Hunting in Virginia: 5 Animals to Hunt in the Summer

If you're an outdoor enthusiast and a hunter, Virginia has some game opportunities to enhance your summer. While some are considered nuisance animals, hunters can keep their skills up year-round by staying current in the field.

Here are six animals that can be taken legally during the summer in Virginia.

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1. Crows
Crow are considered a federally regulated migratory game species. Virginia hunters can take them from mid-August to mid-March each year on Wednesdays, Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays only, according to the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries.

2. Gray Squirrels and Red Squirrels
These critters may be harvested for two weeks during the month of June, depending on where you are hunting in the state. Some areas of the national forests are closed during the spring to this hunt, so it is best to check with the state's website for current regulations.

3. Groundhogs
These animals may be hunted year-round on private land, you can hunt groundhog year-round. The season for groundhog on public lands takes place during the spring squirrel season, which is mid- to late June.

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4. Coyotes
In Virginia, it is open season on coyotes year-round, making them the ideal animal to hunt during the summer months. A hunting license is still required to take a coyote, and furbearer regulations apply, according to the Department of Game and Inland Fisheries.

5. Feral Hogs
Feral hogs are considered not native to Virginia. These invasive animals present a danger to habitat and the pork industry as they carry a number of communicable diseases. Although hunting is not prevalent statewide, that is expected to change if and when the population increases. Currently, feral hogs can be hunted on private property, with the permission of the landowner. Hunters who encounter the animal in the wild are encouraged to record their location and make a report to the state authorities so the population can be documented.

This article is for information only. Please check current regulations before hunting.

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