License and Permit Requirements

The licenses and permits you need depend on the game you are hunting. 

• For general hunting, including hunting small game, upland game birds, and furbearers, you need a basic hunting license.
• To hunt migratory game birds, you need:
• Basic hunting license
• Harvest Information Program (HIP) number
• To hunt waterfowl, you need:
• Basic hunting license
• Federal Duck Stamp
• Virginia Migratory Waterfowl Conservation Stamp
• HIP number
• To hunt bears, you need:
• Basic hunting license
• Bear license
• To hunt deer, elk, and/or turkeys, you need:
• Basic hunting license
• Deer/turkey license
• To trap furbearers, you need a trapping license.

Unless you are exempt, you must purchase the required licenses before hunting or trapping. To find out if you are exempt, see the Hunting Licenses & Fees information on the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources website. Information on residency qualifications and fees for licenses, permits, and stamps is included also. 

If you are required to have a hunting license, you must:

• Carry it with you while you are hunting and…
• Show it upon request to an enforcement officer or to the owner or lessee, or the owner’s or lessee’s employee or representative, of the land where you are hunting.