Hunting (Elk Lottery)

Elk hunting in Buchanan, Dickenson, and Wise counties is available through an elk hunt lottery. Interested individuals may apply for the lottery each February–March. The fee to apply for the elk hunt lottery is $15 for Virginia residents and $20 for non-residents.Any elk (bull, cow, or calf) can be taken on any day of an open deer season (archery, muzzleloader, or firearms) in the county/locality in which the individual is hunting. Legal weapons for taking elk coincide with legal weapons for deer during that specific season except that elk may not be taken with a slingbow or air rifle. Reporting requirements for elk are the same as those for deer, but the animal should be reported as an elk.