Youth and Apprentice Deer Hunting Weekend
September 30 and October 1
- Statewide.
- 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).
- Deer of either sex may be taken.
- Antlerless deer taken on the youth and apprentice deer hunting weekend are in addition to an antlerless deer taken under the youth antlerless deer regulation and on either-sex deer hunting days.
- Deer harvested by youth or apprentice hunters count against their daily and season bag limit.
- Blaze colored requirements and exceptions for firearms deer season are in effect (see General Hunting Regulations).
- Deer hunting with dogs is prohibited, except that tracking dogs are allowed (see Hunting with Dogs).
- Adult hunters accompanying youth or apprentice deer hunters:
- do not need a deer/turkey license on this weekend.
- 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.
- Unless specified above, all other normal firearm deer regulations apply (e.g., daily and season bag limits, tagging and checking, EAB, antler point restrictions, etc.).
Early Archery Season
October 7 through November 17: Statewide
Late Archery Seasons
December 3 through January 6:
- In the counties (including the cities and towns within) of Amherst (west of Route 29), Bedford, and Nelson (west of Route 151).
- In all areas west of the Blue Ridge unless noted in the season exception below.
Season Exception: Clarke and Floyd counties and on private lands in Frederick County.
December 4 through January 6:
- On the Chester F. Phelps WMA and on National Forest Lands in Frederick County.
December 1 through January 6:
- In the cities of Chesapeake, Suffolk (east of the Dismal Swamp line), and Virginia Beach.
December 17 through January 6:
- In the counties (including the cities and towns within) of Floyd, Franklin, Henry, and Patrick.
Archery Either-Sex Deer Hunting
- Deer of either sex may be taken full season during the early and late archery deer seasons, including the cities of Chesapeake, VirginiaBeach and Suffolk (east of the Dismal Swamp Line), unless otherwise noted below.
- Only antlered deer may be taken during the early and late archery deer seasons on PALS (Public Access Lands) in Dickenson County.
Northern VA Late Antlerless-only Archery Season
During this season only antlerless deer may be taken.
March 26, 2018 through April 29, 2018:
- In Arlington, Fairfax, Loudoun, and Prince William counties (including the cities and towns within).
Urban Archery Deer Seasons
During this season only antlerless deer may be taken. Earn A Buck (EAB) applies to all the cities (except Chesapeake and Suffolk) and all the towns listed below and in the counties of Fairfax and Roanoke (except on National Forest and Department-owned lands).
September 2 through October 6 and January 7, 2018 through March 25, 2018:
- Within the incorporated limits of the cities of Charlottesville, Chesapeake (except on Department-owned lands), Colonial Heights, Danville, Emporia, Franklin, Fredericksburg, Galax, Hopewell, Lexington, Lynchburg, Martinsville, Poquoson, Radford, Richmond, Staunton, Suffolk, and Winchester; and in the towns of Altavista, Amherst, Bedford, Blacksburg, Blackstone, Boones Mill, Chatham,Christiansburg, Farmville, Front Royal, Halifax, Hurt, Independence, Irvington, Kenbridge, Pearisburg, Pulaski, Richlands, Rocky Mount, Saltville, Smithfield, Stuart, Tazewell, Victoria, West Point, and Wytheville; and in the counties of Chesterfield (may be limited to certain areas, see website), Fairfax, James City, Roanoke (except on National Forest and Department-owned lands), and York.
- Archery or crossbow deer hunters hunting during the early urban archery deer season are required to wear blaze color on the Youth and Apprentice Deer Hunting Weekend.
- Lists of properties available for hunting are not maintained by the Department or local governments.
- Go to the Urban Archery Season page on this website for local restrictions and other urban archery information.
- All other “normal” deer regulations apply (e.g., daily and season bag limits, taggingand checking, DMAP, DCAP, EAB, special antler restrictions, etc.).
In the counties (including the cities and towns within) of Amherst (west of Rt. 29), Bedford*, Botetourt, Carroll, Craig, Giles, Grayson, Montgomery*, Nelson (west of Rt. 151), Pulaski, Roanoke*, Rockingham, Shenandoah, Warren*, and Wythe.
Either-sex Deer Hunting Days:
- November 18 through December 2 (full season): In all areas unless otherwise noted below.
- November 25 and December 2: On National Forest lands and Department-owned lands in Carroll County and on National Forest lands in Craig, Giles, Montgomery, Pulaski, and Wythe counties and on Big Survey WMA.
- December 2: On private lands west of Routes 613 and 731 in Rockingham County.
- Antlered deer only–no either-sex deer hunting days: On National Forest and Department-owned lands in Botetourt and Roanoke counties and on National Forest lands in Amherst, Bedford, Grayson, Nelson, Rockingham, Shenandoah, and Warren counties and on portions of Grayson Highlands State Park, Special Youth Antlerless Deer Regulation applies.
In the counties (including the cities and towns within) of Lee, Page, Rockbridge, Russell, and Tazewell.
Either-sex Deer Hunting Days
- November 25, December 1 and 2: In all areas unless otherwise noted below.
- Antlered deer only–no either-sex deer hunting days: On National Forest andDepartment-owned lands in Rockbridge County, on National Forest lands in Lee, Page, and Tazewell counties, and on Clinch Mountain and Hidden Valley WMAs, and Channels State Forest. Special Youth Antlerless Deer Regulation applies.
In the counties (including the cities and towns within) of Accomack, Albemarle, Arlington*, Clarke*, Culpeper (see season exception for C.F. Phelps WMA below), Fairfax*, Fauquier* (see season exception for C. F. Phelps WMA below), Frederick* (see season exception for National Forest lands below), Greene, Hanover, Henrico, Isle of Wight, James City, Loudoun*, Madison, Northampton, Orange, Prince George, PrinceWilliam*, Rappahannock*, Southampton, Stafford, Suffolk (west of the Dismal Swamp line), Surry, Sussex, and York.
- In Arlington County*, City of Hampton*, and City of Richmond* (in the City of Richmond: archery only, no special permit is required for archery deer hunting). Note: Local Ordinances prohibit the discharge of firearms in these areas (see Local Firearms Ordinances).
- In the City of Lynchburg* (on private lands for which a special permit has been issued by the Chief of Police).
- In the City of Newport News*: archery only, no special permit is required for archery deer hunting.
- In Fairfax County*, firearm hunting is restricted by location and parcel size. Contact the Div. of Animal Control, 4500 West Ox Road, Fairfax, VA 22030 for details. No parcel size restrictions exist for archery deer hunting.
(*denotes EAB county)
Season Exception
- November 18 through December 2: On C.F. Phelps WMA and National Forest lands in Frederick County.
Either-sex Deer Hunting Days
- November 18 through January 6 (full season): In all areas unless otherwise noted below.
- November 25, December 2, and December 9 through January 6: On Rapidan WMA.
- November 25 and January 6: On G.R. Thompson WMA.
- November 25 and December 2: On C.F. Phelps WMA.
- November 25, December 2, and January 1 through 6: On the Big Woods WMA (including the Parkers Branch Tract) and Big Woods State Forest.
- Antlered deer only–no either-sex deer hunting days: On National Forest lands in Frederick County, on the Carlisle and Stewart tracts of the Hog Island WMA, and on the Ragged Island WMA. Special Youth Antlerless Deer Regulation applies.
During these seasons only antlerless deer may be taken.
Early: September 2 through October 6
Late: January 7, 2018 through March 25, 2018:
In the counties of Arlington*, Fairfax*, Loudoun*, and Prince William* (including the cities and towns within). Local firearm ordinances prohibit the discharge of firearms in Arlington County. In Fairfax County*, firearm hunting is restricted by location and parcel size. Contact the Div. of Animal Control, 4500 West Ox Road, Fairfax, VA 22030 for details. No parcel size restrictions exist for archery deer hunting.
All legal deer hunting weapons including bows, crossbows, muzzleloaders, pistols, shotguns, and rifles are legal. Local firearms ordinances still apply.
All other “normal” deer regulations apply (e.g., daily and season bag limits, tagging and checking, DCAP, DMAP, EAB, etc.).
In the counties (including the cities and towns within) of Appomattox, Brunswick, Buckingham, Caroline, Charlotte, Chesterfield, Dinwiddie, Essex, Gloucester, Greensville, King & Queen, King William, Lunenburg, Mathews, Mecklenburg,Middlesex, Nottoway, and Prince Edward.
Either-sex Deer Hunting Days:
- November 25, December 2, and January 1 through 6: In all areas unless otherwise noted below.
- November 25, December 2, and December 9 through January 6: On Featherfin WMA (by quota hunt only).
- November 25, December 2, and January 1 through 6: On Briery Creek, Dick Cross, Horsepen Lake, and Mattaponi WMAs.
- November 25 and December 2: On Appomattox-Buckingham and Prince Edward State Forests.
In the counties (including the cities and towns within) of Amelia, Charles City, Cumberland, Fluvanna, Halifax, King George, Lancaster, New Kent, Northumberland, Powhatan, Richmond and Westmoreland.
Either-sex Deer Hunting Days:
- November 25, December 2, and December 25 through January 6:In all areas unless otherwise noted below.
- November 25, December 2, and December 25 through January 6: On Powhatan WMA.
- November 25, December 2, and January 1 through 6: On Amelia WMA.
- November 25 and December 2: On Cumberland State Forest.
- Antlered deer only–no either-sex deer hunting days: On Chickahominy WMA. Special Youth Antlerless Deer Regulation applies.
In the counties (including the cities and towns within) of Augusta, Scott, Smyth, and Washington.
Either-sex Deer Hunting Days:
- November 25 and November 27 through December 2:In all areas unless otherwise noted below.
- Antlered deer only–no either-sex deer hunting days: On National Forest and Department-owned lands in Augusta County and on National Forest lands in Scott, Smyth, and Washington counties, and on Clinch Mountain and Hidden Valley WMAs, Hungry Mother State Park, and Channels State Forest. Special Youth Antlerless Deer Regulation applies.
In the counties (including the cities and towns within) of Henry and Patrick.
Either-sex Deer Hunting Days:
- November 25, December 2, and December 4 through 16:In all areas unless otherwise noted below.
- November 25 and December 11 through 16: On Fairystone Farms and Turkeycock Mountain WMAs, designated areas of Fairystone State Park, and Philpott Reservoir.
In the cities of Chesapeake, Suffolk (east of the Dismal Swamp line), and Virginia Beach.
Either-sex Deer Hunting Days:
- October 14, October 21, and November 18 through November 30: In all areas.
In the counties (including the cities and towns within) of Buchanan, Dickenson, and Wise.
Either-sex Deer Hunting Days:
- Antlered deer only–no either-sex deer hunting days in all areas. Special Youth Antlerless Deer Regulation does not apply.
In the counties (including the cities and towns within) of Floyd and Franklin.
Either-sex Deer Hunting Days:
- November 18 through December 16 (full season):In all areas unless otherwise noted below.
- November 25 and December 11 through 16: On Philpott Reservoir and Turkeycock Mountain WMA.
In the counties (including the cities and towns within) of Amherst (east of Rt. 29), Campbell, Goochland, Louisa, Nelson (east of Rt. 151), Pittsylvania and Spotsylvania. Note: Dogs may not be used for deer hunting in Campbell County (west of Norfolk Southern Railroad) and in Pittsylvania County (west of Norfolk Southern Railroad).
Either-sex Deer Hunting Days:
- November 25, December 2, and December 9 through January 6:In all areas unless otherwise noted below.
- November 25 and January 1 through 6: On James River WMA.
- November 25 and January 6: On White Oak Mountain WMA.
In the counties (including the cities and towns within) of Alleghany, Bath, Bland, and Highland.
Either-sex Deer Hunting Days:
- November 25 and December 2:In all areas unless otherwise noted below.
- November 25 and December 2: On National Forest lands in Bland County and on the Highland WMA.
- Antlered deer only–no either-sex deer
- hunting days: On National Forest and Department-owned lands in Bath County and on National Forest lands in Alleghany and Highland counties. Special Youth Antlerless Deer Regulation applies.
GET MORE INFORMATION FROM DGIF ON NEW REGULATIONS, BAG LIMITS, HERE