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Deer

General Information

Do Not Feed Deer

Department regulation makes it illegal to place or distribute food, salt or minerals to feed or attract deer from September 1 through January 2, statewide. This prohibition does not include the planting of agronomic crops or wildlife food plots.

Bag Limits

East of the Blue Ridge (except on National Forest lands in Amherst, Bedford, and Nelson counties)

The bag limit for deer shall be two a day, six a license year. Of the six deer limit, no more than three may be antlered deer and at least three must be antlerless deer.

West of the Blue Ridge and on National Forest lands in Amherst, Bedford, and Nelson counties

The bag limit for deer shall be one a day and five a license year. Of the five deer limit, no more than two may be antlered deer and at least three must be antlerless deer.

• If a hunter kills two antlered deer in Shenandoah County, at least one of the antlered deer must have at least 4 antler points, 1 inch or longer, on one side.

Earn a Buck (EAB)

At least one antlerless deer must be taken on private lands in Bedford, Fairfax, Fauquier, Franklin, Loudoun, Patrick, Prince William, or Roanoke counties before the second antlered deer of the license year may be taken on private lands in any of these counties. Furthermore, at least two antlerless deer must have been taken on private lands in Bedford, Fairfax, Fauquier, Franklin, Loudoun, Patrick, or Prince William counties before the third antlered deer of the license year may be taken on private lands in any of these counties. For more information go to the Earn a Buck (EAB) Questions & Answers section.

Bag Limit Exceptions

• Deer hunters, including those exempt from purchasing a license, on private land and authorized public lands may take more than the license-year bag limit of antlerless deer by using bonus deer permits or special permits (DCAP, DMAP, and DPOP). See Bonus Deer Permits section.
• DCAP, DMAP, and DPOP tags do not count against the daily or season bag limit.

Bonus Deer Permits

• Are valid for one year from date of purchase.
• Are valid for antlerless deer only.
• Are not restricted to the number that may be purchased and used.
• Allow deer to be taken in addition to the license year bag limit.
• Do not allow daily bag limit to be exceeded.
• Are valid only on private lands and authorized public lands.
• Are not valid on National Forest and Department-owned lands.
• Are not valid in Buchanan, Dickenson, and Wise counties.
• Are valid during the archery, muzzleloader, and firearms deer seasons.
• Are valid only on designated either-sex deer hunting days.

Tree Stand Safety Guidelines

• Use a full-body safety harness to secure yourself to the tree. Stay attached whenever you are off the ground.
• Never climb with equipment; use a haul line to get your unloaded gun or bow into and out of the tree stand. Crossbows may be raised while cocked, but should never be loaded with an arrow until securely in the stand and ready to hunt. It can be dangerous to try to cock a crossbow while in a tree.
• Keep manufactured tree stands in good working condition. Always follow the manufacturer's instructions carefully.
• Most falls occur because of the failure of home-made stands, especially as they age. It is best to avoid them.
• While most manufactured tree stands are safe if used properly, they are occasionally found to be defective and recalled. To find out if your stand has been recalled, check the Consumer Product Safety Commission website.

Antlered and Antlerless Deer

• Antlered or Antlerless? How to Tell the Difference (PDF)

Deer Tags

• Either-sex deer tags (commonly called "buck" tags) may be used on antlered or antlerless deer.
• Antlerless only deer tags (commonly called "doe" tags) may only be used on antlerless deer.

Antlered and Antlerless Deer

Antlered Deer

• Antlered deer must have antlers visible above the hairline. Virginia does not have a minimum antler length requirement.
• An antlered deer must be tagged with an either-sex deer tag.

Special Antler Restrictions

• Shenandoah County: If a hunter kills two antlered bucks in Shenandoah County, at least one of the bucks must have at least 4 antler points, 1 inch or longer, on one side.
• Fairystone and Featherfin WMAs: On the Quality Deer Management Area of the Fairystone WMA and Featherfin WMA a legal buck is a deer with at least 4 antler points, 1 inch or longer, on either the right or left antler.

Antlerless Deer

• Antlerless deer may only be taken during designated either-sex deer hunting days during the archery season(s), muzzleloading season(s), and firearms season. Youth deer hunters see Special Youth Antlerless Deer Regulation provisions below.
• Antlerless deer (does, button bucks, and shed-antlered bucks) may be tagged with an either-sex deer tag or an antlerless only deer tag.
• Button bucks, male fawns approximately six months old, are considered antlerless deer. The hair covered bumps on a button buck's head are not antlers. They are the pedicels from which the antlers will grow the next year.
• Antlered deer that have shed their antlers, usually in late December or early January, are also considered antlerless deer.

Firearms Either-Sex Deer Hunting For Incorporated Cities and Towns

Deer of either sex may be taken full season during the firearms deer season within the incorporated limits of any city or town in the Commonwealth that allows deer hunting with a firearm (except in the counties of Buchanan, Dickenson, and Wise).

Special Youth Antlerless Deer Regulation

Deer hunters 15 years of age and under, resident or nonresident, may take one antlerless deer per license year on days other than designated either-sex deer hunting days during the muzzleloading season(s) or the firearms seasons in all counties that have at least one either-sex deer hunting day during the firearms deer season. This regulation applies to all private and public lands (National Forest, State Forests, WMAs, etc.) statewide (except on public and private lands in Buchanan, Dickenson, and Wise counties). This regulation is in addition to either-sex deer hunting days. For example, if a youth deer hunter, 15 years of age or younger, killed one or more antlerless deer on designated either-sex deer hunting days, he or she could still take one antlerless deer on a day not designated an either-sex day.

Youth Deer Hunting Day

September 26

• Statewide, except in Fairfax, Loudoun, and Prince William counties.
• Deer hunters 15 years of age and under, when in compliance with all applicable laws and license requirements, may hunt deer when accompanied and directly supervised by an adult who has a valid Virginia hunting license on his person or is exempt from purchasing a hunting license.
• Deer of either sex may be taken.
• Modern firearms, muzzleloading firearms, and archery tackle can be used, subject to local firearms restrictions.
• Adult hunters accompanying youth deer hunters may not carry or discharge weapons.
• Blaze orange requirements and exceptions for firearms deer season are in effect (see General Hunting Regulations).
• Deer hunting with dogs is prohibited.

Archery Deer Seasons

Early Antlerless-Only Archery Season

During this season only antlerless deer may be taken.

September 5-October 2

• In Fairfax, Loudoun and Prince William counties (except on Department-owned lands).

Archery Either-Sex Deer Hunting

• Deer of either sex may be taken full season during the early and late archery seasons, 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.

Early Archery Season

October 3-November 13: Statewide

Late Archery Seasons

November 30-January 2:

• In all areas west of the Blue Ridge (except Clarke and Floyd counties and on private lands in Frederick County).
• In the counties (including the cities and towns within) of Amherst (west of Rt. 29), Bedford, Campbell (west of Norfolk Southern Railroad), and Nelson (west of Rt. 151).
• On the Chester F. Phelps WMAand on National Forest lands in Frederick County.

December 1-January 2:

• In the cities of Chesapeake, Suffolk (east of the Dismal Swamp line), and Virginia Beach.

December 14-January 2:

• In the counties (including the cities and towns within) of Floyd, Franklin, Henry, and Patrick.

Urban Archery Deer Seasons

During this season only antlerless deer may be taken.

September 5-October 2 and January 4-March 27

• Within the incorporated limits of the cities of Colonial Heights, Danville, Emporia, Franklin, Fredericksburg, Lynchburg, Martinsville, Radford, Richmond, Staunton, Winchester and the towns of Altavista, Amherst, Blacksburg, Christiansburg, Farmville, Independence, Kenbridge, Pulaski, Purcellville, Richlands, Rocky Mount, Saltville, Tazewell, West Point and in Fairfax County.
• 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.

Legal Methods and Restrictions During Archery Deer Seasons

Special restrictions may apply during this season. See Legal Use of Firearms and Archery Equipment and Local Firearms Ordinances for details.

• Archery tackle (including crossbows) only.
• Broadhead widths must be at least 7/8-inch wide or expand upon impact to 7/8-inch.
• Bows must be capable of propelling a broadhead arrow at least 125 yards.
• It is unlawful to use explosive head arrows or arrows to which any drug, chemical or toxic substance has been added.
• It is unlawful to use dogs.
• IIt is unlawful to have a firearm in possession (see exception for concealed handgun permit holders) except that a muzzleloading firearm, as defined in the muzzleloader deer seasons section, may also be in possession when and where there is an overlap with a muzzleloading deer season where deer hunting with a rifle or muzzleloading firearm is permitted.

Muzzleloader Deer Seasons

Early Muzzleloader Season

October 31-November 13:

• In all areas where deer hunting with a rifle or muzzleloading firearm is permitted unless noted in the season exception listed below.
• Season Exceptions:
  • Closed in the cities of Chesapeake, Suffolk (east of the Dismal Swamp line), and Virginia Beach.

Either-sex Deer Hunting Days East of the Blue Ridge: October 31-November 13 (full season):

• In all areas (including Occoneechee State Park) unless otherwise noted below.
• November 7:
  • On State Forest lands, State Park lands (except Occoneechee State Park), Department-owned lands, and Philpott Reservoir.
• Antlered deer only-no either-sex deer hunting days:
  • OOn National Forest lands in Amherst, Bedford and Nelson counties.

Either-sex Deer Hunting Days West of the Blue Ridge:

• November 7:
  • On private lands in Alleghany, Augusta, Bath, Bland, Botetourt, Craig, Giles, Highland, Page, Pulaski, Rockbridge, Rockingham (except on private lands west of Routes 613 and 731), Scott, Shenandoah, and Wythe counties and on National Forest lands in Craig, Bland, Giles, Montgomery, and Pulaski counties and on National Forest and Department-owned lands in Carroll, Roanoke, and Wythe counties.
• October 31-November 13 (full season):
  • In Clarke and Floyd counties and on private lands in Carroll, Frederick, Grayson, Montgomery, Roanoke, and Warren counties.
• Antlered deer only-no either-sex deer hunting days:
  • In the counties of Buchanan, Dickenson, Lee, Russell, Smyth, Tazewell, Washington, and Wise and on National Forest lands in Alleghany, Botetourt, Frederick, Grayson, Page, Rockingham, Scott, Shenandoah, and Warren counties, and on National Forest and Department-owned lands in Augusta, Bath, Highland, and Rockbridge counties and on Grayson Highlands State Park and on private lands west of Routes 613 and 731 in Rockingham County.

Late Muzzleloader Season

December 12-January 2:

• West of the Blue Ridge (except Clarke County and on private lands in Frederick County).
• East of the Blue Ridge in the counties (including cities and towns within) of Amherst (west of Rt. 29), Bedford, Campbell (west of Norfolk Southern Railroad), Franklin, Henry, Nelson (west of Rt. 151), and Patrick, and in the cities of Chesapeake, Suffolk (east of the Dismal Swamp line), and Virginia Beach.

Either-sex Deer Hunting Days:

• December 28-January 2:
  • On private lands in Alleghany, Augusta, Bath, Bland, Botetourt, Craig, Giles, Highland, Page, Pulaski, Rockbridge, Rockingham (except on private lands west of Routes 613 and 731), Shenandoah, and Wythe counties and on National Forest lands in Craig, Bland, Giles, Montgomery, and Pulaski counties and on National Forest and Department-owned lands in Carroll, Roanoke, and Wythe counties and in the cities of Chesapeake, Suffolk (east of the Dismal Swamp line), and Virginia Beach.
• December 12-January 2 (full season):
  • In the counties of Amherst (west of U.S. Route 29 except on National Forest lands), Bedford (except on National Forest lands), Campbell (west of Norfolk Southern Railroad), Floyd, Franklin, Henry, Nelson (west of Route 151 except on National Forest lands), and Patrick and on private lands in Carroll, Grayson, Montgomery, Roanoke and Warren counties.
• January 2:
  • In the counties of Dickenson (north of Rt. 83), Lee, Russell, Scott, Smyth, Tazewell, Washington, and Wise and on National Forest lands in Alleghany, Amherst, Bedford, Botetourt, Frederick, Grayson, Nelson, Page, Rockingham, Shenandoah, and Warren counties, and on National Forest and Department-owned lands in Augusta, Bath, Highland, and Rockbridge counties and on private lands west of Routes 613 and 731 in Rockingham County and Grayson Highlands State Park.
• Antlered deer only-no either-sex deer hunting days:
  • In Buchanan and Dickenson (south of Rt. 83).

Muzzleloading Either-sex Deer Hunting for Incorporated Cities and Towns

Deer of either sex may be taken full season during all muzzleloading seasons within the incorporated limits of any city or town in the Commonwealth that allows deer hunting with a muzzleloader (except in the counties of Buchanan, Dickenson and Wise and in the cities of Chesapeake, Suffolk, and Virginia Beach).

Legal Methods and Restrictions During Muzzleloader Deer Seasons

Special restrictions apply to specific firearms use during this season. See Legal Use of Firearms and Archery Equipment and Local Firearms Ordinances for details.

• Only muzzleloading firearms, .45 caliber or larger, loaded from the muzzle of the gun.
• Muzzleloading firearms must be single shot, capable of firing only a single bullet or saboted bullet (.38 caliber or larger).
• Flintlock, percussion or electronic ignitions are permitted.
• Unlawful to have in immediate possession any firearm other than a muzzleloading firearm while hunting with a muzzleloader (see exception for concealed handguns).
• Unlawful to use muzzleloading pistols.
• Must use at least 50 grains of black powder or black powder equivalent.
• Smokeless powder is allowed in muzzleloading weapons designed for it. Never use smokeless powder of any type, in any quantity, in a muzzleloading firearm that is not specifically designed for it.
• Scopes are permitted.
• For the purposes of transportation in a vehicle, muzzleloading firearms are considered "unloaded" when all powder has been removed from the flashpan, or the percussion cap, primer, or battery has been removed from the firearm. For complete safety, a muzzleloader should be emptied by shooting into soft ground.
• Unlawful to hunt deer with dogs.
• It is lawful to carry archery tackle when and where there is an overlap with a deer archery and muzzleloading season.

Firearms Deer Seasons

November 14-28

In the counties (including the cities and towns within) of Augusta, Bland, Rockingham, Scott, Smyth, and Washington.

Either-sex Deer Hunting Days:

• November 21-28: In all areas unless otherwise noted below.
  • November 21 and November 28: On National Forest lands in Bland County
  • November 28: On National Forest and Department-owned lands in Augusta County, and on National Forest lands in Rockingham, Smyth, Washington counties and on private lands west of Routes 613 and 731 in Rockingham County and on Clinch Mountain WMA, Hungry Mother State Park, Hidden Valley WMA, and Channels State Forest.
  • Antlered deer only-no either-sex deer hunting days: On National Forest lands in Scott County. Special Youth Antlerless Deer Regulation applies.

November 14-January 2

In the counties (including the cities and towns within) of Amelia, Appomattox, Brunswick, Buckingham, Charlotte, Cumberland, Dinwiddie, Fluvanna, Goochland (west of U.S. Route 522), Louisa, Lunenburg, Mecklenburg, Nottoway, and Prince Edward.

Either-sex Deer Hunting Days:

• November 21, November 28, and December 21-January 2:: In all areas unless otherwise noted below.
  • November 21, November 28, and December 28-January 2: On Amelia WMA, Briery Creek WMA, Dick Cross WMA, and Horsepen Lake WMA.
  • November 21, November 28, and December 5-January 2: On Featherfin WMA(by quota hunt only).
  • November 21 and November 28: On Appomattox-Buckingham, Cumberland, and Prince Edward State Forests.

November 14-28

In the counties (including the cities and towns within) of Amherst (west of Rt. 29), Bedford, Botetourt, Campbell (west of Norfolk Southern Railroad), Carroll, Craig, Giles, Grayson, Montgomery, Nelson (west of Rt. 151), Pulaski, Roanoke, Shenandoah, Warren, and Wythe.

Either-sex Deer Hunting Days:

• November 14-28 (full season): In all areas unless otherwise noted below.
  • November 21 and November 28: On National Forest lands and Department-owned lands in Carroll and Roanoke counties and on National Forest lands in Craig, Giles, Montgomery, Pulaski, and Wythe counties and on Big Survey WMA.
  • November 28: On National Forest lands in Amherst, Bedford, Botetourt, Grayson, Nelson, Shenandoah, and Warren counties and on portions of Grayson Highlands State Park.

November 14-28

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. Only antlered deer may be taken during the firearms season in these counties. Special Youth Antlerless Deer Regulation does not apply.

November 14-January 2

In the counties (including the cities and towns within) of Accomack, Albemarle, Charles City, Chesterfield, Clarke, Culpeper (see season exception for C. F. Phelps WMAbelow), Essex, Fauquier (see season exception for C. F. Phelps WMAbelow), Frederick (see season exception for National Forest lands below), Gloucester, Greene, Greensville, Henrico, Isle of Wight, James City, King and Queen, Lancaster, Loudoun, Madison, New Kent, Northampton, Northumberland, Orange, Prince William, Rappahannock, Richmond, Southampton, Suffolk (west of the Dismal Swamp line), Surry, Sussex, Westmoreland, 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 a special landowner permit is required to firearms deer hunt on private lands. Contact the Div. of Animal Control, 4500 West Ox Road, Fairfax, VA 22030 for details. No special police permit is required for archery deer hunting.

Either-sex Deer Hunting Days

• November 14- January 2 (full season): In all areas unless otherwise noted below.
  • November 21, November 28, and December 5-January 2: On Rapidan WMA.
  • November 21 and January 2: On G.R. Thompson WMA.
  • Antlered deer only-no either-sex deer hunting days: On the Carlisle Tract of the Hog Island WMA, Chickahominy WMA, and Ragged Island WMA. Special Youth Antlerless Deer Regulation applies.

Season Exception

• November 14-28: On C.F. Phelps WMA and National Forest lands in Frederick County.

Either-sex Deer Hunting Days

• November 28: On National Forest lands in Frederick County.
• November 21: On C.F. Phelps WMA.

Late Antlerless-Only Firearms Deer Season January 4, 2010-March 27, 2010

In the counties (including the cities and towns within) of Fairfax, Fauquier, Loudoun, and Prince William, except on Department-owned lands. During this season only antlerless deer may be taken. To firearms deer hunt on private lands in Fairfax County a special landowner permit is required (see above).

October 1-November 29

In the cities of Chesapeake, Suffolk (east of the Dismal Swamp line) and Virginia Beach.

Either-sex Deer Hunting Days:

• October 1-November 30 (full season): In all areas.

November 14-December 12

In the counties (including the cities and towns within) of Floyd, Franklin, Henry, and Patrick.

Either-sex Deer Hunting Days:

• November 14-December 12 (full season): In all areas unless otherwise noted below.
  • November 21 and December 7-12: On Fairystone Farms WMA, designated areas of Fairystone State Park, and Philpott Reservoir.
  • November 21, November 28, and December 7-12: On Turkeycock Mountain WMA.

November 14-28

In the counties (including the cities and towns within) of Alleghany, Bath, Highland, Lee, Page, Rockbridge, Russell, and Tazewell.

Either-sex Deer Hunting Days:

• November 21 and November 27-28: In all areas unless otherwise noted below.
  • November 28: On National Forest and Department-owned lands in Bath, Highland, and Rockbridge counties and on National Forest lands in Alleghany, Page, and Tazewell counties and Clinch Mountain WMA, Hidden Valley WMA, and Channels State Forest.
  • Antlered deer only-no either-sex deer hunting days: On National Forest lands in Lee County. Special Youth Antlerless Deer Regulation applies.

November 14-January 2

In the counties (including the cities and towns within) of Amherst (east of Rt. 29), Campbell (east of Norfolk Southern Railroad), Caroline, Goochland (east of U.S. Route 522), Halifax, Hanover, King George, King William, Mathews, Middlesex, Nelson (east of Rt. 151), Pittsylvania, Powhatan, Prince George, Spotsylvania, and Stafford. Note: dogs may not be used for deer hunting in Pittsylvania County (west of Norfolk Southern Railroad).

Either-sex Deer Hunting Days:

• November 21, November 28, and December 5-January 2: In all areas unless otherwise noted below.
  • November 21, November 28 and December 28-January 2: On Powhatan WMA.
  • November 21 and December 28-January 2: On James River WMA.
  • November 21 and January 2: On White Oak Mountain WMA.

Legal Methods and Restrictions During Firearms Deer Seasons:

Special restrictions apply to specific firearms use during this season. See Legal Use of Firearms and Local Firearms Ordinances for details.

• Modern firearms.
• Hunters are allowed to use archery tackle or muzzleloading firearms to deer hunt during the firearms deer season with the following conditions:
  • all hunters are required to comply with the either-sex deer hunting days for the firearms deer season.
  • use of muzzleloading firearms is allowed only if not otherwise restricted.
  • muzzleloader deer hunters must wear blaze orange during the firearms deer season.
  • archery deer hunters must wear blaze orange during the firearms deer season except when hunting in areas where the discharge of firearms is prohibited.

Dogs May Not Be Used For Deer Hunting:

• West of the Blue Ridge.
• East of the Blue Ridge in Bedford, Fairfax, Franklin, Henry Loudoun, Northampton, and Patrick counties, and Amherst (west of Rt. 29), Campbell (west of Norfolk Southern Railroad), Nelson (west of Rt. 151), Pittsylvania (west of Norfolk Southern Railroad), and the city of Lynchburg.
• Statewide when hunting during archery and muzzleloading and seasons and on the Youth Deer Hunting Day.
• On many military areas. Check individual Post regulations.
• On Amelia, Cavalier, Featherfin, Pettigrew, C.F. Phelps, and G. Richard Thompson Wildlife Management Areas.
• During the first 12 hunting days of the firearms deer season in Madison and Greene counties.