Type of license |
Resident fees |
Nonresident fees |
Elk application |
$15 |
$20 |
Type of license | Resident fees | Nonresident fees |
Elk application | $15 | $20 |
Type of license | Three-day hunting license |
---|---|
Resident fees | NA |
Nonresident fees | $60 |
Type of license | Annual hunting license |
Resident fees | $23 |
Nonresident fees | $111 |
Type of license | Youth hunting license (12 to 15 years old) |
Resident fees | $8.50 |
Nonresident fees | $16 |
Type of license | Elk permit |
Resident fees | $40 |
Nonresident fees | $400 |
Type of license | Resident fees | Nonresident fees |
---|---|---|
Three-day hunting license | NA | $60 |
Annual hunting license | $23 | $111 |
Youth hunting license (12 to 15 years old) | $8.50 | $16 |
Elk permit | $40 | $400 |
Residency |
Odds |
Tags |
No. of applications |
Resident |
.02% |
4 |
18,266 |
Nonresident |
<.01% |
1 |
6,212 |
Residency | Odds | Tags | No. of applications |
Resident | .02% | 4 | 18,266 |
Nonresident | <.01% | 1 | 6,212 |
Example of the Elk Management Zone on GOHUNT Maps.
Thanks to the amazing conservation efforts of the state, this is Virginia’s third year in a row of providing hunters with an elk hunting opportunity. The past two seasons held 100% harvest success rates with hunters taking some incredible quality bulls from the mid 300” to over 400”. Once again, there will be a total of six elk licenses up for grabs. Five of those will be randomly selected through the state's lottery draw and the sixth license will be awarded through a conservation group raffle. More information on both will be provided below. These special elk licenses are valid within the Elk Management Zone (EMZ) where, according to Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources (VDWR) biologists, elk populations are still on the rise with plenty of room for population expansion. Elk do reside outside the EMZ boundaries, but they are few and far between. Those who are unsuccessful in the elk draw and possess a valid deer license are actually allowed to harvest a stray elk outside the EMZ if they happen to stumble upon one. You’ll find more information on that below.
Note: The application deadline for elk in Virginia is March 30, 2024, at 11:59 p.m. ET. You can apply online here.
Be sure to view important information in regards to Virginia’s state rules and regs by going here. There, you will find details on rules/regulations, the draw system, tag and license fees, and an interactive boundary line map of the EMZ.
You can also access the Virginia EMZ map on GOHUNT Maps. Once you're in GOHUNT Maps, select the Library, then tap on Virginia, and finally tap on Hunt Units, then turn on the Elk Management Zone.
The only upfront cost is the nonrefundable elk application fee. Hunting licenses and elk licenses do not need to be purchased beforehand — only if you are successful in the draw. Costs are as follows:
* Hunting license and elk permit only need to be purchased if successful.
All hunters, even those not required to purchase a license, must complete a harvest report through the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources’ (VDWR) telephone reporting system or the online portal on VDWR’s website.
Licensed hunters have another option in reporting their harvest through the department's Go Outdoors Virginia mobile phone app.
Virginia’s elk draw is truly a random draw. Both resident and nonresident applications go into the same bucket and are assigned a random draw number. The state starts with the first applicant and continues the draw until all slots have been filled. If you are one of the lucky ones, you will be notified by the state and will then have 30 days to purchase your hunting license and elk permit. Those who are unsuccessful will be placed on an alternate list in the order their application was pulled. This is used on the chance that one of the successful applicants fails to purchase their tag within the allotted time frame, which does occasionally happen. In fact, this is how a nonresident was successful in getting an elk license for the 2022 season. The tag allocation split for resident and nonresident is a little different, which I’ll explain below:
A nonresident has the ability to draw up to one elk license. That might sound good, but let’s not forget that you are competing against all of the other resident applicants as well. These are tough odds, but there is a chance.
In this case, at least one elk license will be issued to a resident who lives within the designated EMZ. The rest are available to any and all residents.
In the 2023 season, the general lottery draw offered a total of five elk licenses, with 24,478 applicants taking the gamble. It's safe to assume that one license was reserved for an EMZ resident, leaving four licenses for the broader pool and, as you can see, there was a nonresident selected from the masses. Below are the odds from the 2023 elk draw.
Unlike most states, there was a massive decrease in total applications from the previous year. 7,469 applications, to be exact. Although there was such a big drop, they still had pretty steep odds for the 2023 draw.
Whether you’re a resident or nonresident, youth applicants are treated as adults in the elk drawing. There are no elk licenses set aside for youth only. Everyone is on the same playing field. If a youth applicant is drawn, there is a reduced price youth hunting license ($8.50/resident and $16/nonresident), but the elk license is still full price ($40/resident and $400/nonresident).
Once again, for the 2024 draw, there will be a total of five licenses up for grabs through the state's random lottery. Given the decrease in applications from last year, I anticipate a slight uptick in numbers this year. However, it's hard to say what folks will do going into this application period. Regardless, I still believe this remains one of the best gambles for $15 to $20 around.
Just like last year, there is a sixth elk license available, which is reserved for a conservation organization to raffle off. This additional license is completely separate from the lottery drawing. Hunters who apply for the general random lottery can also purchase a raffle ticket for a chance at this sixth elk license. There are no residency restrictions.
The season itself is short and sweet, but based on the success rates from previous years, that’s all the time you’re going to need. The 2024 season dates run Oct. 12 to 18. All successful license holders must read and acknowledge the elk hunting considerations prior to beginning their hunt, which will be provided in their elk hunter orientation materials.
It’s worth noting that all elk licenses are valid for bull elk only. There are currently no antlerless opportunities available.
In the last two years, the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation (RMEF) has raffled these tags off and raised a pile of money for Virginia conservation. Proceeds from the raffle go straight back to the wildlife management areas of the EMZ to help improve the habitat and strengthen the elk population. It’s pretty safe to say that RMEF will be receiving the 2024 permit again, so be on the lookout for those raffle tickets. Whether you apply for the general lottery draw or not, you are eligible to purchase a raffle ticket. If you think that nonresidents will never have a shot at a Virginia bull elk, then maybe the raffle tag is the way to go.
VDWR will award this sixth elk license to a conservation organization no later than May 1, 2024. Steps on how and where to purchase a raffle ticket for this elk license will follow.
The Elk Management Zone (EMZ) has a rich history. Originally, it was part of the native elk range that dates back to 1855. Today, it encompasses Buchanan, Wise, and Dickenson counties, where the elk population is flourishing once more. Since 2012, the reintroduction of elk to this area has been remarkably successful. Starting with just 75 elk, the herd now numbers around 275. Within the EMZ, thanks to collaboration between landowners and VDWR, over 17,000 acres are available to successful license holders. Further details, including information on private landowners in partnership with the VDWR, will be provided to license holders after the draw.
Elk may be taken from any county outside the EMZ by hunters who possess a Virginia deer tag or who are license exempt. These hunters must follow deer season regulations, including hunting dates and weapon restrictions, except that any elk (bull or cow) may be taken on any day of an open deer season. The bag limit on elk outside the EMZ is one per day. While this may sound ideal, there are very few elk that reside outside the EMZ, so hunt conditions, if you are targeting elk, might be a little rough.
You may begin applying now.
The deadline to apply is March 30, 2024, at 11:59 p.m. ET.
You can apply online here.
Successful applicants will be notified by May 30, 2024.
The deadline to purchase a hunting and elk license is 30 days after being notified.
The 2024 season runs from Oct. 12 to 18.
Special elk licenses are non-transferable.
Telephone reporting system: (1-866-468-4623)
Website: www.gooutdoorsvirginia.com
Mobile app: Go Outdoors VA
No more than one or 10% (whichever is greater) of elk licenses may go to nonresidents. The award of a license to a nonresident is NOT guaranteed.
A minimum of one or 10% (whichever is greater) of elk licenses will go to those living within the EMZ.
No party applications allowed for elk applications
Elk licenses are non-transferable