Virginia State Parks Offer Local Hunting Opportunities

By Karen Graham

Outdoorsman in Virginia can soon take advantage of reservation-only hunts and open hunting season in Virginia State Parks, which are managed by the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation.

Reservations can be made on a first come, first served basis at the following hunts locally: 

• Muzzle-loading only hunts will be held at Lake Anna State Park Nov. 6, with a reservation period beginning Sept. 26.
• Muzzle-loading and shotgun hunts will be held at Lake Anna State Park in Spotsylvania County Nov. 19-20 with a reservation period beginning Sept. 26.

Hunters may reserve preferred days and stands or zones for an advanced fee of $15 a day by calling the Virginia State Parks Reservation Center, 1-800-933-7275 (PARK).

Reservations will be accepted until all slots are taken at each hunt, up to two days prior to the hunt, provided that the hunter can complete the payment before the day of the hunt.

For information on hunting licenses, hunter safety education and hunting regulations, call the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries at 804-367-1000 or visit www.dgif.virginia.gov.

For more information about hunting opportunities and programs in Virginia State Parks, or camping or cabin reservations, call 1-800-933-7275(PARK), or visit www.virginiastateparks.gov.

Virginia has parks across the state that allow hunting: 

• Belle Isle State Park, Lancaster County, 804-462-5030 
  
• Caledon State Park, King George County, 540-663-3861 
• Chippokes Plantation State Park, Surry County, 757-294-3728 
• Claytor Lake State Park, Pulaski County, 540-643-2500 
• Douthat State Park, Bath County, 540-862-8100 
• Fairy Stone State Park, Patrick County, 276-930-2424 
• False Cape State Park, Virginia Beach 757-426-7128 
• Grayson Highlands State Park, Grayson County, 276-579-7092 
• Hungry Mother State Park, Smyth County, 276-781-7400 
• James River State Park, Buckingham County, 434-933-4355 
• Kiptopeke State Park, Northampton County, 757-331-2267 
• Lake Anna State Park, Spotsylvania County, 540-854-5503 
• Leesylvania State Park, Prince William County, 703-730-8205 
• Mason Neck State Park, Fairfax County, 703-490-4979 
• Natural Tunnel State Park, Scott County, 276-940-2674 
• Occoneechee State Park, Mecklenburg County, 434-374-2210 
• Pocahontas State Park, Chesterfield County, 804-796-4255 
• Shenandoah River State Park, Warren County, 540-622-6840 
• Smith Mountain Lake State Park, Bedford County, 540-297-6066 
• Staunton River State Park, Halifax County, 434-572-4623 
• York River State Park, James City County, 757-566-3036