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Virginia Legal Hunting Hours (2026)

Info: In Virginia, nonmigratory birds and game animals may be hunted from one-half hour before sunrise to one-half hour after sunset.

InfoVerified Jun 18, 2026

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In Virginia, nonmigratory birds and game animals may be hunted from one-half hour before sunrise to one-half hour after sunset. Spring turkey has separate hours.

Official source: dwr.virginia.gov →

Virginia legal hunting hours by date

The rule above (nonmigratory birds and game animals): 30 minutes before sunrise to 30 minutes after sunset, worked out from each place’s own sunrise and sunset. Start times are rounded up and end times down to the minute.

Legal hunting hours for Richmond, Virginia
Richmond	Start (EDT)	End (EDT)
Sat, Oct 17	6:50 AM	6:59 PM
Sun, Oct 18	6:51 AM	6:58 PM
Mon, Oct 19	6:52 AM	6:57 PM
Tue, Oct 20	6:53 AM	6:55 PM
Wed, Oct 21	6:54 AM	6:54 PM
Thu, Oct 22	6:55 AM	6:53 PM
Fri, Oct 23	6:56 AM	6:51 PM
Sat, Oct 24	6:57 AM	6:50 PM
Sun, Oct 25	6:58 AM	6:49 PM
Mon, Oct 26	6:59 AM	6:48 PM
Tue, Oct 27	7:00 AM	6:46 PM
Wed, Oct 28	7:01 AM	6:45 PM
Thu, Oct 29	7:02 AM	6:44 PM
Fri, Oct 30	7:03 AM	6:43 PM

Sunrise moves about 4 minutes for every 50 miles east or west, so times where you hunt can differ from Richmond. Seasons, species, special areas and Sundays can have their own hours — check the official source before you hunt. Sunday hunting in Virginia

General legal information, not legal advice — verify important decisions with a licensed attorney.

Legal Hunting Hours in states bordering Virginia

The same rule in each neighboring state LawLert has verified, from that state’s own official source.

District of ColumbiaInfo
Hunting is prohibited throughout the District of Columbia.
Verified Jun 19, 2026 · Source: doee.dc.gov · Full District of Columbia rule →
KentuckyInfo
In Kentucky, shooting hours for most species are 30 minutes before sunrise to 30 minutes after sunset; waterfowl, migratory birds, raccoon and coyote are exceptions.
Verified Jun 18, 2026 · Source: fw.ky.gov · Full Kentucky rule →
MarylandInfo
In Maryland, legal hunting time begins 1/2 hour before sunrise and ends 1/2 hour after sunset. Some Sunday deer dates end at 10:30am; spring turkey differs.
Verified Jun 18, 2026 · Source: dnr.maryland.gov · Full Maryland rule →
North CarolinaInfo
In North Carolina, legal hunting hours for game are one-half hour before sunrise to one-half hour after sunset; raccoon, opossum and other species may be hunted at night.
Verified Jun 18, 2026 · Source: ncwildlife.gov · Full North Carolina rule →
TennesseeInfo
In Tennessee, big game and small game may be taken from 30 minutes before legal sunrise to 30 minutes after legal sunset, and spring turkey from 30 minutes before sunrise to legal sunset.
Verified Jun 18, 2026 · Source: tn.gov · Full Tennessee rule →
West VirginiaInfo
In West Virginia, deer and bear may be taken from 30 minutes before sunrise to 30 minutes after sunset, and spring turkey from 30 min before sunrise to 1 p.m. Check the regulations for species-specific variations.
Verified Jun 18, 2026 · Source: wvdnr.gov · Full West Virginia rule →

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