During the Virginia Muzzleloader Hunting Season, only muzzleloading firearms, .45 caliber or larger, loaded from the muzzle of the gun. Muzzleloading firearms must be single shot, capable of firing only a single bullet or saboted bullet (.38 caliber or larger). Flintlock, percussion, or electronic ignitions are permitted.
Virginia Muzzleloader Hunting Season 2024-2025
Find hunting season dates HERE
Virginia Muzzleloader Regulations
It is unlawful to have in immediate possession any firearm other than a muzzleloading gun while hunting with a muzzleloader. (See exception for valid concealed handgun permit holders on page 18.) It is unlawful to use muzzleloading pistols. Must use at least 50 grains of black powder or black powder equivalent. Smokeless powder is allowed in muzzleloading firearms designed for it. Never use smokeless powder of any type in any quantity in a muzzle-loading firearm that is not specifically designed for it. Scopes are permitted. For the purposes of transportation in a vehicle, muzzleloading firearms are considered unloaded when all powder has been removed from the flashpan, or the percussion cap, primer, or battery has been removed from the firearm. For complete safety, shooting into soft ground should empty a muzzleloader
Bag Limits
East of the Blue Ridge (except on National Forest lands in Amherst, Bedford, and Nelson counties) The bag limit for deer shall be two a day, six a license year. Of the six-deer limit, no more than three may be antlered deer and at least three must be antlerless deer (unless noted in the exception below).
- The daily bag limit for deer shall be unlimited in Arlington, Fairfax, Loudoun, and Prince William counties (including the cities and towns within). However, no more than three antlered deer may be killed in a license year.
West of the Blue Ridge and on National Forest lands in Amherst, Bedford, and Nelson counties The bag limit for deer shall be one a day and five a license year. Of the five-deer limit, no more than two may be antlered deer and at least three must be antlerless deer (unless noted in the exceptions below).
- The daily bag limit for deer shall be two a day on private lands in Clarke, Frederick, Roanoke, Shenandoah, and Warren counties (including the cities and towns within).
- If a deer hunter kills two antlered bucks in a license year in Alleghany, Augusta, Bath, Highland, Rockbridge, Rockingham, or Shenandoah County, at least one of the bucks must have at least four antler points, one inch or longer, on one side of the antlers.
General Muzzleloader Seasons:
This information is subject to change, for more information visit: http://www.dgif.virginia.gov/
Additional Links
SEASON DATES AND REGULATIONS GAME WILDLIFE
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