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Virginia Hunting Laws

Virginia sets a .23-caliber floor for deer and bear rifles and bans rimfire for big game — but the statewide rule is only half the story, because dozens of county ordinances further restrict rifle use.

Rules checked against Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources regulations, August 30, 2026.

At a Glance

Wildlife Agency
Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources
Regulations Year
2026
Coverage
Verified against primary sources
Verified Rules on File
11
Rules Pending Review
0
Zones With Special Rules
0
Official regulations → Verify with Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources →

Check a Cartridge in Virginia

Results update as you choose.

Pick a state, species, and weapon — add a cartridge for a full check.

Local Ordinances Apply

Many Virginia counties — especially east of the Blue Ridge — restrict or prohibit high-power rifles, or allow them only from an elevated stand. County ordinances override the statewide rule; check DWR's local-ordinances pages for the county you hunt.

Sourced Rules

Each rule links to the regulation we read and the month we checked it.

Rifle

3 rules
White-tailed / Mule Deer Black Bear

Rifles for deer and bear must be at least .23 caliber.

Legal Use of Firearms and Archery Tackle · verified Aug 2026

White-tailed / Mule Deer Black Bear

Rimfire and any caliber under .23 are prohibited for big game.

Legal Use of Firearms and Archery Tackle · verified Aug 2026

White-tailed / Mule Deer Black Bear

Many counties (especially east of the Blue Ridge) restrict or prohibit rifles, or allow them only from an elevated stand of 10 feet or more — e.g., Sussex requires ≥.23 cal from an elevated stand with written landowner permission. Check your county before hunting.

DWR local-ordinances pages · verified Aug 2026

Shotgun

1 rule
Wild Turkey

Spring turkey: shot larger than No. 2 fine shot is unlawful to use or possess.

"It shall be unlawful to use or have in possession any shot larger than number 2 fine shot when hunting turkey."

4VAC15-240-40(F) · verified Aug 2026

Muzzleloader

1 rule
White-tailed / Mule Deer Black Bear

Muzzleloading rifles must be at least .40 caliber firing a single projectile (or a sabot with a ≥.35-caliber projectile); pistols ≥.45 cal, revolvers ≥.44 cal, shotguns 10 gauge or smaller.

4VAC15-90-80; DWR deer regulations · verified Aug 2026

All Weapons

2 rules
White-tailed / Mule Deer

Solid blaze orange/pink is required during firearms deer season; waterfowl and dove hunters are exempt.

General Information & Hunting Regulations · verified Aug 2026

All species

Virginia's hunting rules are silent on suppressors: the statutory list of weapons you may hunt with bans only fully automatic firearms, and the word suppressor appears nowhere in the statute, the Board's hunting regulations or the 2026-2027 seasons guide, so the hunting rules put no limit on using one for any species. The suppressor itself still has to be lawfully possessed under federal law and Virginia's weapons statutes. Check local ordinances too — counties and cities can restrict firearm hunting.

Suppressor law in 2026: what changed · suppressor prices

"A. All wild birds and wild animals may be hunted with the following weapons unless shooting is expressly prohibited: 1. A shotgun or muzzleloading shotgun not larger than 10 gauge;"

Code of Virginia § 29.1-519(A) and (F) — no mention of suppressors, silencers or mufflers in § 29.1-519, 4VAC15-40/-50/-90/-240 or the 2026-2027 seasons guide (read 2026-10-16) · verified Oct 2026

Federal Rules That Apply in Every State

These federal requirements apply in Virginia on top of state law.

Federal law: only USFWS-approved nontoxic shot may be used — or even possessed — while hunting waterfowl, coots, and aggregate-bag species. 50 CFR § 20.21(j)(1)–(3)
Federal law: shotguns for migratory birds are limited to 3 shells total (magazine + chamber) with a one-piece plug; limited light-goose and September Canada goose season exceptions exist. 50 CFR § 20.21(b)
Federal law: shotguns for migratory birds may be no larger than 10 gauge. 50 CFR § 20.21(a)
Federal law prohibits taking migratory birds with a rifle, pistol, or fully automatic firearm. 50 CFR § 20.21(a)
On Waterfowl Production Areas and designated National Wildlife Refuge lands, possessing shot other than approved nontoxic shot is prohibited; individual refuges may impose stricter rules. 50 CFR § 32.2(k)

Sources

4VAC15-240-40 — Turkey hunting Virginia Administrative Code · retrieved August 30, 2026
Code of Virginia § 29.1-519 — Guns, pistols, revolvers, etc., which may be used; penalty Virginia General Assembly / Division of Legislative Automated Systems · retrieved October 16, 2026
Virginia DWR — Deer Hunting Regulations Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources · retrieved August 30, 2026
Virginia DWR — General Information & Hunting Regulations Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources · retrieved August 30, 2026
Virginia DWR — Legal Use of Firearms and Archery Tackle Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources · retrieved August 30, 2026
Virginia DWR — Local Firearms Ordinances Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources · retrieved August 30, 2026

How to Use This Page

Each rule links to the regulation we read and the month we checked it. Rules marked needs review come from summaries rather than the regulation text, and never produce a green answer in the checker. The checker's energy figures are typical factory loads, so where a rule sets an energy or bullet-weight floor, check your own load's rating. This page covers equipment only, not seasons, tags or local ordinances, and it isn't legal advice. The current Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources regulations are the final word.