Hunts, 2009-2010 Season
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. In parks where controlled hunts are held, the deer population has exceeded the carrying capacity of that site. Managed hunts help reduce and improve the overall deer population for that site. Hunters who take part support our efforts by following the harvest guidelines for each hunt. Detailed hunting opportunities are listed below and on this grid (PDF).
Lottery Hunts
Hunting opportunities by lottery in 2009 are offered at Grayson Highlands, Kiptopeke, Occoneechee and Pocahontas. 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.
Reservation Hunts
Belle Isle, Caledon Natural Area, Chippokes Plantation, Claytor Lake, Douthat, James River, Lake Anna, 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 sited, 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.
Special Youth Hunts
Shenandoah River State Park will hold a Youth General Firearms Hunt on Nov. 16, 2009. Grayson Highlands State Park will hold a Youth General Firearm hunt on Nov. 14, 2009. 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.
Leesylvania State Park special lottery deer hunt
A special late season deer hunt will be held at Leesylvania State Park on Tuesday, Jan. 19, Wednesday, Jan. 20 and Friday, Feb. 12, 2010. Twenty-five hunters per day will be selected. The hunt is for antlerless deer only, and allowed weapon/ammunition is shotgun with buckshot. Selected hunters must successfully pass a weapons qualification course at a specified range, and attend a pre-hunt orientation on Saturday, Jan. 9, 2010 at Leesylvania State Park in order to participate. Applications for the lottery hunt are due by 5 pm Friday, December 4, 2009. Click here for a list of ranges, and the weapons qualification course.
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.
Southern Heritage Deer Hunt
Chippokes Plantation State Park hosts a traditional hunt Dec. 5, 2009, 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 to reserve a spot. Reservations for this hunt are taken up to 11 months prior to the hunt date.
Shenandoah River State Park Wheelin' Sportmen Hunt
On Nov. 9, 2009, Shenandoah River hosts a special muzzleloader deer hunt for disabled people. Contact Gene Hayden at (540) 241-3502 or Mike Deane at (434) 966-8508 and visit www.vanwtf.com 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 187 housekeeping cabins and more than 1,500 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 (PDF) for a grid that details 2009-2010 hunts.
Hunt Details
Park: Belle Isle
County: Lancaster
Phone: (804) 462-5030
Hunt dates: 11/11/09-11/12/09
Reservation hunt
Reservation period begins: 9/25/09
No. of hunters per day: 12
Weapons allowed: M
Reservation fee: $15
Hunter education required
To sign up, call 1-800-933-PARK once the reservation period begins
Park: Belle Isle
County: Lancaster
Phone: (804) 462-5030
Hunt dates: 12/16/09-12/17/09
Reservation hunt
Reservation period begins: 9/25/09
No. of hunters per day: 12
Weapons allowed: G
Reservation fee: $15
Hunter education required
To sign up, call 1-800-933-PARK once the reservation period begins
Park: Caledon Natural Area
County: King George
Phone: (540) 663-3861
Hunt dates: 11/4/09-11/5/09, 11/11/09-11/12/09
Reservation hunt
Reservation period begins: 9/10/09
No. of hunters per day: 20
Weapons allowed: M
Reservation fee: $15
Hunter education required
To sign up, call 1-800-933-PARK once the reservation period begins
Park: Chippokes Plantation
County: Surry
Phone: (757) 294-3625
Hunt dates: 1/2/10
Reservation hunt
Reservation period begins: 10/1/09
No. of hunters per day: 30
Weapons allowed: S, BS
Reservation fee: $15
Hunter education required
To sign up, call 1-800-933-PARK once the reservation period begins
Park: Claytor Lake
County: Pulaski
Phone: (540) 643-2500
Hunt dates: 1/8/10-1/9/10
Reservation hunt
Reservation period begins: 10/16/09
No. of hunters per day: 20
Weapons allowed: M, S, s
Reservation fee: $15
Hunter education required
To sign up, call 1-800-933-PARK once the reservation period begins
Park: Douthat
County: Bath
Phone: (540) 862-8100
Hunt dates: 11/10/09-11/12/09
Reservation hunt
Reservation period begins: 9/11/09
No. of hunters per day: 45
Weapons allowed: M
Reservation fee: $15
Hunter education required
To sign up, call 1-800-933-PARK once the reservation period begins
Park: Douthat
County: Bath
Phone: (540) 862-8100
Hunt dates: 11/17/09-11/19/09
Reservation hunt
Reservation period begins: 9/11/09
No. of hunters per day: 45
Weapons allowed: G
Reservation fee: $15
Hunter education required
To sign up, call 1-800-933-PARK once the reservation period begins
Park: False Cape
City: Virginia Beach
Phone: (757) 426-7128
Hunt dates: 10/3/09, 10/5/09, 10/6/09, 10/29/09, 10/30/09, 10/31/09
Lottery hunt
Lottery deadline: 8/28/09
No. of hunters per day: 116
Weapons allowed: S
Application fee: $7.50
Hunt fee: $10
Hunter education required
Apply online at www.vaquotahunts.com; by phone at 1-877-VAHUNTS, Monday through Friday, 9:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. EST. Visit www.dgif.virginia.gov for details. Click here (PDF) for information about the 2009 Deer and Feral Hog Lottery Hunts, offered periodically from Oct. 4 – Oct. 31, 2009. 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.
Park: False Cape
City: Virginia Beach
Phone: (757) 426-7128
Hunt dates: 1/9/10, 1/23/10, 2/6/10, 2/20/10
Lottery hunt
Lottery deadline: 10/02/10
Weapons allowed: M, S
Application fee: $7.50
Hunt fee: $10
Hunter education required
Apply online at www.vaquotahunts.com; by phone at 1-877-VAHUNTS, Monday through Friday, 9:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. EST, hunt no. 604. Visit www.dgif.virginia.gov for details. Click here (PDF) for information about the 2010 Feral Hog Lottery Hunts. Click here (PDF) for associated hunting regulations. 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.
Park: Grayson Highlands (Youth Hunt)
County: Grayson
Phone: (276) 579-7092
Hunt dates: 11/14/09
Lottery hunt
Lottery deadline: 9/23/09
No. of hunters per day: 30
Weapons allowed: YG
Application fee: $5
Hunt fee: $10
Hunter education required
Application Form (PDF): Click here
Park: Grayson Highlands
County: Grayson
Phone: (276) 579-7092
Hunt dates: 11/16/09-11/17/09
Lottery hunt
Lottery deadline: 9/23/09
No. of hunters per day: 30
Weapons allowed: G
Application fee: $5
Hunt fee: $10
Hunter education required
Application Form (PDF): Click here
Park: James River
County: Buckingham
Phone: (434) 933-4355
Hunt dates: 11/9/09-11/12/09
Reservation hunt
Reservation period begins: 10/2/09
No. of hunters per day: 15
Weapons allowed: M
Reservation fee: $15
Hunter education required
To sign up, call 1-800-933-PARK once the reservation period begins
Park: James River
County: Buckingham
Phone: (434) 933-4355
Hunt dates: 12/7/09-12/10/09, 12/14/09-12/17/09
Reservation hunt
Reservation period begins: 10/2/09
No. of hunters per day: 15
Weapons allowed: S
Reservation fee: $15
Hunter education required
To sign up, call 1-800-933-PARK once the reservation period begins
Park: Kiptopeke
County: Northampton
Phone: (757) 331-2267
Hunt dates: 11/6/09-11/7/09
Lottery hunt
Lottery deadline: 9/25/09
No. of hunters per day: 4
Weapons allowed: A, M
Application fee: $5
Hunt fee: $10
Hunter education required
Application Form (PDF): Click here
Park: Kiptopeke
County: Northampton
Phone: (757) 331-2267
Hunt dates: 12/11/09-12/12/09
Lottery hunt fee: $5
Hunt fee: $10
Lottery deadline: 9/25/09
No. of hunters per day: 4
Weapons allowed: S
Application
Hunter education required
Application Form (PDF): Click here
Park: Lake Anna
County: Spotsylvania
Phone: (540) 854-5503
Hunt dates: 11/17/09-11/18/09, 12/1/09-12/2/09
Reservation hunt
Reservation period begins: 9/17/09
No. of hunters per day: 20
Weapons allowed: M, S
Reservation fee: $15
Hunter education required
Park: Mason Neck*
County: Fairfax
Phone: (703) 490-4979
Hunt dates: 11/19/09-11/20/09, 12/11/09
Lottery hunt: Yes
Lottery deadline: 9/25/09
No. of hunters per day: 90
Weapons allowed: S, BS
Application fee: $10
Hunt fee: $20
Hunter education required? No
Application Form: Contact Potomac River National Wildlife Refuge, (703) 490-4979
Park: Occoneechee
County: Mecklenburg
Phone: (434) 374-2210
Hunt dates: 11/9/09-11/11/09
Lottery hunt
Lottery deadline: 10/2/09
No. of hunters per day: 6
Weapons allowed: M
Application fee: $5
Hunt fee: $10
Hunter education required
Application Form (PDF): Click here
Park: Occoneechee
County: Mecklenburg
Phone: (434) 374-2210
Hunt dates: 11/30/09-12/2/09, 12/14/09-12/16/09
Lottery hunt
Lottery deadline: 10/2/09
No. of hunters per day: 6
Weapons allowed: S
Application fee: $5
Hunt fee: $10
Hunter education required
Application Form (PDF): Click here
Park: Pocahontas
County: Chesterfield
Phone: (804) 796-4255
Hunt dates: 12/7/09-12/8/09, 12/17/09-12/19/09
Lottery hunt
Lottery deadline: 10/9/09
No. of hunters per day: 25
Weapons allowed: M, S
Application fee: $5
Hunt fee: $10
Hunter education required
Application Form (PDF): Click here
Park: Shenandoah River (youth hunt)
County: Warren
Phone: (540) 622-6840
Hunt dates: 11/16/09
Reservation hunt
Reservation period begins: 9/18/09
No. of hunters allowed: 7
Weapons allowed: YG
Reservation fee: $15
Hunter education required
To sign up, call 1-800-933-PARK once the reservation period begins
Park: Shenandoah River
County: Warren
Phone: (540) 622-6840
Hunt dates: 11/23/09-11/24/09
Reservation hunt
Reservation period begins: 9/18/09
No. of hunters per day: 14
Weapons allowed: G
Reservation fee: $15
Hunter education required
To sign up, call 1-800-933-PARK once the reservation period begins
Park: Staunton River
County: Halifax
Phone: (434) 572-4623
Hunt dates: 11/11/09-11/12/09
Reservation hunt
Reservation period begins: 9/24/09
No. of hunters per day: 17
Weapons allowed: A, M
Reservation fee: $15
Hunter education required
To sign up, call 1-800-933-PARK once the reservation period begins
Park: Smith Mountain Lake
County: Bedford
Phone: (540) 297-6066
Hunt dates: 11/2/09-11/3/09, 11/9/09-11/10/09
Reservation hunt
Reservation period begins: 9/3/09
No. of hunters per day: 30
Weapons allowed: A, M
Reservation fee: $15
Hunter education required
To sign up, call 1-800-933-PARK once the reservation period begins
Park: York River
County: James City
Phone: (757) 566-3036
Hunt dates: 11/9/09-11/10/09
Reservation hunt
Reservation period begins: 9/4/09
No. of hunters per day: 40
Weapons allowed: A, M
Reservation fee: $15
Hunter education required
To sign up, call 1-800-933-PARK once the reservation period begins
Park: York River
County: James City
Phone: (757) 566-3036
Hunt dates: 12/7/09-12/8/09
Reservation hunt
Reservation period begins: 9/4/09
No. of hunters per day: 40
Weapons allowed: S
Reservation fee: $15
Hunter education required
To sign up, call 1-800-933-PARK once the reservation period begins
Reservations may be made up to 2 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 lotter 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.
Weapons: A = Archery, BS = Buckshot only, G = General Firearm, M = Muzzleloader, S = Shotgun, s = slugs, YG = Youth General Firearm
*Contact the Potomac River National Wildlife Refuge to participate in the Mason Neck lottery.
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, Pocahontas (Chesterfield County) (804) 796-4255. Open hunting is allowed in designated areas of Occoneechee State Park (Mecklenburg County), (434) 374-2210, but hunters must first obtain a free permit.
Virginia State Parks Hunting Rules
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.
