RICHMOND, VA – Fall is here and along with colorful leaves, crisp air, and shorter days, comes increased deer movements. Fall is the breeding season for white-tailed deer, so deer will be more active throughout November and December than at any other time of the year. Deer also take advantage of road side edges for foraging, particularly as other fall foods become limited. With shorter days as we transition into winter, motorists will be driving more often in the dark, increasing the likelihood of encountering a deer on the road.  

The Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources (DWR) recommends the following tips to avoid hitting a deer:  

RICHMOND, VA —The Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources (DWR) is reminding all boaters to stay safe and sober this last weekend of summer, and always wear a life jacket while on the water. A good day on the water can turn tragic in seconds. No matter where you boat–from large lakes and rivers to small farm ponds—wearing a life jacket and staying sober are essential for safety! 

 "Recreational boating and paddlesports activities are enjoyed by individuals and families across the country. To ensure that everyone is safe out on the water, we will be out to assist in educating operators and passengers on the dangers associated with boating while impaired," said Paige Pearson, DWR Public Information Officer. "We also will be reminding them of other safe boating practices, such as wearing a life jacket and enrolling in a boater education course. DWR wants everyone to have a great end to the summer on the water, and to do that boaters must remain sober and alert while underway." 

The National Weather Service has issued a tropical storm warning and a flood watch throughout the Commonwealth, so DWR urges you to use extra precaution this week and weekend. Conservation Police Officers (CPOs) have responded to and worked several boating incidents that have resulted in fatalities and injuries because boaters and anglers have attempted to navigate waters that were affected by heavy rains. These waters have significantly higher than normal water levels, dangerously swift currents, and trash and other debris that could be floating on the surface or just below the waterline. 

• While getting ready for the boating season, boaters should make sure they have U.S. Coast Guard approved life jackets in good condition that fit every occupant of the boat, including children.  
• No matter what time of year you go boating, always let someone know where you are going and when you expect to return.  Also, have a plan to reboard your boat in case the unexpected happens and you end up in the water. Weather conditions and a marine forecast can be found on the
• National Weather Service website.  The United States Geological Survey has water temperatures for some inland lakes and rivers. 

Lowhead dams are all around us in the Commonwealth. When you create your float plan, or before you venture out on your local waterway, familiarize yourself with lowhead dams.  Danger lurks above and below the dam. Water flowing over a drop forms a hole or hydraulic at the base which can trap objects washing over the drop. Backwash or recirculating current is formed below the dam. Once swept over the dam, a victim becomes trapped and is forced underwater, pushed away from the dam, then circulated to the top. The circulating motion then repeats the cycle over and over again as the individual is drawn back against the base of the dam. 

Safety Tips to Follow: 

• Scout the river and know the location of hazards. Talk with boaters who are familiar with the river to gain additional knowledge. 
• Boat with experienced, responsible boaters and learn from them. 
• Watch for a smooth horizon line where the stream meets the sky. This potentially indicates the presence of a dam. 
• Look out for concrete retaining walls which are part of the dam structure and easier to spot. 
• Portage around all dams. 
• When portaging, re-enter the river at a point well downstream of the boil. 

 To learn more about boating laws in Virginia and information on boating, boating education and water safety, please visit: dwr.virginia.gov/boating. Remember, everyone wants to have a safe, enjoyable day on the water. Do your part by wearing your life jacket and taking a boating safety education course.  

Always be responsible, be safe and have fun!  

ALWAYS WEAR YOUR LIFE JACKET. IT WILL SAVE YOUR LIFE. 

PLEASE DO NOT DISREGARD SAFETY MESSAGES. THEY ARE THERE TO PROTECT YOU! 

RICHMOND, VA- the Department of Wildlife Resources (DWR) is thrilled to announce that on May 29th, 2023, Brittany Watkins from Henderson, North Carolina landed a 6-pound, 8 ounce Saugeye from the Virginia portion of Lake Gaston.  Ms. Watkins caught the trophy-sized fish with a crankbait.  The fish measured 25 ¼ inches, with a girth of 14 ½ inches and was officially weighed at Bobcat's Bait and Tackle in Clarksville, VA.   

After biologist verification and review by the State Record Committee, Ms. Watkin's catch was certified and is recognized as the current Virginia State Record Saugeye.  The Saugeye surpassed the previous record of 6 pounds, 0 ounces caught by Michael Miller in 2022 from the Staunton River.   

For more information on Saugeye, please visit: dwr.virginia.gov/wildlife/fish/saugeye/ 

RICHMOND, VA- The Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources (DWR) is seeking public review of the draft 2023–2032 Virginia Black Bear Management Plan through September 5, 2023. The first Bear Plan, completed in 2001, has been revised twice through the involvement of public stakeholders and managers of bears in Virginia. Because DWR's mission includes managing "wildlife populations and habitat for the benefit of present and future generations," it is important that the process used to develop and revise the Bear Plan incorporates both public values (e.g., economic, sociological, cultural) and biological considerations. 

The revised Bear Plan will guide bear management across the Commonwealth through 2032. This plan describes the history of black bear management, current status of bears and bear management programs, and the future of bear management in Virginia. The plan provides a framework of what needs to be done and how it should be done. 

Guided by the DWR mission, the Bear Plan includes a mission statement and six goals that address the areas of populations, habitat, recreation, human-bear conflicts, and bear health and welfare. Specific objectives help guide the attainment of each goal. Potential strategies then clarify how each objective could be achieved, but without delving into the operational details. This plan will provide clarity and direction on the goals of bear management in Virginia for the next decade to the DWR Board of Directors, DWR administrators and staff, agency partners, and the public. 

For more information on bears in Virginia, please visit: dwr.virginia.gov/wildlife/bear/ 

RICHMOND, VA —The Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources (DWR) and the National Association of Boating Law Administrators (NASBLA) are reminding all boaters to stay safe and sober this summer, and always wear a life jacket while on the water. A good day on the water can turn tragic in seconds. No matter where you boat–from large lakes and rivers to small farm ponds—wearing a life jacket and staying sober are essential for safety! 

Operation Dry Water weekend, July 1-3, is the national weekend dedicated to amplified recreational boater outreach, education, and coordinated enforcement surrounding boating under the influence. Alcohol use continues to be the leading known contributing factor in recreational boater deaths and a leading contributor in boating incidents.^[1] DWR encourages all boaters to enjoy this boating season and help keep everyone safe by choosing to boat sober all year long. Use of both legal and illegal drugs also impairs judgment and reaction time and creates dangerous circumstances while on the water. 

"Individuals and families from across the country head to our nation's waterways for a fun, safe, and pleasant experience out on the water. Our goal is to not only educate boaters on the dangers of impaired boating, but also to remind them of other safe boating practices, such as enrolling in a boater education course and always wearing a life jacket," says Paige Pearson, Public Information Officer. "To ensure that everyone is safe out on the water, we have partnered with Operation Dry Water to assist in educating operators and passengers on the dangers associated with boating under the influence. DWR wants boaters to have a safe and enjoyable summer while out on the water, and to do that boat operators and passengers must remain sober and alert while underway." 

• While getting ready for the boating season, boaters should make sure they have U.S. Coast Guard approved life jackets in good condition that fit every occupant of the boat, including children. 
• No matter what time of year you go boating, always let someone know where you are going and when you expect to return.  Also, have a plan to reboard your boat in case the unexpected happens and you end up in the water. 
• Weather conditions and a marine forecast can be found on the National Weather Service website.  The United States Geological Survey has water temperatures for some inland lakes and rivers. 

 To learn more about boating laws in Virginia and information on boating, boating education and water safety, please visit: dwr.virginia.gov/boating. Remember, everyone wants to have a safe, enjoyable day on the water. Do your part by wearing your life jacket and taking a boating safety education course. 

Always be responsible, be safe and have fun! #RecreateResponsibly  

ALWAYS WEAR YOUR LIFE JACKET. IT WILL SAVE YOUR LIFE. 

PLEASE DO NOT DISREGARD SAFETY MESSAGES. THEY ARE THERE TO PROTECT YOU! 

RICHMOND, VA- the Department of Wildlife Resources (DWR) picked up nearly 22,000 3-inch muskie fingerlings from North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission's (NC WRC) Table Rock Fish Hatchery. These fish will be used to meet annual stocking allocations across Virginia. About 14,000 of the fish were stocked into a rearing pond at the Buller Fish Hatchery where they will be grown out to advanced fingerling size, which is approximately 10 inches.   

An additional 3,000 fingerlings were taken to the newly renovated Front Royal Hatchery for grow-out to advanced fingerling size. The advanced-sized fish will be stocked this fall. The remainder of the 3-inch fingerlings were stocked in existing muskie waters according to DWR's Muskellunge Management Plan. These bonus fish should help to enhance the muskie fishing opportunities in Virginia in the coming years. 

This abundance of muskie fingerlings was made possible through an ongoing cooperative effort between DWR and NC WRC. In February of this year, DWR collected seven adult muskie from the lower New River. These fish were taken to the NC WRC's hatchery for spawning and the fingerlings received this week are from that February collection effort. All muskie stocked into Virginia over the last several years are a result of this ongoing cooperation with North Carolina. 

For more information on DWRs fish hatcheries, please visit: dwr.virginia.gov/fishing/fish-stocking/state-hatcheries/ 

RICHMOND, VA- The Department of Wildlife Resources (DWR) announced a harvest of 24,447 turkeys during the 2023 spring turkey season (Figure 1). This represents the highest spring turkey harvest ever recorded in Virginia. The previous record was 20,580 set during the 2015 spring hunting season. Ryan Brown, DWR Executive Director, stated "Turkey populations remain healthy and abundant across most of Virginia, enabling hunters to enjoy a record-setting spring turkey season." 

DWR biologists anticipated the spring turkey harvest would increase during the 2023 season as indicated by above average brood survey results in 2021. The Department's annual brood survey is a measure of productivity and recruitment within Virginia's turkey population. In 2021, the survey indicated above average recruitment of turkey poults across much of the state. These birds are now 2 years old, and 2-year old gobblers are typically very eager to respond to hunter's calls. These 2-year old birds also tend to be more vocal, so they are often easier for hunters to locate. In addition to the increased availability of gobblers, favorable hunting weather contributed to a great season for many Virginia turkey hunters. Temperatures remained relatively cool and dry providing an ample amount of ideal hunting weather. 

As in previous years, more birds were harvested east of the Blue Ridge (68%) than west of the Blue Ridge (32%). Adult gobblers (those with a beard at least 7" in length) made up 92% of the total harvest, while juvenile gobblers known as "jakes" (those with a beard less than 7" in length) accounted for only 8% of the harvest. Turkey harvests occurred overwhelmingly in the morning (93%) versus the afternoon (7%).  

Most of the spring turkey harvest took place on private lands (93%).  Public land hunters (both federal and state) accounted for 7% of the total spring harvest, which was an increase from the prior two years. National Forest lands accounted for most public land harvests.  

Although many states within the region are reporting declining spring turkey harvests and populations, Virginia seems to be a bright spot regionally. Four of the top 5 turkey harvests have occurred since 2020, indicating that populations appear to be robust. However, there are several areas of the Commonwealth where objectives to increase turkey populations are not being met. DWR biologists continue to monitor these areas for potential management solutions. 

Using best available science and stakeholder input, the agency will begin revising the Wild Turkey Management Plan (dwr.virginia.gov/wildlife/turkey/management-plan during 2023 and will provide more information as the process gets underway. More details of the turkey harvest can be found at: dwr.virginia.gov/wildlife/turkey. 

For harvest by county information please visit the DWR wild turkey webpage: dwr.virginia.gov/wildlife/turkey/    

 RICHMOND, VA - The Department of Wildlife Resources (DWR) announced that Conservation Police Officer First Class Amanda Nevel has been named the 2023 Conservation Police Officer of the Year. 

Natural resources law enforcement is a specialized field that involves a unique form of community policing that requires an unwavering commitment to protecting our state's citizens and its natural resources. It is clear to those who know Officer Nevel that she is such a committed officer, and she continually demonstrates a work ethic of quality professional customer service. She thoroughly immerses herself into fulfilling DWR's mission of conserving, connecting and protecting our citizens and wildlife resources in the Commonwealth. Officer Nevel is one of a dozen female officers proudly serving as a Virginia Conservation Police Officer (CPO). For the past seven years, she has protected the citizens and wildlife resources in the Northern Neck area of the state while patrolling the woods and waterways. 

"The Officer of the Year award is considered the highest honor that can be bestowed on a Conservation Police Officer in their career. I am very proud of all of our capable and hard-working officers, but especially proud of Officer Nevel and her commitment and the work she has done to be selected for this prestigious award. She was part of an extraordinary group of nominees across the state that we are privileged to have working for all of us here in the Commonwealth. Each one of them is to be congratulated on being chosen to represent their assigned regions in this Officer of the Year selection process," said DWR Chief of Law Enforcement John J. Cobb. 

Throughout her career, Officer Nevel has demonstrated a professional and positive attitude toward all her duties and responsibilities. These duties include the enforcement of our state's hunting, trapping, fishing, and boating laws. She has become the district leader in her work area and serves as a mentor and training officer to new recruits who join our team. Her steadfast work ethic and amicable demeanor serves as a positive example for all her fellow officers. She is a proven leader who has completed the inaugural Law Enforcement Leadership Development Program and sets the mark for how a committed and professional officer should conduct themselves while performing their duties. 

Her unwavering commitment to ensuring safe boating, responsible hunting and fishing, and her propensity to the education of our constituents in ethics, safety and legal responsibilities is to be commended. 

DWR is proud to have Officer Nevel on our team and serving the citizens of this Commonwealth. We offer her our wholehearted congratulations on a job well done! 

RICHMOND, VA- As spring approaches, both people and wild animals become more active. The spring months are a busy time for wildlife, especially black bears as they emerge from their winter dens hungry and in search of an easy meal. During this time of increased activity, it is important for homeowners to secure all potential food sources to reduce bear encounters on their property. 

Natural foods can be scarce during the early spring, so bears often look for easy food sources. These sources may be your garbage, compost pile, barbeque grills, birdseed, and pet food stored outside. "The goal is to make human sources of food harder for a bear to get than what nature provides – especially food that is high in fat and calories," says Nelson Lafon, Forest Wildlife Program Manager for the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources. 

Bears are naturally cautious of humans, but they can overcome their wariness if people reward them with food; either intentionally by placing food out or unintentionally by not securing garbage, pet food, or other food sources.  

Take the following steps to avoid attracting black bears near your residence:  

• Secure Garbage: Keep in a locked shed or inside until collected or use a bear resistant container. 
• Take down birdfeeders. For tips on attracting birds, not bears: bearwise.org/store/BearWise-Bulletin-1-Attract-Birds-Not-Bears-p318789683  
• Secure pet and/or livestock feed in bear resistant containers or inside locked sheds. 
• Clean up porches/decks: Clean grills, remove any potential food sources, and remember a screened in porch is not a "secure" storage area from a bear's point of view.  
• Never leave food, trash, or pet/livestock feed inside your vehicle.  

"By following these steps, people can prevent most problems with bears," said Lafon. "Our staff respond to hundreds of situations involving bears every year, and most are due to these attractants."  

In addition to adult bears being more active this time of year, it's also the time when females with cubs begin to emerge from their winter den and start exploring the landscape. During this time bear cubs can become separated from their mothers for short periods of time. In almost all instances, no intervention is necessary, and the cubs should be left alone. 

When a female bear with cubs perceives a threat, whether due to barking dogs, people in the area, or otherwise, she will often "tree" her cubs.  Although cubs may still be very small (normally weighing 5lbs or less) they are adept climbers! The cubs will scamper high into the tree tops and await guidance from their mother on when it is safe to come back down. The female will often leave the area, circling back periodically to check for when she feels the area is secure. If you see cubs in a tree and no female in the area, you should leave the area immediately. The female will return (often at night) and call the cubs back down when she feels there is no immediate threat to her or the cubs. Keeping the area free of disturbance (humans and particularly dogs) is critical for the female to be able to return and collect her cubs.  

Never attempt to handle or capture a black bear cub found on your property. If the cub has a visible injury, is lethargic, or has been seen in the same location for more than 24 hours, please contact the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources Wildlife Conflict Helpline, toll free at 1-855-571-9003.  

For more information on black bears in Virginia, please visit the DWR website and learn how you can do your part to keep bears wild: dwr.virginia.gov/wildlife/bear/or bearwise.org/.   

 Citizens can contact the toll-free Wildlife Conflict Helpline at 1-855-571-9003 to report any concerns about bears in their area and receive additional advice on preventing and mitigating wildlife conflicts. 

RICHMOND, VA- Citizens of the Commonwealth who would like to participate in a one-of-a-kind outdoors experience are encouraged to take part in the 7^th Annual Old Dominion One Shot Turkey Hunt scheduled for April 21-22. The Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources (DWR) and the Wildlife Foundation of Virginia (WFV) are coordinating this annual event, which provides the opportunity to hunt some of the most exclusive properties with experienced guides.  

"The Old Dominion One Shot Turkey Hunt is a wonderful event providing a first-class experience for hunters, guides and landowners, while benefiting wildlife and outdoor recreational opportunities across the Commonwealth," said Ryan Brown, Executive Director of DWR.  

This annual, organized event brings together people from all over the country, not just throughout Virginia. Collectively, the partnering organizations are working together to promote the hunting heritage through increased access and youth programming. Proceeds from the 2023 Old Dominion One Shot Turkey Hunt will be used to promote hunting and outdoor wildlife opportunities across the Commonwealth and to support the DWR/WFV Virginia Wildlife Grant Program. The Grant Program provides a funding source to non-profits, schools and government agencies with a focus on connecting youth to the outdoors. In 2023, 110 grant applications were received by the Virginia Wildlife Grant Program; it will be a top priority to promote hunting heritage in Virginia.  Results of the 2023 grant season will be announced in early April.  See more details here. 

Young outdoor enthusiasts (aged 7-17) who are interested in participating are encouraged to enter an essay contest to be considered to hunt with an experienced mentor. There are five slots for those scholarships (more may be added with additional sponsorships). More than 25 youth submitted essays for the 6th Annual Old Dominion One Shot Turkey Hunt in 2022. The theme for this year's contest is "The Hunt: Describe your experience, how it made you feel and the impact on your future."  Youth essay contest participants emerged as the winners of the 2018 and 2019 One Shot Hunts.  Essay submission is open from March 15^th - April 6^th with the awards being announced April 12^th. Information on how to submit an essay can be found at www.vaoneshot.com.  

The event will kick off Friday, April 21 at Bass Pro Shops in Ashland, VA, with hunters and guides pairing up and planning their hunting strategy. Hunters and guides will hunt until noon on Saturday in spectacular locations throughout Virginia donated for the day by generous landowners, hoping to walk away with an award-winning gobbler. Festivities will conclude Saturday night with a celebration at Bass Pro Shops. The deadline for hunters to register is April 12.  

"The One Shot is an opportunity for a broad cross section of Virginians to unite in their passion for hunting turkeys as well as for the outdoors itself. Those involved with the One Shot, whether they are participating as hunters, guides, landowners, or the supporting staff, come together in a unique manner to express their appreciation for Virginia's wildlife resources. In addition, the efforts of these conservationists are directly contributing to funding that will perpetuate the abundance of wildlife and the expansion of outdoor opportunities in the Commonwealth," said Jenny West, Executive Director of WFV.  

For more information, event details, sponsorships, or how to attend the evening celebration at Bass Pro Shops, visit www.vaoneshot.com. 

RICHMOND, VA — The Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources (DWR) is happy to announce that the popular Richmond Falcon Cam is now live for the 2023 season and available for viewing at dwr.virginia.gov/falcon-cam/. The Falcon Cam is a live streaming camera which follows the activities of a peregrine falcon pair that nests in downtown Richmond, Virginia, atop the 21^st floor of the Riverfront Plaza building.  

Biologists monitoring the stream have observed the previous year's pair on a regular basis throughout the past month. "Falcon fans will be happy to hear that our familiar female (95/AK) and male (59/BM) have once again shown an interest in utilizing the Riverfront building as a nest site," said Meagan Thomas, Watchable Wildlife Biologist for DWR. "This pair has done an absolutely phenomenal job raising their chicks in the past two years, so I'm thrilled to see both birds on camera again." 

As long as no new birds show up and displace one of the current pair, the first egg will likely be laid around late-March. Until then, viewers can expect to see the falcons maintaining their nest, otherwise known as a "scrape," and continue to engage in courtship behaviors, such as sharing prey items and repeatedly bowing to one another.  

Comcast Business provides the Internet connection that allows thousands of wildlife lovers to follow the falcons via the live video feed of the nest. This is the seventh year that DWR has partnered with Comcast Business to facilitate the livestream. 

"We are excited to continue our longstanding partnership with DWR on an initiative that has delighted so many wildlife fans in Richmond and beyond over the years," said Dan Carr, Vice President of Comcast Business for Comcast's Beltway Region. "We look forward to continuing to provide fast, reliable and secure internet service so viewers can track these amazing falcons in real-time."  

Peregrine falcons are listed as state-threatened in Virginia with roughly thirty pairs, including the Richmond birds, nesting across the Commonwealth each spring. The camera gives viewers around the globe the opportunity to tune in and follow along with the pair as they nest and raise their offspring. And, like any TV nature show, past years have documented quite a bit of drama — including territorial disputes over the highly sought-after nesting site, chicks taking their first nail-biting flights off the building's ledge or even the failure of the nest altogether. It is impossible to predict exactly what 2023 has in store for the birds but regardless, there is no doubt that falcon fans across the country will be tuning in every step of the way and rooting for their success. 

Assuming the birds go on to nest in the box atop the Riverfront tower, the Richmond Falcon Cam will remain active through egg laying, incubation, hatching, and development — ultimately following the growth of the chicks until they fledge (take their first flight) in the summer. 

RICHMOND, VA — The Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources (DWR) is again offering a chance to hunt bull elk in the Elk Management Zone (Buchanan, Dickenson, and Wise counties) of Virginia for the upcoming hunting season. October 2022 marked the inaugural elk hunt with all six hunters successfully harvesting bulls. The largest was an 8x9, weighing 852lbs live weight and scoring Boone & Crockett Club non-typical 413 & 7/8 inches net and 433 & 5/8 inches gross.   

"It was so rewarding to see all the work and effort that DWR, RMEF, and the Southwest Sportsmen (SWVA), along with many volunteers, had put in over the last ten years to make sure Virginia's first elk hunt was a success," said Leon Boyd, President of the SWVA and DWR Board Member "I had the honor to meet and visit with all the lottery winners and their families—to be able to sit by the campfire and share their love of wildlife and the outdoors as much as I do never gets old. I was also able to visit with hunters who were on their first big game hunt. The quality of elk in Virginia is amazing and I look forward to many successful elk seasons in the future. After the elk hunt ended in October, I found myself getting even more excited about the 2023 lottery and knowing we will have another excited group of hunters experiencing what it's like to harvest an elk in the Commonwealth. This group, along with DWR, partners and myself, will make memories for a lifetime."  

The hunt for the 2023–2024 season will be held Saturday, October 14, 2023 – Friday, October 20, 2023. There are five (5) antlered elk licenses available for this year's hunt via lottery. The application period for the elk lottery will open February 1, 2023, and close March 30, 2023. Applications for a special elk hunting license can be obtained online, under elk hunting, or by calling the Department of Wildlife Resources at 1-866-721-6911 for assistance in applying via phone.  

Applications require a non-refundable fee of $15 for Virginia residents and $20 for out-of-state residents. Winners of the elk hunting application will then need to purchase a special elk hunting license for $40 for in-state residents, and $400 for out-of-state residents. The special elk hunting license is not transferrable to another individual. Winners of the randomized computer drawing will be notified by May 30. You can also check the status of your application by visiting your DWR GoOutdoorsVA account.  

DWR plans to award a sixth antlered elk license to a conservation organization through the Elk Conservation License Program; that organization would then be required to conduct a raffle for the license. Details on this year's winning organization and raffle will not be available until spring 2023.   

For more information, please visit: dwr.virginia.gov/wildlife/elk/hunting/elk-lottery/