Turkey

Bag Limits

  • General: one per day, three per license year, no more than two of which may be taken in the fall.
  • Archery and Fall Firearms Season: turkeys of either sex may be taken.
  • Spring Gobbler Season: one per day, bearded turkeys only.

Archery Turkey Season

October 6-November 10: statewide

  • Except in counties where there is a closed firearm season on turkey.

Legal Methods and Restrictions

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

  • Archery tackle only.
  • Decoys and blinds may be used.
  • 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.
  • Unlawful to have a firearm in possession (see exception for concealed handguns).
  • Unlawful to use dogs when hunting with archery tackle during the archery season.

Fall Firearms Turkey Seasons

October 27-November 9, November 22 and December 10-January 5

In the counties of Albemarle, Alleghany, Amelia, Amherst, Appomattox, Augusta, Bath, Bedford, Bland, Botetourt, Brunswick, Buckingham, Campbell, Caroline, Carroll, Charlotte, Chesterfield, Clarke, Craig, Culpeper, Cumberland, Dickenson, Dinwiddie, Essex, Fairfax, Fauquier, Floyd, Fluvanna, Franklin, Frederick, Giles, Goochland, Grayson, Greene, Greensville, Halifax, Hanover, Henrico, Henry, Highland, King and Queen, King William, Lee, Loudoun, Louisa, Lunenburg, Madison, Mecklenburg, Montgomery, Nelson, Nottoway, Orange, Page, Patrick, Pittsylvania, Powhatan, Prince Edward, Prince William, Pulaski, Rappahannock, Roanoke, Rockbridge, Rockingham, Russell, Scott, Shenandoah, Smyth, Spotsylvania, Stafford, Tazewell, Warren, Washington, Wise, and Wythe and on Camp Peary.

October 27-November 9 and November 22

In the counties of Buchanan, Isle of Wight, Prince George, Southampton, Surry, and Sussex.

October 27-November 9, November 22 and December 10-22

In the counties of Charles City, Gloucester, James City, King George, Lancaster, Mathews, Middlesex, New Kent, Northumberland, Richmond, Westmoreland, and York (except on Camp Peary).

Closed

In the counties of Accomack, Arlington, and Northampton and in the cities of Chesapeake, Hampton, Newport News, Suffolk, and Virginia Beach.

Legal Methods and Restrictions for Firearms Turkey Season

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

  • Modern firearms
  • Archery tackle
  • Muzzleloading firearms
  • Decoys, blinds, and dogs may be used
  • Unlawful to use electronic calls

Spring Gobbler Season

Bag Limit

One per day, bearded turkeys only. Hunters may take one, two or three bearded turkeys depending on how many turkeys were taken in the fall season.

Seasons: statewide

  • April 12-May 3:
    • One-half hour before sunrise until 12 noon each day.
  • May 5-May 17:
    • One-half hour before sunrise to sunset.
  • April 5: Youth Spring Turkey Hunt
    • One-half hour before sunrise to 12 noon.
    • Youth hunters (resident or nonresident) must be 15 years of age or younger to participate.
    • Youth hunters between the age of 12 and 15 must have appropriate valid hunting licenses. Hunters under the age of 12 are not required to have a license, but they must be accompanied by a licensed adult.
    • All youth must be accompanied and directly supervised and within sight of an adult. Adult hunters accompanying youth must possess a valid Virginia hunting license (or be exempt from purchasing a hunting license); may assist with calling; and shall not carry or discharge a firearm.

Legal Methods and Restrictions for Spring Gobbler Season

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

  • Modern firearms
  • Archery tackle
  • Muzzleloading firearms
  • Decoys and blinds may be used
  • Unlawful to use electronic calls
  • Unlawful to use dogs during spring gobbler season
  • When using a shotgun it is unlawful to use or have in possession any shot larger than number 2 fine shot during spring gobbler season