Can you legally hunt or possess a hunting rifle if you have a felony conviction in Virginia?

KEY TAKEAWAYS:

A felony conviction in Virginia generally prevents a person from possessing a firearm, including a hunting rifle or shotgun, unless firearm rights have been legally restored. That restriction does not necessarily apply to bows and crossbows because archery equipment does not meet Virginia’s definition of a firearm. Before heading out for hunting season, anyone with a felony conviction should understand which weapons they may legally possess and whether restoring their firearm rights is necessary.

Virginia’s early archery deer season opens in October, with general firearms deer season following in November. For hunters with a felony conviction, those dates raise an important legal question. Virginia hunting laws for convicted felons require understanding the difference between being legally permitted to hunt and being legally permitted to possess the weapon used for hunting.

At the Wilson Law Firm, our Manassas gun rights restoration attorneys help people understand how a prior felony conviction affects their firearm rights and whether they may be eligible to seek restoration of those rights. Before hunting season begins, getting clear guidance from our lawyers can help you understand Virginia’s firearm restrictions and the legal steps that may be available to you.

Can a Felon Legally Hunt in Virginia?

The short answer is yes, with a catch. Virginia's hunting license laws don't ask about a criminal record, but the state's felony firearm statute controls what you can carry into the woods, and that's where most of the confusion lives.

A felony conviction doesn't erase your ability to hunt — it erases your right to possess a firearm until that right is restored through Virginia's gun rights restoration process. The same process applies whether you plan to carry a firearm for hunting or for any other lawful purpose.

How Virginia Law Treats Firearm Possession After a Felony Conviction

Under Virginia Code § 18.2-308.2, a person convicted of a felony generally cannot knowingly and intentionally possess or transport a firearm or firearm ammunition unless an exception applies or firearm rights have been restored. That prohibition can apply even when the felony conviction occurred years ago. Here is how these restrictions work:

• Possessing a firearm can bring a new felony charge. A violation of Virginia’s felon-in-possession law is a Class 6 felony.
• Some prior convictions carry mandatory minimum sentences. Knowingly and intentionally possessing or transporting a firearm after a qualifying violent felony carries a five-year mandatory minimum sentence. A person convicted of another felony within the previous 10 years faces a two-year mandatory minimum for unlawfully possessing or transporting a firearm.
• The law reaches beyond hunting rifles and shotguns. Section 18.2-308.2 also addresses firearm ammunition, stun weapons, explosive material, and certain weapons carried concealed from common observation, although specific exceptions apply.

Other convictions can create separate firearm restrictions under Virginia or federal law. For example, a qualifying misdemeanor crime of domestic violence can trigger a federal prohibition on firearm possession. At the same time, Virginia law now imposes a three-year firearm restriction for certain domestic assault and battery convictions occurring on or after July 1, 2026. Because state and federal firearm restrictions do not always operate the same way, if you have a prior felony conviction, you should determine which laws apply before possessing a weapon for hunting.

If you are facing a weapons charge related to hunting or another alleged firearm violation, our Virginia criminal defense lawyers can review the circumstances, explain any applicable restrictions, and develop a defense strategy to fight the charges you face. 

Can You Bow Hunt or Use a Crossbow Without Restoring Your Gun Rights?

Maybe. For some people with a felony conviction, bow or crossbow hunting may still be an option even if firearm rights have not been restored. This is because Virginia law treats bows and crossbows as archery equipment rather than firearms. Here’s why you may be able to use a bow or crossbow:

• Archery equipment is treated separately. Virginia hunting regulations define bows and crossbows as archery equipment, which falls outside the firearm restrictions discussed above.
• Other restrictions may still apply. However, probation conditions, court orders, or the terms of a plea agreement could limit your ability to hunt or possess certain weapons.

Before heading into the woods, check the specific restrictions that apply to your conviction and confirm that you can legally hunt with the crossbow, bow, or other equipment you plan to use.

Does a Felony Conviction Keep You From Getting a Virginia Hunting License?

Not necessarily. Virginia’s hunting-license laws do not impose a general ban on obtaining a license simply because someone has a felony conviction. Applicants must meet the applicable licensing requirements, including hunter education when required.

Hunting privileges can be suspended or revoked for certain wildlife-law violations or by court order. But a hunting license does not override firearm restrictions. Someone prohibited from possessing a firearm cannot legally carry a hunting rifle simply because they have a valid Virginia hunting license.

How to Restore Your Gun Rights Before Firearms Season Opens

Getting your firearm rights back before firearms season takes two steps, and both take time. Starting early — ideally months out — gives the process room to work. It is best to retain our gun rights restoration attorneys to help you complete all the steps in the process and represent you in court. Here is what you will need to do: 

• Restore your civil rights. Apply to the Governor's office for restoration of your civil rights, the required first step before a court will consider a firearms petition. 
• File a petition. You must file a petition and any supporting documents in the circuit court where you live, asking a judge to restore your right to possess a firearm. Notice must also be sent to the local prosecutor, who can object.
• Attend a hearing. You will need to attend a court hearing where the judge weighs your original offense, how long ago it happened, and your history since then in deciding whether to grant your petition. Having character reference letters from people who know you and evidence of your rehabilitation can carry real weight.

Why Work With a Manassas Gun Rights Restoration Attorney to Restore Your Hunting and Gun Rights 

None of this is paperwork you want to get wrong. A rejected petition, or confusion about what counts as a firearm under Virginia law, can turn a hunting trip into a criminal charge. Our gun rights restoration lawyers have guided clients through the civil rights and firearm restoration process and know how prosecutors and judges in Virginia tend to approach these petitions. We can help you figure out whether you're eligible, build a petition that accurately reflects your history, and time the filing so that paperwork doesn't delay a hunting season with a fixed calendar.