VA · Deer
Virginia’s deer calendar starts with urban archery in early September and a youth weekend in late September. Archery and muzzleloader seasons follow in October and November, then firearms season. Exact dates and either-sex days change by county, city and land type, so use these as statewide windows only.
Verified 2026-10-24Season calendar
Season dates
| Season | Dates |
|---|---|
| Urban archery (antlerless only, listed cities and towns) | Sept. 5 – Oct. 2, 2026 and Jan. 3 – Mar. 28, 2027 |
| Youth and apprentice weekend (statewide) | Sept. 26 – 27, 2026 |
| Early archery (statewide) | Oct. 3 – Nov. 13, 2026 |
| Early muzzleloaderNot in Chesapeake, Suffolk (east of the Dismal Swamp line) or Virginia Beach, where firearms season overlaps. | Oct. 31 – Nov. 13, 2026 |
| Firearms, many western and mountain counties (private land)Either-sex days vary by county. | Nov. 14 – Dec. 12, 2026 |
| Firearms, many eastern and central counties (private land)Either-sex days vary by county. Chesapeake, Suffolk and Virginia Beach run Oct. 1 – Nov. 30. | Nov. 14, 2026 – Jan. 2, 2027 |
| Late muzzleloaderMost areas west of the Blue Ridge and some eastern counties and cities; some counties have none because firearms season overlaps. | Dec. 12, 2026 – Jan. 2, 2027 |
| Late archery, west of the Blue RidgeSome counties have no late archery season; other areas start Nov. 29 or Dec. 1. | Dec. 13, 2026 – Jan. 2, 2027 |
| Northern Virginia late archery (antlerless only)Arlington, Fairfax, Loudoun and Prince William counties. | Mar. 29 – Apr. 25, 2027 |
Bag limit
East of the Blue Ridge: two deer a day and six per license year, no more than three antlered. West of the Blue Ridge (and on National Forest land in Amherst, Bedford and Nelson counties): two a day and five per license year, no more than two antlered. The daily limit is unlimited in listed cities and towns and in several Northern Virginia counties, but antlered caps still apply. Only one deer a day on National Forest and department-owned land. Bonus deer permits and special permits can add antlerless deer on private land.
License and permit fees
| Item | Resident | Nonresident |
|---|---|---|
| One-year license to hunt (age 16+)Required in addition to the deer/turkey license. | $28.00 | $136.00 |
| Deer/turkey license (age 16+)Valid July 1 – June 30. | $28.00 | $136.00 |
| Archery license (additional)Needed to hunt with archery tackle during a designated archery season; not needed during firearms season. | $23.00 | $46.00 |
| Muzzleloading license (additional)Needed during a designated muzzleloader season; not needed during firearms season. | $23.00 | $46.00 |
| Bonus deer permitAntlerless only, on private and authorized public lands, on either-sex days. | $18.00 | $31.00 |
| Junior deer/turkey licenseNonresident under 12: $13.00. | $8.50 (under 16) | $16.00 (ages 12–15) |
Watch for
- Seasons, either-sex days and bag limits vary by county, city and land type (private, National Forest, state forest, WMA). Check the DWR deer pages for your exact locality.
- Earn-a-Buck rules apply in many counties and cities: before a second antlered deer, you must take an antlerless deer in that same unit.
- Chronic Wasting Disease rules, including carcass transport restrictions and testing locations, apply in parts of the state.
- Blaze orange (blaze color) rules apply in firearms season and for muzzleloader hunters; the DWR page lists the exceptions.