Virginia

The Old Dominion provides rich deer hunting spanning the agricultural pastures of the Shenandoah Valley, the rolling Piedmont pine-hardwood timber, and the coastal wetlands of the Tidewater.

Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources (DWR) manages deer through generous bag limits and diverse weapon seasons. Hound hunting for deer remains a celebrated historical tradition in eastern Virginia, while western hunters utilize still-hunting and tree stand tactics across the George Washington and Jefferson National Forests.

Virginia supports a thriving black bear population of over 18,000 bears, primarily concentrated along the Blue Ridge Mountains and Shenandoah National Park border.

DWR offers archery, muzzleloader, and firearms seasons (including hound-hunting and non-hound intervals). Spot-and-stalk hunting in late autumn near oak ridges and wild grape tangles yields excellent success on heavy mountain bears.

Following successful reintroduction in the coalfields of Buchanan County, Virginia launched an exclusive limited-entry elk lottery in 2022.

A small number of lucky resident and nonresident hunters pursue magnificent bugling herd bulls through reclaimed coal mine grasslands and steep Appalachian ridges during the October rut.

Virginia holds a rich wild turkey heritage, offering both month-long spring gobbler seasons and traditional fall firearms seasons across its mountainous national forests.