Bear Hunting Firearms Seasons
In the counties of Buchanan, Dickenson, Lee, Russell, Scott, Washington, and Wise.
- Early Firearms
September 29 through October 1 - Archery
October 4 through November 14 - Muzzleloader
November 8 through 14 - Firearms
November 24 through January 3
In the counties of Arlington, Bland, Caroline, Charlotte, Chesterfield, Craig, Fairfax, Fluvanna, Giles, Goochland, Halifax, Hanover, Henrico, Louisa, Mecklenburg, Montgomery, Orange, Powhatan, Prince Edward, Prince William, Pulaski, Roanoke, Smyth, Spotsylvania, Stafford, Tazewell, and Wythe.
- Archery
October 4 through November 14 - Muzzleloader
November 8 through 14 - Firearms
November 24 through January 3
In the counties of Albemarle, Alleghany, Amherst, Appomattox, Augusta, Bath, Bedford, Botetourt, Buckingham, Clarke, Culpeper, Fauquier, Frederick, Greene, Highland, Loudoun, Madison, Nelson, Page, Rappahannock, Rockbridge, Rockingham, Shenandoah, and Warren.
- Archery
October 18 through November 14 - Muzzleloader
November 11 through 14 - Firearms
November 28 through 30, and December 22 through January 3
In the counties of Amelia, Brunswick, Campbell, Carroll, Charles City, Cumberland, Dinwiddie, Essex, Floyd, Franklin, Gloucester, Grayson, Greensville, Henry, Isle of Wight, James City, King & Queen, King George, King William, Lancaster, Lunenburg, Mathews, Middlesex, New Kent, Northumberland, Nottoway, Patrick, Pittsylvania, Prince George, Richmond, Southampton, Surry, Sussex, Westmoreland, and York.
- Archery
October 4 through November 14 - Muzzleloader
November 8 through 14 - Firearms
December 1 through January 3
In the cities of Chesapeake, Suffolk, and Virginia Beach.
- Archery
October 4 through November 14 - Firearms
October 1 through January 3
Closed Season
In the counties of Accomack
and Northampton.
Towns and Cities
Bears may be harvested using any lawful weapon within the incorporated limits of any town or city that allows bear hunting from October 4 through January 3. This season will not supersede local ordinances with respect to hunting or use of weapon.
Legal Methods and Restrictions
Special restrictions apply to specific firearms use during this season. See Legal Use of Firearms and Archery Tackle and Local Firearms Ordinances for more details.
- Modern firearms
- Arrowguns are allowed
- Archery tackle (excludes slingbows)
- Muzzleloading firearms
Bear Hound Training/Chase Seasons
NO BLACK BEAR MAY BE TAKEN DURING THIS SEASON.
Hours
4:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m., including Sundays (except as noted under the map below). See maps and information below for dates, locations, and other restrictions.
Licenses Required
Same for hunting seasons where bears can be taken. See licenses, stamps, and permits section for appropriate required licenses.
Unlawful Methods
- It is unlawful to dislodge an animal from a tree for the intent of continuing a hunt, or chase, or for the purpose of training dogs.
- It is unlawful to chase, hunt, or train dogs from baited sites or with use of bait.
- It shall be unlawful to use for the purpose of taking a bear any firearm, bow, crossbow, or any weapon capable of taking a black bear while participating in the bear hound training season.
- August 1 through September 27 (including Sundays), December 1 through December 20 (excluding Sundays)
- August 1 through September 27 (including Sundays), November 15 through November 29 (including Sundays)
- August 1 through September 27 and November 15 through November 23 (all including Sundays)
- November 15 through November 23 (including Sundays)
- August 1 through September 27 (including Sundays) except Cavalier WMA (August 9 through August 23)
- November 15 through November 29 (including Sundays)
- November 15 through November 27 (including Sundays), December 1 through December 20 (excluding Sundays)
- December 1 through December 20 (excluding Sundays)
- Closed Season
Dogs May Not Be Used to Hunt Bears:
- It is unlawful to hunt or kill a bear on Sunday within 200 yards of a place of worship, or any accessory structure thereof, with a gun, firearm, or other weapon with the aid or assistance of dogs.
- November 24 through 30 in the counties west of the Blue Ridge and in the counties of Amherst (west of Rt. 29), Bedford, and Nelson (west of Rt. 151).
- November 24 through November 28 in Madison and Greene counties.
- During the firearms bear season in the counties of Campbell (west of Norfolk Southern Railroad), Carroll (east of the New River), Fairfax, Floyd, Franklin, Grayson (east of the New River), Henry, Loudoun, Montgomery (south of I-81), Patrick, Pittsylvania (west of Norfolk Southern Railroad), Pulaski (south of I-81), Roanoke (south of I-81), and Wythe (southeast of the New River or that part bounded by Rt. 21 on the west, I-81 on the north, the county line on the east, the New River on the southeast and Cripple Creek on the south), and in the city of Lynchburg.
- On the Amelia, C. F. Phelps, Doe Creek, Featherfin, G. Richard Thompson, Mattaponi, Mattaponi Bluffs, Merrimac Farm, Oakley Forest, Flippo-Gentry, Pettigrew, Robert W. Duncan, Tye River, and Ware Creek Wildlife Management Areas (WMAs), and other areas posted on WMAs.
- When hunting during the archery or muzzleloading bear seasons, except in certain counties during the youth/apprentice bear hunting weekend.
- On Cavalier WMA except during the Bear Hound Training Season from August 9 through 23. Dogs may not be used to hunt bears at any other time.
