Director’s Message

The arrival of the annual Hunting and Trapping in Virginia Digest has been an eagerly anticipated annual event for decades. The regulations look very different now than they did 50 years ago—there are a lot more pages!—but the sense of excitement that their publishing evokes has stayed the same. When the regulations book comes out, it might be the middle of the summer, but it’s a sign that it’s time to start thinking about and planning for the fall hunting season.

Hunters and trappers are a community, bound by a common passion for wildlife conservation and the thrills that we experience in the field. Gear has evolved and strategies have become more sophisticated, but the basic connection to nature has remained the same.

The regulations in place are intended to help our community thrive, as the goal of our wildlife biologists and law enforcement officers is to ensure that everyone has an enjoyable day in the field with a fair chance at encountering the wildlife that is the subject of their pursuit, as well as others. We know and appreciate that the hunting and trapping community recognizes their role in achieving that goal as well, by mentoring and educating new hunters and trappers, abiding by the regulations and fair chase, being positive ambassadors to the greater public, and encouraging others to do the same. Remember that if you see any wildlife violations, you can report them anonymously to the Wildlife Crime Line by phone at 800-237-5712, by email at [email protected], or by texting DWRTIP plus your tip to 847411. You can also submit a tip online at virginiawildlife.gov/conservation-police/wildlife-violation/.

One major step that deer hunters can take to help the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources (DWR) in their deer management is to submit their deer for chronic wasting disease (CWD) testing if it’s harvested in a Disease Management Area (see Deer Hunting CWD) and to avoid transporting whole and field-dressed carcasses from DMAs. We see hunters as our partners in the efforts to limit the spread of CWD among Virginia’s deer population, and we appreciate their willingness to participate in testing protocols. Likewise, our bear hunters are well aware of the impacts of mange upon our bears. DWR asks anyone who sees a bear showing signs of mange to take photos, note your exact location (take GPS coordinates, if possible), and submit this information to the VA Wildlife Conflict Helpline at [email protected] or (1-855-571-9003).

The outdoors are always better together, and we look forward to working together with Virginia’s hunters and trappers for another successful season in the field.

Ryan Brown, Executive Director, DWR