Virginia deer season 2026-27 Open
Deer season in Virginia is open now, last season closes Jan 2, 2027.
Dates only. Bag limits, legal methods, licences and zone boundaries: Virginia DWR. Read yesterday.
| Season | Zone | Dates | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Early Archery | Statewide | Oct 3, 2026 to Nov 13, 2026 | Closed closed |
| Late Archery | In Henry and Patrick counties | Dec 13, 2026 to Jan 2, 2027 | Upcoming opens in 29 days |
| Late Archery | In all areas west of the Blue Ridge unless noted below | Dec 13, 2026 to Jan 2, 2027 | Upcoming opens in 29 days |
| Late Archery | In the cities of Chesapeake, Suffolk (east of the Dismal Swamp line), and Virginia Beach | Dec 1, 2026 to Jan 2, 2027 | Upcoming opens in 17 days |
| Late Archery | In the counties (including the cities and towns within) of Alleghany, Bath, Bland, Buchanan, Dickenson, Highland, Lee, Rockingham (west of Rts 613 and 731), Rus | Nov 29, 2026 to Jan 2, 2027 | Upcoming opens in 15 days |
| Late Archery | On National Forest lands in Amherst, Bedford and Nelson counties | Nov 29, 2026 to Jan 2, 2027 | Upcoming opens in 15 days |
| Late Archery | On all National Forest and Departmentowned lands west of the Blue Ridge | Nov 29, 2026 to Jan 2, 2027 | Upcoming opens in 15 days |
| Late Archery | On the C.F. Phelps WMA | Nov 29, 2026 to Jan 2, 2027 | Upcoming opens in 15 days |
| Nova Late Archery, antlerless | In Arlington, Fairfax, Loudoun, and Prince William (except on Department-owned lands) counties (including the cities and towns within) | Mar 29, 2027 to Apr 25, 2027 | Upcoming opens in 135 days |
| Urban Archery Deer, antlerless | Within the incorporated limits of the cities of Charlottesville, Chesapeake (except on Department-owned lands), Colonial Heights, Danville, Emporia, Franklin, F | Sep 5, 2026 to Oct 2, 2026 | Closed closed |
| Urban Archery Deer, antlerless segment 2 | Within the incorporated limits of the cities of Charlottesville, Chesapeake (except on Department-owned lands), Colonial Heights, Danville, Emporia, Franklin, F | Jan 3, 2027 to Mar 28, 2027 | Upcoming opens in 50 days |
| Early Muzzleloader | In Rockingham County (west of Routes 613 and 731) | Nov 7 | Closed closed |
| Early Muzzleloader | In all areas (including Merrimac Farm WMA and Occoneechee State Park) unless otherwise noted below | Oct 31, 2026 to Nov 13, 2026 | Closed closed |
| Early Muzzleloader | On Channels State Forest, Grayson Highlands State Park, Hungry Mother State Park, and Flannagan Reservoir | Nov 7 | Closed closed |
| Early Muzzleloader | On all National Forest and Department-owned lands in all counties west of the Blue Ridge Mountains (except the Highland WMA) | Nov 7 | Closed closed |
| Early Muzzleloader | On private lands in Alleghany, Bath, Bland, Buchanan, Dickenson, Highland, Lee, Rockbridge, Russell, Tazewell, Wise and Washington counties, and on the Highland | Nov 7 | Closed closed |
| Early Muzzleloader | On private lands in Augusta, Botetourt, Carroll, Clarke, Craig, Floyd, Frederick, Giles, Grayson, Montgomery, Page, Pulaski, Roanoke, Rockingham (east of Route | Oct 31, 2026 to Nov 13, 2026 | Closed closed |
| Late Muzzleloader Season East of the Blue Ridge | In the cities of Chesapeake, Suffolk (east of the Dismal Swamp line), and Virginia Beach | Dec 28, 2026 to Jan 2, 2027 | Upcoming opens in 44 days |
| Late Muzzleloader Season East of the Blue Ridge | In the counties of Henry and Patrick | Dec 12, 2026 to Jan 2, 2027 | Upcoming opens in 28 days |
| Late Muzzleloader Season East of the Blue Ridge | In the counties of Henry and Patrick, on federal and department-owned lands in Franklin county, on national forest lands in Amherst, Bedford, and Nelson countie | Dec 12, 2026 to Jan 2, 2027 | Upcoming opens in 28 days |
| Late Muzzleloader Season East of the Blue Ridge | On National Forest lands in Amherst, Bedford, and Nelson counties | Jan 2 | Upcoming opens in 49 days |
| Late Muzzleloader Season East of the Blue Ridge | On federal- and Department-owned lands in Franklin County | Dec 12, 2026 to Jan 2, 2027 | Upcoming opens in 28 days |
| Late Muzzleloader Season West of the Blue Ridge | In Alleghany, Bath, Buchanan, Highland, Lee, Rockingham (west of Routes 613 and 731), Russell, Tazewell, and Wise counties | Jan 2 | Upcoming opens in 49 days |
| Late Muzzleloader Season West of the Blue Ridge | In all areas west of the Blue Ridge unless noted in the season exception below | Dec 12, 2026 to Jan 2, 2027 | Upcoming opens in 28 days |
| Late Muzzleloader Season West of the Blue Ridge | On Channels State Forest, Grayson Highlands State Park, Hungry Mother State Park, and Flannagan Reservoir | Jan 2 | Upcoming opens in 49 days |
| Late Muzzleloader Season West of the Blue Ridge | On all National Forest and Department-owned lands in all counties west of the Blue Ridge Mountains | Jan 2 | Upcoming opens in 49 days |
| Late Muzzleloader Season West of the Blue Ridge | On private lands in Augusta, Botetourt, Craig, Giles, Grayson, Scott, and Smyth counties | Dec 12, 2026 to Jan 2, 2027 | Upcoming opens in 28 days |
| Late Muzzleloader Season West of the Blue Ridge | On private lands in Bland, Dickenson, Rockbridge, and Washington counties | Dec 28, 2026 to Jan 2, 2027 | Upcoming opens in 44 days |
| Public Lands Firearms | George Washington and Jefferson National Forest: Alleghany | Nov 14, 2026 to Nov 28, 2026 | Open open, closes in 14 days |
| Public Lands Firearms | George Washington and Jefferson National Forest: Amherst | Nov 14, 2026 to Nov 28, 2026 | Open open, closes in 14 days |
| Public Lands Firearms | George Washington and Jefferson National Forest: Augusta | Nov 14, 2026 to Nov 28, 2026 | Open open, closes in 14 days |
| Public Lands Firearms | George Washington and Jefferson National Forest: Bath | Nov 14, 2026 to Nov 28, 2026 | Open open, closes in 14 days |
| Public Lands Firearms | George Washington and Jefferson National Forest: Bedford | Nov 14, 2026 to Nov 28, 2026 | Open open, closes in 14 days |
| Public Lands Firearms | George Washington and Jefferson National Forest: Bland | Nov 14, 2026 to Nov 28, 2026 | Open open, closes in 14 days |
| Public Lands Firearms | George Washington and Jefferson National Forest: Botetourt | Nov 14, 2026 to Nov 28, 2026 | Open open, closes in 14 days |
| Public Lands Firearms | George Washington and Jefferson National Forest: Carroll | Nov 14, 2026 to Nov 28, 2026 | Open open, closes in 14 days |
| Public Lands Firearms | George Washington and Jefferson National Forest: Craig | Nov 14, 2026 to Nov 28, 2026 | Open open, closes in 14 days |
| Public Lands Firearms | George Washington and Jefferson National Forest: Dickenson | Nov 14, 2026 to Nov 28, 2026 | Open open, closes in 14 days |
| Public Lands Firearms | George Washington and Jefferson National Forest: Frederick | Nov 14, 2026 to Nov 28, 2026 | Open open, closes in 14 days |
| Public Lands Firearms | George Washington and Jefferson National Forest: Giles | Nov 14, 2026 to Nov 28, 2026 | Open open, closes in 14 days |
| Public Lands Firearms | George Washington and Jefferson National Forest: Grayson | Nov 14, 2026 to Nov 28, 2026 | Open open, closes in 14 days |
| Public Lands Firearms | George Washington and Jefferson National Forest: Highland | Nov 14, 2026 to Nov 28, 2026 | Open open, closes in 14 days |
| Public Lands Firearms | George Washington and Jefferson National Forest: Lee | Nov 14, 2026 to Nov 28, 2026 | Open open, closes in 14 days |
| Public Lands Firearms | George Washington and Jefferson National Forest: Montgomery | Nov 14, 2026 to Nov 28, 2026 | Open open, closes in 14 days |
| Public Lands Firearms | George Washington and Jefferson National Forest: Nelson | Nov 14, 2026 to Nov 28, 2026 | Open open, closes in 14 days |
| Public Lands Firearms | George Washington and Jefferson National Forest: Page | Nov 14, 2026 to Nov 28, 2026 | Open open, closes in 14 days |
| Public Lands Firearms | George Washington and Jefferson National Forest: Pulaski | Nov 14, 2026 to Nov 28, 2026 | Open open, closes in 14 days |
| Public Lands Firearms | George Washington and Jefferson National Forest: Roanoke | Nov 14, 2026 to Nov 28, 2026 | Open open, closes in 14 days |
| Public Lands Firearms | George Washington and Jefferson National Forest: Rockbridge | Nov 14, 2026 to Nov 28, 2026 | Open open, closes in 14 days |
| Public Lands Firearms | George Washington and Jefferson National Forest: Rockingham | Nov 14, 2026 to Nov 28, 2026 | Open open, closes in 14 days |
| Public Lands Firearms | George Washington and Jefferson National Forest: Scott | Nov 14, 2026 to Nov 28, 2026 | Open open, closes in 14 days |
| Public Lands Firearms | George Washington and Jefferson National Forest: Shenandoah | Nov 14, 2026 to Nov 28, 2026 | Open open, closes in 14 days |
| Public Lands Firearms | George Washington and Jefferson National Forest: Smyth | Nov 14, 2026 to Nov 28, 2026 | Open open, closes in 14 days |
| Public Lands Firearms | George Washington and Jefferson National Forest: Tazewell | Nov 14, 2026 to Nov 28, 2026 | Open open, closes in 14 days |
| Public Lands Firearms | George Washington and Jefferson National Forest: Warren | Nov 14, 2026 to Nov 28, 2026 | Open open, closes in 14 days |
| Public Lands Firearms | George Washington and Jefferson National Forest: Washington | Nov 14, 2026 to Nov 28, 2026 | Open open, closes in 14 days |
| Public Lands Firearms | George Washington and Jefferson National Forest: Wise | Nov 14, 2026 to Nov 28, 2026 | Open open, closes in 14 days |
| Public Lands Firearms | George Washington and Jefferson National Forest: Wythe | Nov 14, 2026 to Nov 28, 2026 | Open open, closes in 14 days |
| Public Lands Firearms | State Forests, State Parks, and Army Corps Lands: Army Corps | Nov 14, 2026 to Nov 28, 2026 | Open open, closes in 14 days |
| Public Lands Firearms segment 2 | State Forests, State Parks, and Army Corps Lands: Army Corps | Nov 14, 2026 to Dec 12, 2026 | Open open, closes in 28 days |
| Public Lands Firearms | State Forests, State Parks, and Army Corps Lands: State Forest | Nov 14, 2026 to Jan 2, 2027 | Open open, closes in 49 days |
| Public Lands Firearms segment 2 | State Forests, State Parks, and Army Corps Lands: State Forest | Nov 14, 2026 to Jan 2, 2027 | Open open, closes in 49 days |
| Public Lands Firearms segment 3 | State Forests, State Parks, and Army Corps Lands: State Forest | Nov 14, 2026 to Jan 2, 2027 | Open open, closes in 49 days |
| Public Lands Firearms segment 4 | State Forests, State Parks, and Army Corps Lands: State Forest | Nov 14, 2026 to Nov 28, 2026 | Open open, closes in 14 days |
| Public Lands Firearms segment 5 | State Forests, State Parks, and Army Corps Lands: State Forest | Nov 14, 2026 to Jan 2, 2027 | Open open, closes in 49 days |
| Public Lands Firearms | State Forests, State Parks, and Army Corps Lands: State Parks | Nov 14, 2026 to Nov 28, 2026 | Open open, closes in 14 days |
| Public Lands Firearms segment 2 | State Forests, State Parks, and Army Corps Lands: State Parks | Nov 14, 2026 to Dec 12, 2026 | Open open, closes in 28 days |
| Public Lands Firearms segment 3 | State Forests, State Parks, and Army Corps Lands: State Parks | Nov 14, 2026 to Nov 28, 2026 | Open open, closes in 14 days |
| Public Lands Firearms | Wildlife Management Areas: Amelia WMA | Nov 14, 2026 to Jan 2, 2027 | Open open, closes in 49 days |
| Public Lands Firearms | Wildlife Management Areas: Big Survey WMA | Nov 14, 2026 to Nov 28, 2026 | Open open, closes in 14 days |
| Public Lands Firearms | Wildlife Management Areas: Big Woods WMA | Nov 14, 2026 to Jan 2, 2027 | Open open, closes in 49 days |
| Public Lands Firearms | Wildlife Management Areas: Briery Creek WMA | Nov 14, 2026 to Jan 2, 2027 | Open open, closes in 49 days |
| Public Lands Firearms | Wildlife Management Areas: C.F. Phelps WMA | Nov 14, 2026 to Nov 28, 2026 | Open open, closes in 14 days |
| Public Lands Firearms | Wildlife Management Areas: Cavalier WMA | Oct 1, 2026 to Nov 30, 2026 | Open open, closes in 16 days |
| Public Lands Firearms | Wildlife Management Areas: Chickahominy | Nov 14, 2026 to Jan 2, 2027 | Open open, closes in 49 days |
| Public Lands Firearms | Wildlife Management Areas: Clinch Mountain WMA | Nov 14, 2026 to Nov 28, 2026 | Open open, closes in 14 days |
| Public Lands Firearms | Wildlife Management Areas: Coastal Forest WMA | Nov 14, 2026 to Jan 2, 2027 | Open open, closes in 49 days |
| Public Lands Firearms | Wildlife Management Areas: Crooked Creek WMA | Nov 14, 2026 to Nov 28, 2026 | Open open, closes in 14 days |
| Public Lands Firearms | Wildlife Management Areas: Dick Cross WMA | Nov 14, 2026 to Jan 2, 2027 | Open open, closes in 49 days |
| Public Lands Firearms | Wildlife Management Areas: Fairystone Farms WMA | Nov 14, 2026 to Dec 12, 2026 | Open open, closes in 28 days |
| Public Lands Firearms | Wildlife Management Areas: Featherfin WMA | Nov 14, 2026 to Jan 2, 2027 | Open open, closes in 49 days |
| Public Lands Firearms | Wildlife Management Areas: Flippo-Gentry WMA | Nov 14, 2026 to Jan 2, 2027 | Open open, closes in 49 days |
| Public Lands Firearms | Wildlife Management Areas: Game Farm Marsh WMA | Nov 14, 2026 to Jan 2, 2027 | Open open, closes in 49 days |
| Public Lands Firearms | Wildlife Management Areas: Gathright WMA | Nov 14, 2026 to Nov 28, 2026 | Open open, closes in 14 days |
| Public Lands Firearms | Wildlife Management Areas: Goshen WMA | Nov 14, 2026 to Nov 28, 2026 | Open open, closes in 14 days |
| Public Lands Firearms | Wildlife Management Areas: Guinea Marsh WMA | Nov 14, 2026 to Jan 2, 2027 | Open open, closes in 49 days |
| Public Lands Firearms | Wildlife Management Areas: Hardware River WMA | Nov 14, 2026 to Jan 2, 2027 | Open open, closes in 49 days |
| Public Lands Firearms | Wildlife Management Areas: Havens WMA | Nov 14, 2026 to Nov 28, 2026 | Open open, closes in 14 days |
| Public Lands Firearms | Wildlife Management Areas: Hidden Valley WMA | Nov 14, 2026 to Nov 28, 2026 | Open open, closes in 14 days |
| Public Lands Firearms | Wildlife Management Areas: Highland WMA | Nov 14, 2026 to Nov 28, 2026 | Open open, closes in 14 days |
| Public Lands Firearms | Wildlife Management Areas: Horsepen Lake WMA | Nov 14, 2026 to Jan 2, 2027 | Open open, closes in 49 days |
| Public Lands Firearms | Wildlife Management Areas: James River WMA | Nov 14, 2026 to Jan 2, 2027 | Open open, closes in 49 days |
| Public Lands Firearms | Wildlife Management Areas: Little North Mountain WMA | Nov 14, 2026 to Nov 28, 2026 | Open open, closes in 14 days |
| Public Lands Firearms | Wildlife Management Areas: Mattaponi Bluffs WMA | Nov 14, 2026 to Jan 2, 2027 | Open open, closes in 49 days |
| Public Lands Firearms | Wildlife Management Areas: Mattaponi WMA | Nov 14, 2026 to Jan 2, 2027 | Open open, closes in 49 days |
| Public Lands Firearms | Wildlife Management Areas: Mockhorn Island WMA | Nov 14, 2026 to Jan 2, 2027 | Open open, closes in 49 days |
| Public Lands Firearms | Wildlife Management Areas: Oakley Forest WMA | Nov 14, 2026 to Jan 2, 2027 | Open open, closes in 49 days |
| Public Lands Firearms | Wildlife Management Areas: Pettigrew WMA | Nov 14, 2026 to Jan 2, 2027 | Open open, closes in 49 days |
| Public Lands Firearms | Wildlife Management Areas: Powhatan WMA | Nov 14, 2026 to Jan 2, 2027 | Open open, closes in 49 days |
| Public Lands Firearms | Wildlife Management Areas: Ragged Island WMA | Nov 14, 2026 to Jan 2, 2027 | Open open, closes in 49 days |
| Public Lands Firearms | Wildlife Management Areas: Rapidan WMA | Nov 14, 2026 to Jan 2, 2027 | Open open, closes in 49 days |
| Public Lands Firearms | Wildlife Management Areas: Robert W. Duncan WMA | Nov 14, 2026 to Jan 2, 2027 | Open open, closes in 49 days |
| Public Lands Firearms | Wildlife Management Areas: Saxis WMA | Nov 14, 2026 to Jan 2, 2027 | Open open, closes in 49 days |
| Public Lands Firearms | Wildlife Management Areas: Short Hills WMA | Nov 14, 2026 to Nov 28, 2026 | Open open, closes in 14 days |
| Public Lands Firearms | Wildlife Management Areas: Smith Mountain Cooperative WMA | Nov 14, 2026 to Jan 2, 2027 | Open open, closes in 49 days |
| Public Lands Firearms | Wildlife Management Areas: Stewarts Creek WMA | Nov 14, 2026 to Nov 28, 2026 | Open open, closes in 14 days |
| Public Lands Firearms | Wildlife Management Areas: Thompson WMA | Nov 14, 2026 to Jan 2, 2027 | Open open, closes in 49 days |
| Public Lands Firearms | Wildlife Management Areas: Turkeycock WMA | Nov 14, 2026 to Dec 12, 2026 | Open open, closes in 28 days |
| Public Lands Firearms | Wildlife Management Areas: Tye River WMA | Nov 14, 2026 to Jan 2, 2027 | Open open, closes in 49 days |
| Public Lands Firearms | Wildlife Management Areas: Ware Creek WMA | Nov 14, 2026 to Jan 2, 2027 | Open open, closes in 49 days |
| Public Lands Firearms | Wildlife Management Areas: White Oak Mountain WMA | Nov 14, 2026 to Jan 2, 2027 | Open open, closes in 49 days |
Deer hunting in Virginia runs from Sep 5, 2026 (Urban Archery Deer, antlerless) to Apr 25, 2027 (Nova Late Archery, antlerless) in the 2026-27 season, and is open now, last season closes Jan 2, 2027.
Dates differ by zone or unit (George Washington and Jefferson National Forest: Alleghany, George Washington and Jefferson National Forest: Amherst, George Washington and Jefferson National Forest: Augusta and George Washington and Jefferson National Forest: Bath and others); check the zone column before you plan.
Some seasons run in two or more segments; each segment is its own row.
Source: Virginia DWR, Virginia DWR 2026-27 deer seasons (page). Read yesterday.