The general firearms deer season in Gloucester and Mathews counties opens Saturday and continues through Jan. 2.

The Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries controls the hunting seasons in the state, and has set a number of seasons and regulations for deer harvest. Seasons restricted to youth, archery and muzzleloading hunters, for instance, precede the general firearms season.

Hunting with dogs is allowed in Gloucester and Mathews counties. Either-sex deer hunting days are Nov. 21, Nov. 28, Dec. 5, and Dec. 7-Jan. 2.

Full regulations may be found on www.dgif.virginia.gov/hunting. ...