Upcoming Events: Hunting

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.

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.

This comprehensive virtual series offers aspiring hunters a structured roadmap from foundational basics to advanced field proficiency, ensuring total preparation for the Virginia deer season. Each interactive session features a panel of seasoned experts with dedicated time for Q&A to provide personalized insights. To reinforce your learning, the program includes supplemental hands-on clinics held throughout the state and culminates in exclusive, expert-supervised mentored hunt opportunities.

Virtual classes will be conducted every Wednesday from May 20th through September 30th, between 7:00 PM and 8:00 PM. Participants are required to register for each session individually to receive a unique access link, which will be distributed via a Microsoft Teams invitation no later than 6:00 PM on the day of the scheduled class. Please ensure your contact information is accurate during registration. Visit the registration page to view a detailed agenda.

Join us for an in-depth learning opportunity including discussion and demonstration of safe hunting from an elevated position using saddle gear. Bring your saddle equipment or give ours a try!

This class will offer insight into the different public lands available to hunters in Virginia and information on how to make the most of your time spent on those properties before and during hunting season. This class is for you if you have interest in hunting public land or if you already do hunt on public land but would like to learn some new tactics.

Agenda

•Public Land Hunting Opportunities
•Quota Hunts
•Hunter Etiquette
•Safety
•Scouting
•Public Land Tips and Tricks
•Public Land Hunting Misconceptions
•Q&A

This class will offer insight into the different public lands available to hunters in Virginia and information on how to make the most of your time spent on those properties before and during hunting season. This class is for you if you have interest in hunting public land or if you already do hunt on public land but would like to learn some new tactics.

Agenda

•Public Land Hunting Opportunities
•Quota Hunts
•Hunter Etiquette
•Safety
•Scouting
•Public Land Tips and Tricks
•Public Land Hunting Misconceptions
•Q&A