warren.
Oct. 24 – Nov. 6, Nov. 26, Nov. 30 – Dec. 26, Jan. 9 – Jan. 23: In the counties of Amelia, Amherst, Appomattox, Bedford, Bland, Botetourt, Brunswick, Buckingham, Campbell, Caroline, Carroll, Charlotte, Chesterfield, Clarke, Craig, Culpeper, Cumberland, Dickenson, Dinwiddie, Essex, Fairfax, Fauquier, Floyd, Fluvanna, Franklin, Frederick, Giles, Goochland, Grayson, Greensville, Halifax, Hanover, Henrico, Henry, King and Queen, King William, Lee, Loudoun, Louisa, Lunenburg, Mecklenburg, Montgomery, Nelson, Nottoway, Patrick, Pittsylvania, Powhatan, Prince Edward, Prince William, Pulaski, Rappahannock, Roanoke, Rockbridge, Russell, Scott, Shenandoah, Smyth, Spotsylvania, Stafford, Tazewell, Washington, Wise, and Wythe, and on Camp Peary.
Oct. 24 – Nov. 6, Nov. 26, Nov. 30 – Dec. 12: In the counties of Accomack, Buchanan, Charles City, Gloucester, Isle of Wight, James City, King George, Lancaster, Matthews, Middlesex, New Kent, Northampton, Northumberland, Prince George, Richmond, Southampton, Surry, Sussex, Westmoreland, York (except on Camp Peary), and City of Suffolk.
Youth and Apprentice Spring Turkey Hunting Day: Apr. 2 – Apr. 3
Statewide in counties, cities, and areas with a fall turkey season, bag limit is one turkey per youth/apprentice hunter, per weekend.
Seasons Statewide: Apr. 9 – May 1, May 2 – May 14
2015-2016 Small Game Seasons:
Crow: Aug. 15 – Mar. 18 (Wednesdays, Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays only), Sept. 2 – Mar. 18 (On National Forest Lands and Department lands on Wednesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays only)
Groundhog: Continuous open season on private lands
Grouse: Oct. 24 – Feb. 13
Bag limit is 3 per day
Quail & Pheasants: Nov. 7 – Jan. 31
Bag limit is 6 per day for quail, pheasant has no daily or seasonal bag limit
Rabbit: Oct. 31 – Feb. 29
Bag limit is 6 per day
Squirrel:
Gray & Red Squirrel: Sept. 5 – Feb. 29
Fox Squirrel: Sept. 5 – Jan. 31
Spring Season: June 4 – June 18
2015-2016 Waterfowl Seasons:
Dove: Sept. 5 – Sept. 11, Sept. 12 – Nov. 1, Nov. 21 – Nov. 29, Dec. 24 – Jan. 15
Bag limit is 15 per day, 45 in possession. Composed of mourning doves and white-winged doves, singly or in combination
September Canada Goose: Sept. 1 – Sept. 25
Bag limit is 10 daily, 30 in possession
September Teal: Sept. 17 – Sept. 30
Bag limit is 6 daily, 18 in possession (any combination of blue-winged and green-winged teal)
Rails: Sept. 8 – Nov. 16
Bag limit is Clapper/King: 15 – counted together daily, 45 in possession and Sora/Virginia: 25 – counted together daily, 75 in possession
Snipe: Oct. 9 – Oct. 12, Oct. 21 – Jan. 31
Bag limit is 8 daily, 24 in possession
Gallinule & Moorhen: Sept. 8 – Nov. 16
Bag limit is 15 daily, 45 in possession (singly or in combination)
Woodcock: Nov. 23 – Dec. 5, Dec. 15 – Jan. 15
Bag limit is 3 daily, 9 in possession
Duck: Oct. 9 – Oct. 12, Nov. 18 – Nov. 29, Dec. 19 – Jan. 31
Bag limit is 6 ducks of any species except for the following restrictions: can include no more than 4 mallards (only 2 can be hen mallards), 4 scoters, 3 wood ducks, 2 redheads, 2 scaup, 2 pintails, 1 black duck (except closed during Oct. 9-12), 2 canvasbacks, 1 mottled duck, and 1 fulvous whistling duck
Sea Duck Season: Oct. 17 – Jan. 31
Bag limit is 7 per day (21 in possession), but may include no more than 4 scoters (12 in possession)
Coots: Oct. 9 – Oct. 12, Nov. 18 – Nov. 29, Dec. 19 – Jan. 31
Bag limit is 15 per day, 45 in possession
Mergansers: Oct. 9 – Oct. 12, Nov. 18 – Nov. 29, Dec. 19 – Jan. 31
Bag limit is 5 birds daily, of which only 2 birds may be a hooded merganser
Light Goose: Oct. 17 – Jan. 31
Bag limit is 25 per day, no possession limit
Canada Goose (Atlantic Population Zone): Nov. 24 – Nov. 29, Dec. 19 – Jan. 31
Bag limit is 2 geese par day
Canada Goose (Southern James Bay Population Zone): Nov. 18 – Nov. 29, Dec. 19 – Jan. 14, Jan. 15 – Feb. 15
Bag limit is 5 geese per day
Atlantic Brant: Jan. 2 – Jan. 31
Bag limit is 1 per day, 3 in possession
Tundra Swan: Nov. 18 – Jan. 31
Bag limit is 1 per permit
Youth Waterfowl Hunting Days: Oct. 24 & Feb. 6
2015-2016 Furbearers Seasons:
Bobcat:
Archery: Oct. 3 – Oct. 31
Firearms: Nov. 1 – Feb 29
Coyote: Continuous open season
Opossum: Oct. 15 – Mar. 10
Skunk: Continuous open season
Fox: Nov. 1 – Feb. 29
Raccoon: Oct. 15 – Mar. 10
Rabbit: Oct. 15 – Jan.31
Nutria: Continuous open season
Raccoon: Nov. 15 – Feb. 29
Weasel: Dec. 1 – Feb. 29
Mink: Dec. 1 – Feb. 29
Muskrat: Dec. 1 – Feb. 29
More information on Virginia hunting – www.dgif.virginia.gov/hunting/regulations/
