Virginia

Shenandoah mountain whitetails, Blue Ridge wild turkey, George Washington National Forest, and coastal waterfowl.

Virginia - The Old Dominion & Blue Ridge Wildlife Traditions

Virginia offers outstanding sportspeople opportunities, rich wildlife habitats, and extensive public land access. From trophy big game hunting to abundant upland bird coverts and waterfowl flyways, Virginia provides a premier destination for hunters of all experience levels.

Virginia Eastern Wild Turkey in Blue Ridge Mountains

Managed under strict wildlife conservation guidelines by the state department of natural resources, hunting in Virginia contributes directly to habitat preservation and healthy game populations across the state.

Virginia Trophy Whitetail Buck in Shenandoah Valley Hardwoods

Top Hunting Attractions in Virginia

Discover the premier wildlife management areas, big game habitats, and renowned wingshooting regions across Virginia.

Shenandoah Valley & Blue Ridge Whitetail Hardwoods

Rich limestone soils and agricultural valleys producing heavy-racked bucks, backed by extensive George Washington National Forest lands.

Appalachian Mountain Black Bear Hound Hunting

Traditional hound hunting and fair-chase stand hunting across George Washington and Jefferson National Forests.

Chesapeake Bay & Back Bay Waterfowl Traditions

Historic coastal gunning for canvasbacks, redheads, black ducks, and snow geese in tidal marshes and open water blinds.

Southwest Virginia Restored Elk Zone

Buchanan County's thriving restored wild elk herd accessible through a highly coveted annual public draw lottery.

Hunting Benefits

Appalachian Public Lands: 1.6 million acres in George Washington & Jefferson National Forests.

High Whitetail Harvest: Long deer seasons with strong populations in Piedmont and Shenandoah Valley.

Blue Ridge Black Bear: Leading black bear hunting state in the East.

Managed Elk Quota Draw: Regulated elk hunting in Southwestern Virginia.

46 State WMAs: Over 200,000 acres of DWR-managed Wildlife Management Areas.

Hunter's Bottom Line

Summary

Virginia possesses a rich sporting heritage dating back to the colonial era. With over 2 million acres of public lands across the Blue Ridge and Appalachian ranges, plus rich coastal waters along the Chesapeake Bay, it offers diverse sporting challenges.

The Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources (DWR) offers over-the-counter licenses for residents and non-residents. Deer hunters receive a generous statewide tag allotment (up to six deer per season, with no more than three antlered bucks depending on county regulations).

Virginia's elk restoration in the coalfield region of southwest Virginia is an incredible success. An annual lottery in spring awards exclusive bull elk tags to hunt reclaimed surface-mine grasslands and hardwood ridges.

Muzzleloader season in early November is exceptionally popular, allowing hunters to target mature bucks during the peak of the pre-rut seeking phase before the general firearms opener.