Shared by Anne Liberti, as Guest Blogger.

To keep a balance in the ecosystem, Virginia State Parks offers a variety of hunting opportunities in parks where deer populations are thriving. 

Managed deer hunts are a tool in the Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) overall deer management program.

Hunting, open and by reservation, in a Virginia State Park have strict regulations to be followed

Resource Specialist Erik Molleen checking the age of the deer harvested

Why we allow hunting in Virginia State Parks

Hunting in Virginia State Parks helps the resource managers control the deer population. Within protected areas, deer populations have been growing. This growing population of deer leads to overeating in our forests, effecting the regeneration of trees and other plants. When deer eat buds of young trees, they can stunt the growth of the next generation of forests.

Not only does an overpopulation of deer mean that the population of deer are eating more, it means there is more competition for food. If the population gets large enough the competition for food could weaken individual deer.

In extreme cases this may lead to a drop in the deer population, because they would have reached the maximum population that could survive off the land. Lastly, the larger the population of deer, the more likely it is that diseases such as hemorrhagic disease, appear because of the close interaction of the herd.

Virginia State Parks offer a variety of hunting opportunities for 2017-2018

There are managed deer hunts where hunters participate through a reservation or lottery system, there are open hunting areas designated in some parks, while other parks will be hosting special hunting events. 

To keep a balance in the ecosystem, Virginia State Parks offers a variety of hunting opportunities in parks where deer populations are thriving. Click here for a list of workshops, dates, special hunts and parks hunts (open and reservation). These hunts are all part of our deer management program.

Overpopulation of deer can cause individual deer to become weaker and prone to disease

How to Participate in Reservation Hunting Opportunities

Hunters may reserve preferred days and stands or zones for an advanced fee of $15 a day by calling the Virginia State Parks Customer Service Center, 1-800-933-7275 (PARK). Reservations will be accepted until all slots are taken at each hunt, up to two days prior to the hunt, provided that the hunter can complete the payment before the day of the hunt. Some of the hunts require special qualifications or have special restrictions.

All hunting laws and regulations apply in Virginia State Parks. Additional rules may apply in individual parks, and all lottery and reservation hunts have special regulations.

Overnight Accommodations

Several state parks are in or near state forests, national forests or wildlife management areas that allow hunting. State parks with overnight accommodations are convenient and economical base camps for hunting anywhere in the area. These parks offer maps and affordable camping or cabin accommodations only minutes from the field.

Campsites are available through early December, and cabins are open year round. Reservations for overnight accommodations can be found online.

More Information

For information on hunting licenses, hunter safety education and hunting regulations, call the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries(VDGIF) at 804-367-1000 or visit their website here.

For more information about hunting opportunities and programs in Virginia State Parks, or camping or cabin reservations, call 1-800-933-7275 (PARK), or visit us online.