2011-2012 hunts at Virginia State Parks

Hunting opportunities range from open hunting in designated areas to managed deer hunts where individuals participate through a reservation or lottery system. Managed deer hunts are a tool in DCR's overall deer management program. Specific sites that offer hunting may change from year to year. Participating hunters support our efforts by following each hunt's harvest guidelines. Detailed hunting opportunities are listed below.

Lottery Hunts

Hunting opportunities by lottery in 2011 are offered at Grayson Highlands, Kiptopeke, Leesylvania and Natural Tunnel. A separate lottery application is required for each hunt. A $5 non-refundable application fee is required with each completed application, and a $10 hunting fee is collected at the site. Proof of hunter education certification and required licenses must be presented at check-in. Please see this grid (PDF) to determine dates on which applications are due for each lottery hunt. Additionally, lottery hunts not managed by DCR are offered at False Cape and Mason Neck state parks. Applications for the lottery hunts will not be accepted until Aug. 1, 2011.

Reservation Hunts

Belle Isle, Caledon Natural Area, Chippokes Plantation, Claytor Lake, Douthat, James River, Lake Anna, Pocahontas, Shenandoah River, Smith Mountain Lake, Staunton River and York River state parks offer hunting opportunities by reservation. Hunters may reserve the day and, at some sites, a preferred stand or zone. There's a reservation fee of $15 per day, and there may be limits to the number of reservations allowed per call. The fee is non-refundable. Proof of hunter education certification and required licenses must be presented at check-in. Reservation hunts are handled by the Virginia State Parks Reservation Center, 1-800-933-PARK. See this grid (PDF) to determine the date on which the center begins accepting reservations for the given reservation hunt.

Open Hunting

Designated areas within the following parks are open to hunting throughout the hunting season. Statewide regulations apply. Contact the individual park for more information.

• Fairy Stone, Patrick County, (276) 930-2424
• Grayson Highlands, Grayson County, (276) 579-7092
• Hungry Mother, Smyth County, (276) 781-7400
• Occoneechee State Park, Mecklenburg County, (434) 374-2210. Open hunting is allowed in designated areas of the park. Hunters must first obtain a free permit.
• Pocahontas, Chesterfield County, (804) 796-4255)

Special Youth Hunts

Grayson Highlands will hold a Youth General Firearms hunt on Nov. 19, 2011. Shenandoah River will hold a Youth Muzzleloader hunt on Nov. 14, 2011. Natural Tunnel will hold a Youth Muzzleloader hunt on Dec. 17, 2011. To take part, those 12 to 17 years of age must follow the same process used for our other hunts.Note that young people 16 to 17 years old may hunt alone, but those 12 to 15 must be accompanied by a non-hunting adult who has a valid hunter safety certification.

Claytor Lake Youth Deer-Hunting Workshop

This workshop and hunt are for those ages 12 through 17. It will be held in conjunction with Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries staff on Dec. 9-10, 2011. It includes a Friday evening seminar on deer biology and management, a session on hunting safety and ethics and muzzleloader safety, and a Saturday either-sex guided hunt. Participants must be accompanied by a non-hunting adult and meet all hunter education and licensing requirements. For more information and to register, contact Jimmy Mootz (804) 367-0656, jimmy.mootz@dgif.virginia.gov. The registration deadline is Nov. 15, 2011.

Hunters Helping Kids Hunt

A special hunt at Staunton River State Park takes place Dec. 10, 2011, and is sponsored by Hunters Helping Kids. Call David Rather at 434-476-9073 for details.

False Cape State Park Deer and Feral Hog Lottery Hunt

This hunt is run in conjunction with the Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge. The legal harvest (using shotguns) applies to deer and feral hogs. Apply online at www.vaquotahunts.com; by phone at 1-877-VAHUNTS, Monday through Friday, 9:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m., EST; or by completing a paper application available online at www.dgif.virginia.gov or found in the Virginia Game and Inland Fisheries Hunting publication. There is an application fee.

• Click here (PDF) for information about the 2011 Deer and Feral Hog Lottery Hunts, offered in 2011 on Oct. 1, 21, 28 and 29; lottery deadline is Aug. 19, 2011.
• Click here (PDF) for a map of the Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge Hunting Zones
• Click here (PDF) for a map of the False Cape State Park Hunting Zones.
• Click here for more information about a hog-only hunt to be held Feb. 3 and 4, 2012. The lottery deadline is Sept. 30, 2011.)

Mason Neck Deer Hunt

This hunt is run in conjunction with the Potomac River National Wildlife Refuge Complex. Lottery information and applications are available by calling the refuge at (703) 490-4979 or online. Hunt dates are Dec. 1, 2 and 16, 2011. Lottery deadline is Sept. 24, 2011. There are application and hunt fees.

Southern Heritage Deer Hunt

Chippokes Plantation State Park will host a traditional hunt Dec. 1, 2012, from 5 a.m. to 7 p.m. This is an old-fashioned hunt featuring three traditional meals, a blessing of the hounds, rides to and from hunt stands and a butchering service. The fee is $325 each for adults or those 16 and older with a separate stand. For those 12 to 17 years old, it's $200 per person with a paying adult as a non-hunting companion (which is $50). Call 1-800-933-PARK (7275) to reserve a spot. Reservations for this hunt will be taken beginning on Jan. 3, 2012. Once paid for, reservations are nonrefundable and cannot be transferred.

Wheelin' Sportmen Hunts

There will be three hunts especially tailored for people with disabilities. On Nov. 7, 2011, Shenandoah River hosts a muzzleloader deer hunt. On Nov. 15, 2011, a muzzleloader hunt will be held at Lake Anna. Contact Gene Hayden at (540) 241-3502 or Mike Deane at (434) 996-8508 and visit www.vanwtf.com for details. Staunton River hosts a general firearms hunt on Nov. 19, 2011; call 434-470-4750 for details.

Hunts at Natural Area Preserves

DCR also holds hunts at several Natural Area Preserves. To learn about and apply for these hunts, please click here.

Fairy Stone Quality Deer Management Area

The Fairy Stone Quality Deer Management Area (QDMA) is a cooperative effort between the Department of Conservation and Recreation, the Department of Game and Inland Fisheries and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' Philpott Reservoir to manage for 'bigger' bucks on 4,600 acres. In the QDMA, it is illegal to harvest an antlered deer unless the deer has at least four antler points, each greater than one inch in length, on either the right or left antler.

Overnight Accommodations

Virginia State Parks also provides comfortable and economical overnight accommodations, with housekeeping cabins and campsites ranging from primitive sites to sites with electric and water hookups. Accommodations are available at many sites during part of the hunting season.

To make hunting reservations or obtain lottery applications (lottery hunt applications listed below with each hunt's description), as well as to make reservations for overnight accommodations in Virginia State Parks, call 1-800-933-PARK. Click here to learn about park cabins, camping and lodges.

Hunt Details

Location: Belle Isle, Lancaster County, 804-462-5030.
Dates: Jan. 3-4.
Reservation hunt.
Reservation period begins: Sept. 23.
No. of hunters per day: 12
Weapons allowed (see chart below): G
Reservation fee: $15.
Hunter education required? Yes

Location: Belle Isle, Lancaster County, 804-462-5030.
Dates: Nov. 14-15.
Reservation hunt.
Reservation period begins: Sept. 23.
No. of hunters per day: 12
Weapons allowed (see chart below): M
Reservation fee: $15.
Hunter education required? Yes

Location: Caledon Natural Area, King George, County, 540-663-3861.
Dates: Nov. 9-10, Nov. 16-17.
Reservation hunt.
Reservation period begins: Sept. 9.
No. of hunters per day: 20
Weapons allowed (see chart below): M
Reservation fee: $15.
Hunter education required? Yes

Location: Chippokes Plantation, Surry County, 757-294-3728.
Dates: Dec. 17.
Reservation hunt.
Reservation period begins: Oct. 13.
No. of hunters per day: 30
Weapons allowed (see chart below): M, S
Reservation fee: $15.
Hunter education required? Yes

Location: Claytor Lake, Pulaski County, 540-643-2500.
Dates: Jan. 6-7.
Reservation hunt.
Reservation period begins: Oct. 14.
No. of hunters per day: 20
Weapons allowed (see chart below): M,Ss
Reservation fee: $15.
Hunter education required? Yes

Location: Douthat, Bath County, 540-862-8100.
Dates: Nov. 14-17.
Reservation hunt.
Reservation period begins: Sept. 2.
No. of hunters per day: 45
Weapons allowed (see chart below): M
Reservation fee: $15.
Hunter education required? Yes

Location: Grayson Highlands, Grayson County, 276-579-7092.
Dates: Nov. 19.
Lottery hunt.
Lottery deadline: Sept. 30.
No. of hunters per day: 30 (Note – there will be 15 slots for youth hunters. Those selected may bring along an adult hunter, for total of 30 slots)
Weapons allowed (see chart below): YG
Application fee: $5.
Hunting fee: 10.
Hunter education required? Yes
Application form: PDF, MS Word (181)

Location: Grayson Highlands, Grayson County, 276-579-7092.
Dates: Nov. 28-29.
Lottery hunt.
Lottery deadline: Sept. 30.
No. of hunters per day: 30
Weapons allowed (see chart below): G
Application fee: $5.
Hunting fee: 10.
Hunter education required? Yes
Application form: PDF, MS Word (159)

Location: Grayson Highlands, Grayson County, 276-579-7092.
Dates: Nov. 7-8.
Lottery hunt.
Lottery deadline: Sept. 30.
No. of hunters per day: 30
Weapons allowed (see chart below): M
Application fee: $5.
Hunting fee: 10.
Hunter education required? Yes
Application form: PDF, MS Word (161)

Location: James River, Buckingham County, 434-933-4355.
Dates: Dec. 12-15.
Reservation hunt.
Reservation period begins: Sept. 16.
No. of hunters per day: 15
Weapons allowed (see chart below): S
Reservation fee: $15.
Hunter education required? Yes

Location: James River, Buckingham County, 434-933-4355.
Dates: Nov. 7-10, Dec. 5-8.
Reservation hunt.
Reservation period begins: Sept. 16.
No. of hunters per day: 15
Weapons allowed (see chart below): A, M
Reservation fee: $15.
Hunter education required? Yes

Location: Kiptopeke, Northampton County, 757-331-2267.
Dates: Nov. 19, Dec. 2-3.
Lottery hunt.
Lottery deadline: Sept. 28.
No. of hunters per day: 4
Weapons allowed (see chart below): S
Application fee: $5.
Hunting fee: 10.
Hunter education required? Yes
Application form: PDF, MS Word (162)

Location: Kiptopeke, Northampton County, 757-331-2267.
Dates: Nov. 5, Nov. 18.
Lottery hunt.
Lottery deadline: Sept. 28.
No. of hunters per day: 4
Weapons allowed (see chart below): A, M
Application fee: $5.
Hunting fee: 10.
Hunter education required? Yes
Application form: PDF, MS Word (161)

Location: Lake Anna, Spotsylvania County, 540-854-5503.
Dates: Nov. 16.
Reservation hunt.
Reservation period begins: Sept. 29.
No. of hunters per day: 20
Weapons allowed (see chart below): M
Reservation fee: $15.
Hunter education required? Yes

Location: Lake Anna, Spotsylvania County, 540-854-5503.
Dates: Nov. 29-30.
Reservation hunt.
Reservation period begins: Sept. 29.
No. of hunters per day: 20
Weapons allowed (see chart below): M, S
Reservation fee: $15.
Hunter education required? Yes

Location: Leesylvania, Prince William County, 703-730-8205.
Dates: Jan. 18.
Lottery hunt.
Lottery deadline: Nov. 4.
No. of hunters per day: 15
Weapons allowed (see chart below): S*
Application fee: $5.
Hunting fee: 10.
Hunter education required? Yes
Application form: PDF, MS Word (199)

Location: Natural Tunnel, Scott County, 276-940-2674.
Dates: Dec. 17.
Lottery hunt.
Lottery deadline: Oct. 28.
No. of hunters per day: 12
Weapons allowed (see chart below): YM
Application fee: $5.
Hunting fee: 10.
Hunter education required? Yes

Location: Natural Tunnel, Scott County, 276-940-2674.
Dates: Dec. 19-20.
Lottery hunt.
Lottery deadline: Oct. 28.
No. of hunters per day: 12
Weapons allowed (see chart below): M
Application fee: $5.
Hunting fee: 10.
Hunter education required? Yes

Location: Pocahontas, Chesterfield County, 804-796-4255.
Dates: Dec. 5-7, Dec. 15-17.
Reservation hunt.

Reservation period begins: Sept. 15.
No. of hunters per day: 25
Weapons allowed (see chart below): M, S
Reservation fee: $15.
Hunter education required? Yes

Location: Pocahontas, Chesterfield County, 804-796-4255.
Dates: Nov. 7- 12.
Reservation hunt.
Reservation period begins: Sept. 15.
No. of hunters per day: 10
Weapons allowed (see chart below): A, M
Reservation fee: $15.
Hunter education required? Yes

Location: Shenandoah River, Warren County, 540-622-6840.
Dates: Nov. 14.
Reservation hunt.
Reservation period begins: Sept. 30.
No. of hunters per day: 7
Weapons allowed (see chart below): YM
Reservation fee: $15.
Hunter education required? Yes

Location: Smith Mountain Lake, Bedford County, 540-297-6066.
Dates: Nov. 7-8, Nov. 14-15.
Reservation hunt.
Reservation period begins: Sept. 8.
No. of hunters per day: 30
Weapons allowed (see chart below): A, M
Reservation fee: $15.
Hunter education required? Yes

Location: Staunton River, Halifax County, 434-572-4623.
Dates: Nov. 9-10.
Reservation hunt.
Reservation period begins: Sept. 1.
No. of hunters per day: 17
Weapons allowed (see chart below): A, M
Reservation fee: $15.
Hunter education required? Yes

Location: York River, James City County, 757-566-3036.
Dates: Dec. 12-13.
Reservation hunt.
Reservation period begins: Sept. 22.
No. of hunters per day: 37
Weapons allowed (see chart below): S
Reservation fee: $15.
Hunter education required? Yes

Location: York River, James City County, 757-566-3036.
Dates: Nov. 7-8.
Reservation hunt.
Reservation period begins: Sept. 22.
No. of hunters per day: 6 archery, 37 muzzleloader
Weapons allowed (see chart below): A, M
Reservation fee: $15.
Hunter education required? Yes

Reservations may be made up to two days prior to the requested day of the hunt, provided payment can be made at the time of reservation, and that space is available.

To apply for lottery hunts or reserve a space in a reservation hunt, call the State Parks Reservation Center at 1-800-933-PARK. All lottery and reservation hunts have special regulations. Contact the individual park or the reservation center to obtain the hunt specific rules. Please note that applications for lottery hunts are not accepted until Aug. 1, 2011. Reservation hunts have distinct dates on which reservations will be taken.

Virginia State Parks Hunting Rules

• Hunting and camping is permitted only in designated areas.
• Virginia game laws apply in all designated hunting areas.
• Hunting is prohibited within 100 yards of all state park buildings and roads.
• Lottery and reservation hunts require proof of completion of a hunter safety course.
• State law requires hunters to wear blaze orange. The minimum required by law is a blaze orange cap or vest; most managed hunts at state parks require a blaze orange vest, at a minimum, which is more than required by state regulations.

Virginia Hunting General Information

The Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries oversees hunting, fishing and boating activity in the commonwealth. Click here for hunting and trapping regulations and information. Click here to access Find Game and to read about hunts on public land, including state parks.