HUNTING LICENSES

A Hunting License is required in the state of Virginia to hunt any game animal. There are a variety of license types available depending on your age, residency status, and what type of game you plan to hunt. Some of the hunting license types in Virginia include:   

Resident Hunting License

The resident hunting license is a base license, meaning that additional licenses and permits are required depending on the type of game animal being hunted. There are a variety of resident hunt license types available including 1, 2, 3, and 4-year licenses and junior licenses, among others. Hunters should ensure that they have obtained all of the necessary licenses and permits required before taking any game animal. 

Resident Sportsman License

This license is available to Virginia residents and permits the holder the same privileges a hunting license, bear license, deer/turkey license, archery license, and muzzleloading license, in addition to some fishing privileges. Additional licenses and permits may still be required. 

Non-resident licenses

There are a variety of non-resident license types available which offer a variety of hunting privileges including junior and adult license types, deer/turkey licenses, bear licenses. Fees for non-resident license types may vary. All hunters should ensure that they’ve obtained the required license types before taking any game.

GAME SPECIES

Virginia offers a wide variety of game species for all types of hunters. Some of the game species in Virginia include: 

• Big game including deer, black bear, elk and turkey.
• Small game including grouse, rabbit, squirrel, and woodcock. 
• Waterfowl and other migratory game birds including ducks, geese, and dove.
• Furbearers including bobcat, fisher, fox, coyote among others.

NON-GAME SPECIES

Nongame species in Virginia make up a majority of the state’s wildlife and include mammals, birds, fish, reptiles, amphibians, and invertebrates which typically may not be hunted, are considered a nuisance or are protected, endangered, or at risk. There is, unfortunately, a lengthy list of endangered, protected, and threatened species within the state. For more information on nongame, and endangered species within the state visit the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources website. 

INVASIVE SPECIES

Invasive animals and other pests have been introduced to the United States, including the State of Virginia, and have become a threat to native wildlife. These animals, plants, fish, and invertebrates typically have no natural predators which can result in rapid spread and population growth. This in turn can seriously harm the state’s lands and waters, and can be detrimental to the health and population numbers of a variety of the state’s native plants and animals. Some common invasive species in Virginia include Brown Marmorated Stinkbug, emerald ash borer and chineses mitten crab among others. 

In order to protect Virginia’s native plants and animals, invasive species must be controlled and eradicated. Anyone who encounters or suspects that they have encountered an invasive species within the state is encouraged to report the sighting so that it can be monitored and controlled. For information on how to report various types of invasive species in Virginia visit the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation website. 

PRIVATE LAND

Much of the land in Virginia is privately owned. Hunters can typically freely take game animals hunted on their own private property, or may seek permission from a landowner to hunt on private property. Hunters who wish to take game on privately owned land must follow state hunting regulations as well as any regulations specified by the landowner. Hunters must ensure they respect the rights and property of the landowner at all times. 

PUBLIC LAND

There are more than 2.5 million acres of accessible lands, many of which are open to hunting, across the state of Virginia. These lands are typically managed by the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources with the purpose of providing wildlife an habitat management, in addition to providing hunting opportunities across the state. 

State-managed lands may have specific rules and regulations in place that must be followed by all land users, including hunters and those participating in other recreational outdoor activities including camping, hiking, wildlife watching, and horseback riding. 

For more information on the rules and regulations that apply to hunters and other recreational users of state lands, visit the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources website.
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Hunting in Virginia’s Wildlife Management Areas

There are more than 40 WMAs across the state of Virginia which are held in trust by the DWR with the goal of maintaining and enhancing wildlife habitats to support both game and nongame species within the state, and to provide hunting, fishing, and trapping opportunities. These spaces re also open to a variety of other recreational activities including wildlife viewing, hiking, and camping among others. For more information on WMAs in Virginia, visiting the Virginia DWR website. 

WMA Regulations

Additional rules and regulations may apply within Wildlife Management Areas, which must be followed by anyone using WMA lands. Some of these regulations may include: 

• Additional access permit requirement
• Camping/fire restrictions
• Restrictions on the use of dogs
• Firearms restrictions
• Baiting restrictions

For more information on the rules and regulations that apply within Virginia’s WMAs visit the Virginia DWR Public Lands page.