Public Hunting Lands

Department Wildlife Management Areas (WMAs)

The Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries maintains 36 management areas totaling nearly 200,000 acres for the benefit of all citizens for a variety of outdoor recreational opportunities. Thirty-four management areas are open for some type of hunting. These lands are purchased and maintained with hunting, fishing and trapping license fees and with Wildlife Restoration Funds. We encourage the public to utilize our land and enjoy the bountiful natural resources found on each area. The map and charts linked below provide a guide on the location and activities associated with each of the Department's wildlife management areas. For more detailed information on each area and an area map visit the wildlife management area section of this Web site or contact the appropriate regional office.

Public Access Lands For Sportsmen (PALS)

PALS is a program that opens additional lands for public use. Through this cooperative private/public program the Department has opened more than 19,000 acres of private land in Dickenson County to public hunting, fishing and trapping. The property is owned by Heartwood Forestland Fund IV and managed by The Forestland Group, LLC. The Department manages access for hunting, fishing and trapping. PALS permits are only sold through license agents and the fee is $18.00. Hunters, anglers and trappers must buy the permit from a license agent. Inquiries about this area should be directed to the Marion Regional Office at (276) 783-4860. The Department hopes to provide additional PALS lands in the future across other parts of the Commonwealth.

National Forests

Parking fees are required only on the following National Forest Recreation Areas: Todd Lake, Coles Point, Longdale, Fortney Branch, Sherando Lake, Bolar Mountain, Bolar Flat, Cascades, High Knob, Bark Camp Lake, Hanging Rock, Cave Mountain Lake, Beartree, Hurricane, Grindstone, Raven Cliff, Fox Creek, Raccoon Branch, Roaring Run and Dark Horse Hollow. Seasonal day use passes are available for $25.00. A 50% discount is available for holders of Golden Age and Golden Access Passports. For more information please call the George Washington & Jefferson National Forests' Supervisor's Office at (540) 265-5100 or contact the appropriate ranger district at:

Ranger District Phone Number
Clinch (276) 328-2931
Dry River/Deerfield (540) 432-0187
Glenwood-Pedlar (540) 291-2189
James River (540) 962-2214
Lee (540) 984-4101
Mount Rogers National Recreation Area (276) 783-5196
New River Valley/New Castle (540) 552-4641
Warm Springs (540) 839-2521

Regulations Specific to National Forest and Game Department Lands

It shall be unlawful to have in possession a bow or gun which is not unloaded and cased or dismantled on all National Forest lands statewide, or on Department-owned lands and on lands managed by the Department under cooperative agreement in counties west of the Blue Ridge Mountains except during the period when it is lawful to take bear, deer, grouse, pheasant, quail, rabbit, raccoon, squirrel, turkey or waterfowl on these lands; and on Department-owned lands and on lands managed by the Department under cooperative agreement in counties east of the Blue Ridge Mountains except during the period when it is lawful to take bear, deer, grouse, pheasant, quail, rabbit, raccoon, squirrel, turkey, waterfowl or migratory game birds on these lands.

Except as provided by special concealed handgun permit, it shall be unlawful to possess or transport a loaded gun in or on any vehicle at any time on National Forest lands or Department-owned lands. "Loaded gun" is defined as a firearm in which ammunition is chambered or loaded in the magazine or clip, when such magazine or clip is found engaged or partially engaged in a firearm. The definition of a loaded muzzleloading gun will include a gun which is capped or has a charged pan.

The word "possession" shall include, but not be limited to, having any bow or firearm in or on one's person, vehicle or conveyance.

It is unlawful to chase with a dog or train dogs on National Forest lands or Department-owned lands except during authorized hunting, chase or training seasons that specifically permit these activities on these lands.

It is unlawful to use electronic calls on National Forest lands, except for crows.

Access Roads

Hunter access roads on Department lands seasonally open to motor vehicles will be open (weather permitting) from the 1st Saturday in October to the 2nd Saturday in February and the 1st Saturday in April to the 3rd Saturday in May.

Opening and closing dates of hunter access roads on National Forest Lands may vary by ranger district. Opening and closing dates are determined by management considerations for the areas accessed by these roads. Contact the local ranger district listed above for opening and closing dates on specific roads.

Any motor driven vehicle using roads normally open to motor vehicles on Department and National Forest lands shall conform with all state laws for highway travel. No cross country travel is permitted. All terrain vehicle (ATV) and off-road vehicle (ORV) travel is permitted only on designated National Forest roads and trails.

Foot travel is invited on roads closed to motor vehicles.

Camping Policy

Primitive camping (no water, electric hookups, bathrooms or other facilities) is permitted on Department-owned lands, except as otherwise posted. Camping is prohibited on or within 100 yards of any Department-owned or controlled boat ramp or fishing lake. Camping on Department-owned lands is not to exceed 14 consecutive days. Only 3 camping units permitted per site.

Camping on the George Washington/Jefferson National Forests for more than 21 consecutive days without having terminated Forest occupancy for a minimum of 10 days within a 31-day time period is prohibited. No trash service is provided. "Pack it in, Pack it out."

Structures

It is unlawful to construct, maintain or occupy any permanent structure, except by permit, on Department-owned lands and National Forest lands.

It is unlawful to maintain any temporary dwelling on Department- owned land for more than 14 consecutive days. Persons constructing or occupying such structures are responsible for complete removal of temporary structures.

Tree Stands

It is unlawful to construct, maintain or occupy any permanent tree stand on Department-owned lands, National Forest lands and on Department of Conservation and Recreation-owned or controlled lands. Portable tree stands, which are not permanently affixed, may be used. Use of a safety harness while hunting from tree stands is strongly recommended.

Unauthorized Feeding

It is unlawful to place or direct the placement of, deposit, distribute, or scatter food or salt capable of attracting or being eaten by bear, deer or turkey on National Forest lands and Department-owned lands. This regulation does not prohibit the proper disposal of food in trash receptacles provided by the National Forest or by the Department. See page 21 for other feeding restrictions.

State Forests

Hunting is allowed on Appomattox-Buckingham and Prince Edward State Forests (contact 434-983-2175), Cumberland State Forest (contact 804-492-4121) and on Sandy Point State Forest (contact 804-492-4121). A State Forest Hunting Permit is required and may be purchased from license agents or the Department of Forestry. No motorized vehicles on gated roads and trails (opened or closed) are permitted without written authorization.

State Parks

Virginia State Parks offers a wide variety of outdoor recreational opportunities for the entire family, including hunting opportunities. These range from open hunting in designated areas to managed deer hunts where individuals participate through a reservation or lottery system. Managed deer hunts are a tool in Virginia State Parks' overall deer management program. Specific sites that offer hunting may change from year to year. Participating hunters are asked to support our efforts by following harvest guidelines associated with each hunt.

Please refer to the sections below for specific information and the chart linked below for park-specific hunt information. Information is also available on the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation Web site.

Lottery Hunts

Several parks offer hunting opportunities by lottery. Refer to the chart for details. A separate lottery application is required for each hunt. A $5 non-refundable application fee is required with each completed application and a $10 hunting fee will be collected at the site. Proof of hunter education certification and required licenses must be presented at check-in. Detailed hunt information, including lottery deadlines, is typically available beginning August 1 of each year. Contact the Virginia State Parks Reservation Center (1-800-933-7275) for information about the lotteries. Additionally, Mason Neck State Park holds a lottery deer hunt coordinated by the Potomac River National Wildlife Refuge. False Cape State Park’s lottery is coordinated with Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge, through the Department of Game and Inland Fisheries Quota Hunt system.

Reservation Hunts

Several parks offer deer hunting opportunities by reservation. Refer to the chart for details. Hunters may reserve both the day and preferred stand or zone for a fee of $15 per day. The fee is nonrefundable. Proof of hunter education certification and required licenses must be presented at check-in. Detailed hunt information, including hunt reservation periods, is typically available beginning August 1 of each year. Contact the Virginia State Parks Reservation Center (800-933-7275) to reserve a slot.

Special Hunts

Some parks offer hunting opportunities for youth, as well as specialized hunting programs. Contact individual parks for more information on special hunts. One popular program is the Southern Heritage Deer Hunt held at Chippokes Plantation State Park each year. This is an old-fashioned hunt featuring three traditional meals, a blessing of the hounds, rides to and from the hunt stands and a butchering service. Reservations may be made up to one year in advance through the Virginia State Parks Reservation Center (1-800-933-7275).

Open Hunting

Designated areas within some parks are open to hunting throughout the hunting season. Only the designated areas within these parks allow hunting, and statewide hunting regulations apply. Restrictions on parking and weapons may apply. Refer to the chart for details. Contact the individual park for more information. For more information about hunting in a Virginia State Park or to make reservations, call 1-800-933-PARK, or on the Web at http://www.dcr.virginia.gov/state_parks/hunting.htm. Overnight accommodations are available at many sites during part of the hunting season; contact the Reservation Center or visit the Web site for additional information and to reserve cabins or campsites.

Federal Refuges

Hunting is allowed on the following National Wildlife Refuges in Virginia. For more information, contact the appropriate refuge manager at:

Refuge Phone Number
*Back Bay (757) 721-2412
Chincoteague (757) 336-6122
*Dismal Swamp (757) 986-3705
Eastern Shore (757) 331-2760
James River (804) 829-9020 or
(804) 333-1470
Mason Neck/Occoquan (703) 490-4979
*Plum Tree Island (804) 829-9020 or
(804) 333-1470
*Presquile (804) 829-9020 or
(804) 333-1470
*Rappahannock River Valley (804) 333-1470

* Quota hunts are offered through VDGIF Quota Hunts program.

Military Areas

Fort A.P. Hill

  • Archery Season: October 6–November 16.
  • Muzzleloading Season: November 3–November 16.
  • General Firearms: November 17–January 5. One deer per day.
    • Either sex deer hunting on Saturdays and November 19–23 and Dec. 31–Jan. 4. Closed Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's Day. Open half day on Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve.
  • All persons 12 years of age and older must present a hunter education certificate in order to purchase an A.P. Hill hunting permit. Contact Fort A.P. Hill Game Check Station at (804) 633-8244 for details about the hunter education requirements, permits and fees required to hunt on Post; and restrictions, seasons and bag limits for all other game species.

Fort Pickett

  • Deer:
    • General Firearms: November 17–January 5. Two per day, six per year, either-sex deer hunting on Wednesdays and November 24, December 1 and December 31–January 5.
  • Quail: Hunting permitted on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays only. Contact the Ft. Pickett Game Check Station at (434) 292-2618 for further details about seasons and special restrictions.

Quantico Marine Reservation

  • Deer:
    • General Firearms: November 17–January 5. Closed Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, and New Year's Day. Open half day on Thanksgiving Day.
    • Archery Season: October 6–November 16.
    • No Muzzleloading Season.

Consult Quantico Game Check Station for daily and seasonal bag limits, other seasons and further details, at (703) 784-5523 or their Web site.

Fort Belvoir

  • Archery Only: qualification required.
  • Deer: September 15, 2007–March 29, 2008.
  • Spring Gobbler: April 12–May 17, 2008.

Contact Outdoor Recreation staff at (703) 805-3688 for further details.

National Parks

Hunting is prohibited in all National Parks in Virginia. Hunters may obtain hunter parking access permits from the Blue Ridge Parkway National Park Service to park at designated areas along the Blue Ridge Parkway and cross national park lands (firearms must be unloaded and cased) to hunt on National Forest lands. For further information call (540) 377-2377.