February 2026
Feb7Sat
Virginia Trapper Education Course: Fur Handling
Meherrin, VA
First Fur Handling Course: This course will go into detail about the tools needed to handle fur from animals you trap, have live demonstrations of handling fur on animals, and how to prepare your fur for sale.
VOW Course: This event qualifies as a VOW @ the Outdoor Adventure. 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.
Feb8Sun
Introductory Family Squirrel Hunting Workshop
Franklin, VA
This workshop is designed for families who wish to learn the basic skills of hunting together. Workshop topics will include squirrel hunting strategies, firearm safety including range time shotguns, and game care and cleaning led by DWR Hunter Education Instructors. This workshop includes an afternoon hunt (firearms and ammunition provided by DWR).
A Mentor/Instructor will accompany participants in pre-determined hunt zones for an afternoon hunt (one family group per zone; family members take turns hunting).
Space is limited to the first six family groups (at least one parent/guardian and one child; no more than four people per family group), ages 11 and older. Anyone 12 or older must have a valid Virginia Small Game Hunting License or Apprentice Hunting License (visit https://dwr.virginia.gov/licenses/).
To Register: Please email Bryan.Branch@dwr.virginia.gov the names and age of each family member attending and you will then be sent the registration link. Once you have registered you will receive further information about the event the week before the workshop/hunt.
Feb11Wed
Galentine’s Day Event hosted by Richmond Fly Women
Richmond, VA
Come enjoy an evening of fly tying, jewelry making, and socializing hosted by the ladies at Richmond Fly Women!
No registration required, but please RSVP by emailing RichmondFlyWomen@gmail.com.
For updates, follow @richmondflywomen.
Feb21Sat
Introduction to Falconry: Hunting with Harris’s Hawks and Red-tailed Hawks
Montross, VA
Come experience the sport of the ancient nobility: hunting with raptors. There will be a brief Introduction to Falconry class, then a hunt for small game where participants can observe the hawks working with the falconer. Any participant interested in assisting with the hunt, such as flushing game, must have a valid Virginia hunting license (not needed if only observing).
VOW Course: This event qualifies as a VOW @ the Outdoor Adventure. 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.
Feb21Sat
Traditional Shooting and Trapping Skills
Appomattox, VA
Experienced hunters or beginners, join us for a day filled with traditional archery skills and bow making tips, traditional muzzleloader and shooting skills, hide care and tanning tips, and a walk back in time with primitive trapping skills. Classes will be taught indoors and outdoors in a rotation of events (90 minutes per session), so please dress accordingly. Snacks will be provided; bring your own bag lunch.
Feb21Sat
Wild Game Canning Workshop
Fries, VA
Learn to safely can venison and other wild game meat to produce a safe and healthy product that makes fine table fare. Instruction provided by a Virginia Cooperative Extension Food Safety Agent. The class is free and is co-sponsored by Virginia Cooperative Extension Service, the New River Wildlife and Conservation Club, and the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources.
VOW Course: This event qualifies as a VOW @ the Outdoor Adventure. 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.
Feb21Sat
Intro to Hiking Series (Part 1 of 3) – Girls Who Hike VA & VOW (Partner Event)
Henrico, VA
We are excited to offer this new opportunity to women who are interested in learning more or getting involved with hiking here in Virginia. Virginia Outdoor Women (VOW) has partnered with Girls Who Hike VA to offer an Intro to Hiking three-part series. Three separate sessions at three different locations will be offered. Each session covers a different topic related to hiking for beginners. By registering for this event, you are automatically registered for each session.
Completing all three sessions is not required (but is highly recommended), unless pursuing a VOW Certificate* (see note below).
*Women who complete all three sessions in this series can qualify for the "VOW @ the Trail I" course required for the VOW Certificate in Outdoor Skills. For more information about VOW Certifications, or to download the curriculum tracker, please visit the VOW website at: https://dwr.virginia.gov/virginia-outdoor-women/
Session 1: Planning & Preparation (1-hour program followed by 30-minute hike)
Planning & Preparation introduces participants to the fundamentals of getting ready for a safe and enjoyable hike. This workshop emphasizes why thoughtful planning matters by showing how it reduces risks and enhances overall enjoyment on the trail. Participants learn to interpret trail ratings and difficulty levels, choose appropriate clothing and footwear, and pack essential gear using the “Ten Essentials” framework. The session also covers food and hydration basics, navigation tools such as maps, apps, and trail signage, and the importance of sharing a hiking plan with a trusted contact. Through hands-on activities—including a show-and-tell of a properly packed daypack, small-group hike-planning exercises, and discussion of weather-change scenarios—participants build practical skills they can immediately apply. Supporting materials include a sample backpack with gear and take-home handouts with a Ten Essentials checklist and recommendations for local beginner-friendly trails.
Feb24Tue
Halifax County Hunter-Landowner Meeting
Halifax, VA
The purpose of the newly formed Halifax County Hunter-Landowner meetings is to provide a productive opportunity for hunters, private landowners, law enforcement, and other community stakeholders to positively collaborate with a local focus. Meeting goals include building positive relationships, addressing concerns, and working together to develop solutions that will resolve local conflicts and benefit the community. A conversation will be held on the benefits of establishing a local hunter/landowner committee in Halifax County.
Feb25Wed
Intro to Archery
Richmond, VA
DWR and Freedom Outdoors RVA are partnering together to offer a beginner-friendly class for ages 11 and up that covers the fundamentals of archery, proper stance, shooting technique, and safe range etiquette. If you have your own bow, you are encouraged to bring your own archery equipment — otherwise, we’ll provide everything you will need to have a great day on the range. A great way to build confidence and get comfortable on the range!
$30 PER PERSON
Register online or at Freedom Outdoors RVA
VOW Course: This event qualifies as a VOW @ the Archery Range. This event can be used to complete the Hunting Certification in the Virginia Outdoor Women (VOW) Program. This event is open to all registrants.
Feb28Sat
Project WILD Educator Workshop
Norfolk, VA
Project WILD workshops equip formal and community educators with ideas, tools, and resources to share engaging, environmental education with K-12 students. Each participant will receive a copy of the Project WILD K-12 Curriculum and Activity Guide. This workshop is free; pre-registration is required. You must be a resident of Virginia to sign up for this event.
The Virginia Department of Wildlife Resource's Wildlife Education Program is an outreach effort to promote wildlife education and conservation in schools through the Virginia Project WILD Program, the Virginia Naturally Schools Recognition Program, and others.
About the Location:
This workshop will occur at the Virginia Zoo. Further details are available on the registration page.
Feb28Sat
Intro to Hiking Series (Part 2 of 3) – Girls Who Hike VA & VOW (Partner Event)
Chesterfield, VA
We are excited to offer this new opportunity to women who are interested in learning more or getting involved with hiking here in Virginia. Virginia Outdoor Women (VOW) has partnered with Girls Who Hike VA to offer an Intro to Hiking three-part series. Three separate sessions at three different locations will be offered. Each session covers a different topic related to hiking for beginners. By registering for this event, you are automatically registered for each session.
Completing all three sessions is not required (but is highly recommended), unless pursuing a VOW Certificate* (see note below).
*Women who complete all three sessions in this series can qualify for the "VOW @ the Trail I" course required for the VOW Certificate in Outdoor Skills. For more information about VOW Certifications, or to download the curriculum tracker, please visit the VOW website at: https://dwr.virginia.gov/virginia-outdoor-women/
Session 2: Leave No Trace Principles (1-hour program followed by 45-minute hike)
Leave No Trace (LNT) Principles focuses on building environmental stewardship and responsible hiking habits through an introduction to the seven Leave No Trace principles as they apply to day hiking. Participants explore how thoughtful preparation, staying on durable surfaces, proper waste disposal, respecting wildlife, and being considerate of other visitors help protect natural spaces for everyone. The session emphasizes practical, real-world application through hands-on activities such as demonstrating “pack it in, pack it out” systems, reviewing a backcountry bathroom kit, and taking a short group hike to identify durable surfaces and appropriate rest areas. Visual aids, reusable containers, sample kits, and example “leave-it-behind” items reinforce key concepts and help participants develop a conservation-minded approach they can confidently use on every hike.
March 2026
Mar7Sat
Spring Turkey Hunting Workshop
Roanoke, VA
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.
Mar15Sun
Turkey Hunting Skills
Franklin, VA
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.
Mar21Sat
Turkey Hunting Skills
Stafford, VA
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.
Mar28Sat
VOW – Women’s Only Hunter Education Course
Montross, VA
VOW is proud to offer a Women's only Hunter Education Course! This basic hunter education course is geared toward women and girls ages 11 years old and up. The course will include live fire. Firearms and ammunition will be provided. DO NOT bring your own. If you own adequate eye and ear protection, you may bring it to use; eye and ear protection will also be provided. Sturdy, closed-toe shoes are required to be worn for safety during the outdoor portion of the class.
Self-study is required prior to this course. Students are required to read the Today's Hunter Student Manual and to fill out the 4-page Chapter Review Exercises prior to class. The exercises are found in the back of the Student Manual and will be collected by the instructors upon arrival. STUDENTS WHO HAVE NOT COMPLETED THE CHAPTER REVIEW EXERCISES WILL NOT BE CERTIFIED!
A student manual may be obtained through the following sources:
(1) Pick up and study a free student manual at any regional DWR office
(2) Download a Free Self-study Student Manual (PDF) at https://bookstore.kalkomey.com/products/todays-hunter-in-virginia-pdf
Mar28Sat
Spring Turkey Hunting Workshop
Rocky Mount, VA
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.
Mar28Sat
Intro to Hiking Series (Part 3 of 3) – Girls Who Hike VA & VOW (Partner Event)
Delaplane, VA
We are excited to offer this new opportunity to women who are interested in learning more or getting involved with hiking here in Virginia. Virginia Outdoor Women (VOW) has partnered with Girls Who Hike VA to offer an Intro to Hiking three-part series. Three separate sessions at three different locations will be offered. Each session covers a different topic related to hiking for beginners. By registering for this event, you are automatically registered for each session.
Completing all three sessions is not required (but is highly recommended), unless pursuing a VOW Certificate* (see note below).
*Women who complete all three sessions in this series can qualify for the "VOW @ the Trail I" course required for the VOW Certificate in Outdoor Skills. For more information about VOW Certifications, or to download the curriculum tracker, please visit the VOW website at: https://dwr.virginia.gov/virginia-outdoor-women/
Session 3: Safety & Trail Skills (1-hour program followed by 1-hour hike)
Safety & Trail Skills equips participants with essential skills and confidence to handle common challenges encountered on the trail. This session covers reading trail signs, blazes, and maps; basic first aid for common hiking injuries; wildlife awareness and safety; and adapting to changing weather conditions. Participants also discuss the differences between hiking solo and in groups, along with clear emergency procedures for situations such as getting lost or injured. Interactive demonstrations—including blister care, tick checks, and navigation app practice—combined with group problem-solving scenarios allow participants to apply safety knowledge in realistic contexts. Materials such as first aid kits, navigation tools, and safety demos support hands-on learning and prepare hikers to respond calmly and effectively in the outdoors.