Upcoming Events: Hunting

Doodles, Fire Birds and Drummers. No matter how you refer to these upland species (woodcock, quail, and ruffed grouse) they each play an integral role here in Virginia. The forum panelists include Quail Forever Farm Bill Biologist Loren Bass; Mike Dye, Wildlife Biologist for Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources (VDWR); and Sarah Cerv, Forest Conservation Director, Coastal Plain and Piedmont Region and Grant Erhard, Engagement Coordinator of Ruffed Grouse Society and American Woodcock Society (RGS/AWS) to discuss each of these upland species, their habitat, conservation issues and how you can make a huge, positive impact with often simple and small interactions. When registering for this DWR partner event, please select "Adult Registration - Free" option.

This workshop will cover the history and habits of the turkey, as well as a variety of hunting methods.

VOW Course: This event qualifies as a VOW @ the Field 1. This event can be used to complete the Hunting Certification in the Virginia Outdoor Women (VOW) Program. This event is open to all registrants.

This turkey hunting workshop is for adults and youth ages 12 years and up. All children under the age of 18 must attend with a parent or guardian who is also enrolled in the class. Main workshop topics will include shooting skills, turkey calling, and turkey hunting regulations and hunting strategies. The regulations portion will be conducted by a Conservation Police Officer. This workshop will include live fire (firearms and ammo provided) and lunch will be provided (or bring your own). Find more details on the workshop registration page.

VOW Course: This event qualifies as a VOW @ the Field 2. This event can be used to complete the Hunting Certification in the Virginia Outdoor Women (VOW) Program. This event is open to all registrants.

This workshop is intended to help turkey hunters develop and improve hunting skills. This is a student driven workshop intended to benefit both novice turkey hunters as well as more experienced turkey hunters. After registering for this workshop, participants will be asked to complete a short survey that will allow the workshop to be fine-tuned to the participants. A broad range of topics will be covered including turkey biology; locating and calling the turkey; turkey hunting strategies for spring and fall; selecting the right turkey hunting equipment; selecting firearms, ammunition and archery equipment as well as patterning on the range; game law and season information; and much more. The depth each topic is covered will largely depend on the experience level of the participants. Question and answer sessions throughout the workshop are expected to help students extract the information they most need. Registration is required to attend this event and seating is limited.

Please see additional details on the registration page.

VOW Course: This event qualifies as a VOW @ the Field 2. This event can be used to complete the Hunting Certification in the Virginia Outdoor Women (VOW) Program. This event is open to all registrants.

This workshop will cover the history and habits of the turkey, as well as a variety of hunting methods.

VOW Course: This event qualifies as a VOW @ the Field 1. This event can be used to complete the Hunting Certification in the Virginia Outdoor Women (VOW) Program. This event is open to all registrants.

The classroom portion of this clinic will cover the basics of turkey calling and hunting strategies including the use of blinds and set up. For the shotgun patterning portion, please bring your own firearm and appropriate shells (only factory loads, no reloaded shells), as well as eye and ear protection. All firearms will be kept cased and only placed on the range when told to do so by the instructor, otherwise must be unloaded and cased as well as locked in your vehicle during other segments of this clinic. No firearms are allowed in the classroom.

ALL CHILDREN UNDER THE AGE OF 18 MUST ATTEND WITH A PARENT OR GUARDIAN WHO IS ALSO ENROLLED IN THE CLASS. Instruction provided by Certified Virginia Hunter Education Instructors.

VOW Course: This event qualifies as a VOW @ the Field 2; General Workshop with Live Fire. This event can be used to complete the VOW Hunting Certification in the Virginia Outdoor Women (VOW) Program. This event is open to all registrants.

Join us and learn about different types of turkey calls, calling techniques, and when to use each call when hunting this beautiful bird in the spring. We will also discuss turkey hunting strategies and safety. If you have your own call, feel free to bring it and practice with us.

VOW Course: This event qualifies as a VOW @ the Field 1. This event can be used to complete the Hunting Certification in the Virginia Outdoor Women (VOW) Program. This event is open to all registrants.

Join us to learn how to scout for turkeys to help increase your odds for success in spring turkey season. This clinic will review turkey biology, favorite food sources and habitat requirements as we hike and search for fresh turkey sign. We will discuss and identify preferred roosting locations and how to "put one to roost". We will be outdoors for the entire clinic so dress appropriately for the weather and wear a sturdy and comfortable hiking style shoe or boot. A day pack for extra clothing and/or rain gear and snacks/water is recommended. We will meet and stage up at Sowder's Chapel Baptist Church and carpool to a private farm a short distance away.

VOW Course: This event qualifies as a VOW @ the Field 1. This event can be used to complete the Hunting Certification in the Virginia Outdoor Women (VOW) Program. This event is open to all registrants.

The Virginia Outdoor Women (VOW) Program is happy to offer a VOW @ The Field 2 course - Women Only Turkey Skills Workshop with Live Fire. Women will have the opportunity to learn about and practice calling, shot patterning, turkey biology, turkey hunting strategies, equipment and more.

For the shotgun patterning portion, we encourage women to bring their own firearms and appropriate ammunition (only factory loads, no reloaded shells), but all equipment will be available/provided by DWR, including a variety of firearms, ammunition, and eye/ear protection. All personal firearms will be kept cased and only placed on the range when told to do so by the instructor, otherwise must be unloaded and cased as well as locked in your vehicle during other segments of this clinic. No firearms are allowed during the classroom/skills portions.

Registration for this virtual series opens February 27th @ 8:00am!

Beginning in 2026, the VOW Program will be hosting an annual Women's Mentored Hunting Virtual Series covering all topics related to hunting in Virginia. Virtual classes will be held every other week beginning on March 30th and concluding on August 31st. This series will cover hunting in general, and will not focus on any specific species, but instead is designed for beginners and women interested in hunting and need the basic information and resources to get started. Throughout the series, there will also be scheduled in-person opportunities and additional events/workshops throughout the state to promote a sense of community.

The Virginia Outdoor Women (VOW) program's goal is to help women feel comfortable and confident in the outdoors - no matter their experience level. DWR is committed to developing a community of women who enjoy the outdoors, value the importance of conservation and outdoor recreation, and want to have opportunities for personal growth, independence, and empowerment.

Please NOTE: All virtual VOW courses do not qualify for any of the VOW Certificates. By registering for this event, you are automatically registered for ALL classes. Separate registration is not required.

Classes will generally be 45 minutes of instruction/presentation, followed by a 15-minute Q&A session. Please see the registration page for class schedule and agenda.

Join us for an exciting in-depth turkey calling clinic! Bring your turkey call and enjoy the hands-on learning before the opener of the Spring Turkey season.

VOW Course: This event qualifies as a VOW @ the Field 1. This event can be used to complete the Hunting Certification in the Virginia Outdoor Women (VOW) Program. This event is open to all registrants.

Successful hunting and outdoor adventure depends on good planning and preparation, especially with the skills needed to survive the unexpected. When it comes to the outdoors, hunting and hiking pose the greatest risk of becoming lost, or worse; being lost, injured and unprepared to survive the elements. When your cell phone loses power and your GPS can’t find a signal, your best hope for making it through, are the skills you’ll learn in this 4-hour block of hands-on, survival training. Led by expert instructors, you’ll practice advanced techniques for making fire in difficult situations. You’ll discover the most efficient methods of using essential survival gear. And, you’ll learn to use those special features of map, compass and the natural surroundings guaranteed to keep you out of trouble, or enable self-rescue when the worst happens. Bring a friend and let us help get you ready for your next outdoor adventure.

VOW Course: This event qualifies as a VOW @ the Backcountry. This event can be used to complete the Outdoor Skills Certification in the Virginia Outdoor Women (VOW) Program. This event is open to all registrants.

Every successful hunting or hiking adventure begins with good planning and preparation, plus the ability to survive when things go wrong. Hunters and day hikers are the most vulnerable to becoming lost and hungry for days in the back country. The Back Woods Survival II course will teach you the most essential gear, how to make an emergency fire, how to find your way using timeless natural navigation techniques, and how to find emergency food among common edible plants, fruits, and berries. Bring a friend and learn how to prepare to make the most out of every outdoor adventure.

VOW Course: This event qualifies as a VOW @ the Backcountry. This event can be used to complete the Outdoor Skills Certification in the Virginia Outdoor Women (VOW) Program. This event is open to all registrants.