Virginia Hunting Seasons: Updated

Either-sex Deer Hunting Days West of the Blue Ridge:

October 30 through November 12 (full season):

On private lands in Augusta, Botetourt, Carroll, Clarke, Floyd, Frederick, Grayson, Montgomery, Pulaski, Roanoke, Rockingham (east of Route 613 and 731), Scott, Shenandoah, Warren and Wythe counties.

November 6:

On private lands in Alleghany, Bath, Bland, Craig, Dickenson, Giles, Highland, Page, Rockbridge, Smyth and Washington counties, and on the Highland WMA.

Antlered deer only–no either-sex deer hunting days:

• On all National Forest and Department-owned lands in all counties west of the Blue Ridge Mountains (except the Highland WMA).
• In Buchanan, Lee, Rockingham (west of Routes 613 and 731), Russell, Tazewell, and Wise counties.
• On Channels State Forest, Grayson Highlands State Park, Hungry Mother State Park, PALS (Public Access Lands for Sportsmen) in Dickenson County, and Flannagan Reservoir.
• Special Youth and Apprentice Antlerless Deer Regulation applies.

Late Muzzleloader Season East of the Blue Ridge

December 11 through January 1:

In the counties (including the cities and towns within) of Amherst (west of Route 29), Bedford, Franklin, Henry, Nelson (west of Route 151), and Patrick, and in the cities of Chesapeake, Suffolk (east of the Dismal Swamp line), and Virginia Beach.

Either-sex Deer Hunting Days East of the Blue Ridge:

December 11 through January 1 (full season):

In the counties of Amherst (west of Route 29 except on National Forest lands), Bedford (except on National Forest lands), Franklin, Henry, Nelson (west of Route 151 except on National Forest lands), and Patrick.

December 27 through January 1:

In the cities of Chesapeake, Suffolk (east of the Dismal Swamp line), and Virginia Beach.

January 1:

On National Forest lands in Amherst, Bedford, and Nelson counties.

Late Muzzleloader Season West of the Blue Ridge

December 11 through January 1:

In all areas west of the Blue Ridge unless noted in the season exception below.

Season Exception:

• There is no late muzzleloader season in Clarke County and on private lands in Frederick County since it occurs during the general firearms season.

Either-sex Deer Hunting Days West of the Blue Ridge:

December 11 through January 1 (full season):

On private lands in Augusta, Botetourt, Carroll, Floyd, Grayson, Montgomery, Pulaski, Roanoke, Rockingham (east of Routes 613 and 731), Shenandoah, Warren, and Wythe counties.

December 27 through January 1

On private lands in Bland, Craig, Giles, Page, Rockbridge, Scott, Smyth and Washington counties.

January 1:

• In Alleghany, Bath, Dickenson, Highland, Lee, Rockingham (west of Routes 613 and 731), Russell, Tazewell, and Wise counties.
• On all National Forest and Departmentowned lands in all counties west of the Blue Ridge Mountains.
• On Channels State Forest, Grayson Highlands State Park, and Hungry Mother State Park.

Antlered deer only–no either-sex deer hunting days:

• In Buchanan County. Special Youth and Apprentice Antlerless Deer Regulation applies.

Legal Methods and Restrictions During Muzzleloading Deer Seasons

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

• Muzzleloading guns that can be used during these deer seasons include:
  • Single shot muzzleloading rifles .40 caliber or larger, firing a single projectile or sabot (with a .35 caliber or larger projectile) where the projectile is loaded from the muzzle;
  • Muzzleloading shotguns (one or more barrels) not larger than 10 gauge where the projectiles are loaded from the muzzle;
  • Muzzleloading pistols (one or more barrels) .45 caliber or larger, firing a single projectile or sabot (with a .35 caliber or larger projectile) per barrel where the propellant and projectile are loaded from the muzzle;
  • Muzzleloading revolvers .45 caliber or larger, firing a single projectile or sabot (with a .35 caliber or larger projectile) per cylinder where the propellant and projectile are loaded from the forward end of the cylinder.
• Flintlock, percussion, or electronic ignitions are permitted.
• It is unlawful to have in immediate possession any firearm other than a muzzleloading firearm while hunting with a muzzleloader. (See exception for valid concealed handgun permit holders.)
• Smokeless powder is allowed in muzzleloading firearms designed for it. Never use smokeless powder in a muzzleloading 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.
• Pneumatic arrowguns are allowed.
• It is unlawful to hunt deer with dogs, except that dogs may be used to track wounded or dead deer (see Hunting with Dogs).
• It is lawful to carry archery tackle when and where there is an overlap with a deer archery and deer muzzleloader season.

Muzzleloader Either-Sex Deer Hunting for Incorporated Cities and Towns

• Deer of either sex may be taken full season during the muzzleloader seasons within the incorporated limits of any city or town in the Commonwealth that allows muzzleloading deer hunting (except in the cities of Chesapeake, Suffolk, and Virginia Beach) and only with the weapons (archery tackle and/or muzzleloaders) authorized by each individual city or town.
• Earn a buck applies to all cities and towns except Chesapeake, Suffolk, and Virginia Beach.

Virginia hunting seasons for Elk.

Timeline For 2022 Elk Hunt

The hunt for the 2022–2023 season will be held Saturday, October 8, 2022 – Friday, October 14, 2022. There are five (5) antlered elk tags available for this year’s hunt via lottery. Application period for the elk lottery will open February 1, 2022, and close March 30, 2022. Applications for a special elk hunting license can be obtained online, under elk hunting, or by calling the Department of Wildlife Resources Customer Service for assistance in applying via phone.

Applications require a non-refundable fee of $15 for Virginia residents and $20 for out-of-state residents. Winners of the elk hunting application will then need to purchase a special elk hunting license for $40 for in-state residents, and $400 for out-of-state residents. The special elk hunting license is not transferrable to another individual. Winners of the randomized computer drawing will be notified by May 30th. You can also check the status of your application by visiting your DWR GoOutdoorsVA page.

Once awarded a special elk hunting license, applicants will have 30 days from notification to purchase the license. Licenses that are not purchased by the deadline will be awarded to alternate hunters who will be drawn concurrently with the original hunters. Alternates will not be announced or notified unless they become eligible to purchase a special elk hunting license. Elk hunters 15 years of age and younger or holders of an apprentice hunting license must be accompanied by and directly supervised by an adult who has a valid Virginia hunting license or is exempt from purchasing a hunting license. All applicants who are drawn for a Virginia special elk hunting license must read and acknowledge the “Elk Hunting Considerations” prior to beginning their hunt.

DWR has many partnerships and agreements with private landowners in the Elk Management Zone that will allow public access for elk hunting.

Virginia hunting seasons for turkey.

Archery Turkey Season

Season Dates

October 2 through November 12: Statewide except in areas where there is a closed firearm season on turkey.

Legal Methods and Restrictions for Archery Turkey Season

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.

• Archery tackle only.
• Persons with a disability that prevents them from drawing a bow or crossbow may hunt with an arrowgun during the special archery season provided they have in possession an authorization form provided by the Department that has been completed by their physician.
• Decoys and blinds may be used.
• Broadhead widths must be at least 7/8-inch wide or expand upon impact to 7/8-inch.
• It is unlawful to use dogs, except that dogs may be used to track wounded or dead turkeys (see Hunting with Dogs).
• It is unlawful to have a firearm in possession. (See exception for valid concealed handgun permit holders.)

Youth and Apprentice Fall Turkey Hunting Weekend

Season Dates

October 9 and 10

• Statewide (Sunday hunting on private lands only) in counties, cities, and areas with a fall turkey season.
• Bag limit is one turkey (either sex) per youth/ apprentice hunter, per weekend.
• Resident and nonresident youth hunters 15 years of age and under or holders of a valid apprentice hunting license, when in compliance with all applicable laws and licenses, may hunt when accompanied and directly supervised by an adult over the age of 18 who has a valid Virginia hunting license or is exempt from purchasing a hunting license. Nonresident youth of any age need to have the appropriate licenses (unless exempt from purchasing a license).

October 16 through 29 and November 25

In the counties of Albemarle, Alleghany, Augusta, Bath, Greene, Highland, Madison, Page, and Rockingham.

October 16 through 29, November 24 and 25, November 29 through December 25 and January 8 through 22

In the counties of Bedford, Bland, Botetourt, Caroline, Carroll, Clarke, Craig, Culpeper, Dickenson, Essex, Fairfax, Fauquier, Franklin, Giles, Grayson, King and Queen, King George, King William, Lancaster, Lee, Loudoun, Montgomery, Nelson, Northumberland, Prince William, Pulaski, Rappahannock, Richmond, Roanoke, Rockbridge, Russell, Scott, Smyth, Stafford, Washington, Westmoreland, Wise, and Wythe, and on Camp Peary, and the cities of Hampton and Newport News.

Closed

In the county of Arlington and the cities of Chesapeake, Norfolk, Portsmouth, and Virginia Beach.

October 16 through October 29, November 24 and 25, and November 29 through December 11

In the counties of Accomack, Amelia, Charles City, Dinwiddie, Gloucester, Greensville, Isle of Wight, James City, Mathews, Middlesex, New Kent, Northampton, Powhatan, Prince George, Southampton, Surry, Sussex, York (except on Camp Peary), and the City of Suffolk.

October 16 through October 29, November 24 and 25, November 29 through December 11, and January 8 through January 22

In the counties of Amherst, Appomattox, Brunswick, Buchanan, Buckingham, Campbell, Charlotte, Chesterfield, Cumberland, Floyd, Fluvanna, Frederick, Goochland, Halifax, Hanover, Henrico, Henry, Louisa, Lunenburg, Mecklenburg, Nottoway, Orange, Patrick, Pittsylvania, Prince Edward, Shenandoah, Spotsylvania, Tazewell, and Warren.

Legal Methods and Restrictions for Fall Firearms Seasons and Youth and Apprentice Fall Turkey Hunting Weekend

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.
• Muzzleloading firearms.
• Decoys and blinds may be used.
• Dogs may be used.
• Unlawful to use electronic calls.
• Hunting hours are from 1/2 hour before sunrise to 1/2 hour after sunset.
• Turkeys harvested by youth or apprentice hunters count against their daily and season bag limit.
• Adult hunters accompanying youth or apprentice turkey hunters:
  • do not need a deer/turkey license. » may assist with calling.
  • shall not carry or discharge a firearm.
  • shall maintain close visual and verbal contact with, provide adequate direction to, and can immediately assume control of the firearm.

Youth and Apprentice Spring Turkey Hunting Weekend

Season Dates

April 2 and 3

• Statewide (Sunday hunting on private lands only).
• Bag limit is one turkey (bearded bird only) per youth/apprentice hunter, per weekend.
• Resident and nonresident youth hunters 15 years of age and under or holders of a valid apprentice hunting license, when in compliance with all applicable laws and licenses, may hunt when accompanied and directly supervised by an adult over the age of 18 who has a valid Virginia hunting license or is exempt from purchasing a hunting license. Nonresident youth of any age need to have the appropriate licenses (unless exempt from purchasing a license).
• Hunting hours are from 1/2 hour before sunrise to sunset.
• Turkeys harvested by youth or apprentice hunters count against their daily and season bag limit.
• Adult hunters accompanying youth or apprentice turkey hunters:
  • do not need a deer/turkey license on this weekend.
  • may assist with calling.
  • shall not carry or discharge a weapon.
  • shall maintain close visual and verbal contact with, provide adequate direction to, and can immediately assume control of the firearm.

Virginina hunting seasons for Spring Turkey.

Current Sunday Hunting Laws Are Still in Effect. Learn More »

Bag Limit

One per day, bearded turkeys only. Hunters may take one, two, or three bearded turkeys depending on how many turkeys were taken in the fall season.

Season Dates

April 9–24

• Statewide
• One-half hour before sunrise until 12 noon each day

April 25 through May 14

• Statewide.
• One half-hour before sunrise to sunset.

Legal Methods and Restrictions for Spring Firearms and Youth and Apprentice Spring Turkey Hunting Weekend

Special restrictions apply to specific firearms use during these seasons. See Legal Use of Firearms and Archery Tackle and Local Firearms Ordinances for more details.

• Arrowguns are allowed.
• Modern firearms.
• Archery tackle.
• Muzzleloading firearms.
• Decoys and blinds may be used.
• It is unlawful to use electronic calls.
• It is unlawful to use dogs, except that dogs may be used to track wounded or dead turkeys (see Hunting with Dogs).
• When using a shotgun it is unlawful to use or have in possession any shot larger than number 2 fine shot during spring turkey season.

Virginia hunting seasons for small game.

Crow

Season Dates

August 21, 2021 – March 18, 2022 (Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays)

On National Forest and Department lands: September 1, 2021 – March 9, 2022 (Wednesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays only)

• Crows are a federally regulated migratory species; however, no HIP registration is required and hunters may use unplugged shotguns to hunt them.
• Electronic calls may be used on private and public lands. Written permission of the landowner is not required to hunt crows with electronic calls, except when hunting on posted property.

Groundhog

Season Dates

Continuous open season on private lands.

• Groundhog hunting on National Forest lands and Department lands is permitted from September 1–March 10 and during the spring turkey season.
• Groundhog hunting is permitted during the spring squirrel season on Department lands that are open for spring squirrel hunting.
• Groundhog hunting is not permitted on National Forest lands during the spring squirrel season.

Grouse

Season Dates

October 23 through February 12: west of I-95.

Continuous closed season: east of I-95.

Bag Limit

Three per day.

Quail & Pheasant

Season Dates

November 6 through January 31

Quail is closed on all public lands west of the Blue Ridge Mountains.

Bag Limits

• Quail: six per day.
• Pheasant: no daily or seasonal bag limit.

Rabbit

New Carcass Disposal Regulations, see “Attention Rabbit Hunters”.

Season Dates

October 30 through February 28

Bag Limit

Six per day.

Squirrel (Gray, Red, Fox)

Bag Limit

All squirrels combined–six per day.

Fall Seasons

Gray and Red Squirrels: September 4 through February 28. Statewide.

Fox Squirrels: September 4 through January 31 in the following designated areas only: counties west of the Blue Ridge and in the counties of Albemarle, Bedford, Culpeper, Fauquier, Franklin, Greene, Loudoun, Madison, Orange, Patrick, Prince William, and Rappahannock.

Spring Season

June 4 through 18, 2022: Closed on National Forest lands.

During the Spring Season:

Gray and red squirrels may be harvested statewide, unless otherwise posted, and on the following WMAs: Amelia, Big Survey, Big Woods, Briery Creek, Cavalier, Chickahominy, Clinch Mountain, Crooked Creek, Dick Cross, Doe Creek, Fairystone (including Fairystone State Park and Philpott Reservoir), Featherfin, Gathright, Goshen, Hardware River, Havens, Hidden Valley, Highland, Hog Island (Carlisle Tract only), Horsepen, James River, Lake Robertson, Lands End (Salem Church tract only), Little North Mountain, Mattaponi, Mattaponi Bluffs, Merrimac Farm, Oakley Forest, Pettigrew, Phelps, Powhatan (including the Goochland Tract), Rapidan, Short Hills, Stewarts Creek, G. Richard Thompson, Robert W. Duncan, Turkeycock Mountain, Ware Creek, and White Oak Mountain.

Fox squirrels may be harvested on all lands, unless otherwise posted, in all counties with an open fall fox squirrel season and on the following WMAs: Big Survey, Clinch Mountain, Crooked Creek, Gathright, Goshen, Havens, Hidden Valley, Highland, Lake Robertson, Little North Mountain, Merrimac Farm, C. F. Phelps, Rapidan, Short Hills, Stewarts Creek, and G. Richard Thompson.

Virginia hunting seasons for migratory birds.

Dove

Statewide Dove Hunting Seasons

First Segment

September 4-October 27

Hours:

September 4

• 12:00 noon until sunset.

September 5-October 27

• One-half hour before sunrise until sunset.

No Sunday hunting of dove on public waters or on public lands.

Second Segment

November 20-28

Third Segment

December 22-January 17

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 (WMAs)

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) can be found here, and the Managed Dove Fields section of our website provides a summary of WMAs that have actively managed dove fields for this year.

First Segment

September 4-October 27

Hours:

September 4

• 12:00 noon until sunset.

September 5-October 27

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

Second Segment

November 20-27

Third Segment

December 22-January 17

Hours for Second and Third Segments:

One-half hour before sunrise until sunset. Hunting permitted daily except Sundays.

Bag Limit

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

Rails and Gallinules

Season

September 7-November 15

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 3 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.

This recommendation provides 30 days of 3-ft or greater lunar tides.

Sunday hunting for rails and gallinules is allowed on private lands and public lands as permitted by the landowner.

Snipe

Season

• October 8-11
• October 21-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.

No Sunday hunting of snipe on public waters or on public lands.

Woodcock

Season

• November 11-December 8
• December 27-January 12

Hours

One-half hour before sunrise until sunset.

Bag Limit

3 per day, 9 in possession.

No Sunday hunting of woodcock on public waters or on public lands.

Virginia hunting seasons for waterfowl.

September Teal

Season

• East of I-95: September 17-30
• West of I-95: September 21-30

Hours

One-half hour before sunrise until sunset.

Bag Limit

6 per day, 18 in possession.* (any combination of blue-winged and greenwinged 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 number, a federal migratory duck stamp, and a Virginia Migratory Waterfowl Conservation Stamp (unless license exempt) are also required to hunt teal during this season.

Ducks

Seasons

• October 8-11 (Black duck closed)
• November 17-28
• December 18-January 30

Bag Limit

Daily Bag Limit: 6 ducks of any species except for the following restrictions: can include no more than 2 mallards (only 1 hen mallard), 4 scoters, 4 long-tailed ducks, 4 eiders, 3 wood ducks, 2 black ducks (except closed Oct. 8-11), scaup: 1/day for 40 days (October 8-11, November 17-28, December 18-January 10), and 2/day for 20 days (January 11-30), 2 redheads, 2 canvasback, 1 pintail, 1 mottled duck, 1 fulvous whistling duck.

Hour

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.

Special Sea Duck Season in the *Special Sea Duck Zone

Sea duck species are scoter, long-tailed duck (formerly oldsquaw), and eider.

Season

November 11-January 9

Bag Limit

5 per day (15 in possession), but may include no more than 4 scoters, 4 eiders or 4 long-tailed ducks.

*Special Sea Duck Zone Boundary

Those waters at a distance greater than 800 yards from any shore, island, or emergent vegetation in the following areas: the ocean waters of Virginia, the tidal waters of Northampton and Accomack counties, 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.

Outside the Special Sea Duck Zone

Sea ducks cannot be taken in the Sea Duck Zone after January 9. Sea ducks can, however, be taken during the regular duck season (Oct. 8-11, Nov. 17-28, and Dec. 18-Jan. 30) in all other areas outside of the sea duck zone (i.e.: within 800 yards of any shore, island or emergent vegetation…), since they are included in the regular season duck bag. No more than 4 scoters, 4 eiders or 4 long-tails can be included in the regular season daily limit of 6 ducks.

Mergansers

Seasons

• October 8-11 November 17-28
• December 18-January 30

Bag Limit

5 birds daily, of which only 2 birds may be a hooded merganser (15 in possession, only 6 of which may be hooded mergansers).

Coots

Seasons

• October 8-11
• November 17-28
• December 18-January 30

Bag Limit

15 per day, 45 in possession

Canada Goose

(Includes White-fronted Geese)

Atlantic Population Zone (AP)

Seasons

• December 18-31
• January 15-30

Bag Limit

1 goose per day (3 in possession).

Resident Population Zone (RP)

Seasons

• November 17-28
• December 18-February 23

Bag Limit

5 geese per day (15 in possession).

Southern James Bay Population Zone (SJBP)

Seasons

• November 17-28
• December 18-February 15

Bag Limit

3 geese per day for the entire season, (9 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

The dividing lines between the hunting zones are as follows:

Atlantic Population (AP) Hunt Zone

The area east of the Stafford/King George County line from the Potomac River south to the Rappahannock River, then west along the Stafford County line to Interstate 95, then south along Interstate 95 to Route 460 in Petersburg, then southeast along Route 460 to Route 32 in the city of Suffolk, then south along Route 32 to the North Carolina border.

The area to the west of the AP Hunt Zone boundary and east of the following line: the “Blue Ridge” (Loudoun County-Clarke County
line) at the West Virginia-Virginia border, south to Interstate 64 (the Blue Ridge line follows county borders along the western edge of Loudoun-Fauquier-Rappahannock-Madison-Green-Albemarle and into Nelson counties), then east along Interstate 64 to Route 15, then south along Route 15 to the North Carolina line.

September Canada Goose

Season

September 1-25

Hunt Zone

Statewide.

Hours: East of I-95:

September 1-16

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

September 17-25

• One-half hour before sunrise to sunset.

Hours: West of I-95

September 1-20

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

September 21-25

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

Note: Electronic calls and unplugged shotguns are not allowed for hunting Canada geese.

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

Regular Season

October 17-January 31: statewide

Bag Limit

25 per day, no possession limit.

Shooting Hours

One-half hour before sunrise to sunset.

Light Goose Conservation Order Season (see hunt zone in blue below)

• February 1–April 5, 2022
• Get more information on registration and reporting requirements »

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.

All hunters who plan to participate in the Light Goose Conservation Order must register either online or by phone (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 5, 2021.

Conservation Order Season Hunt Zone

Same as the AP Canada Goose Zone — the area east of the Stafford/King George County line from the Potomac River south to the Rappahannock River, then west along the Stafford County line to Interstate 95, then south along Interstate 95 to Route 460 in Petersburg, then southeast along Route 460 to Route 32 in the city of Suffolk, then south along Route 32 to the North Carolina border.

Atlantic Brant

Seasons

• November 23-28
• December 18-January 30

Bag Limit

2 per day, 6 in possession

Tundra Swan

Seasons

November 17-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 24, 2021. The Department will issue no more than 638 swan hunting permits. The drawing is open only to holders of a valid Virginia hunting license.

A hunter may only apply for a swan permit online through the Department’s website at GoOutdoorsVirginia.com.

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 16, 2022. Those who fail to submit their results are ineligible for future drawings.

Falconry

Dove

• September 4 – October 27
• November 20 – November 28
• December 22 – January 31

Rail, Gallinule, Moorhen

• September 7 – December 22

Woodcock

• October 17 – January 31

Snipe

• October 8 – 11
• October 21 – January 31

Canada Goose

• September 1 – September 25
• November 17 – November 28
• December 18 – February 23

September Teal

• September 17 – September 30

Ducks, Mergansers, Coot

• October 8 – 11
• November 17 – February 11

Brant and Snow Goose

• October 17 – January 31

Waterfowl Hunting On Wildlife Management Areas

For information about quota or managed hunts for waterfowl and dove on Department WMAs, see this website.

Waterfowl hunting on the James River WMA is permitted only on the opening day, Wednesdays, and Saturdays of the duck and goose seasons.

Waterfowl hunting on the Mattaponi Wildlife Management Area is permitted only on October 8-11, and on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays of the duck and goose seasons.

Game Farm Marsh WMA is open for hunting on Friday, Saturday, and Monday of the October segment of the duck season (Oct. 8, 9, and 11), and on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays during the November (Nov. 17-28), and December–January (Dec. 18-Jan. 30) segments of the duck season. Hunters may not occupy the area before 5:00 a.m. and must vacate the area by 1:00 p.m. Hunting on Friday and Saturday of the October segment (Oct. 8 and 9) and on the opening day of the November segment (Nov. 17) and the December–January segment (Dec. 18) will be by Quota hunt only—see page 20. Outside of the duck season segments listed above, waterfowl hunting on Game Farm Marsh is open with no restrictions on hunt days, times, or hunter numbers.

Waterfowl hunting on and within 500 yards of the Ware Creek WMA is permitted (except portions of Philbates Creek) on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays of the duck and goose seasons. Hunters may not occupy their hunting location until 5 a.m. and hunting must end by 1 p.m.

Waterfowl hunting at Doe Creek WMA is open to walk-in hunting on Saturdays only for half days during the last two segments of the general waterfowl season. Hunters may hunt until 1:00 p.m. and must have all decoys up and be away from the impoundments by 2:00 p.m. The area is open on Sundays for scouting and wildlife viewing.

Waterfowl hunting on the Robert W. Duncan WMA is permitted only on October 8-11 and on Thursdays and Sundays of the duck and goose seasons.

Waterfowl hunting on Mattaponi Bluffs WMA is permitted only on October 8-11, and at any time during the multi-species quota hunt period by the selected individuals and guests, and on Wednesdays and Saturdays after the quota hunt period (Jan 4 – end of waterfowl season).

For information about waterfowl hunting on other WMAs see our website.

Youth & Veterans Waterfowl Hunting Days

October 23, 2021 and February 5, 2022

Statewide. Open to Youth 15 years of age and under, Military Veterans (as defined in section 101 of title 38, United States Code) and members of the Armed Forces on active duty, including members of the National Guard and Reserves on active duty (other than for training). Participants may harvest the allowed daily bag limit of ducks (see pg. 12), sea ducks (including in the Special Sea Duck Zone), and other waterfowl, including Atlantic brant, coots, mergansers, gallinules, moorhens, light geese, 1 Canada goose in the Atlantic Population Zone, 3 Canada geese in the Southern James Bay Population Zone and 5 Canada geese in the Resident Population Zone, and 1 tundra swan (if in possession of a tundra swan permit) on the designated days. Resident youth aged 12-15, nonresident youth age 15 or under, and Veterans need a valid Virginia hunting license, unless license exempt. All hunters participating must be Virginia HIP registered. All youth must be accompanied and directly supervised by an adult at least 18 years of age or older who has a valid Virginia hunting license (unless license exempt). The accompanying adult cannot hunt ducks (unless they are a Veteran), but may hunt for those species for which there is an open season.

What Terms Do I Need to Understand?

Migratory birds are birds protected by federal law as a result of treaties signed with other countries. Protected migratory birds are listed in Title 50 Code of Federal Regulations, Section. 10.13. This list includes almost all birds found in the United States with the exception of the house sparrow, feral pigeon (commonly called rock dove), European starling, Eurasian collared-dove, mute swan, and upland game birds (which are protected by state laws).

All migratory birds are protected. However, a subset of migratory birds classified as migratory game birds may be hunted in accordance with state and federal regulations. The list of migratory game birds includes species of ducks, geese (including brant), swans, mergansers, doves, rails, coots, gallinules and moorhens, woodcock, and snipe.

Daily bag limit means the maximum number of migratory game birds of a single species or combination (aggregate) of species permitted to be taken by one person in any one day during the open season in any one specified geographic area for which a daily bag limit is prescribed.

Aggregate daily bag limit means the maximum number of migratory game birds permitted to be taken by one person in any one day during the open season when such person hunts in more than one specified geographic area and/or for more than one species for which a combined daily bag limit is prescribed. The aggregate daily bag limit is equal to, but shall not exceed, the largest daily bag limit prescribed for any one species or for any one specified geographic area in which taking occurs.

Possession limit means the maximum number of migratory game birds of a single species or a combination of species permitted to be possessed by any one person when lawfully taken in the United States in any one specified geographic area for which a possession limit is prescribed. Aggregate possession limit means the maximum number of migratory game birds of a single species or combination of species taken in the United States permitted to be possessed by any one person when taking and possession occurs in more than one specified geographic area for which a possession limit is prescribed.

The aggregate possession limit is equal to, but shall not exceed, the largest possession limit prescribed for any one of the species or specified geographic areas in which taking and possession occurs.

Personal abode means one’s principal or ordinary home or dwelling place, as distinguished from one’s temporary or transient place of abode or dwelling such as a hunting club, or any club house, cabin, tent or trailer house used as a hunting club, or any hotel, motel, or rooming house used during a hunting, pleasure, or business trip.

Migratory bird preservation facility means:

1. Any person who, at their residence or place of business and for hire or other consideration; or
2. Any taxidermist, cold-storage facility or locker plant which, for hire or other consideration; or
3. Any hunting club which, in the normal course of operations, receives, possesses, or has in custody any migratory game birds belonging to another person for purposes of picking, cleaning, freezing, processing, storage, or shipment.

Normal agricultural planting, harvesting, or post-harvest manipulation means a planting or harvesting undertaken for the purpose of producing and gathering a crop, or manipulation after such harvest and removal of grain. In Virginia, this also applies to food plots that are planted for the purpose of hunting migratory game birds. Relevant factors include recommended planting dates, proper seed distribution, seed bed preparation, application rate, and seed viability. These practices are to be conducted in accordance with official recommendations of State Extension Specialists of the Cooperative Extension Service of the U.S. Department of Agriculture. For official recommendations visit https://pubs.ext.vt.edu/424/424-100/424-100_pdf.pdf.

• Official recommendations state the guidelines for planting wheat in Virginia are one week before to one week after the first killing frost, October 15-November 15 in eastern Virginia; October 1-November 1 in the Piedmont; October 1-October 25 west of the Blue Ridge. Plant 120-150 lbs. per acre (36 seeds per sq. ft. or 20 seeds per drill ft. in 7″ rows). Plant in 6-8″ rows or solid seeded.

• Wheat planted or scattered outside of these guidelines does not satisfy the definition of normal agricultural planting. Therefore, it is unlawful to hunt migratory game birds over such areas.

Normal agricultural operation means a normal agricultural planting, harvesting, postharvest manipulation, or agricultural practice that is conducted in accordance with official recommendations of state Extension Specialists of the Cooperative Extension Service of the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

Normal soil stabilization practice means a planting for agricultural soil erosion control or post-mining land reclamation conducted in accordance with official recommendations of state Extension Specialists of the Cooperative Extension Service of the U.S. Department of Agriculture for agricultural soil erosion control.

Baited area means any area on which salt, grain, or other feed has been placed, exposed, deposited, distributed, or scattered, if that salt, grain, or other feed could serve as a lure or attraction for migratory game birds to, on, or over areas where hunters are attempting to take them. Any such area will remain a baited area for ten days following the complete removal of all such salt, grain, or other feed.

Baiting means the direct or indirect placing, exposing, depositing, distributing, or scattering of salt, grain, or other feed that could serve as a lure or attraction for migratory game birds to, on, or over any areas where hunters are attempting to take them.

Manipulation means the alteration of natural vegetation or agricultural crops by activities that include but are not limited to mowing, shredding, dicing, rolling, chopping, trampling, flattening, burning, or herbicide treatments. The term manipulation does not include the distributing or scattering of grain, seed, or other feed after removal from or storage on the field where grown.

Natural vegetation means any non-agricultural, native, or naturalized plant species that grows at a site in response to planting or from existing seeds or other propagules. The term natural vegetation does not include planted millet. However, planted millet that grows on its own in subsequent years after the year of planting is considered natural vegetation.