Virginia

Virginia Hunting License: Cost, Requirements & How to Apply (2026)

Complete guide to Virginia hunting license costs, requirements, seasons, and regulations for the Jul 1, 2025 – Jun 30, 2026 season.

Last updated: March 2026

Resident License $23 General hunting

Non-Resident License $110 General hunting

Hunter Education Required Born after 1987-01-01

Online Purchase Yes Jul 1, 2025 – Jun 30, 2026

LICENSE FEES

Virginia Hunting License Fees 2026

Current hunting license costs for residents and non-residents. License year: Jul 1, 2025 – Jun 30, 2026.

Resident Licenses

Resident Hunting (1-Year) $23 —

Resident Hunting (2-Year) $44 —

Resident Hunting (3-Year) $65 —

Resident Hunting (4-Year) $86 —

Resident 3-Day Hunting $12 —

Resident Sportsman's License $100 —

Resident Junior Combo (12-15) $16 —

Resident Junior Hunting (12-15) $8.50 —

Resident Senior (65+) $9 —

Non-Resident Licenses

Non-Resident Hunting — $110

Non-Resident 3-Day Hunting — $59

Non-Resident Youth (Under 12) — $12

Non-Resident Youth (12-15) — $15

Non-Resident Youth Combo (Under 16) — $30

Tags & Permits

Deer/Turkey (Resident) $22 $85

Deer/Turkey (NR Youth 12-15) $7.50 $15

Bonus Deer Permit $17 $17

Bear (Resident) $20 $60

Elk (Draw) $40 $40

Endorsements & Stamps

Archery License $22 Required for all archery/crossbow seasons; same price res/NR

Muzzleloading License $22 Required for muzzleloader seasons; same price res/NR

National Forest Permit $17 Required for hunting on USFS land in Virginia

Federal Duck Stamp $25 Required for waterfowl hunters 16+; valid Jul 1 – Jun 30

HIP Certification Free Free; required for migratory bird hunters

Virginia Migratory Waterfowl Conservation Stamp $10 Required for waterfowl hunting in VA in addition to federal stamp

PURCHASE

How to Buy a Virginia Hunting License

Multiple convenient options to get your license quickly.

Buy Online (Recommended)

Visit GoOutdoorsVirginia.com. Create account or sign in. Select hunting license (or Sportsman's $100 for all-inclusive). Add deer/turkey ($22/$85) and bear ($20/$60) licenses. Add archery ($22) and/or muzzleloading ($22) if needed. Add National Forest Permit ($17) if hunting USFS land. Pay with credit/debit card; print license

Buy In Person

Walmart stores statewide, Bass Pro Shops / Cabela's, Dick's Sporting Goods, Local sporting goods stores, DWR regional offices

Buy By Phone

Call 866-721-6911. Service fee may apply

Shop for hunting gear at our partners:

Bass Pro Shops → Cabela's → Amazon → Academy Sports →

Pro Tip

The easiest way to buy your Virginia hunting license is online through the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources. You'll get your license instantly and can start hunting right away.

EDUCATION

Hunter Education Requirements in Virginia

Who needs it: All hunters born on or after January 1, 1987

Online course: Available — Cost: Free

Field day required: Yes, in-person field day required

Minimum age: 12 years old

Apprentice/deferral program: Available — hunt under supervision while completing education

Military exemption: Yes, active duty military may be exempt

Start Your Hunter Education Course

EXEMPTIONS

Who Can Hunt for Free (or at a Discount) in Virginia?

Youth (Under 12) Free with adult No license required; must hunt with licensed adult; optional $12 NR license

Youth (12-15) $8.50-$16 res / $15-$30 NR Junior hunting $8.50 or Youth Combo $16 (all-inclusive res)

Senior (65+) $9 hunting Residents 65+ pay $9 hunting; 70+ get free archery + muzzleloading

Disabled Veteran (100%) Free 100% service-connected disabled veterans receive free licenses

Active Military Resident rates Active duty stationed in VA pay resident rates

Landowner Exempt on own property VA resident landowners hunt own property without license; deer/turkey license still required

SEASONS

Virginia Hunting Seasons 2026-2027

Key hunting season dates and weapon restrictions.

White-tailed Deer Youth/Apprentice Weekend Sep 27 – Sep 28 Any legal weapon; supervised youth

White-tailed Deer Early Archery Oct 4 – Nov 14 Bow and crossbow

White-tailed Deer Early Muzzleloader Nov 1 – Nov 14 Muzzleloader (western VA counties)

White-tailed Deer Firearms Nov 15 – Nov 29 Rifle, shotgun

White-tailed Deer Late Firearms Dec 1 – Jan 3 Rifle, shotgun

White-tailed Deer Late Muzzleloader Dec 13 – Jan 3 Muzzleloader (eastern VA)

Turkey Youth Spring Apr 5 – Apr 6 Shotgun, bow

Turkey Spring Apr 12 – May 17 Shotgun, bow

Turkey Fall (Archery) Oct 4 – Nov 8 Bow; overlaps deer archery

Turkey Fall (Firearms) Nov 3 – Nov 8 Shotgun, bow

Black Bear Archery Oct 4 – Nov 14 Bow; overlaps deer archery

Black Bear Muzzleloader Nov 1 – Nov 14 Muzzleloader; select counties

Black Bear Firearms Nov 22 – Jan 3 Rifle, shotgun, muzzleloader, bow

Black Bear Hound (with Dogs) Dec 1 – Jan 3 With dogs; select counties

Elk Draw Only Oct-Dec – Varies Bow, rifle; Buchanan County

Dove Regular Sep 1 – Oct 31 Shotgun

Quail Regular Nov 1 – Feb 28 Shotgun

Squirrel Regular Sep 6 – Feb 28 Shotgun, rifle (.22)

Rabbit Regular Nov 1 – Feb 28 Shotgun, dogs permitted

Duck/Waterfowl Regular Oct-Jan – Zone-specific Shotgun (non-toxic shot)

Grouse (Ruffed) Regular Oct 4 – Feb 28 Shotgun

BAG LIMITS

Virginia Bag Limits

Daily and seasonal harvest limits for major game species.

White-tailed Deer 1 2-3 depending on county Earn-A-Buck in some areas; EAB requires antlerless before antlered; bonus antlerless available

Turkey (Spring) 1 2 Bearded turkeys only; one per day max

Turkey (Fall) 1 1-2 depending on county Either sex; county-specific limits

Black Bear 1 1 One per license year; western mountains have highest density

Dove 15 No season limit Mourning and white-winged

Squirrel 6 No season limit Gray and fox squirrel; long tradition in VA

Rabbit 6 No season limit Cottontail; beagle hunting popular in rural VA

Grouse (Ruffed) 3 No season limit Mountain counties; declining population

COMPARE

How Virginia Compares to Neighboring States

See how hunting license costs stack up in the region.

Virginia $23 $110

West Virginia $19 $119 Kentucky $27 $160 Tennessee $33 $305 North Carolina $30 $119 Maryland $35 $160

Compare All 50 States

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions About Virginia Hunting Licenses

How much is a hunting license in Virginia?

Resident: $23 hunting + $22 deer/turkey + $20 bear = $65 total. Sportsman's ($100) bundles everything. NR: $110 hunting + $85 deer/turkey + $60 bear = $255. Multi-year discounts available up to 4 years.

How much is a Virginia bear license?

Bear license: $20 res / $60 NR. Add-on to general hunting license. Sportsman's ($100) includes bear. Virginia has excellent bear hunting in Shenandoah and Blue Ridge mountains — one of the largest east coast bear populations.

Do landowners need a license in Virginia?

Resident landowners can hunt own property without a license. HOWEVER, deer/turkey license ($22) is still required for those species. Season dates and bag limits apply. NR landowners need full licenses.

Can I buy multi-year licenses?

Yes — 2-year ($44), 3-year ($65), 4-year ($86). Saves money vs. annual ($23/yr). Deer/turkey and bear licenses are still annual Jul 1 – Jun 30 and can't be multi-year.

Can I hunt elk in Virginia?

Yes — limited draw only. Elk restoration area in Buchanan County, SW Virginia. Tags: $40 res/NR. Very few permits issued. A growing herd from the successful Rocky Mountain elk reintroduction.

What is Earn-A-Buck?

In select high-density deer counties, Virginia requires hunters to harvest an antlerless deer before taking an antlered buck. This 'Earn-A-Buck' system helps manage deer populations. Check DWR's county-specific rules.

Do seniors get discounts in Virginia?

Residents 65+: $9 hunting license. At 70+: free archery and muzzleloading licenses. Senior rates combined with Sportsman's make Virginia very affordable for older hunters.

Can I buy a Virginia hunting license online?

Yes, at GoOutdoorsVirginia.com. Also by phone (866-721-6911), at Walmart, Bass Pro Shops, Dick's Sporting Goods, and DWR regional offices.