Virginia · License · 2026 Edition
Virginia Hunting License Cost 2026: Fees, Deer & Turkey Permits
A year costs $23 for residents and $111 for nonresidents. Just visiting? Nonresident Apprentice Hunting License costs $21.
Virginia's base hunting license does not include deer, turkey, bear, or archery/muzzleloader privileges — those are sold as separate add-on licenses. The Deer/Turkey License covers both species together for one price (not sold per species), and bow or muzzleloader hunters need an additional Archery or Muzzleloading License on top of it. The Resident Sportsman's License bundles hunting, bear, deer/turkey, archery, muzzleloading, and fishing licenses for one price.
01 — Base hunting license
| Type | Total | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Resident Hunting License (1-year) | $23 | |
| Resident Hunting License (2-year) | $44 | |
| Resident Hunting License (3-year) | $65 | |
| Resident Hunting License (4-year) | $86 | |
| Resident Sportsman's License | $100 | Bundles hunting, bear, deer/turkey, archery, muzzleloading, freshwater fishing and trout licenses. |
| Resident Junior Hunting License (12-15) | $8.50 | |
| Resident Senior Citizen Hunting License (65+) | $9 | |
| Resident Apprentice Hunting License | $11 | No hunter education required yet; must hunt with a licensed mentor. |
| Nonresident Hunting License | $111 | |
| Nonresident 3-Day Hunt License | $60 | |
| Nonresident Apprentice Hunting License | $21 | No hunter education required yet; must hunt with a licensed mentor. |
02 — Deer permits
| Permit | Total |
|---|---|
| Deer/Turkey License | $23 |
| Junior Deer/Turkey License (12-15) | $8.50 |
| Nonresident Deer/Turkey License | $86 |
| Archery License (add-on for bowhunting deer/turkey) | $18 |
| Muzzleloading License (add-on) | $18 |
| Nonresident Archery License (add-on for bowhunting deer/turkey) | $31 |
| Nonresident Muzzleloading License (add-on) | $31 |
| Bonus Deer Permit (6 antlerless tags) | $18 |
| Nonresident Bonus Deer Permit (6 antlerless tags) | $31 |
03 — Turkey permits
| Permit | Total |
|---|---|
| Deer/Turkey License | $23 |
| Nonresident Deer/Turkey License | $86 |
04 — Waterfowl stamp
| Stamp | Total |
|---|---|
| Virginia Migratory Waterfowl Conservation Stamp | $10 |
Waterfowl hunters 16+ also need the free federal HIP registration and a Federal Duck Stamp. Virginia duck season dates →
05 — Hunter education
Virginia requires a hunter education certificate for most first-time license buyers. No birth-year cutoff — required for anyone 12-15 years old, or anyone 16+ who has never held a regular Virginia hunting license before. An Apprentice Hunting License lets new hunters skip the course for two years while hunting with a licensed mentor.
06 — Where to buy
Licenses and permits are sold through Go Outdoors Virginia, the state's official portal.
Virginia's base hunting license is sold in 1/2/3/4-year terms starting from the purchase date. Species add-ons (deer/turkey, bear, waterfowl stamp) instead run a fixed July 1, 2026 – June 30, 2027 cycle regardless of purchase date.
Verified · Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources · Last verified 2026-08-06
Publisher's note. Prices read from the DWR license offerings document, retrieved 2026-08-06. Review due 2027-01-15. Fees are set by the state and change without notice — confirm current prices before purchase.