Virginia
Disclaimer: Season dates are gathered on a best-effort basis and may contain errors or be outdated. Always verify dates, bag limits, and regulations directly with Virginia DWR before hunting.
Proposed 2026-27
federal openings
in Virginia
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is proposing hunting and fishing access changes at 5 stations in Virginia. Public comment closes June 26, 2026.
- VA · NWR
Elizabeth Hartwell Mason Neck NWR
VirginiaBIG GAME: OPENING - VA · NWR
James River NWR
VirginiaUPLAND GAME: OPENING - VA · NWR
Occoquan Bay NWR
VirginiaUPLAND GAME: OPENINGBIG GAME: OPEN + EXPAND - VA · NWR
Presquile NWR
VirginiaUPLAND GAME: OPENINGBIG GAME: EXPANSION - VA · NWR
Rappahannock NWR
VirginiaUPLAND GAME: OPEN + EXPANDBIG GAME: EXPANSION
Turkey
Wild Turkey
Fall Firearms
October 18 through October 31, and November 27 — November 27
Zone: Albemarle, Alleghany, Augusta, Bath, Greene, Highland, Madison, Page, and Rockingham counties
Wild Turkey
Youth/Apprentice
April 4 — April 5
Zone: Statewide
Wild Turkey
Archery
October 4 — November 14
Zone: Statewide except areas with closed firearm season on turkey
Wild Turkey
Fall Firearms
Zone: Arlington County and cities of Chesapeake, Norfolk, Portsmouth, and Virginia Beach
Wild Turkey
Spring Firearms
April 11 — April 26
Zone: Statewide
Wild Turkey
Youth/Apprentice
October 11 — October 12
Zone: Statewide in counties, cities, and areas with a fall turkey season
Wild Turkey
Spring Firearms
April 27 — May 16
Zone: Statewide
Pheasant
Pheasant
General
November 8 — January 31
Quail
Quail
General
November 8 — January 31
Zone: Statewide except closed on all public lands west of Blue Ridge Mountains and on Flippo-Gentry WMA in Sussex County
Grouse
Ruffed Grouse
General
October 25 — February 14
Zone: West of I-95
Rabbit
Rabbit
General
November 1 — February 28
Squirrel
Fox Squirrel
Fall
September 6 — January 31
Zone: Counties west of the Blue Ridge and counties of Albemarle, Bedford, Culpeper, Fauquier, Franklin, Greene, Henry, Loudoun, Madison, Orange, Patrick, Prince William, and Rappahannock
Fox Squirrel
Spring
June 6 — June 20, 2026
Zone: All lands in counties with open fall fox squirrel season and specific listed WMAs
Gray and Red Squirrel
Fall
September 6 — February 28
Zone: Statewide
Gray and Red Squirrel
Spring
June 6 — June 20, 2026
Zone: Statewide except closed on National Forest lands
Other
Crow
General
August 16 — March 20
Zone: Private and public lands (Mon, Wed, Fri, Sat only)
Crow
General
September 1 — March 9
Zone: National Forest Lands and Department lands
Groundhog
General
Zone: Private lands
Groundhog
General
September 1 — March 10
Zone: National Forest Lands and Department lands
Pen-raised Game Birds
Hunting Preserve
September 1 — April 30
Zone: Licensed hunting preserves