Public Hunting Lands

Department Wildlife Management Areas

The Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries maintains 37 management areas totaling over 200,000 acres for the benefit of all citizens for a variety of outdoor recreational opportunities. Thirty-seven 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.

National Forests

Day use fees are required on certain recreation areas. Please visit the George Washington/Jefferson National Forest website or contact the appropriate office below, for more information on fees and seasonal pass information.

Office Telephone
Supervisor's Office (540) 265-5100
Clinch (276) 328-2931
North River (540) 432-0187
Glenwood-Pedlar (540) 291-2189
James River (540) 962-2214
Lee (540) 984-4101
Mt. Rogers National Recreation Area (276) 783-5196
Eastern Divide (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, crossbow, or any firearm 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. (See exception for valid concealed handgun permit holders.)

It shall be unlawful to possess or transport a loaded firearm in or on any vehicle at any time on National Forest lands or Department-owned lands. (See exception for valid concealed handgun permit holders.)

"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 firearm will include a firearm which is capped, or has a charged pan, or has a primer, or battery installed in the firearm.

The definition of a "loaded crossbow" is a crossbow that is cocked and has either a bolt or arrow engaged or partially engaged on the shooting rail or track of the crossbow, or with a "trackless crossbow" when the crossbow is cocked and a bolt or arrow is nocked.

The word "possession" shall include, but not be limited to, having any bow, crossbow, 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.

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 at left 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 Departmentowned 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 terminating occupancy for a minimum of 10 consecutive days within a 31-day time period is prohibited. For more information, please visit the National Forest website or call the appropriate office. 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 Departmentowned 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.

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.

State Forests

Hunting is allowed on Appomattox- Buckingham State Forest, Prince Edward- Gallion State Forest, Cumberland State Forest, and Sandy Point State Forest (contact 804-492-4121), and Channels State Forest (contact 276-676-5488). A State Forest Use Permit is required and may be purchased from license agents or online. No motorized vehicles permitted on gated roads and trails (opened or closed). Information on regulations governing the use of state forests is available on the Department of Forestry's website.

State Parks

Virginia State Parks offer a wide variety of hunting opportunities as well as countless other outdoor activities for the entire family. Hunting opportunities range from open hunting in designated areas to managed deer hunts where individuals participate through a reservation or lottery system. Specific sites that offer hunting may change from year to year. Managed deer hunts are a tool in Virginia State Parks' overall deer management program. Participating hunters are asked to support our management efforts by following harvest guidelines associated with each hunt. A free permit, available at the park office or on the Internet, is required to hunt in the open hunting area of Occoneechee State Park. See this detailed hunting opportunities chart (PDF) for specific information.

For more information about hunting in a Virginia State Park or to make reservations, call 1-800-933-PARK, or on the Web. 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 Telephone
Back Bay* (757) 721-2412
Chincoteague (757) 336-6122
Great 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 DGIF Quota Hunt program.

Military Areas

Fort A.P. Hill

  • Archery Season: October 3-November 13.
  • Muzzleloading Season: October 31-November 13.
  • General Firearms: November 14-January 2. One deer per day. Either sex deer hunting on Saturdays and November 16-20 and December 28-Jan. 1. Closed Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, Christmas, New Year's Eve and New Year's Day.

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, fees, antler restrictions,and seasons and bag limits for all other game species.

Fort Pickett

Deer:

  • General Firearms: November 14-January 2. Two per day, six per year, either-sex deer hunting on Wednesdays and November 21, November 28 and December 21-January 2.

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 14-January 2. Closed Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, and New Year's Day. Open half day on Thanksgiving Day.
  • Archery Season: October 3-November 13.
  • No Muzzleloading Season.

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

Fort Belvoir

  • Archery Only: qualification required.
  • Deer: September 5, 2009-March 27, 2010.
  • Spring Turkey: April 10-May 15, 2010.

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.

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers

John H. Kerr Reservoir

The John H. Kerr Reservoir is a federally managed multipurpose project located on the Virginia-North Carolina border. It consists of a 50,000 acre reservoir and 55,000 acres of land surrounding the lake which offers 40,000 acres open to hunting. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers maintains 26 wildlife management areas located around Kerr Reservoir. For more information contact:

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
1930 Mays Chapel Road
Boydton, VA23917
(434) 738-6143
http://www.saw.usace.army.mil/jhkerr/

John W. Flannagan Reservoir

The John W. Flannagan Reservoir in western Dickenson County provides 6,400-acres of land open to public hunting. The area offers deer, black bear, wild turkey, and small game hunting opportunities. For further information, contact: (276) 835-9544 or see website.

Other

Dyke Marsh