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Virginia

Game Bird Hunting

Game Bird Hunting

Virginia › Hunting › Game Bird Hunting › Regulations by Species

Regulations by Species

Dove

Illustration of a mourning dove perched on the ground near dried grasses and corn, showing its soft gray-brown feathers and distinctive black wing spots.
Mourning dove illustration highlighting key field markings, including spotted wings and slender tail, commonly seen in fields and open habitats.

Statewide Dove Hunting Seasons

First Segment

September 1–October 19

Hours

September 1

  • 12:00 noon until sunset.

September 2–October 19

  • One-half hour before sunrise until sunset.

Second Segment

November 22–November 30

Third Segment

December 19–January 19

Hours for Second and Third Segments:

One-half hour before sunrise until sunset.

Bag Limit

15 per day, 45 in possession. Composed of mourning doves and white-winged doves, singly or in combination.

Dove Hunting On Wildlife Management Areas

Dove hunting is permitted within the boundaries of the following wildlife management areas: Amelia, Big Survey, Briery Creek, Cavalier, Chickahominy, Clinch Mountain, Crooked Creek, Dick Cross, Fairystone, Featherfin, Gathright, Goshen, Hardware River, Hidden Valley, Highland, Horsepen, James River, Little North Mountain, Mattaponi, Mattaponi Bluffs, Oakley Forest, Pettigrew, C.F. Phelps, Powhatan, Rapidan, Robert W. Duncan, Stewarts Creek, Thompson, Ware Creek, and White Oak Mountain. Additional information on specific Wildlife Management Areas (WMAs) is available on the Virginia WMA page, and the Managed Dove Fields page provides a summary of WMAs with actively managed dove fields for this year.

First Segment

September 1–October 19

Hours:

September 1

  • 12:00 noon until sunset.

September 2–October 19

  • One-half hour before sunrise until sunset.
  • Hunting permitted only on Wednesdays, Saturdays, and Labor Day.

Second Segment

November 22–November 30

Third Segment

December 19–January 19

Hours for Second and Third Segments:

One-half hour before sunrise until sunset.

Hunting permitted daily.

Bag Limit

15 per day, 45 in possession. Composed of mourning doves and white-winged doves, singly or in combination.

Rails

Illustration of a Virginia rail bird standing in marsh vegetation, showing its long bill, reddish-brown body, and striped black-and-white flanks.
Virginia rail illustration depicting this secretive marsh bird with a long bill and barred flanks, commonly found in wetland habitats.

Gallinules

Illustration of a common gallinule perched on a branch, showing its dark plumage, red bill with a yellow tip, and long yellow legs typical of wetland birds.
Common gallinule illustration highlighting its red-and-yellow bill and long legs, a wetland species often found in marshes and shallow freshwater habitats.

Season

September 6–October 25

November 11–November 30

Hours

One-half hour before sunrise until sunset.

Bag Limit

Clapper/King Rails — 15 counted together daily, only one of which may be a king rail. Possession limit 45, only three of which can be king rails.

Sora/Virginia — 25 counted together daily, 75 in possession.

Gallinules (including Common and Purple Gallinule) — 15 per day counted together, 45 in possession.

Attention Rail and Snipe Hunters

In Virginia, non-toxic shot is required for hunting rails, gallinules, and snipe, in addition to all waterfowl, mergansers, and coots.

Woodcock

Illustration of an American woodcock in flight with wings spread, showing its long bill, rounded body, and patterned feathers against a light background.
American woodcock illustration capturing its unique shape and long bill, a migratory game bird known for its aerial displays and woodland habitat.

Season

November 11–November 30

December 26–January 19

Hours

One-half hour before sunrise until sunset.

Bag Limit

3 per day, 9 in possession.

Snipe

Illustration of a common snipe standing in shallow wetland water, showing its long straight bill, striped head, and brown patterned plumage.
Common snipe illustration highlighting its long bill and striped head pattern, a wetland bird often found in marshes and muddy shorelines.

Season

September 29–November 30

December 19–January 31

Hours

One-half hour before sunrise until sunset.

Bag Limit

8 per day, 24 in possession.

Attention Rail and Snipe Hunters

In Virginia, non-toxic shot is required for hunting rails, gallinules, and snipe, in addition to all waterfowl, mergansers, and coots.

September Teal

Illustration of a male green-winged teal swimming in shallow water, showing its chestnut head with a green eye patch, gray body, and reflective water surface.
Male green-winged teal illustration highlighting its distinctive green eye patch and compact size, a common dabbling duck found in wetlands and marshes.

Season: East of I-95

September 20–28

Season: West of I-95

September 23–28

Hours

One-half hour before sunrise until sunset.

Bag Limit

6 per day, 18 in possession.*

(any combination of blue-winged and green-winged teal only)

*Note: Hunters are reminded to positively identify their ducks before shooting, since other species, such as wood ducks, may be in the area.

Special Requirements

In addition to a HIP registration, a federal migratory duck stamp and a Virginia Migratory Waterfowl Conservation Stamp (unless license exempt) are also required to hunt teal during this season.

Mergansers

Illustration of a pair of hooded mergansers swimming near reeds, with the male showing a white fan-shaped crest and the female displaying a reddish-brown crest.
Hooded merganser pair illustration featuring the male’s bold white crest and the female’s warm brown crest, commonly found in wooded wetlands and quiet waters.

Seasons

October 10–13

November 19–30

December 19–January 31

Bag Limit

5 birds daily, 15 in possession. The restriction on hooded mergansers has been removed. The daily bag limit for mergansers is still 5 total, and can include any combination of hooded, red-breasted and common mergansers.

Ducks

Illustration of a male and female mallard duck swimming together, showing the male’s green head and the female’s mottled brown plumage.
Mallard pair illustration featuring the male’s bright green head and the female’s camouflaged brown feathers, one of the most common duck species in North America.

Seasons

October 10–13 (Black duck closed)

November 19–30

December 19–January 31

October 25 & February 7 - Youth and Veterans Waterfowl Hunting Days

Bag Limit

Daily Bag Limit: 6 ducks of any species except for the following restrictions: can include no more than 4 mallards (only 2 hen mallards), 3 wood ducks, 2 black ducks (except closed Oct. 10–13), scaup: 1/day for 40 days (October 10–13, November 19–30, December 19–January 11), and 2/day for 20 days (January 12–31), 2 redheads, 2 canvasback, 3 pintails, 1 mottled duck, 1 fulvous whistling duck, 4 total sea ducks (no more than 3 scoters, 3 eiders [only 1 hen], 3 long-tailed ducks).

Hours

One-half hour before sunrise until sunset.

Closed season on harlequin ducks.

The possession limit is three times the daily bag limit. No person may take more than one daily bag limit in any one day.

Change in area where crippled waterfowl can be pursued while under power. There is no longer a Special Sea Duck Season, and the former “Special Sea Duck Season Zone” has been changed this year. We have renamed this zone as the new “Special Sea Duck Area,” and have changed the boundaries to eliminate the 800-yard buffer area that was in the previous zone. The boundary of this new Special Sea Duck Area is defined as “The ocean waters of Virginia, the tidal waters of Northampton and Accomack counties up to the first highway bridge, and the Chesapeake Bay and each of its tributaries up to the first highway bridge. Back Bay and its tributaries are not included in the special sea duck hunting area.” This change allows hunters to pursue any crippled waterfowl species, not just sea ducks, while under power in this new Special Sea Duck Area. This change has been made as a conservation measure to help recover any crippled waterfowl, and to better clarify where retrieving crippled waterfowl under power is legal.

Coots

Illustration of two American coots in shallow water near reeds, showing their dark bodies, white bills, and red eyes.
American coot pair illustration highlighting their distinctive white bills and red eyes, commonly found in freshwater wetlands and ponds.

Seasons

October 10–13

November 19–30

December 19–January 31

Bag Limit

15 per day, 45 in possession.

Canada Goose

Illustration of two Canada geese near the water’s edge, one standing upright and the other feeding on grass, showing their black necks and white cheek patches.
Canada goose pair illustration depicting one goose grazing while the other stands alert, a common waterfowl species found in wetlands, lakes, and grassy shorelines.

(Includes White-fronted Geese)

Atlantic Population Zone (AP) Seasons

December 24–31

January 10–31

Bag Limit

1 goose per day (3 in possession).

Resident Population Zone (RP) Seasons

November 19–30

December 19–February 22

Bag Limit

5 geese per day (15 in possession).

Shooting Hours - All Zones

One-half hour before sunrise to sunset.

Note: All seasons also include White-fronted geese along with Canada geese.

Canada Goose Zones

NOTE: The Southern James Bay Population Zone (SJBP) has been eliminated, leaving only two Canada Goose hunt zones in Virginia. The northern portion of the former SJBP zone (north of I-64) is now included in the Atlantic Population Zone, and the southern portion of the former SJBP Zone (south of I-64) is included in the Resident Population Zone. Therefore, the hunting regulations for these former SJBP areas have changed, so be sure to check the current regulations in the area you are hunting.

Atlantic Population (AP) Hunt Zone

The area east of the “Blue Ridge” (Loudoun County-Clarke County border) at the West Virginia-Virginia border, south to Interstate 64 (the Blue Ridge line follows county borders alng the western edge of Loudoun-Fauquier-Rappahannock-Madison-Greene-Albemarle and into Nelson counties), then east along Interstate Rt. 64 to Interstate 95 in Richmond, then south along I-95 to Route 460 in Petersburg, then southeast along Route 460 to Route 32 in the City of Suffolk, then south to the North Carolina border.

Resident Population (RP) Hunt Zone

The portion of the state west of the above AP Zone boundary.

Map of Virginia showing new Canada goose hunting zones, with Atlantic Population areas highlighted in blue and Resident Population areas in tan.
Virginia map outlining Canada goose hunting zones by population type, helping hunters identify Atlantic and Resident population management areas.

September Canada Goose

Season

September 1–25

Hunt Zone

Statewide.

Hours: East of I-95

September 1–19

  • One-half hour before sunrise to one-half hour after sunset.

September 20–25

  • One-half hour before sunrise to sunset.

Hours: West of I-95

September 1–22

  • One-half hour before sunrise to one-half hour after sunset.

September 23–25

  • One-half hour before sunrise to sunset.

Bag Limit

10 per day, 30 in possession.

September Canada goose hunting is not permitted within the boundaries of the Amelia and Dick Cross Wildlife Management Areas.

Special Requirements

In addition to a HIP registration, a federal migratory duck stamp and a Virginia Migratory Waterfowl Conservation Stamp (unless license exempt) are also required to hunt geese during this season.

Light Goose

Illustration of a snow goose landing in a grassy field with wings spread, showing its white body, black wingtips, and pink bill and legs.
Light goose illustration capturing its white plumage and black wingtips during landing, a migratory waterfowl species commonly seen in open fields and wetlands.

(Greater and Lesser Snow Geese and Ross’s Geese)

Regular Season

October 18–January 31: statewide

Bag Limit

25 per day, no possession limit.

Shooting Hours

One-half hour before sunrise to sunset.

Light Goose Conservation Order

(Conservation Order Zone - see new zone boundary below)

February 1, 2026–April 5, 2026

Bag Limit

No daily or possession limit.

Special Hunting Methods: Electronic calls, unplugged shotguns, and extended shooting hours are allowed.

Shooting Hours: One-half hour before sunrise to one-half hour after sunset.

Registration Required. All hunters planning to participate in the Light Goose Conservation Order must register online through the Light Goose Conservation Order page or by calling 866-721-6911, and obtain a Hunter Activity Report prior to hunting.

The Hunter Activity Report must be submitted to the Department within two weeks following the close of the season, either through the agency website (above) or by mail (Light Goose Conser­vation Order, 3801 John Tyler Memorial Highway, Charles City, VA 23030). Registration will begin December 4, 2025.

Conservation Order Zone

NOTE: Same as the new AP Canada Goose Zone identified in blue on the map below — the area east of the “Blue Ridge” (Loudoun County-Clarke County border) at the West Virginia-Virginia border, south to Interstate 64 (the Blue Ridge line follows county borders alng the western edge of Loudoun-Fauquier-Rappahannock-Madison-Greene-Albemarle and into Nelson counties), then east along Interstate Rt. 64 to Interstate 95 in Richmond, then south along I-95 to Route 460 in Petersburg, then southeast along Route 460 to Route 32 in the City of Suffolk, then south to the North Carolina border.

Map of Virginia showing Light Goose Conservation Order hunt zones, with Atlantic Population areas highlighted in blue and Resident Population areas in tan.
Virginia map outlining Light Goose Conservation Order hunt zones, identifying Atlantic and Resident population areas for waterfowl hunting regulations.

Atlantic Brant

Illustration of Atlantic brant geese flying over coastal marshland with a red-and-white lighthouse in the background.
Atlantic brant illustration showing a small flock in flight over coastal wetlands, a migratory goose species commonly found along the Atlantic coastline.

Seasons

December 24–31

January 10–31

Bag Limit

1 per day, 3 in possession.

Tundra Swan

Illustration of three tundra swans standing on a wetland shoreline, showing their white plumage, long necks, and black bills near reeds and shallow water.
Tundra swans illustration depicting a small group in a marsh habitat, a migratory waterfowl species commonly found in coastal and inland wetlands.

Seasons

November 15–January 31

Bag Limit

1 per permittee per season.

Tundra Swan Hunt Area

Hunting will be permitted in all counties and portions of counties lying east of I-95 and south of the Prince William/Stafford County line in Chopawamsic Creek at Quantico Marine Corps Base.

Tundra Swan Permit

Before any person may hunt tundra swans in Virginia, he or she must first apply for and receive a tundra swan hunt permit. Permits are issued through a special drawing. The deadline to submit applications for this drawing is September 26, 2025. The Department will issue no more than 475 swan hunting permits. Permit holders must also possess a valid Virginia hunting license before hunting. Hunters may apply for a swan permit online through the Go Outdoors Virginia website.

Swan hunting permits are non-transferable and are valid for use only by the person to whom issued. Permits must be in the immediate possession of the permit holder while swan hunting. Immediately at the time and place of kill successful permittees must cancel their swan hunting permit by permanently recording the month and day of kill and by attaching the permit to the swan as instructed. The DWR is required to obtain hunter participation and harvest information to offer this tundra swan hunting season. Hunters are required to complete the tundra swan hunt questionnaire (survey) and submit their results to the Department by February 15, 2026. Those who fail to submit their results are ineligible for future drawings.

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