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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.

Every rule below cites the official regulation. Last verified 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

Rules pending review

Zones with special rules

Official regulations → Verify with Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources →

Check a cartridge in Virginia

Species

Weapon

Results update as you choose. Checks state + federal rules on file — not legal advice; always confirm in the current regulations.

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

Every row cites the controlling regulation and the date we verified it.

All weapons

2 rules

Species	Rule	Citation	Verified
White-tailed / Mule Deer	Solid blaze orange/pink is required during firearms deer season; waterfowl and dove hunters are exempt.	General Information & Hunting Regulations	Aug 2026
All species	Suppressors are reported legal for hunting in Virginia.	Secondary compilations (pending primary verification)	Aug 2026 needs review

Muzzleloader

2 rules

Species	Rule	Citation	Verified
White-tailed / Mule Deer	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	Aug 2026
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	Aug 2026

Rifle

6 rules

Species	Rule	Citation	Verified
White-tailed / Mule Deer	Rifles for deer and bear must be at least .23 caliber.	Legal Use of Firearms and Archery Tackle	Aug 2026
Black Bear	Rifles for deer and bear must be at least .23 caliber.	Legal Use of Firearms and Archery Tackle	Aug 2026
White-tailed / Mule Deer	Rimfire and any caliber under .23 are prohibited for big game.	Legal Use of Firearms and Archery Tackle	Aug 2026
Black Bear	Rimfire and any caliber under .23 are prohibited for big game.	Legal Use of Firearms and Archery Tackle	Aug 2026
White-tailed / Mule Deer	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	Aug 2026
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	Aug 2026

Shotgun

1 rule

Species	Rule	Citation	Verified
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)	Aug 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

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

Sources & methodology

Rules on this page are verified against state statutes, administrative code, official agency regulation digests, and federal regulations — never forums, retailer blogs, or hunter-ed course summaries. Rules we could not yet pin to a primary source are labeled needs review and never produce a green "legal" answer. Cartridge energy figures used by the checker are typical factory-load values; where a rule sets an energy or bullet-weight floor, verify your specific load's manufacturer rating.

Legal disclaimer — please read

This page is for informational purposes only and is not legal advice. Hunting regulations change every season, vary by zone, season, land type, and county ordinance, and are interpreted by the state's enforcement officers — not by this page.

Confirm every rule in the current official Virginia hunting regulations before your hunt.
Check season dates, license and tag requirements, zone boundaries, and local ordinances — this page covers equipment rules only.
When in doubt, contact Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources directly.

The controlling document is the regulation, not this page. We disclaim all liability for reliance on it.