The 2025 Virginia elk quota hunt application period is open. Instructions on how to apply for the 2025 elk drawing can be found at https://www.virginia.gov/dwr/wildlife/hunting/elk-lottery/. The deadline to apply is midnight (ET) on March 31st.
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Virginia accepts online applications for the elk drawing. If you have questions about or need assistance with applying, call (804) 367-1000. Virginia does not accept party applications for elk. The elk permit is not transferable to another individual.
Winners of the elk tags will be notified by May 30th. Successful applicants will have 30 days from notification to purchase the license. Licenses that are not purchased by the deadline will be awarded to alternate hunters who will be drawn concurrently with the original hunters. No more than one, or 10% of the tags, may be issued to non-residents. A minimum of one permit or 10%, whichever is greater, will be awarded to applicants whose primary residence lies within the Elk Management Zone.
The application fees must be paid for using Visa, MasterCard, Discover, or a debit card. The drawing application costs $20, which is non-refundable.
Hunter education is required for hunters 12-15 years of age. An apprentice hunting license can be purchased by a new hunter before successfully completing a hunter education course and is an easier way for a new hunter to hunt with a mentor during the season. The apprentice hunter must be accompanied and directly supervised by a hunter possessing a valid Virginia hunting license who is an adult over the age of 18.
Virginia does not have a minimum age to apply.
Virginia does not have a preference or bonus point system.
In 2024, there were a total of 19,764 applicants for the five permits issued by the DWR. In 2023, there were 24,378 applicants. In 2022, there were 31,951 total applications for the inaugural hunt.
Youth have a reduced-price hunting license if drawn, but no elk tags are set aside for youth only. Also, there are no reduced-price elk tags for youth. All non-resident elk tags will be $400.
The following are legal weapons to hunt elk in Virginia: a .23 caliber or larger rifle, a muzzleloader (.40 caliber or larger), a shotgun, or a handgun .23 caliber or larger and must generate at least 350 foot pounds of energy. For archers using a crossbow, longbow, recurve, and/or compound bow, there is not a draw weight limit, but you must hunt with a fixed blade or mechanical broadhead that has at least a 7/8" wide cutting edge. For more information about weapon restrictions, visit https://dwr.virginia.gov/hunting/regulations/legal-useof-firearms-and-archery-tackle/.
The Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources will issue one elk permit this year through their Conservation License Program. At the time of print, the information to purchase a raffle ticket was not available. They expect it to be on their website shortly at https://dwr.virginia.gov. Proceeds from the raffle of the special elk hunting license will be returned to the wildlife-related habitat or wildlife management projects within the Elk Management Zone.
Outside of the Elk Management Zone, elk may be hunted during deer seasons with a deer permit. There are typically very few elk found outside of the Elk Management Zone. For 2024, the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation received the permit, and for each year they have received it, it has raised a bunch of money for Virginia conservation, so it’s pretty safe to assume they will be receiving the permit again for 2025.
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Virginia uses electronic reporting. All deer, bear, turkey, elk, and bobcat hunters, including those hunters exempt from purchasing a license, must report their harvests through the Department’s telephone reporting system. You may report an elk using the internet or telephone systems; however, elk cannot be reported using the eNotch feature of the GoOutdoors app. Reporting times are the same as those for deer, but the animal should be reported as an elk. Successful elk hunters must contact the Department at (804) 367-0044 to schedule a time for collection of biological samples. This number is ONLY listed for making arrangements to collect samples from harvested elk. For more info visit https://dwr.virginia.gov/hunting/game-harvest-reporting/.
The hunt for the 2025 season will be held Saturday, October 11, 2025 through Friday, October 17, 2025. With the potential of 350”+ bulls, it is hard not to spend the $20 and apply for an elk tag. There will be a total of five tags available in the draw, and an additional tag will be raffled off through a Conservation License Program.
Between 2012 and 2014, 75 elk were successfully reintroduced to Virginia from Kentucky. Most of the elk are still close to the original restoration site in Buchanan County. The state selected Buchanan, Dickenson, and Wise counties to make up their Elk Management Zone. This is a good mix of timbered country that is perfect elk habitat. The elk herd has done great and has grown to over 275 elk with plenty more bulls available.
Within the Elk Restoration Zone, most of the country is made up of reclaimed coal mine lands and is almost all private land. The Virginia Department of Wildlife has many partnerships and agreements with private landowners, and the Elk Management Zone has what allow public access for elk hunting. All hunting within the zone is with the respective landowners who will help escort them through the properties.
With no preference or bonus point system, you have as good of odds as anyone at drawing. We expect the odds of drawing an elk tag in Virginia to be lottery type at best. With only five tags and 20,000+ people applying, you can bet on some stiff odds at Huntin’ Fool when we get the draw info. Give us a call if you are lucky enough to draw a coveted Virginia elk tag.
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