Hunting and fishing

The state of Virginia offers a wealth of opportunities for fishing and hunting. The Fauquier region, once well-known as a sporting retreat for Washington lawmakers, continues to offer a wide range of wildlife habitat and protected areas for recreational use.

Hunting and fishing have always been an important part of the rural Virginia lifestyle. Native Americans and European settlers hunted and fished to survive. Currently, a mix of subsistence and recreational users carry on the traditions involved with tracking and harvesting wildlife. License fees paid by sports people support the maintenance of wildlife areas and habitat.

Although there are no closed seasons in our region for fishing, licenses are required.

Among the wildlife that are found and legally hunted in this region are turkey, deer, waterfowl, dove, quail, woodcock. and rabbit.

Fly and bait fishing, primarily for bass, sunfish, and trout, are a common pastime. Ponds and streams with native and stocked fish are widely available.

In addition to two large state Wildlife Management Areas (C.F. Phelps and G. Richard Thompson), there are numerous private game preserves and other private and public lands available for hunting and fishing in Fauquier County.

Legally, hunters, hikers, and anglers must ask permission before accessing private land, and serious fines can be levied for trespassing or unauthorized use of posted land.

Landowners who allow recreationists to use their land can benefit from partnerships that include wildlife management, road maintenance, and improved safety. Virginia law protects landowners by holding hunters responsible for damage and liable for their actions except in cases of clear hazards or negligence by owners.

Non-hunters should be aware of specific hunting seasons and laws and wear appropriate brightly colored clothing and take prudent precautions while visiting wildlife areas.

Licenses are required for most hunting and fishing activities, and are available online, by mail, over the phone, and at designated offices.

Information about laws, season dates, and wildlife locations are available from the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries online at http://www.dgif.virginia.gov or by phone at (804) 367-1000.

To report any wildlife violation, call (800) 237-5712 or e-mail .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

Local agents for licenses

C. M. Crockett Park 

10066 Rogues Road, Midland
(540) 788-4867

Clark Brothers Gun Shop
10016 James Madison Hwy, Warrenton
(540) 439-8988

Inn at Kelly's Ford

16589 Edward's Shop Road, Remington
(540) 399-1779

Shady Grove Kennel Hunting Preserve
11986 Lucky Hill Road, Remington
(540) 439-2683

Walmart #2437

James Madison Hwy, Warrenton
(540) 341-3568

Waters Appliance – Marshall, Inc.

8371 West Main Street, Marshall
(540) 364-2944

Hunting organizations

Bear Hunters Association

Hunters for the Hungry

Quail Unlimited

Quality Deer Management

Ruffed Grouse Society

Suburban Whitetail Management of Northern Virginia

Virginia Deer Hunters Association