Virginia · License · 2026 Edition
Virginia Hunting License Cost 2026: Fees, Deer & Turkey Permits
A year costs $23 for residents and $111 for nonresidents. The cheapest short-term option for nonresidents is the Nonresident Apprentice Hunting License at $21 — No hunter education required yet; must hunt with a licensed mentor.
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 | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Deer/Turkey License | $23 | One license covers both deer and turkey — not sold per species. Valid July 1 – June 30. |
| Junior Deer/Turkey License (12-15) | $8.50 | |
| Nonresident Deer/Turkey License | $86 | One license covers both deer and turkey — not sold per species. Valid July 1 – June 30. |
| Archery License (add-on for bowhunting deer/turkey) | $18 | Required in addition to the Deer/Turkey License to hunt with archery equipment. |
| Muzzleloading License (add-on) | $18 | Required in addition to the Deer/Turkey License to hunt muzzleloader seasons. |
| 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 | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Deer/Turkey License | $23 | Same license as the deer listing above — one purchase covers both deer and turkey. |
| Nonresident Deer/Turkey License | $86 |
04 — Waterfowl & migratory bird permits
| Stamp | Total | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Virginia Migratory Waterfowl Conservation Stamp | $10 | Same price for residents and nonresidents. Valid July 1 – June 30. |
Waterfowl hunters 16 and older also need 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.
Virginia hunter safety course — options, costs and where to register →
06 — Where to buy
Licenses and permits are sold through Go Outdoors Virginia, the state's official portal.
Where to hunt public land in Virginia — WMAs by county & access rules →
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.
FAQ
Can I hunt on my own land in Virginia without a license?
Virginia landowners — resident or nonresident — plus their spouse, children, grandchildren, and parents, may hunt, trap, and fish without a license anywhere within their own land's boundaries. That covers the base license, bear, deer/turkey, archery, muzzleloading, trapping, and the state waterfowl stamp. Tenants living on the land get the same right with the landlord's written consent; the federal Duck Stamp and HIP registration still apply.
How much is a hunting license in Virginia?
A resident annual Virginia hunting license costs $23, and the nonresident annual license costs $111. Species permits for deer, turkey and waterfowl are charged on top — see the tables above. Prices are set by Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources and were read from their own license document on Aug 6, 2026.
How much is a nonresident hunting license in Virginia?
$111 for the annual nonresident license. The cheapest short-term option is the Nonresident Apprentice Hunting License at $21 — No hunter education required yet; must hunt with a licensed mentor. Species permits come on top of the base license.
How much is a deer permit in Virginia?
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. A deer permit is charged on top of the base hunting license.
What do I need to get a hunting license in Virginia?
Virginia requires a hunter education certificate for most first-time license buyers. Licenses 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.
Do I need a hunter safety course to buy a Virginia hunting license?
Yes, for most first-time 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.
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.