Virginia 2026-27 Hunting Season Dates
Quick answer
Virginia's listed 2026-27 other season runs Aug 16, 2026-Mar 20, 2027.
General Crow opens Sep 1, 2026 and closes Mar 9, 2027.
General Groundhog opens Sep 1, 2026 and closes Mar 10, 2027.
The tables below keep the rest of the listed seasons together by species, with source links back to Virginia DWR.
- other
- Aug 16, 2026-Mar 20, 2027
- other
- Sep 1, 2026-Mar 9, 2027
- other
- Sep 1, 2026-Mar 10, 2027
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Key seasons by species
We summarize official agency information and link to the source for verification. Regulations can change, and zone details matter. Always confirm final dates, bag limits, permits, and legal requirements 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
dates not listed
Exact dates not listed in the current data.
Fall firearms turkey season is closed in these areas.
Zone: Arlington County and cities of Chesapeake, Norfolk, Portsmouth, and Virginia Beach
Wild Turkey
Archery
Oct 4-Nov 14, 2025
Archery tackle only. Broadhead widths must be at least 7/8-inch wide or expand upon impact to 7/8-inch.
Zone: Statewide except areas with closed firearm season on turkey
Wild Turkey
Youth/Apprentice
Oct 11-12, 2025
Youth and Apprentice Fall Turkey Hunting Weekend. Youth hunters 15 and under or apprentice license holders must be accompanied by adult 18+ with valid VA hunting license.
Zone: Statewide in counties, cities, and areas with a fall turkey season
Wild Turkey
Fall Firearms
Oct 18-Nov 27, 2025
Season dates: October 18–31 and November 27 only.
Zone: Albemarle, Alleghany, Augusta, Bath, Greene, Highland, Madison, Page, and Rockingham counties
Wild Turkey
Youth/Apprentice Spring Weekend
Apr 4-5, 2026
Youth hunters 15 and under or apprentice license holders. Must be accompanied by adult 18+ with valid VA hunting license. Hours: 1/2 hour before sunrise to sunset.
Zone: Statewide
Wild Turkey
Youth/Apprentice
Apr 4-5, 2026
Youth and Apprentice Spring Turkey Hunting Weekend. Hunting hours from 1/2 hour before sunrise to sunset. Youth 15 and under or apprentice license holders must be accompanied by adult 18+ with valid VA hunting license.
Zone: Statewide
Wild Turkey
Spring Firearms
Apr 11-26, 2026
Hunting hours: one-half hour before sunrise until 12 noon each day.
Zone: Statewide
Wild Turkey
Spring Firearms
Apr 27-May 16, 2026
Hunting hours: one-half hour before sunrise to sunset. Unlawful to use electronic calls or dogs (except to track wounded/dead turkeys). Shotgun: no shot larger than #2 fine shot.
Zone: Statewide
Wild Turkey
Archery
Oct 4-Nov 14, 2026
Archery tackle only. Broadhead widths must be at least 7/8-inch wide or expand upon impact to 7/8-inch.
Zone: Statewide except in areas where there is a closed firearm season on turkey
Wild Turkey
Youth/Apprentice Fall Weekend
Oct 11-12, 2026
Youth hunters 15 and under or apprentice license holders. Must be accompanied by adult 18+ with valid VA hunting license.
Zone: Statewide in counties, cities, and areas with a fall turkey season
Wild Turkey
Fall Firearms
Oct 18-31, 2026
Season dates: October 18-31 and November 27 only.
Zone: Albemarle, Alleghany, Augusta, Bath, Greene, Highland, Madison, Page, and Rockingham counties
Pheasant
Pheasant
General
Nov 8, 2025-Jan 31, 2026
Pheasant
General
Nov 8, 2026-Jan 31, 2027
Zone: Statewide
Quail
Quail
General
Nov 8, 2025-Jan 31, 2026
Closed on all public lands west of the Blue Ridge Mountains and, until further notice, on Flippo-Gentry WMA in Sussex County.
Zone: Statewide except closed on all public lands west of Blue Ridge Mountains and on Flippo-Gentry WMA in Sussex County
Quail
General
Nov 8, 2026-Jan 31, 2027
Closed on all public lands west of the Blue Ridge Mountains and, until further notice, on Flippo-Gentry WMA in Sussex County.
Zone: Statewide (with restrictions)
Grouse
Ruffed Grouse
General
Oct 25, 2025-Feb 14, 2026
Continuous closed season east of I-95.
Zone: West of I-95
Ruffed Grouse
General
Oct 25, 2026-Feb 14, 2027
Continuous closed season east of I-95.
Zone: West of I-95
Rabbit
Rabbit
General
Nov 1, 2025-Feb 28, 2026
RHDV2 monitoring in effect. Per regulation, properly dispose of all portions of rabbits not saved for human consumption. Fully dress all rabbits harvested out-of-state before importing into Virginia.
Rabbit
General
Nov 1, 2026-Feb 28, 2027
RHDV2 monitoring in effect. Proper disposal of rabbit remains required. Fully dress rabbits harvested out-of-state before importing into Virginia.
Zone: Statewide
Squirrel
Fox Squirrel
Fall
Sep 6, 2025-Jan 31, 2026
Designated areas only.
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
Jun 6-20, 2026
June 6 through 20, 2026. Open on WMAs including Big Survey, Clinch Mountain, Crooked Creek, Gathright, Goshen, Havens, Hidden Valley, Highland, Lake Robertson, Little North Mountain, Merrimac Farm, C.F. Phelps, Rapidan, Short Hills, Stewarts Creek, G. Richard Thompson, and Turkeycock Mountain.
Zone: All lands in counties with open fall fox squirrel season and listed WMAs
Fox Squirrel
Spring
Jun 6-20, 2026
Closed on National Forest lands. Specific WMAs listed as open.
Zone: All lands in counties with open fall fox squirrel season and specific listed WMAs
Fox Squirrel
Fall
Sep 6, 2026-Jan 31, 2027
Designated areas only.
Zone: Counties west of the Blue Ridge and in Albemarle, Bedford, Culpeper, Fauquier, Franklin, Greene, Henry, Loudoun, Madison, Orange, Patrick, Prince William, and Rappahannock
Gray and Red Squirrel
Fall
Sep 6, 2025-Feb 28, 2026
Zone: Statewide
Gray and Red Squirrel
Spring
Jun 6-20, 2026
June 6 through 20, 2026. Closed on National Forest lands. Open on listed WMAs including Amelia, Big Survey, Big Woods, Briery Creek, Cavalier, Chickahominy, and others as specified.
Zone: Statewide (closed on National Forest lands)
Gray and Red Squirrel
Spring
Jun 6-20, 2026
Closed on National Forest lands. Specific WMAs listed as open.
Zone: Statewide except closed on National Forest lands
Gray and Red Squirrel
Fall
Sep 6, 2026-Feb 28, 2027
Zone: Statewide
Other
Crow
General
Aug 16, 2025-Mar 20, 2026
August 16 through March 20 on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays. September 1 through March 9 on National Forest Lands and Department lands on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays only. No HIP registration required. Electronic calls may be used.
Zone: Private and public lands (Mon, Wed, Fri, Sat only)
Crow
General
Sep 1, 2025-Mar 9, 2026
On National Forest Lands and Department lands on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays only.
Zone: National Forest Lands and Department lands
Crow
General
Aug 16, 2026-Mar 20, 2027
August 16 through March 20 on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays. Crows are a federally regulated migratory species; no HIP registration required; unplugged shotguns allowed; electronic calls permitted on private and public lands.
Zone: Statewide (Mon, Wed, Fri, Sat only)
Crow
General
Sep 1, 2026-Mar 9, 2027
September 1 through March 9 on National Forest Lands and Department lands on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays only.
Zone: National Forest Lands and Department lands (Mon, Wed, Fri, Sat only)
Groundhog
General
dates not listed
Exact dates not listed in the current data.
Continuous open season on private lands. On National Forest lands and Department lands permitted September 1 through March 10 and during spring turkey season.
Zone: Private lands
Groundhog
General
Sep 1, 2025-Mar 10, 2026
Also permitted during the spring turkey season. Not permitted on National Forest lands during the spring squirrel season.
Zone: National Forest Lands and Department lands
Groundhog
General
Sep 1, 2026-Mar 10, 2027
Groundhog hunting on National Forest lands and Department lands is permitted from September 1 through March 10 and during the spring turkey season. Not permitted on National Forest lands during spring squirrel season.
Zone: National Forest lands and Department lands
Pen-raised Game Birds
Hunting Preserve
Sep 1, 2025-Apr 30, 2026
Including Sundays. Resident requires hunting license. Nonresident requires nonresident hunting license or special nonresident hunting preserve license.
Zone: Licensed hunting preserves
Pen-raised Game Birds
Hunting Preserve
Sep 1, 2026-Apr 30, 2027
Pen-raised game birds may be taken on licensed hunting preserves from September 1 through April 30, including Sundays. Resident requires hunting license; nonresident requires nonresident hunting license or special nonresident hunting preserve license.
Zone: Licensed hunting preserves
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Virginia Hunting Season FAQ
When does deer season start in Virginia?
No current deer opener is listed for Virginia yet. Check Virginia DWR for the latest published dates.
When is Virginia's firearm deer season?
Virginia does not have a firearm deer row in the current data set yet. Check Virginia DWR for firearm, rifle, or general deer season details.
When does spring turkey open in Virginia?
A current spring turkey opener is not listed for Virginia yet. Check Virginia DWR for the latest turkey dates.
Do I need a license to hunt in Virginia?
Yes. Hunters generally need the appropriate Virginia hunting license, and some seasons may require tags, permits, stamps, or zone-specific authorizations. Confirm final requirements with Virginia DWR.