Virginia Bowhunter Laws and Regulations

Do you need Virginia Bowhunter education?

Virginia

You need bowhunter education in Virginia if you are hunting on a military base or if you are participating in a county and/or city hunting program that specifically states bowhunter education is required. Lastly, you need bowhunter education if you are hunting in another state that requires bowhunter education.

You must be at least 12 years old to take this online course.

You must be a resident of Virginia to take the online course.

Elsewhere

Hunter education is currently required in all 50 states, 10 Canadian provinces, three Northwest Territories, and Mexico. A separate bowhunter education course is required in many of the states, provinces, and other countries to comply with the bowhunting laws and regulations in those jurisdictions.

The states and provinces requiring an IBEP course are:

• Alaska
• Connecticut
• Idaho
• Maine
• Montana
• Nebraska
• New Brunswick
• New Hampshire
• New Jersey
• New York
• Nova Scotia
• Quebec
• Rhode Island
• Vermont

For further information about hunting regulations in Virginia, visit the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources website.

Why Bowhunter Safety Education Is Important

Bowhunting is a challenging sport! This type of hunting is done at a much closer range and requires a high degree of stealth, perseverance, patience, and effort. Bowhunters must become adept at scouting, tracking, and recovering game. Bowhunters must master new archery techniques and learn the anatomy and behavior of the game. Before attempting to use archery equipment as a hunting tool, each bowhunter should become a proficient archer. This requires dedication, practice, and good distance-judging ability.

Reciprocity

All U.S. states, provinces, and other countries that have mandatory bowhunter education requirements will accept the Virginia Bowhunter Education Certificate. Likewise, Virginia will accept Bowhunter Education certifications that are issued by other jurisdictions that meet official IHEA-USA requirements. (This is known as “reciprocity.”)