Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries

With the muzzleloader and general firearms deer seasons just around the corner, the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries wants to remind hunters to purchase their hunting licenses early to avoid the opening day rush for both seasons. Unlike previous years hunters are now required to create a Customer Account at GoOutdoorsVirginia.com in order to purchase a license.

Once a Customer Account has been completed and a unique Customer Account Number has been issued, hunters can proceed to purchase their license. For greater ease of use a frequently asked questions page and a brief video tutorial on how to set up a customer account and purchase a license is now available.

While using the GoOutdoorsVirginia system to set up a unique customer account takes a commitment of time from the hunter to set up in this initial year, once that account is created it will be a breeze to purchase your license in the future.

GoOutdoorsVirginia is a one-stop-shop for hunters that brings Virginia online with other states using similar systems. Hunters in Virginia now have the ability to renew licenses, check game, track their harvests over time, get their HIP permit, and much more. It gives hunters the ability to manage their account online 24/7 and 365 day a year, via computer or the new GoOutdoorsVirginia app for mobile devices.

Fall wild turkey season opens

The regular fall turkey season started Saturday, Oct. 29, in areas open to fall turkey hunting. Visit the DGIF Website for details on turkey season and purchase your licenses at Go Outdoors Virginia. With the growing popularity of spring gobbler hunting, fewer hunters are turkey hunting in the fall. To provide added opportunities for fall turkey hunting, the season dates have been extended in some areas and the starting and ending dates for the late segment for fall turkey have changed in most counties east of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Be sure and check the regulations booklet for season dates, bag limits and other details.

Hunters under the age of 12 are not required to have a license, but they must be accompanied by a licensed adult. Nonresident youth of any age need to have the appropriate licenses (unless exempt from purchasing a license). Remember there is no Sunday hunting on public lands. Only private land with the written permission of the landowner specifically authorizing Sunday hunting is allowed.

For your convenience, hunters are reminded that when checking game during the Fall season call 1-866-GOT-GAME (468-4263). Youth who do not have a Go Outdoors Virginia customer account and are under the age of 12 must check in game as license exempt and by using the last four digits of the youths social security number. Apprentice hunters will enter their license number.

Again, it is important to remember that parents and adults accompanying a youth hunter should not use their turkey tag on their license for a youth under 12 that harvests a turkey.

Fall turkey hunting has some unique methods and restrictions:

• Decoys, blinds, and dogs may be used
• Either sex may be harvested
• Unlawful to use electronic calls
• Hunting hours are from ½ hour before sunrise to ½ hour after sunset
• In the fall, harvested turkeys must be checked at a Game Check Station, by telephone, or the Internet Reporting Systems. Turkeys killed in January must be checked by telephone, or the Internet Reporting Systems. Feather samples are no longer being collected at Game Check Stations in the fall or spring

Always be sure of your target and beyond. Be safe … have fun!