Certain Recreational Activities in Virginia’s State Forests Will Require
A State Forest Use Permit Beginning July 1, 2009

During this year’s legislative session, the Virginia General Assembly passed a new law requiring certain recreational users of the Commonwealth’s State Forests to purchase an annual permit.  This law goes into effect Wednesday, July 1st.

The State Forest Use Permit is required for anyone 16 years and older who hunts, fishes, traps, rides mountain bikes or horses in one of Virginia’s 19 State Forests.  Anyone walking, hiking or canoeing will not need the Use Permit.

The new Use Permit replaces the state forest license that used to be required of those hunting or trapping on the state forests.  Obtaining a Use Permit is a new requirement for those who fish or ride horses or mountain bikes in the state forests.  The State Forest Use Permit is valid for all five activities.  This State Forest Use Permit does not apply to our national forests, national parks, state parks or state-managed wildlife management areas.

The Use Permit, which costs $15 annually, is good for one year following its purchase.  All funds generated by the Use Permit will go toward enhancing recreational opportunities on the State Forests.

Since the founding of Virginia’s first state forest (Prince Edward – Gallion State Forest) in 1919, the state forests have been self-supporting entities – meaning they receive no tax dollars.  Now, with 19 state forests in the system and increased demand for recreational use by Virginia’s citizens, the system cannot rely solely on the sale of timber on just the three largest forests to provide enough funding to operate, maintain and improve the entire system of 19 state forests – hence the need for the new Use Permit.

The State Forest Use Permit is available online or at authorized retailers who sell the Virginia state hunting license.

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The Virginia Department of Forestry protects and develops healthy, sustainable forest resources for Virginians. Headquartered in Charlottesville, the Agency has forestry staff members assigned to every county to provide service to citizens of the Commonwealth. VDOF is an equal opportunity provider.

With nearly 16 million acres of forest land and more than 144,000 Virginians employed in forestry, forest products and related industries, Virginia forests provide more than $27.5 Billion annually in benefits to the Commonwealth.