How Much Does a Virginia Hunting License Cost?

A Virginia hunting license costs $23 a year for residents and $111 a year for non-residents, according to the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources (DWR). That base license covers small game only, so anyone after deer, turkey, or bear needs to add a separate license on top of it, unless they opt for the all-inclusive Sportsman's License instead.

Most Virginia licenses run on a rolling 365-day cycle from the date of purchase, but a handful of items work differently: the Bear License, Deer/Turkey License, and Virginia Migratory Waterfowl Conservation Stamp are all valid July 1 through June 30 regardless of when you buy them, and the Apprentice Hunting License runs for two years.

Once you add a Deer/Turkey License, an Archery License, or the stamps needed for waterfowl, the total cost of a Virginia season can add up beyond the base license price. Let's take a look at the latest Virginia hunting license costs.

How Much Does a Virginia Hunting License Cost?

Virginia keeps its base license affordable, but the all-inclusive Sportsman's License is worth comparing against buying species licenses separately if you're after more than one or two game types.

The Sportsman's License bundles in privileges most hunters would otherwise buy separately (bear, deer/turkey, archery, muzzleloading, and freshwater fishing) for $100. This can be a better deal than stacking individual add-ons if you hunt multiple species in a season.

Required Stamps and Permits

A Virginia hunting license alone doesn't cover bear, deer, turkey, archery season, or muzzleloader season. You'll need to add the right license for whatever you're hunting.

Waterfowl hunters age 16 and older also need the Federal Duck Stamp and HIP authorization on top of the Virginia Migratory Waterfowl Conservation Stamp.

Anyone hunting bear, deer, or turkey with archery equipment or a muzzleloader still needs the base Bear License or Deer/Turkey License in addition to the Archery or Muzzleloading License.

Youth and Discounted Licenses

Virginia offers several ways to lower costs for younger and older hunters.

• Junior Hunting License (ages 12–15): Priced at $8.50 for residents, a steep discount from the standard $23 adult license.
• Senior Citizen Hunting License (65 and older): Just $9 annually, with lifetime options scaling down to $25 for hunters 65 or older at the time of purchase.
• Apprentice Hunting License: $11 for residents and $21 for non-residents, a two-year, first-time-only license that lets new hunters try the sport under a licensed adult's supervision before completing hunter education.

These programs make it considerably more affordable for younger hunters to get started and for seniors to stay in the field long-term.

What Is a Virginia Hunting License?

A Virginia hunting license is the legal document issued by DWR that allows you to hunt small game in the state. It comes in several forms, including:

• The standard Annual Hunting License
• A discounted Junior license for ages 12 to 15
• An all-inclusive Sportsman's License that bundles in big game, archery, muzzleloading, and freshwater fishing privileges

The license is separate from your Hunter Education Certificate. The certificate proves you completed an approved safety course, and once earned, it's valid for life.

The license itself, runs on a rolling 365-day cycle for most types, though bear, deer/turkey, and waterfowl licenses follow Virginia's fixed July 1 to June 30 cycle instead.

Who Needs a Virginia Hunting License?

Virginia residents and non-residents age 12 and older generally need a hunting license, with one key asymmetry. Resident hunters under 12 need no license at all, while non-resident hunters under 12 still need a license, just not hunter education.

All hunters under 12 must be accompanied by a licensed adult regardless of residency. A handful of other exemptions apply, including landowners and their immediate family hunting their own land, and residents 65 and older hunting on private property in their county or city of residence.

For the full breakdown of license types and current fees, DWR's hunting licenses and fees page lays out every option in detail.

What Are the Requirements to Get a Hunting License in Virginia?

Before buying a license, most Virginia hunters need to clear the state's hunter education requirement.

Anyone ages 12 through 15, or any first-time hunter regardless of age, must complete an approved hunter education course before buying a license, unless they use the Apprentice Hunting License to defer it for up to two years instead.

The course covers:

• Firearm and archery safety
• Wildlife identification and conservation
• Virginia-specific hunting laws and ethics

Virginia's online course requires no classroom component or field day at any age. Residents 12 and older can complete the Hunter-Ed Virginia course entirely online, though non-residents aren't eligible for the online-only option and must complete an in-person or hybrid course instead.

How to Get a Virginia Hunting License

Getting licensed in Virginia is straightforward, with the Apprentice License available for anyone who wants to hunt before completing certification.

1. Complete an approved hunter education course if you're ages 12 to 15, or if you're a first-time hunter of any age, unless you're using the Apprentice Hunting License.
2. Choose your license type: standard Annual Hunting License, Junior, Youth Combination, Sportsman's, or Apprentice if it's your first time.
3. Purchase your license online through GoOutdoorsVirginia, by phone, or through an approved license agent.
4. Add a Deer/Turkey License or Bear License if you're hunting those species, plus an Archery or Muzzleloading License if hunting during those specific seasons.
5. Add the Virginia Migratory Waterfowl Conservation Stamp, Federal Duck Stamp, and HIP authorization if you're hunting waterfowl.
6. Carry your license, Hunter Education Certificate if required, and any additional licenses any time you hunt.

You can purchase your hunting license directly through GoOutdoorsVirginia, DWR's official online licensing system, by phone, or in person through an approved license agent statewide.

Why It's Important to Have a License

Buying a Virginia hunting license does more than keep you legal in the field.

• Legal Compliance: Every hunter must carry and show their license immediately upon request of a wildlife officer, landowner, or the landowner's representative.
• Wildlife Conservation Funding: License and permit revenue funds DWR's work managing deer, bear, turkey, and waterfowl populations statewide.
• Population Management: Virginia's Bonus Deer Permit system and quota hunt program for elk give DWR the harvest data needed to keep populations balanced across the Commonwealth.
• Ethical Hunting: A license ties every hunt to a defined season and bag limit, keeping the sport fair and sustainable for everyone afield.
• Public Land Access: License revenue helps support Virginia's Wildlife Management Areas and National Forest hunting access statewide.

Costs and rules vary by species and region, so it's worth checking current season dates and regulations before you finalize your plans.

Because hunting license costs and requirements vary widely by state, confirm Virginia's specific rules even if you've hunted elsewhere.

Ready to Hunt in Virginia? Get Your Hunter Safety Certification and Hunting License

A Virginia hunting license is affordable at the base level, but the real cost depends on what you're hunting, since bear, deer, turkey, and archery or muzzleloader season all require their own licenses on top of it. Whether you're budgeting for the $100 Sportsman's License or getting a young hunter started with the discounted Junior license, knowing the full fee breakdown ahead of time means no surprises at checkout.

Complete your hunter education course (if it applies to you), decide which license fits your plans, and you'll be ready for opening day.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q: Is the Virginia hunting license fee a one-time payment?

A: No, most Virginia hunting licenses run on a rolling 365-day cycle and must be renewed to keep hunting. The Bear License, Deer/Turkey License, and waterfowl stamp instead follow a fixed July 1 to June 30 cycle. The hunter education course is a one-time requirement, and certification never expires once earned.

Q: Are there discounts for Virginia hunting licenses?

A: Yes. Virginia offers an $8.50 Junior Hunting License for residents ages 12 to 15 and a $9 Senior Citizen Hunting License for residents 65 and older, with lifetime options scaling down to $25 for seniors. Qualifying disabled veterans can also access reduced-fee or no-cost licenses depending on their disability rating.

Q: How much does a non-resident hunting license cost in Virginia?

A: A non-resident annual hunting license in Virginia costs $111, separate from any species-specific licenses. Non-residents visiting for a shorter trip can instead buy a 3-Day Hunt License for $60.

Q: Do I need a separate license to hunt deer, turkey, or bear in Virginia?

A: Yes, the base Annual Hunting License covers small game only, so hunters need a Deer/Turkey License ($23 for residents) or a Bear License ($21 for residents) to pursue those species. Both licenses run on a fixed July 1 to June 30 cycle rather than the rolling 365-day cycle most other Virginia licenses use.

Q: Does everyone need hunter education in Virginia?

A: No. Only hunters ages 12 through 15 and first-time hunters of any age must complete Virginia's hunter education requirement before buying a license. Hunters who previously held a license, or who use the Apprentice Hunting License to defer certification for up to two years, are exempt in the meantime.

Q: How much does the Virginia hunter education course cost?

A: Virginia's online hunter education course through Hunter-Ed costs $34.95 and is available to residents 12 and older with no classroom or field day requirement. Non-residents aren't eligible for the online-only path and must complete an in-person or hybrid course instead.