White-tailed deer
Origin not verifiedAgency-listed hunting target; local access, methods and limits apply. Population origin not verified.
Agency species information ↗THE SEASON ATLAS / VAVirginia
Virginia
hunting seasons.
Explore 2026 & 2027 season sources, publication status, and game species for your next hunt.
VA / UNITED STATES
PLAN WITH THE SEASONS
Your 2026 field calendar.
2026–27 regulations available
The agency has published a 2026–27 guide or season schedule. Only selected dates are transcribed here; check the original regulations and individual public-land rules.
Official 2026 information ↗0 verified date entries
Selected agency dates are indexed below. This is not a complete legal calendar. Unit rules, tags, sex and age restrictions, closures, and special hunts can change which dates apply. Use the source beside each entry.
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The agency has the final word.
Exact 2026 dates have not been indexed here yet. This does not mean hunting is closed or that the agency has not published its schedule.
Open official hunting schedule ↗Virginia game species & hunting information.
These species and groups appear in agency hunting resources. Their presence in the state does not mean every public area offers a hunt. “Native” describes origin, “reintroduced” describes restoration, and “migratory” describes movement; these are not population counts. Origin is left unverified when the reviewed source does not establish it.
Big game
Black bear
Origin not verifiedAgency-listed hunting target; local access, methods and limits apply. Population origin not verified.
Agency species information ↗Wild turkey
Origin not verifiedAgency-listed hunting target; local access, methods and limits apply. Population origin not verified.
Agency species information ↗Elk
Origin not verifiedElk management-zone lottery requirements and rules outside the zone differ; check DWR before planning.
Agency species information ↗Small game
Rabbit
Origin not verifiedAgency-listed hunting target; local access, methods and limits apply. Population origin not verified.
Agency species information ↗Squirrel
Origin not verifiedAgency-listed hunting target; local access, methods and limits apply. Population origin not verified.
Agency species information ↗Groundhog
Origin not verifiedAgency-listed hunting target; local access, methods and limits apply. Population origin not verified.
Agency species information ↗Upland birds
Ruffed grouse
Origin not verifiedAgency-listed hunting target; local access, methods and limits apply. Population origin not verified.
Agency species information ↗Quail
Origin not verifiedAgency-listed hunting target; local access, methods and limits apply. Population origin not verified.
Agency species information ↗Pheasant
Origin not verifiedAgency-listed hunting target; local access, methods and limits apply. Population origin not verified.
Agency species information ↗Furbearers
Bobcat
Origin not verifiedAgency-listed hunting target; local access, methods and limits apply. Population origin not verified.
Agency species information ↗Coyote
Origin not verifiedAgency-listed hunting target; local access, methods and limits apply. Population origin not verified.
Agency species information ↗Red fox
Origin not verifiedAgency-listed hunting target; local access, methods and limits apply. Population origin not verified.
Agency species information ↗Gray fox
Origin not verifiedAgency-listed hunting target; local access, methods and limits apply. Population origin not verified.
Agency species information ↗Opossum
Origin not verifiedAgency-listed hunting target; local access, methods and limits apply. Population origin not verified.
Agency species information ↗Skunk
Origin not verifiedAgency-listed hunting target; local access, methods and limits apply. Population origin not verified.
Agency species information ↗Raccoon
Origin not verifiedAgency-listed hunting target; local access, methods and limits apply. Population origin not verified.
Agency species information ↗Other game
Feral hog
Origin not verifiedListed as nuisance wildlife; public-land take periods and local weapon restrictions still apply.
Agency species information ↗Nutria
Origin not verifiedListed as nuisance wildlife; public-land take periods and local weapon restrictions still apply.
Agency species information ↗European starling
Origin not verifiedListed as nuisance wildlife; public-land take periods and local weapon restrictions still apply.
Agency species information ↗English sparrow
Origin not verifiedListed as nuisance wildlife; public-land take periods and local weapon restrictions still apply.
Agency species information ↗Mute swan
Origin not verifiedListed as nuisance wildlife; public-land take periods and local weapon restrictions still apply.
Agency species information ↗Rock pigeon
Origin not verifiedListed as nuisance wildlife; public-land take periods and local weapon restrictions still apply.
Agency species information ↗Crow
Origin not verifiedAgency crow-hunting category; special dates and permitted days apply. Population origin not verified.
Agency species information ↗Migratory birds
Ducks
MigratoryOnly duck species authorized by the agency are included; closed species and species-specific bag limits are excluded. Some populations are resident.
Agency species information ↗Mergansers
MigratoryManaged under migratory-bird regulations; resident populations may also occur. Species limits and local closures apply.
Agency species information ↗Coot
MigratoryManaged under migratory-bird regulations; resident populations may also occur. Species limits and local closures apply.
Agency species information ↗Canada goose
MigratoryManaged under migratory-bird regulations; resident populations may also occur. Species limits and local closures apply.
Agency species information ↗Snow goose
MigratoryManaged under migratory-bird regulations; resident populations may also occur. Species limits and local closures apply.
Agency species information ↗Brant
MigratoryManaged under migratory-bird regulations; resident populations may also occur. Species limits and local closures apply.
Agency species information ↗Dove
MigratoryManaged under migratory-bird regulations; resident populations may also occur. Species limits and local closures apply.
Agency species information ↗American woodcock
MigratoryManaged under migratory-bird regulations; resident populations may also occur. Species limits and local closures apply.
Agency species information ↗Snipe
MigratoryManaged under migratory-bird regulations; resident populations may also occur. Species limits and local closures apply.
Agency species information ↗Rails
MigratoryManaged under migratory-bird regulations; resident populations may also occur. Species limits and local closures apply.
Agency species information ↗Gallinules
MigratoryManaged under migratory-bird regulations; resident populations may also occur. Species limits and local closures apply.
Agency species information ↗Tundra swan
MigratoryLimited swan permit and designated-area regulations apply.
Agency species information ↗Check the details.
Then head for the horizon.
Confirm the unit, season, license, method, bag limit, and current closures with Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources. Public-land rules may be more restrictive than statewide seasons.