locality · Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources
Nelson County
Virginia, United States
The map opens on this unit. Turn on Hunting units in Layers to see its boundary with public land, your pins and the forecast.
About Nelson County
Nelson County is a locality in Virginia, United States, set by Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources. It covers about 1,228 km² (474 mi²). No town of the HuntGrid list lies inside it; the nearest is Waynesboro, about 4.9 km from its edge.
HuntGrid draws its boundary from Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources's data for the 2026 season. The agency uses this unit system for White-tailed deer.
- Unit code
- Nelson County
- Area
- 1,228 km²
- Area (miles)
- 474 mi²
- Boundaries
- 2026
Public and protected land mapped inside it
HuntGrid's public land layers map about 126 km² of public or protected land inside it, 10% of the unit. Some protected land is privately owned (a conservation group's, for one). By manager, as the source names it:
| Manager | km² | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Forest Service Region 08 Southern | 83 | 7% |
| Other or unnamed managers | 20 | 2% |
| National Park Service | 18 | 2% |
| VA Dept of Conservation and Recreation | 7.4 | under 1% |
| VA Dept of Wildlife Resources | 4.7 | under 1% |
| The Nature Conservancy | 4.4 | under 1% |
| VA Department of Wildlife Resources | 4.2 | under 1% |
| VA Dept of Forestry | 1.7 | under 1% |
| Other or unnamed managers | 2.4 | under 1% |
Boundaries are approximate and aren't legal descriptions. Public land doesn't always mean you can hunt there: check your local regulations and posted signs.
Public land: U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Gap Analysis Project (GAP), 2025, Protected Areas Database of the United States (PAD-US) 4.1
Seasons and regulations
Seasons for this unit that a person has checked against Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources's regulations:
| Species | Dates | Details |
|---|---|---|
| White-tailed deer | Nov 14, 2026 to Nov 28, 2026 | antlered, firearm, George Washington and Jefferson National Forest lands source |
| White-tailed deer | Nov 14, 2026 to Jan 2, 2027 | firearm source |
| White-tailed deer | Nov 28, 2026 to Nov 28, 2026 | antlerless, firearm, George Washington and Jefferson National Forest lands source |
| White-tailed deer | Nov 29, 2026 to Jan 2, 2027 | archery, National Forest and DWR-owned lands west of the Blue Ridge, and National Forest lands in Amherst, Bedford and Nelson source |
| White-tailed deer | Dec 12, 2026 to Jan 2, 2027 | antlered, muzzleloader, National Forest and DWR-owned lands west of the Blue Ridge, and National Forest lands in Amherst, Bedford and Nelson source |
| White-tailed deer | Jan 2, 2027 to Jan 2, 2027 | antlerless, muzzleloader, National Forest and DWR-owned lands west of the Blue Ridge, and National Forest lands in Amherst, Bedford and Nelson source |
The official regulations have the final word: check them before you hunt.
Official regulations: Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources
Units around it
Next to it in the same unit system
Other hunting units that cover part of it
What HuntGrid shows for Nelson County
- Its boundary on the map; tap inside it for the unit's card with the agency's regulations link.
- Public land and the other hunting units in the same view, each with its source.
- Season dates once a person has checked them, and legal shooting hours where the rule is checked.
- Hourly wind with a scent cone for every stand, and official weather alerts.
- Offline maps: download the area and use the map, your pins and the forecast with no signal.
Questions
How big is Nelson County (locality)?
About 1,228 km² (474 mi²), as HuntGrid maps Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources's boundary.
How much public or protected land is in Nelson County?
HuntGrid's public land layers map about 126 km² of public or protected land, 10% of the unit; the largest share is managed by Forest Service Region 08 Southern. Public land doesn't always mean you can hunt there.
Where are the season dates for Nelson County?
This page lists 6 seasons a person has checked against Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources's regulations; the official regulations have the final word.
Which units are next to Nelson County?
In the same unit system: Albemarle County, Amherst County, Appomattox County, Augusta County, Buckingham County and Rockbridge County.
More on huntgrid.net
Sources
Unit boundary: Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources (season rules); U.S. Census Bureau (county and city boundaries). Licence: Locality seasons defined in the 2026-2027 Virginia hunting regulations (4VAC15); county and city boundaries public domain (U.S. Census Bureau). Boundaries for the 2026 season.
HuntGrid isn't affiliated with Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources. The official regulations and maps have the final word.