Virginia treats crossbows as archery tackle, so they are legal throughout every archery deer season, from early and late archery to the Urban Archery Deer Season, provided the hunter holds a special archery license. Broadheads must be at least 7/8 inch wide, and hunters with disabilities who cannot draw a bow or crossbow may use an arrowgun or airbow with a physician-signed DWR authorization.
Terrain & Hunting Landscape
Virginia spans from the tidal marshes and coastal plains of the Chesapeake Bay to the rolling Piedmont and the rugged Blue Ridge and Allegheny Mountains in the west.
Whitetail deer, wild turkey, and black bear are the 'Big Three.' The state also offers excellent waterfowl hunting along the coast and small game throughout.
Public Hunting Areas
George Washington and Jefferson National Forests, Clinch Mountain WMA, Phelps WMA, and the Gathright WMA.
Crossbow & Bowhunting Culture
Virginia has a long history of hound hunting for deer and bear in certain counties. There is a strong culture of woodsmanship, with hunters often traveling deep into national forests to find unpressured game.
Season Overview
Crossbows are legal archery tackle in all Virginia archery deer seasons, including early, late and urban archery seasons. A special archery license is required, broadheads must be at least 7/8 inch wide, and dogs may not be used during archery seasons except to track wounded deer. Urban Archery Deer Season hunters may take only antlerless deer in participating localities.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use a crossbow during Virginia's archery deer seasons?
Yes. Crossbows are classified as archery tackle and are legal during all archery deer seasons, including early, late and urban archery seasons, with a valid special archery license.
What disability options exist for Virginia bowhunters?
Hunters whose physical disability prevents drawing a standard bow or crossbow may use an arrowgun or airbow during special archery seasons with a DWR authorization form signed by a physician.
Does Virginia have a minimum draw weight for bows or crossbows?
Virginia's archery tackle rules focus on broadheads, which must be at least 7/8 inch wide or expand to 7/8 inch on impact. Hunters should confirm any current draw-weight standards in the DWR hunting regulations.
Are there archery-only or crossbow zones in Virginia?
Virginia has special archery seasons and an Urban Archery Deer Season in participating localities, where only antlerless deer may be taken. Crossbows are legal archery tackle in those seasons.
What licenses do I need to bowhunt in Virginia?
You need a valid Virginia hunting license plus a special archery license to hunt with archery tackle, including crossbows, during archery seasons.
Can I use a sling-bow in Virginia?
Sling-bows are recognized as archery tackle in Virginia, but they may not be used to hunt bear or elk.
Is Sunday hunting permitted on public land in Virginia?
Sunday hunting is allowed on private lands and most State Forests, but regulations can vary for National Forests and WMAs, so always check the local rules first.
Can I leave a tree stand on public land in Virginia?
Permanent stands are prohibited on all public lands in Virginia; hunters must use portable stands and remove them at the end of each day or within specified timeframes.