Skip to main content
Virginia

Hunting

Hunting

Virginia › Hunting › Deer/Elk Hunting Information

Deer/Elk Hunting Information

It is illegal to possess or use deer scents or lures that contain natural deer urine or other bodily fluids while taking, attempting to take, attracting, or scouting wildlife in Virginia.

Firearms Either-sex Deer Hunting For Incorporated Cities and Towns

November 16 through January 4

  • Within the incorporated limits of any city or town in Virginia that allows firearms deer hunting (except in the cities of Chesapeake, Suffolk, and Virginia Beach), but only with the specific weapons authorized by each individual city or town.
  • Deer of either sex may be taken full season in the incorporated limits of any city or town in Virginia that allows firearms deer hunting (except in the cities of Chesapeake, Suffolk, and Virginia Beach).
  • Earn a Buck applies to all cities and towns except Chesapeake, Suffolk, and Virginia Beach. See Deer Hunting Earn a Buck.

Legal Methods and Restrictions During Firearms Deer Seasons

Special restrictions apply to specific firearms use during this season. See Legal Use of Firearms, Legal Use of Firearms & Archery Tackle, and Local Firearms Ordinances, Local Firearms Ordinances, for details.

  • Modern firearms
  • Pneumatic arrowguns are allowed
  • Air rifles must be .35 caliber or larger
  • Hunters are allowed to use archery tackle or muzzleloading firearms to deer hunt during the firearms deer season with the following conditions:
    • all hunters are required to comply with the either-sex deer hunting days for the firearms deer season.
    • use of muzzleloading firearms is allowed only if not otherwise restricted.
    • muzzleloader deer hunters must wear blaze color during the firearms deer season.
    • archery deer hunters must wear blaze color during the firearms deer season except when hunting in areas where the discharge of firearms is prohibited.

Dogs May Not Be Used For Deer Hunting

  • West of the Blue Ridge.
  • East of the Blue Ridge in Bedford, Fairfax, Franklin, Henry, Loudoun, Northampton, and Patrick counties, and Amherst (west of Rt. 29), Campbell (west of Norfolk Southern Railroad), Nelson (west of Rt. 151), Pittsylvania (west of Norfolk Southern Railroad), and the City of Lynchburg.
  • On Sunday while in possession of a weapon.
  • When hunting during archery and muzzle­loading seasons and on the Youth and Apprentice Deer Hunting Weekend.
  • On many military areas. Check individual Post regulations.
  • On Amelia, Cavalier, Doe Creek, Featherfin, Mattaponi, Mattaponi Bluffs, Merrimac Farm, Oakley Forest, Flippo-Gentry, Pettigrew, C. F. Phelps, G. Richard Thompson, Robert W. Duncan, Tye River, and Ware Creek Wildlife Management Areas.
  • November 16 through November 29 in Madison and Greene counties.
  • During an early or late antlerless-only firearms deer season.

Tracking Dogs

Allowed (see General Hunting Information for details).

Hunters for the Hungry

Our hope is that you will consider helping the Hunters for the Hungry program. We would ask you as a hunter, if you are able, to consider donating to help us feed those who struggle with hunger. There are two ways to donate:

First, you can donate a deer, or multiple deer. If you are blessed in your hunting efforts, your deer can be donated to us through participating processors and/or collection sites all across Virginia. These donated deer are professionally processed and the venison distributed to local feeding programs statewide at no cost, helping men, women, and children who struggle with hunger.

Second, if you are able, please contribute financially to help us pay the processing costs for the donated deer. Financial gifts are a blessing to our feeding efforts. In 2003, legislation honoring our program’s founder David Horne was passed enabling hunters to voluntarily make a donation of any amount when they purchase their hunting licenses. You can also donate through our website.

No financial donations are required to donate deer to our program; however, for every $1.00 hunters contribute we are able to process and distribute three quarter-pound servings of venison to those in need as well as to promote our hunting heritage in a positive way.

Since 1991, for over 33 years, our program, through the generous support of many hunters and non-hunters working together, has been able to process and distribute over 7.9 million pounds of venison to feeding programs throughout our state. This volume of meat equates to over 31.7 million quarter-pound servings! Please consider helping us in some way to help those who hunger.

For more information about our program, how you can get involved, or to donate please call 1-800-352-4868 or visit our website at www.h4hungry.org or you can write us at P.O. Box 304, Big Island, VA 24526

Please consider helping us in some way to help those who hunger.

**WE ARE LOOKING FOR ADDITIONAL PROCESSORS TO WORK WITH US TO EXPAND OUR IMPACT!**
If you are a processor, or know someone who is, please have them reach out to our charity!

Virginia
Fishing Hunting Game Bird Hunting