Virginia Bird Hunting

Seasons Span October 28 – February 10. 2026

State Drought Monitor – Upland hunting conditions are often highly dependent upon moisture for both habitat production and bird survival.

Season Dates

  • Bobwhite Quail:
    • Season: November 20, 2025 – December 31, 2025 (closed west of the Blue Ridge Mountains).
    • Daily Bag Limit: 6
    • Possession Limit: 18 (three times the daily bag limit).
  • Ruffed Grouse:
    • Season: October 28, 2025 – February 10, 2026 (west of I-95).
    • Daily Bag Limit: 3
    • Possession Limit: 9 (three times the daily bag limit).
  • Pheasant:
    • Truly wild pheasants are scarce in Virginia; most hunting occurs on commercial or private preserves with pen-raised birds. Season dates and bag limits vary by preserve, which set their own schedules and rules. No specific statewide season for wild pheasants is noted.
    • Daily Bag Limit: Varies by preserve (typically no state limit for pen-raised birds).
    • Possession Limit: Varies by preserve.
  • American Woodcock (migratory bird):
    • Season: November 20, 2025 – December 8, 2025, and December 21, 2025 – January 15, 2026.
    • Daily Bag Limit: 3
    • Possession Limit: 9 (three times the daily bag limit).

Required Licenses and Costs

  • General Hunting License:
    • Required for all hunters unless exempt (e.g., landowners hunting on their own property, residents over 65, or under 12).
    • Costs (based on 2024-25 data, subject to change for 2025-26; verify with DWR):
      • Resident Annual Hunting License: $18.00
      • Non-Resident Annual Hunting License: $97.00
      • Resident Youth (under 16): $9.00
      • Non-Resident Youth (under 16): $16.00
      • Resident Senior (65+): $9.00
      • Resident 3-Day Non-Consecutive: $11.00
      • Non-Resident 3-Day Non-Consecutive: $40.00 (Note: Ohio license costs used as a proxy; Virginia costs may differ slightly, check dwr.virginia.gov).
    • Licenses can be purchased online at www.gooutdoorsvirginia.com or through authorized vendors.
  • Harvest Information Program (HIP) Registration:
    • Required for hunting migratory game birds (e.g., woodcock, doves). Free registration online at www.gooutdoorsvirginia.com or by calling 1-866-721-6911.
  • Federal Duck Stamp (for migratory birds like woodcock and doves, if hunting waterfowl):
    • Cost: Approximately $25 (2024-25 price, subject to change). Available at duckstamp.com/e-stamp or other vendors.
  • Virginia Waterfowl Stamp (if hunting waterfowl alongside doves or woodcock):
    • Cost: Not specified in sources but typically required for waterfowl hunting. Check DWR for 2025-26 pricing.
  • Hunter Education Requirement:
    • Hunters born on or after January 1, 1975, must complete a hunter education course to purchase a license (except for youth under the Mentorship program).
  • Preserve Licenses:
    • For pheasant hunting on private preserves, additional fees or memberships may apply, set by the preserve. No additional state license is typically required for pen-raised birds.

Additional Notes

  • Non-Toxic Shot: Required for hunting migratory game birds (woodcock, doves, waterfowl, rails, gallinules, snipe). Lead shot is prohibited in the field for these species.
  • Wildlife Management Areas (WMAs): Virginia offers over 40 WMAs, such as Mattaponi, Gathright, and Chickahominy, which are good for woodcock and other species. Some WMAs may require check-in or additional permits.
  • Declining Populations: Wild pheasant, quail, and grouse populations in Virginia are low due to habitat loss. Hunters may need to rely on preserves for pheasants or focus on specific areas like WMAs for quail and grouse.
  • Shooting Hours: Typically one-half hour before sunrise to sunset for most species, with exceptions for crows (one-half hour after sunset for light geese).
  • Verification: Season dates and limits are projected based on historical trends and 2024-25 data. Always confirm with the Virginia DWR website (dwr.virginia.gov) or the 2025-26 Hunting & Trapping Digest for final details.

This summary provides a comprehensive overview of the 2025-26 Virginia upland bird hunting season based on available data. For the most accurate and up-to-date information, visit dwr.virginia.gov or consult the official 2025-26 Hunting & Trapping Digest.

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