The natural hunting destination

2012-13 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 2012 are offered at 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 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, 2012.

Reservation Hunts

Belle Isle, Caledon, Chippokes Plantation, Claytor Lake, Grayson Highlands, James River, Lake Anna, Pocahontas, Shenandoah River, Smith Mountain Lake 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 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 Muzzleloader hunt on Nov. 3, 2012. Shenandoah River will hold a General Firearms hunt on Nov. 19, 2012. Natural Tunnel will hold a Youth Muzzleloader hunt on Dec. 15, 2012. James River will hold a Youth Archery hunt on Jan. 12, 2013.

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.

Douthat State Park Special Hunts

Hunters may register to participate in a muzzleloader hunt, Nov. 12–15, and a rifle hunt, Nov. 26-29. Those interested may reserve slots for the designated hunts. There is a $5 non-refundable administrative fee for a hunting slot reservation, and registered hunters must then attend one of three mandatory safety and hunt orientation sessions to obtain a hunter card that is required in order to take part in the hunts. Safety sessions will be held Nov. 2 from 1–5 p.m. and 5:30-9:30 p.m. and on Nov. 11 from 1-5 p.m. Reservations for this hunt will be taken from Oct. 4 through Nov. 1. Call 540-862-8100 for details.

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. 14-15, 2012. 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 Tracy Howard, 540-267-3156, fax 540-633-0152, thoward@radford.va.us.

Hunters Helping Kids Hunt

A special hunt at Staunton River State Park takes place Dec. 8, 2012, 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 for information about the 2012 Deer and Feral Hog Lottery Hunts, offered in 2012 on Oct. 5, 6, 26 and 27; lottery deadline is Aug. 17, 2012.
• Click here for a map of the Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge Hunting Zones
• Click here for a map of the False Cape State Park Hunting Zones.

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 Nov. 29, Nov. 30 and Dec. 14, 2012. There are application and hunt fees. Contact the refuge office at 703-490-4979 or download this document for details.

Southern Heritage Deer Hunt

Chippokes Plantation State Park will host a traditional hunt Dec. 7, 2013, 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. 2, 2013. 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. 5, 2012, Shenandoah River hosts a muzzleloader deer hunt. On Nov. 13, 2012, a muzzleloader hunt will be held at Lake Anna. Staunton River hosts a general firearms hunt on Nov. 17, 2012. Contact Robin Clark at 434-249-6154, email weeeelz@aol.com, for details. The sign-up deadline is Oct. 1, 2012.

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 for 2012-13 will be posted soon. Please check back.

Hunt Details

Location: Belle Isle, Lancaster County, (804) 462-5030.
Dates: November 12 - 13, 2012.
Reservation hunt.
Reservation period begins: reservation period begins September 21, 2012.
No. of hunters per day: 12.
Weapons allowed (see chart below): Muzzleloader.
Reservation fee: $15.
Hunter education required? Yes.

Location: Belle Isle, Lancaster County, (804) 462-5030.
Dates: December 12 - 13, 2012.
Reservation hunt.
Reservation period begins: reservation period begins September 21, 2012.
No. of hunters per day: 12.
Weapons allowed (see chart below): General Firearms.
Reservation fee: $15.
Hunter education required? Yes.

Location: Caledon, King George County, (540) 663-3861.
Dates: November 7,8,14,15.
Reservation hunt.
Reservation period begins: reservation period begins September 7, 2012.
No. of hunters per day: 20.
Weapons allowed (see chart below): Muzzleloader.
Reservation fee: $15.
Hunter education required? Yes.

Location: Chippokes Plantation, Surry County, (757) 294-3728.
Dates: December 15, 2012.
Reservation hunt.
Reservation period begins: reservation period begins October 11, 2012.
No. of hunters per day: 30.
Weapons allowed (see chart below): Muzzleloader, Shotgun.
Reservation fee: $15.
Hunter education required? Yes.

Location: Claytor Lake, Pulaski County, (540) 643-2500.
Dates: January 11-12, 2013.
Reservation hunt.
Reservation period begins: reservation period begins October 12, 2012.
No. of hunters per day: 20.
Weapons allowed (see chart below): Muzzleloader, Shotgun, Slugs.
Reservation fee: $15.
Hunter education required? Yes.

Location: Grayson Highlands, Grayson County, (276) 579-7092.
Dates: November 5-6, 2012.
Reservation hunt.
Reservation period begins: reservation period begins September 6, 2012.
No. of hunters per day: 30.
Weapons allowed (see chart below): Muzzleloader.
Reservation fee: $15.
Hunter education required? Yes.

Location: Grayson Highlands, Grayson County, (276) 579-7092.
Dates: November 3, 2012.
Reservation hunt.
Reservation period begins: reservation period begins September 6, 2012.
No. of hunters per day: 15.
Weapons allowed (see chart below): Youth Muzzleloader.
Reservation fee: $15.
Hunter education required? Yes.

Location: Grayson Highlands, Grayson County, (276) 579-7092.
Dates: November 19-20, 2012.
Reservation hunt.
Reservation period begins: reservation period begins September 6, 2012.
No. of hunters per day: 30.
Weapons allowed (see chart below): General Firearms.
Reservation fee: $15.
Hunter education required? Yes.

Location: James River, Buckingham County, (434) 933-4355.
Dates: January 12, 2013.
Reservation hunt.
Reservation period begins: reservation period begins September 14, 2012.
No. of hunters per day: 15.
Weapons allowed (see chart below): Youth Archery.
Reservation fee: $15.
Hunter education required? Yes.

Location: James River, Buckingham County, (434) 933-4355.
Dates: November 5-7, November 12-13 2012.
Reservation hunt.
Reservation period begins: reservation period begins September 14, 2012.
No. of hunters per day: 15.
Weapons allowed (see chart below): Muzzleloader.
Reservation fee: $15.
Hunter education required? Yes.

Location: James River, Buckingham County, (434) 933-4355.
Dates: December 3-4, 2012.
Reservation hunt.
Reservation period begins: reservation period begins September 14, 2012.
No. of hunters per day: 15.
Weapons allowed (see chart below): Shotgun.
Reservation fee: $15.
Hunter education required? Yes.

Location: Kiptopeke, Northampton County, (757) 331-2267.
Dates: November 3, November 16, 2012.
Lottery hunt.
Lottery deadline: lottery deadline September 26, 2012.
No. of hunters per day: 6.
Weapons allowed (see chart below): Archery, Muzzleloader.
Application fee: $5.
Hunting fee: $10.
Hunter education required? Yes.
Application form: PDF, MS Word (161).

Location: Kiptopeke, Northampton County, (757) 331-2267.
Dates: November 17, November 30, December 1, December 4, December 5, 2012.
Lottery hunt.
Lottery deadline: lottery deadline September 26, 2012.
No. of hunters per day: 6.
Weapons allowed (see chart below): Archery, Muzzleloader, Shotgun.
Application fee: $5.
Hunting fee: $10.
Hunter education required? Yes.
Application form: PDF, MS Word (162).

Location: Lake Anna, Spotsylvania County, (540) 854-5503.
Dates: November 14, 2012.
Reservation hunt.
Reservation period begins: reservation period begins September 27, 2012.
No. of hunters per day: 20.
Weapons allowed (see chart below): Muzzleloader.
Reservation fee: $15.
Hunter education required? Yes.

Location: Lake Anna, Spotsylvania County, (540) 854-5503.
Dates: November 27-28, 2012.
Reservation hunt.
Reservation period begins: reservation period begins September 27, 2012.
No. of hunters per day: 20.
Weapons allowed (see chart below): Muzzleloader, Shotgun.
Reservation fee: $15.
Hunter education required? Yes.

Location: Leesylvania, Prince William County, (703) 730-8205.
Dates: January 16, 2013.
Lottery hunt.
Lottery deadline: lottery deadline November 2, 2012.
No. of hunters per day: 15.
Weapons allowed (see chart below): Shotgun, Special Qualification Required.
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: December 15, 2012.
Lottery hunt.
Lottery deadline: lottery deadline October 26, 2012.
No. of hunters per day: 15.
Weapons allowed (see chart below): Youth Muzzleloader.
Application fee: $5.
Hunting fee: $10.
Hunter education required? Yes.
Application form: PDF, MS Word (203).

Location: Natural Tunnel, Scott County, (276) 940-2674.
Dates: December 17-18, 2012.
Lottery hunt.
Lottery deadline: lottery deadline October 26, 2012.
No. of hunters per day: 15.
Weapons allowed (see chart below): Muzzleloader.
Application fee: $5.
Hunting fee: $10.
Hunter education required? Yes.
Application form: PDF, MS Word (202).

Location: Pocahontas, Chesterfield County, (804) 796-4255.
Dates: November 5 - 10, 2012.
Reservation hunt.
Reservation period begins: Sept. 28, 2012.
No. of hunters per day: 10.
Weapons allowed (see chart below): Archery, Muzzleloader.
Reservation fee: $15.
Hunter education required? Yes.

Location: Pocahontas, Chesterfield County, (804) 796-4255.
Dates: December 3-5, December 13-15, 2012.
Reservation hunt.
Reservation period begins: reservation period begins September 28, 2012.
No. of hunters per day: 25.
Weapons allowed (see chart below): Muzzleloader, Shotgun.
Reservation fee: $15.
Hunter education required? Yes.

Location: Shenandoah River, Warren County, (540) 622-6840.
Dates: November 19, 2012.
Reservation hunt.
Reservation period begins: reservation period begins October 5, 2012.
No. of hunters per day: 7.
Weapons allowed (see chart below): Youth General Firearm.
Reservation fee: $15.
Hunter education required? Yes.

Location: Smith Mountain Lake, Bedford County, (540) 297-6066.
Dates: November 5-6, November 12-13, 2012.
Reservation hunt.
Reservation period begins: reservation period begins September 13, 2012.
No. of hunters per day: 30.
Weapons allowed (see chart below): Archery, Muzzleloader.
Reservation fee: $15.
Hunter education required? Yes.

Location: York River, James City County, (757) 566-3036.
Dates: November 12-13, 2012.
Reservation hunt.
Reservation period begins: reservation period begins September 20, 2012.
No. of hunters per day: 6.
Weapons allowed (see chart below): Archery.
Reservation fee: $15.
Hunter education required? Yes.

Location: York River, James City County, (757) 566-3036.
Dates: November 12-13, 2012.
Reservation hunt.
Reservation period begins: reservation period begins September 20, 2012.
No. of hunters per day: 37.
Weapons allowed (see chart below): Muzzleloader.
Reservation fee: $15.
Hunter education required? Yes.

Location: York River, James City County, (757) 566-3036.
Dates: December 3-4, 2012.
Reservation hunt.
Reservation period begins: reservation period begins September 20, 2012.
No. of hunters per day: 37.
Weapons allowed (see chart below): Shotgun.
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, 2012. Reservation hunts have distinct dates on which reservations will be taken.

Weapons: A = Archery, BS = Buckshot only, G = General Firearms, M = Muzzleloader, S = Shotgun, s = slugs, YA = Youth Archery, YG = Youth General Firearm, YM = Youth Muzzleloader, * = special qualification required

Contact the Potomac River National Wildlife Refuge to participate in the Mason Neck lottery.

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.