Virginia Hunting Seasons & Prices
2026 big-game season dates and license/tag prices.
Virginia offers 2026 hunting seasons for whitetail and black bear across archery, firearm, and muzzleloader methods. Seasons run from October 3, 2026 through January 2, 2027. A basic hunting license costs $23 for residents and $111 for nonresidents.
Planning reference only — always confirm dates and prices with the state wildlife agency before applying, buying a license, or hunting.
Season dates
Whitetail
| Season | Method | Opens | Closes | Notes | Track |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Early Archery | Archery | Oct 3, 2026 | Nov 13, 2026 | 🔔 | |
| Early Muzzleloader | Muzzleloader | Oct 31, 2026 | Nov 13, 2026 | 🔔 | |
| General Firearms | Firearm | Nov 14, 2026 | Jan 2, 2027 | Season length varies widely by county/region; shorter east of the Blue Ridge | 🔔 |
| Late Muzzleloader | Muzzleloader | Dec 12, 2026 | Jan 2, 2027 | 🔔 |
License & tag prices
| License | Resident | Nonresident | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Basic Hunting License | $23 | $111 | |
| Big Game (Deer/Bear/Turkey) License | $23 | $86 | |
| Muzzleloader License | $18 | — | |
| Archery License | $18 | $31 |
Hunters need a basic hunting license plus a big-game (deer/bear/turkey) license; the muzzleloader and archery seasons each require their own license added on top.
Source: Virginia DWR Hunting Licenses & Fees (dwr.virginia.gov/hunting/regulations/licenses)
Virginia hunt units
Explore harvest history, success rates, and draw odds by unit.
Virginia hunting FAQ
- When does whitetail season open in Virginia in 2026?
- Virginia's 2026 whitetail archery season opens October 3 and runs through November 13. Always confirm exact dates with the state wildlife agency before hunting.
- What big-game species can you hunt in Virginia?
- In 2026, Virginia has hunting seasons for whitetail and black bear.
- How much is a Virginia hunting license for nonresidents?
- A basic hunting license in Virginia is $111 for nonresidents and $23 for residents.