Virginia Hunting License: Cost & Deer Permits (2026)

Virginia's hunting license structure requires a base hunting license plus separate add-on licenses for specific species and seasons unless an exemption applies. The Resident Hunting License ($23 for one year) covers small game only. To hunt deer or turkey, most hunters add a Deer/Turkey License ($23 resident / $86 NR adult). Bear hunting requires an additional Bear License ($21 resident / $151 NR adult). Archery seasons require an Archery License ($18 resident / $31 NR), and muzzleloader seasons require a Muzzleloading License ($18 resident / $31 NR). The Resident Sportsman's License ($100) bundles many resident privileges, but hunters still need to confirm whether location-specific permits apply.

Multi-year base hunting licenses are available to residents: 2-year ($44), 3-year ($65), and 4-year ($86). However, the deer/turkey, bear, archery, and muzzleloading add-ons are annual July 1 through June 30 products. Non-resident hunters pay $111 for the base annual hunting license, $86 for the adult deer/turkey add-on, and $151 for the adult bear add-on. The National Forest Permit ($17) is required separately for hunting on US Forest Service land within Virginia.

Virginia landowner exemptions are broader than a simple resident-only rule: qualifying resident or nonresident landowners and certain immediate family members may be license-exempt while hunting within their own land boundaries, but seasons, bag limits, and harvest reporting still apply. Youth under 12 and youth ages 12–15 have separate resident and nonresident options, including youth combination licenses. Hunters should verify exemption status before assuming the base, deer/turkey, archery, or muzzleloader products are unnecessary.

Virginia allows centerfire rifles for deer hunting during firearms seasons — an important distinction from neighboring states like Massachusetts (no rifles) and some surrounding counties in other states. The main firearms deer season runs November 15–29, followed by a Late Firearms season December 1 through January 3. Early archery season opens October 4 through November 14. An Early Muzzleloader season (November 1–14) overlaps the end of archery in western Virginia counties. Late archery and late muzzleloader extend into early January in most of the state.

Virginia's Earn-A-Buck (EAB) program applies in select high-density deer management counties. Under EAB, hunters must harvest at least one antlerless deer before being eligible to take an antlered deer during that license year. The program is designed to reduce deer overabundance in specific areas. EAB requirements vary by county and are updated annually — hunters should check the current county list at dwr.virginia.gov before the season. Bonus Deer Permits ($17 res/NR) provide additional antlerless tags in eligible counties.

Virginia's bag limits also vary by county — most counties allow 2 antlered deer per season, but some permit 3. Antlerless harvest is managed through the bonus permit system. The state does not have statewide antler point restrictions; Virginia relies on antlerless harvest management and the EAB program rather than minimum antler requirements to maintain buck age structure. Deer populations are highest in agricultural areas of the Shenandoah Valley and in the tidewater region, with lower densities in the heavily forested southwestern mountains.

Virginia's black bear population is concentrated in the western mountain counties — Bath, Highland, Rockingham, Augusta, Alleghany, and Craig counties in the Alleghany Highlands, and the Blue Ridge corridor south through Patrick and Floyd counties. Bear density is highest in large blocks of public forest land. The bear season has multiple components: an archery bear season (October 4–November 14), a muzzleloader bear season in select counties (November 1–14), and a main firearms bear season (November 22–January 3) that runs concurrently with much of the deer firearms season. Hound hunting with dogs is legal for bear in select counties during December 1–January 3.

Virginia elk hunting is possible through an annual draw in the Buchanan County Elk Management Zone in southwestern Virginia. Approximately 40 elk permits are issued per year at $40 each (same price for residents and non-residents). The draw application is handled through the DWR portal. Elk were successfully reintroduced in the former coal country of Buchanan County starting in the 2000s, with the herd growing substantially. The elk season typically runs October through December with bow and rifle options. Given the very limited permit numbers, applicants should expect multi-year waits before drawing a tag.

Virginia's turkey population supports both spring and fall hunting. Spring season runs April 12 through May 17 with a 2-gobbler limit. Fall turkey archery season overlaps the deer archery season (October 4–November 8), and fall firearms turkey season runs November 3–8. The state has a strong eastern wild turkey population, particularly in the piedmont and valley regions. Dove hunting opens September 1 on private lands and selected areas. Quail season (November 1–February 28) provides upland bird hunting in southern Virginia counties where populations remain viable.