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Restore the Wild!

Elk Hunting

In Buchanan, Dickenson, and Wise counties (Virginia’s designated Elk Management Zone)

Elk hunting in Buchanan, Dickenson, and Wise counties is available through an elk hunt lottery. Interested individuals may apply for the lottery each spring. The fee to apply for the elk hunt lottery is $15 for Virginia residents and $20 for non-residents.

Virginia’s third elk hunt within the Elk Management Zone (Buchanan, Dickenson, and Wise counties) will occur October 12–18, 2024. Six lucky hunters will have the opportunity to harvest a bull elk from Virginia’s restored elk population. Information about the inaugural elk hunt in 2022 can be accessed at and the DWR website and information about the 2023 elk hunt can be accessed here. Information on applying for the fall 2025 elk hunt will be available in January 2025.

In All Areas Outside of Buchanan, Dickenson, and Wise Counties:

Any elk (bull, cow, or calf) can be taken on any day of an open deer season (archery, muzzleloader, or firearms) in the county/locality in which the individual is hunting. Legal weapons for taking elk coincide with legal weapons for deer during that specific season except that elk may not be taken with a slingbow or air rifle.

Reporting requirements for elk are the same as those for deer, but the animal should be reported as an elk. After receiving a confirmation number, successful elk hunters must also contact the Department at (804) 367-0044 to schedule a time for collection of biological samples. This number is ONLY intended for making arrangements for tissue sample collection from harvested elk. It is illegal to destroy the sex identity of any harvested elk until reported. Elk may be dismembered to pack it out of the place of kill, but the sex and all parts of the carcass (except internal organs) must be present when the elk is reported.

  • The taking of an elk counts toward a hunter’s daily and seasonal bag limit for deer.
  • Only one elk per day may be taken statewide.
  • An animal with antlers above the hairline counts toward a hunter’s either-sex (buck) deer limit.
  • An animal without antlers counts toward a hunter’s daily and seasonal antlerless deer limit.
  • Elk cannot be harvested on DPOP, DMAP, or DCAP tags.
  • Unless otherwise specified above, all deer hunting regulations apply to elk hunting outside of the Elk Management Zone