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Compound Bow Hunting in Virginia — Shenandoah & Blue Ridge Whitetail

Whitetail DeerBlack BearWild TurkeyElk

📅 2026 Season & License Info

Archery Season Open

October 5

Archery Season Close

January 31

Min Draw Weight

35 lbs

Resident License

$23/yr

Non-Resident License

$110/yr

Top Species

Whitetail Deer, Black Bear, Wild Turkey, Elk

📍 Top Public Hunting Spots

George Washington National Forest

1,065,000 acres

Whitetail Deer, Bear, Turkey

Shenandoah Valley mountain ridges. Excellent deer density. Bear hunting expanding statewide.

Jefferson National Forest

723,000 acres

Whitetail Deer, Turkey, Bear

Southwest VA mountains. Remote ridge hunting with creek bottoms. Quality mature bucks.

Goshen-Little North Mountain WMA

33,000 acres

Whitetail Deer, Turkey, Bear

Bath County. Mountain hunting with excellent road access. Consistent deer production.

⚖️ Virginia Archery Regulations

  • •Minimum draw weight: 35 lbs
  • •Sunday hunting now legal statewide
  • •Elk hunting in far southwest VA by limited draw — recent reintroduction
  • •Bear license required separately

💡 Expert Tips for Virginia

  • →Virginia legalized Sunday hunting statewide — use it for less crowded treestand access
  • →The Shenandoah Valley (between Blue Ridge and Allegheny ridges) concentrates bucks during rut
  • →George Washington National Forest offers 1 million acres of public hunting
  • →Virginia's growing elk herd in Buchanan and Wise counties offers future bowhunting opportunity
⚠️ Regulation Disclaimer: Hunting regulations change annually. Always verify current season dates, bag limits, and equipment requirements with the Virginia state wildlife agency before hunting. This information is for planning purposes only.