Applications are now open for the inaugural elk hunt lottery, a chance to harvest a massive bull elk scoring as high as 350+ inches and weighing up to 900 pounds. The hunt for the 2022–2023 season will be held from Oct. 8 to Oct. 14.
There are five antlered elk tags available for this year’s hunt via lottery. The application period opened Feb. 1 and closes March 30. Applications for a special elk hunting license can be made by calling the DWR Customer Service for assistance in applying via phone or can be made online.
Applications require a non-refundable fee of $15 for Virginia residents and $20 for out-of-state residents. Winners of the elk hunting application need to purchase a special elk hunting license for $40 for in-state residents, and $400 for out-of-state residents.
Winners of the randomized computer drawing will be notified by May 30. Hunters can check the status of their application the DWR GoOutdoorsVA page.
Those awarded a special elk hunting license will have 30 days from notification to purchase the license. Licenses not purchased by the deadline will be awarded to alternate hunters to be drawn concurrently with the original hunters. Alternates will not be announced or notified unless they become eligible to purchase a special elk hunting license.
Elk hunters 15 years of age and younger or holders of an apprentice hunting license must be accompanied by and directly supervised by an adult who has a valid Virginia hunting license or is exempt from purchasing a hunting license.
All applicants who are drawn for a Virginia special elk hunting license must read and acknowledge the Elk Hunting Considerations prior to beginning their hunt.
DWR has many partnerships and agreements with private landowners in the Elk Management Zone that will allow public access for elk hunting. Check back in the coming months for more details on specific properties, maps, acreages.