Guides · Feral hog laws by state · Checked September 30, 2026
Feral hog laws in Virginia
In Virginia, feral hogs are a nuisance species with a continuous open season and no bag limit. You need a hunting license.
The rules at a glance
- Legal status
- Designated a nuisance species under the Code of Virginia and the Virginia Administrative Code. source
- Season
- A continuous open season. source
- License
- A hunting license is required to hunt nuisance species, including feral hogs. source
- Bag limit
- None. source
- Trapping
- DWR calls controlled trapping the best way to control feral hogs. source
- Moving live hogs
- Moving feral hogs and releasing them to the wild in Virginia is illegal under the Code of Virginia. source
- Night hunting
- Allowed, including over bait. Local firearm ordinances still apply. source
- Eradication or bounty
- DWR's stated goal is eradication. source
What makes Virginia different
DWR strongly discourages recreational sport hunting of feral hogs, even in the name of control.
Where to report hogs
Anyone who shoots or traps hogs is asked to report it to the Virginia Wildlife Conflict Helpline, 1-855-571-9003.
Every state also has a USDA Wildlife Services office. The federal feral swine program (Squeal on Pigs!) links to yours.
Knowing the rules is half of it
Whether you hunt, trap or call it in, it helps to know what is actually on your land.
HogSight reads the trail-camera photos you already have and maps the sounder: group size, timing, and which individuals keep coming back. See how HogSight reads your camera roll →
Sources
Checked against these official pages on September 30, 2026. Due for a re-check by September 30, 2027.
Rules next door
This guide is informational. Wildlife and animal-health rules change and can vary by county. Always confirm current rules with the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources before acting.