VAHEA

10/02/2026

🏹 Archery Season Opens Tomorrow! 🦌

The Virginia Hunter Education Association (VAHEA) is excited to welcome hunters across the Commonwealth to another archery season!

For us, archery season represents more than the pursuit of a deer. It’s an opportunity to introduce new hunters to the outdoors, build confidence and skills, and pass along the knowledge and traditions that make hunting such an important part of Virginia’s conservation heritage.

Whether you’re a first-time bowhunter or a seasoned veteran, take time to review the regulations, check your equipment, practice your shot, and put safety first.

To all Virginia archery hunters: Good luck, hunt safely, respect the resource, and enjoy your time afield!

From everyone at VAHEA, we wish you a safe and successful archery season! 🏹🌲🦌

Learn. Practice. Hunt. Conserve.

09/23/2026

🦃 Turkey Hunting Workshop at Hunter Skills Weekend!

This past weekend, September 18–20, hunters gathered for Hunter Skills Weekend and had the opportunity to take part in a hands-on Turkey Hunting Workshop designed to help new and developing hunters build the skills and confidence needed to pursue wild turkeys.

From understanding turkey behavior and habitat to learning calling techniques and the fundamentals of a successful turkey hunt, the workshop helped participants take another step toward becoming safe, ethical, and successful turkey hunters.

The Virginia Hunter Education Association (VAHEA) was proud to support the workshop by donating turkey calls for participants. Having the right equipment—and learning how to use it—is an important part of bridging the gap between completing hunter education and getting into the field.

We’re excited to help provide opportunities that turn knowledge into experience and give new hunters the tools and confidence to get started. 🦃🌲

Congratulations to everyone who participated, and a special thank-you to the instructors and volunteers who made the workshop possible!

09/23/2026

VAHEA Hunter Skills Weekend 2026 Recap!

VAHEA recently held Hunter Skills Weekend, September 18–20, 2026, at the beautiful Holiday Lake 4-H Educational Center!

The weekend was packed with opportunities to learn new hunting skills, hone existing ones, try something different, and explore new life skills. Participants had the chance to learn from some of the best instructors in the state while gaining valuable, hands-on experience.

As part of the weekend, VAHEA also held a raffle to raise funds supporting wildlife conservation through safe and responsible hunting. Congratulations to our raffle winners:

🏆 Muzzleloader: Mike Caramelo
🏆 Tripod Game Hoist with Gambrel: Alyssa Sprouse
🏆 Trophy Tree Stand & Accessories for the Carter Lewis Fund: Douglas Miller

Thank you to everyone who participated in the raffle and helped support VAHEA’s conservation efforts!

A special thank-you goes out to our instructors, volunteers, participants, and supporters for helping make Hunter Skills Weekend a success. Together, we’re helping promote safe, responsible hunting and wildlife conservation in Virginia. 🌿🦌

09/14/2026

09/14/2026

Supporting Conservation Through Responsible Hunting

Wildlife conservation and responsible hunting go hand in hand. Education, ethical harvesting, and proper handling of game help hunters make the most of their harvest while promoting safety and stewardship of our natural resources.

On September 12, a Deer Processing Workshop in Rocky Mount, VA brought participants together to learn proper meat handling and food-safety techniques following a successful harvest.

VAHEA was proud to sponsor the event and support hands-on education for the local hunting community. As part of the workshop, five participants received fixed-blade knives and sheaths from VAHEA to help equip them with quality tools for responsible game processing.

We’re proud to support programs that encourage safe, responsible hunting practices and help strengthen the connection between hunters, conservation, and our wildlife resources.

09/08/2026

🦌 September 2026 Basic Hunter Education Courses — Registration Open!

Planning to hunt this season? There are Basic Hunter Education Courses scheduled across Virginia throughout September, with multiple locations and dates available.

Register here: https://www.register-ed.com/programs/virginia/60-virginia-basic-hunter-education-course/page:1

📅 Upcoming courses:

Saturday, September 12

📍 Staunton Parks and Recreation — Staunton | 8:00 AM–4:30 PM
📍 Southwest Virginia Higher Education Center — Abingdon | 9:00 AM–4:00 PM
📍 Goodview Baptist Church — Goodview | 9:00 AM–5:00 PM
📍 Floyd County Fire Station #1 — Floyd | 9:00 AM–4:30 PM
Sunday, September 13
📍 Rural Retreat Fishing Lake & Campground — Rural Retreat | 1:00–7:00 PM
Tuesday, September 15
📍 Bass Pro Shops — Ashland | 5:30–9:00 PM (plus 1 additional day)
📍 Izaak Walton League — Wi******er | 6:00–9:00 PM (plus 1 additional day)
Saturday, September 19
📍 Montgomery County Government Center — Christiansburg | 9:00 AM–4:30 PM
📍 Spring Hill Baptist Church — Ruckersville | 9:00 AM–3:00 PM
Tuesday, September 22
📍 Valley Elementary School — Hot Springs | 7:30 AM–3:30 PM (plus 1 additional day)
📍 Renan Volunteer Fire Department — Gretna | 6:00–9:30 PM (plus 1 additional day)
Saturday, September 26
📍 Essig Center — Rocky Mount | 9:00 AM–4:00 PM
📍 Big Island Baptist Church — Big Island | 9:00 AM–5:00 PM
📍 New Bridge Baptist Church — Sandston | 9:00 AM–4:00 PM
📍 Independence Outdoors — Montross | 9:00 AM–4:00 PM
📍 Giles Rescue Squad Building — Pearisburg | 9:00 AM–4:30 PM
📍 Smith River Wildlife Building — Woolwine | 9:00 AM–4:00 PM
📍 Noah Horn Well Drilling — Oakwood | 9:00 AM–4:30 PM
Monday, September 28
📍 Millboro Elementary — Millboro | 7:30 AM–3:30 PM (plus 1 additional day)
Wednesday, September 30
📍 Verona Moose Lodge — Staunton | 6:00–9:30 PM (plus 1 additional day)

⚠️ Seats are limited, and several courses are already filling up. If you need to complete hunter education, now is a good time to register.

Stay safe, learn the skills, and enjoy the outdoors!

Ready to get registered for Virginia's required hunting safety education classes? Find everything you need right here: course lists, dates, forms, and registration.

08/20/2026

There's nothing quite like those crisp fall mornings—the kind that wake you up before your alarm does. The cool air, the frost on the grass, the anticipation of the hunt ahead.

If you're gearing up for hunting season, now's the time to dial in your gear. Check your r***e, refresh your camo, stock up on am******on, and make sure your gear bag is ready to go. These are the mornings we've been waiting for all year—let's make them count.

Are you ready? Drop a comment below and tell us what you're hunting for this season. Let's have a great one out there.

08/11/2026

🎉 Congratulations, Colby Brown! 🎉

Colby is winner of the Crossbow set up from out raffle drawing!

We hope that your archery and hunting season is packed with action and your tags are filled!

Thank you for your support!

08/11/2026

🎉 Congratulations, Ken Coleman! 🎉

Ken is the winner of the CVA muzzleloader package from our raffle!

Wishing you an awesome muzzleloader season and we hope you fill up your freezer!

Thank you for your support!