2022–2023
Note to Managed Hunt Applicants
Managed Hunts are generally by on-site random drawings or by application through the local Resource Office. Hunting opportunities are provided on various Department Wildlife Management Areas and National Wildlife Refuges.
Managed Waterfowl Hunts
Hog Island WMA September Waterfowl Hunts
Hunt resident Canada geese and teal when in season on the first, third and fourth Wednesdays in September until 11:00 a.m. A total of 10 parties of no more than 3 hunters per party will be selected each morning of the hunt.
One vehicle per hunt party will be authorized through the security checkpoint. There are no blinds or decoys provided for these hunts.
Hunters should call in advance to determine field hunting conditions (crops in/out of the fields). Phone number: (757) 357-5224. Dogs are allowed and recommended.
- Drawing begins promptly at 4:15 a.m.
Hog Island – Youth October Waterfowl Day
The Department in cooperation with The Wildlife Foundation of Virginia will host a Youth Waterfowl Hunting Day for 20 youths on youth waterfowl hunting day. Only youth may hunt and carry a firearm. The hunt is restricted to youths (15 years of age and under) and each youth must be accompanied by a licensed adult.
All youth hunters must register for this event and registration will be first come, first served.
To register, contact the Hog Island WMA between October 3-7, 2022, at (757) 357-5224.
There are no blinds or decoys provided for these hunts. Dogs are allowed and recommended.
- Hunters arrive by 4:30 a.m.
Hog Island – Youth February Waterfowl Day
This is an opportunity for nine youths to hunt waterfowl on the Hog Island WMA in Surry County on the February Youth Waterfowl Hunt Day.
Only youths may hunt and carry a firearm. The hunt is restricted to youths (15 years of age and under) and each youth must be accompanied by a licensed adult. All youth hunters must register for this event and registration will be first come, first served. To register, contact the Hog Island WMA between January 16-20, 2023, at (757) 357-5224. Dogs are allowed and recommended.
- Hunters arrive by 4:30 a.m.
Princess Anne WMA Impoundments September Canada Goose/Teal Hunts
This is an opportunity to hunt September Canada geese/teal on the Princess Anne WMA in Virginia Beach. The area’s impoundment system will be open on a first-come, first-served basis for half-day hunting on Saturdays only. All hunters are required to stop hunting at 1:00 p.m. and have all decoys retrieved and be away from the impoundments by 2:00 p.m. Hunters are required to park in the designated parking areas off Munden Road. There are no blinds or decoys provided for these hunts.
- Hunters may not occupy the area before 5:00 a.m.
Princess Anne WMA Light Goose Conservation Order Season (Snow and Ross’ Geese)
This is an opportunity for hunters to hunt snow geese (light geese) at the Princess Anne WMA after the general duck season. The Princess Anne float blind stakes and impoundments at Back Bay are available for snow goose hunting after the general duck season. These hunts will be on a first-come, first-served basis. Daily hunting times will be one-half hour before sunrise to sunset. The impoundments are open for late snow goose hunting on Wednesdays, Saturdays and state holidays only. The float blind stakes may be hunted seven days a week. A boat is required to hunt the float blind stakes.
Princess Anne WMA – Youth Waterfowl Days
Float blind stakes and the impoundments will be open on a first-come, first-served basis to youth 15 years or younger when accompanied by an adult during Youth Waterfowl Hunting.
The float blind stakes will be open Saturday and Sunday. The impoundments will be open on Saturday only. Only youth may hunt and carry a firearm. Youth hunters must be accompanied by a licensed adult. There are no blinds or decoys provided for these hunts. Note: During the October hunt date there may also be deer hunters using the area around the impoundments.
- Hunt days: October and February Youth Waterfowl Hunts
- Hunters may not occupy the area before 5:00 a.m.
Managed Deer Hunts
Princess Anne WMA October Archery
Archery hunt for deer on the Whitehurst and Beasley tracts of Princess Anne WMA in Virginia Beach. Hunters must stay within the wooded areas, or along wooded edges while hunting.
No hunting in the impoundments. Hunters are required to park in the designated parking areas off Munden Road. Hunters must wear blaze orange or pink.
- Hunt days: October 1-4, 9-31
- Hunters may not occupy area before 5:00 a.m.
- Closed Wednesday-Saturday the week of the October waterfowl split.
C. F. Phelps WMA/Hogue Tract Deer Hunt for the Disabled
This is an opportunity for disabled hunters, disabled defined as mobility impaired due to a permanent physical condition, to hunt deer on the Hogue Tract of C.F. Phelps WMA in Fauquier County with archery tackle, muzzleloader, or firearms. Two hunters will be chosen by random drawing to hunt each day during the archery, muzzleloader, and general firearms deer seasons.
Each successful applicant may be accompanied by one companion, who may hunt if properly licensed. For more information and applications go to the C.F. Phelps WMA page.
Mail the application to: Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources, ATTN: Hogue Tract Hunt, 1320 Belman Road, Fredericksburg, VA 22401.
Applications must be received by the close of business on September 9, 2022.
- Hunting days: Mondays, Wednesdays, Saturdays, and State Holidays
Banshee Reeks Nature Preserve Deer Hunt
This is an opportunity to hunt deer on Banshee Reeks Nature Preserve in Loudoun County. For more information go to the Loudoun County website or call 703-777-0343.
Occoquan Bay National Wildlife Refuge Deer Hunt
Selected hunters must attend an orientation and show proof of weapons qualification in order to participate. There is an application and hunt fee. Lottery information and applications are available by calling the Refuge office at 703-490-4979 or online.
Mason Neck National Wildlife Refuge and State Park Deer Hunt
Selected hunters must attend an orientation and show proof of weapons qualification in order to participate. There is an application and hunt fee. Lottery information and applications are available by calling the Refuge office at 703-490-4979 or online.
Novice Deer Hunter Workshops
The Virginia Department Wildlife Resources has partnered with Loudoun County and Virginia State Parks to sponsor two novice deer hunter workshop and hunts. One will take place at Banshee Reeks Nature Preserve in Loudoun County and the other will be at Widewater State Park in Stafford County. Check the DWR website for dates and details.
These workshops are to educate novice hunters beyond the state required hunter education course and to prepare them for real field experiences.
These workshops for novice hunters 18 and over will consist of one day of classroom sessions that covers hunter safety, deer habitat, and hunting technique. Classroom sessions will be followed by hunting days of shotgun hunting (archery hunting also available at Banshee Reeks only) with an assigned mentor.
Banshee Reeks Workshop
Persons interested in the Banshee Reeks workshop must register for the lottery through Loudoun County Department of Parks, Recreation & Community Services (PRCS).
The lottery registration fee is $15 per chance.
A $60 fee is required if selected in the lottery.
Online registration begins August 1 and runs through 12:00 a.m. (midnight), August 31, 2022. In-person lottery registration will also be available Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. at the PRCS Administrative Office, 20145 Ashbrook Place, Ashburn, VA 20147. For additional registration assistance, call 703-777-0343.
Widewater State Park
This workshop is for novice hunters, age 18 and older, who would like to receive a supplemental education that goes beyond the required hunter education course. Held in cooperation with the Department of Wildlife Resources, novices will be paired one-on-one with an experienced mentor who will offer invaluable knowledge and expertise. Any interested novice must email or mail a completed application to [email protected] or to Widewater State Park at 101 Widewater State Park Road, Stafford, VA 22554 by Aug. 19. Notifications will be sent out by Aug. 26. Upon selection, the final payment of $15 for the State Park hunting permit must be paid by Sept. 16. The final payment for the workshop can be made with the Customer Service Center at 800-933-PARK.
The Department of Wildlife Resources reserves the right to manage hunter access and hunter use on Department-owned and controlled lands as deemed appropriate.
This program received Federal financial assistance in Sport Fish and/or Wildlife Restoration. Under Title VI of the 1964 Civil Rights Act, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, the Age Discrimination Act of 1975, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, the U.S. Department of the Interior prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, sex, or disability. If you believe that you have been discriminated against in any program, activity or facility as described above, or if you desire further information, please write to the Office for Human Resources, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 4040 N. Fairfax Drive, Room 300, Arlington, VA 22203.