Regulations change. Always confirm with the official state fish and wildlife agency before you hunt or fish. This site is an unofficial index, not legal advice. Each fact shows its source and the date we last read it.
Virginia: 2026-27 deer seasons, resident license fees and official links
Run by: Virginia Dept. of Wildlife Resources (DWR). Below are the deer season dates and resident license fees we could read on official pages (regulation year 2026-27). This state is newly added and coverage is partial.
Deer seasons
| Season type | Zone / unit | Dates (inclusive) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Youth and apprentice weekend (firearms) | Statewide (private land) | Sep 26, 2026 to Sep 27, 2026 | Youth 15 and under or apprentice license holders with a qualifying adult. |
| Early archery | Statewide | Oct 3, 2026 to Nov 13, 2026 | Firearms season in Chesapeake, Suffolk (east of the Dismal Swamp line) and Virginia Beach overlaps. |
| Early muzzleloader | Statewide; either-sex days vary by area (east and west of the Blue Ridge) | Oct 31, 2026 to Nov 13, 2026 | Not open in Chesapeake, Suffolk (east of the Dismal Swamp line) or Virginia Beach. |
| Firearms, private land | Listed counties, e.g. Caroline, Amelia, Albemarle, Fairfax, Loudoun, Pittsylvania, York (full list in the guide) | Nov 14, 2026 to Jan 2, 2027 | Either-sex days vary by county; see the guide. |
| Firearms, private land | Buchanan, Dickenson, Wise, Alleghany, Bath, Highland, Lee, Rockingham (west of Rts. 613 and 731), Henry, Patrick, Bland, Russell, Scott, Tazewell, Augusta, Botetourt, Craig, Giles, Grayson, Rockbridge, Smyth, Washington | Nov 14, 2026 to Dec 12, 2026 | Either-sex days vary by county; Buchanan is antlered deer only. |
| Firearms, private land | Chesapeake, Suffolk (east of Dismal Swamp line), Virginia Beach | Oct 1, 2026 to Nov 30, 2026 | |
| Late muzzleloader | Varies by locality (east and west of the Blue Ridge) | Dec 12, 2026 to Jan 2, 2027 | Either-sex days vary by locality. |
| Late archery | Henry and Patrick counties and areas west of the Blue Ridge (with exceptions) | Dec 13, 2026 to Jan 2, 2027 | No late archery in Clarke and Floyd counties and on private land in several others; see the guide. |
| Late archery | Listed far-western counties; National Forest and DWR-owned land west of the Blue Ridge | Nov 29, 2026 to Jan 2, 2027 | |
| Late archery | Chesapeake, Suffolk (east of Dismal Swamp line), Virginia Beach | Dec 1, 2026 to Jan 2, 2027 | |
| Urban archery (antlerless only) | Listed cities, towns and counties | Jan 3, 2027 to Mar 28, 2027 | A second window Sept 5 to Oct 2, 2026 also applies in the same areas. |
Source: Virginia DWR: 2026-27 hunting, trapping and migratory game bird seasons. Last verified Oct 17, 2026. Dates can vary by zone, unit or land type; check the official page for your location.
Selected resident license fees
| License (resident) | Fee | Notes | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| One-year resident license to hunt, age 16+ | $28.00 | Issuance fee included in prices where applicable. | Official page |
| Resident deer and turkey hunting license, age 16+ | $28.00 | Listed as an additional hunting privilege. | Official page |
| Resident archery license | $23.00 | For archery season. | Official page |
| Resident muzzleloading license | $23.00 | For muzzleloading season. | Official page |
| Resident bear hunting license | $26.00 | Official page | |
| Resident bonus deer permit | $18.00 | Official page | |
| One-year resident freshwater fishing license | $28.00 | Freshwater and saltwater combined is $44.50 (same page). | Official page |
| Resident sportsman license (hunt and freshwater fish, deer, turkey, bear, archery, muzzleloader, stocked trout waters) | $130.00 | Same price is listed on the hunting fee page. | Official page |
Fees are copied from the official page linked in each row, last verified Oct 17, 2026. Fees, agent fees and online fees change; confirm before you buy.
Good to know
- Bag limit east of the Blue Ridge is two deer a day and six a license year (no more than three antlered); west of the Blue Ridge it is two a day and five a license year (no more than two antlered). Exceptions apply.
Source: Virginia DWR: deer hunting regulations. Last verified Oct 17, 2026. - DWR deer/turkey and bear licenses, and the Sportsman's License, are valid July 1 to June 30.
Source: Virginia DWR: hunting licenses and fees. Last verified Oct 17, 2026.
Not yet researched
Either-sex days by county, public-land firearms table, remaining late-season localities, bear and turkey dates, small game and waterfowl dates, fishing seasons, non-resident fees.