Hunting License Virginia- Steps to Buy in VA August

Virginia law is clear: due to state regulations, hunters aged 12–15 and all first-time hunters must complete hunter education before buying a hunting license.

Follow these straightforward steps to obtain a Virginia hunting license:

Step 1: Complete a Hunter Education Certification course and obtain a state-issued Hunter Education Card
Step 2: Select your license type
Step 3: Buy your Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources license through an online purchase or in-person through a licensed agent.

VA Hunter Education Certification

How do I get my Hunter Education Certificate (Card)

You have 3 options to complete your hunter education requirements to hunt in Virginia. The first 2 options are presented by the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries. The last option through HunterSafetyUSA, is the fastest & can be used to hunt across the US.

Virginia Hunter Education Course for All Ages “Self-Study + Class” in-person. These will take 6+ hours.
Full-Online Course for Residents 12 Years of Age and Older. These will require you to read through content and watch some videos.
Or complete our 3-hour online-only, all-video-based Hunter Education Course (Adults 17 and older only). We are an International Hunter Education Association (IHEA) and Texas Parks & Wildlife (TPWD) approved provider. The IHEA & TPWD Hunter Education Card you will receive after our course is valid for life and is accepted in all 50 US States and any additional territories or countries that share reciprocity with the IHEA. No in-person requirements are required for our course.

The Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries website states that "Virginia accepts and recognizes all states’ and countries’ hunting licenses and official hunter education credentials for the purpose of complying with mandatory hunter education requirements. These may be in the form of an identification card or certificate."

What makes our course the best?

First and foremost, we offer the best technology experience among all the courses on the market. We have students who opt to take our course even though they already have their Hunter Education Card; they simply love it that much.

Skip having to attend an in-person field-day course with our 3 hour interactive Hunter Safety course.

After completing the HunterSafetyUSA course and passing the final exam, you’ll receive your temporary Hunter Education Certificate.

We submit your course results to TPWD. They will issue and email you your permanent Hunter Education Certificate (Card) in 24 hours (this can take 3-4 days when completed outside of hunting season, April-July); however, when taken during peak hunting season, August-March, it's processed in 24 hours. This is valid for use in all 50 USA States (including Virginia), Mexico, Canada, and any other country or US Territory that has reciprocity with IHEA-USA & State Issued Hunter Education Certificates.

Select Your VA Hunting License

Virginia offers a variety of hunting licenses, including a trapping license and a fox hunting license, for different age groups, residency statuses, and hunting preferences, all governed by specific hunting regulations.

Virginia residents under the age of 12 are not required to have a hunting license or hunter education. Non-residents under the age of 12 must have a hunting license but do not need hunter education. All hunters under the age of 12 must be accompanied by a licensed adult.

Virginia residents and non-residents ages 12 to 15 may purchase a junior hunting license. Additional licenses may be required.

Below is an overview of the primary license types available:

Resident Licenses

A resident is a person who has lived in Virginia for at least six months. Non-resident full-time students who attend an institution in Virginia and active-duty military members are considered residents. All Virginia residents age 12 or older must have a resident hunting license. Additional licenses may be required.

Resident County or City Hunting License – Required for Virginia residents aged 16 and older to hunt within their county or city of residence.
Resident Statewide Hunting License – Allows residents to hunt statewide; required for those hunting outside their county or city of residence.
Resident Apprentice Hunting License – A one-time, two-year license for residents aged 16 and older who have not completed hunter education; must be accompanied by a licensed adult.
Resident Senior Citizen Hunting License – Available to residents aged 65 and older; valid for hunting statewide.
Resident Sportsman’s License – Combines hunting, fishing, and other privileges into one license for residents.
Resident Lifetime Hunting License – Provides lifetime hunting privileges for residents; additional permits may be required for specific game species.

Non-Resident Licenses

All non-residents must have a non-resident hunting or fishing license. Additional licenses may be required.

Non-Resident Statewide Hunting License – Required for non-residents aged 16 and older to hunt statewide in Virginia.
Non-Resident Apprentice Hunting License – A one-time, two-year license for non-residents aged 16 and older who have not completed hunter education; must be accompanied by a licensed adult.
Non-Resident Youth Hunting License – Available for non-residents under age 16; allows hunting of legal game species.
Non-Resident Lifetime Hunting License – Provides lifetime hunting privileges for non-residents; additional permits may be required for specific game species.

Youth Licenses & Requirements

Resident Youth Hunting License – Available for residents under age 16; allows hunting of legal game species.
Non-Resident Youth Hunting License – Available for non-residents under age 16; allows hunting of legal game species.
Hunter Education Requirement – Individuals born on or after January 1, 1972, must complete a hunter education course, which includes safety training, before obtaining a hunting license application.
Apprentice Hunting License – Allows individuals to hunt under supervision without completing a hunter education course; available to those aged 16 and older; valid for two years and can be obtained once.

Senior Licenses & Discounts

Resident Senior Citizen Hunting License – Available at a reduced fee for residents aged 65 and older; allows hunting statewide.
Resident Senior Lifetime Hunting License – Provides lifetime hunting privileges for residents aged 65 and older; additional permits may be required for specific game species.

Lifetime Licenses

Resident Lifetime Hunting License – Available to residents; provides lifetime hunting privileges; additional permits may be required for specific game species.
Non-Resident Lifetime Hunting License – Available to non-residents; provides lifetime hunting privileges; additional permits may be required for specific game species.
Resident Junior Lifetime Hunting License – Available to residents under age 12; provides lifetime hunting privileges; additional permits may be required for specific game species.

Disability & Military Licenses

Resident Disabled Lifetime Hunting License – Available to residents with a permanent disability; provides lifetime hunting privileges; additional permits may be required for specific game species.
Resident Disabled Veteran Lifetime Hunting License – Available to resident veterans with a service-connected disability; provides lifetime hunting privileges; additional permits may be required for specific game species.
Non-Resident Disabled Veteran Lifetime Hunting License – Available to non-resident veterans with a service-connected disability; provides lifetime hunting privileges; additional permits may be required for specific game species.
Active-Duty Military Privileges – Active-duty military members stationed in Virginia may purchase hunting licenses at resident rates.

Required Endorsements & Tags

Deer/Turkey License – Required in addition to a hunting license to hunt deer and turkey; includes tags for each species.
Bear License – Required to hunt bears; must be purchased in addition to the hunting license.
Archery License – Required to hunt during archery seasons; must be purchased in addition to the hunting license.
Muzzleloader License – Required to hunt during muzzleloader seasons; must be purchased in addition to the hunting license.
Bonus Deer Permit – Allows the harvest of additional antlerless deer; must be purchased in addition to the hunting license.
Elk License – Required to hunt elk; available through a quota drawing system.
Migratory Waterfowl Conservation Stamp – Required to hunt migratory waterfowl; hunters aged 16 and older must also possess a Federal Duck Stamp.
HIP Registration – Required to hunt migratory birds; must be renewed annually.
National Forest Permit – Required to hunt on National Forest lands in Virginia.
State Forest Use Permit – Required to hunt on State Forest lands in Virginia.
Public Access Lands for Sportsmen (PALS) Permit – Required to hunt on certain public access lands in Virginia.

VA Hunting licenses, including the muzzleloading license, are good for one year from the date of purchase. Bear and deer/turkey licenses are good from July 1 to June 30 of the next year. Virginia residents and non-residents are able to purchase a nonresident lifetime hunting license.

Where to buy your Virginia Hunting License

To hunt in Virginia, you can purchase your license either online through the official licensing platform Go Outdoors Virginia or in person at an authorized licensing agent. A comprehensive list of in-person agents is available here: Locate a Virginia Hunt & Fish Licensing Agent.

Below are some suggested authorized in-person hunting license agents in the state of Virginia:

Green Top Sporting Goods – Ashland, VA Address: 10150 Lakeridge Pkwy, Ashland, VA 23005 Phone: (804) 550-2188
Bass Pro Shops – Ashland, VA Address: 11550 Lakeridge Pkwy, Ashland, VA 23005 Phone: (804) 496-4700
Walmart Supercenter – Richmond, VA Address: 2410 Sheila Ln, Richmond, VA 23225 Phone: (804) 320-6991
Dick's Sporting Goods – Virginia Beach, VA Address: 701 Lynnhaven Pkwy, Virginia Beach, VA 23452 Phone: (757) 463-2000
Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources Office – Henrico, VA Address: 7870 Villa Park Dr, Suite 400, Henrico, VA 23228 Phone: (804) 367-1000

FAQs

Can you take a hunter safety course online in Virginia?

Yes, our online hunter's education course is fully online & only 3 hours long. It covers essential hunter safety education topics, making it one of the most efficient ways to fulfill your requirements.

How early should I sign up for the course before the hunting season?

Ideally, take your course by summer so you don’t miss out during the license purchase rush in late summer and fall.

Will the Texas Hunter Education Card (Certificate) be accepted in Virginia?

Yes, the permanent Texas Parks & Wildlife Hunter Education Card (Certification) is recognized by all states and provinces with mandatory hunter education requirements due to reciprocity agreements with the International Hunter Education Association (IHEA). The Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries website states that "Virginia accepts and recognizes all states’ and countries’ hunting licenses and official hunter education credentials for the purpose of complying with mandatory hunter education requirements. These may be in the form of an identification card or certificate."

Do I need to take a hunter Safety course in Virginia?