With Virginia’s general firearms deer season entering its final stretch, hunters on the Eastern Shore are preparing for the final days of the season, which closes January 3 in Accomack and Northampton counties. With just days remaining, activity in the woods traditionally increases.

The Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources (DWR) is urging hunters to remain focused on safety as the season winds down. Officials note that the post-holiday period often brings more hunters into the field, as families take advantage of time off from work and school.

“During the holidays, Virginians tend to have time off, often hunting and spending time in the woods,” said Jimmy Mootz, DWR’s Hunter Education and Outreach Team Lead. “We want everyone to enjoy that time, harvest a deer, and make it back home safe and sound.”

On the Eastern Shore, deer drives — where groups of hunters coordinate to move deer toward posted shooters — are especially common during the closing days of firearms season. While legal and deeply rooted in local hunting culture, DWR stresses that these group hunts require heightened awareness, clear communication, and strict adherence to safety practices due to the number of people involved and the movement of game.

To reduce the risk of accidents, DWR is reminding hunters to follow core safety guidelines:

• Take a hunter safety course
• Treat every firearm as if it is loaded
• Always wear blaze orange
• Be certain of your target and what lies beyond it
• Take only clean, ethical shots
• Use proper safety procedures when hunting from elevated positions

For hunters using tree stands or saddles, DWR promotes the “ABCD” safety approach:
A — Always inspect equipment and practice at ground level
B — Buckle a full-body safety harness
C — Connect to the tree before leaving the ground
D — Destination: share your stand location with someone

“Hunting in Virginia continues to be a safe and rewarding pastime, bringing families together, promoting conservation, and feeding communities,” Mootz said. “But, while still low, hunting incidents with injury are trending higher this year. Please stay vigilant.”

Hunters are also reminded to ensure they have a valid license and to review current local regulations, which can change annually. With the season’s end approaching, wildlife officials say preparedness, patience, and safety remain critical — especially as more hunters head afield for one last chance before the season closes.