Wildlife biologists with the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries (VDGIF) have compiled preliminary figures for deer, bear, and turkey harvests for the 2012-13 fall/winter hunting seasons. The white-tailed deer harvest was down from last year while the turkey and bear harvest increased. The turkey harvest was the highest fall turkey harvest reported over the past five years. A better acorn crop than last year, in the range of average to good, across the state coupled with management actions to meet population objectives all factored into fluctuations in populations and harvest trends. The harvest figures continue to indicate that good hunting is available across the Commonwealth for these popular game species. Data presented in these summaries are preliminary. [Read more...]
Virginia Deer, Bear and Turkey Harvests
VDGIF Confirm Elk Restoration to Begin Soon
MISSOULA, Mont.-The Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation has been officially notified that elk restoration efforts in Virginia will begin this spring.
Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries officials confirmed the news to RMEF, the project’s leading financial contributor with a pledge of $300,000. RMEF leaders say they will now step up local fundraising efforts to ensure the project, once started, continues to move forward and remains on schedule. [Read more...]
Hunt Fish VA App
The Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries’ new app for iPhone and iPod touch is perfect for:
- getting the latest news from VDGIF;
- looking up hunting regulations, seasons, and bag limits while in the field;
- viewing freshwater fishing regulations and state record fish;
- identifying the fish you just caught;
- getting the sunrise and sunset times for your location;
- recording your trophy harvests;
- finding nearby boat ramps, Wildlife Management Areas, and lakes;
Download it here: http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/hunt-fish-va/id430899744
Best of all, it’s absolutely FREE!
Virginia House Committee Tables Deer, Elk, and Bear Damage Bill
Sportsmen should thank Committee members for voting to stop a bill that would have allowed for the unlimited killing of deer, elk and bear.
Senate Bill 868, introduced by Senator Richard Stuart (R- Montross), would have required the Department of Game and Inland Fisheries to issue agricultural damage kill permits to any person claiming that deer, elk, or bear were causing agricultural damage without first investigating if any damage actually occurred.
“This bill was pushing through at a break-neck pace and would have had a devastating effect on the state’s deer, elk, and bear populations,†said Rob Sexton, U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance vice president for government affairs. “Sportsmen should thank members of the House Committee for putting the breaks on this bill and for protecting professional management of the state’s deer, elk, and bear populations.†[Read more...]
Virginia Bill Poses Threat To Deer Populations
Alert: Virginia Bill Poses Serious Threat To Deer, Elk, And Bear Populations
Vote Possible on Wednesday
A bill in Virginia threatens to allow large numbers of deer, elk, and bear to be killed within the state with little control by the Department of Game and Inland Fisheries.
Take Action! Virginia Sportsmen should contact members of the House Agriculture, Chesapeake and Natural Resources Committee and ask them to oppose Senate Bill 868. Tell them the bill is a serious threat to deer, elk, and bear populations within the state. A list of the Committee members and their contact information can be found below.
Sportsmen should plan to contact them before the Committee meets this coming Wednesday at 8:30 a.m. [Read more...]
Virginia to Receive Grants from Elk Foundation
MISSOULA, Mont.–A trio of conservation education and hunting heritage projects in Virginia have been selected to receive grants from the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation in 2010.
The new RMEF funding, totaling $1,500, will help fund regional and statewide programs.
“Elk have always been an inspiration to our volunteers and members in Virginia, even before elk restoration was making local headlines. Since 1996, RMEF banquets and fundraisers have supported many kinds of conservation projects all across elk habitat, in western as well as eastern states, plus some 30 different projects in Virginia with a combined value of more than $150,000,” said David Allen, RMEF president and CEO. [Read more...]
Virginia to Restore Elk; RMEF Pledges Support
MISSOULA, Mont.–The board of directors of the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries has voted to restore a wild elk herd in part of the state, and the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation has responded by pledging support for the effort. Possibilities could include RMEF funding assistance, technical expertise and/or volunteer labor.
The state’s restoration plan calls for relocating 75 elk into Buchanan County in southwest Virginia. Releases could begin by 2012. Biologists are hoping for a sustainable elk population and a limited elk-hunting season within four years. County officials are expecting significant economic and tourism benefits similar to those in neighboring Kentucky, which launched its own restoration program over a decade ago and now boasts the largest elk herd east of the Rockies.
At an agency meeting on Aug. 17, RMEF volunteers and staff spoke passionately in favor of elk restoration, although several other organizations were opposed. The board voted unanimously to restore elk into Buchanan County, which strongly supported the concept.
“Hats off to the citizens of Virginia, and especially those of Buchanan County, who understand there is no higher calling in conservation than restoring a native game species to sustainable, hunt-able, balanced populations. For everyone who doesn’t understand it today, I believe you’ll be convinced over time that this was the right decision, the right thing to do, the right way to go about it,” said David Allen, RMEF president and CEO.
To be a part of this historic conservation effort in Virginia, join and support RMEF. Visit www.rmef.org and click “Attend an Event” to find fundraisers planned across the state. For additional information, call 800-CALL ELK or contact Chris Croy, RMEF regional director for Virginia, at 704-551-6223 or ccroy@rmef.org.
VDGIF taking Comments-Initiation of a Virginia Elk Reintroduction Programâ€
As the RMEF Bull Run Chapter Co-Chairpersonit is more important now than ever that I recommend that we voice our support of the “Initiation of a Virginia Elk Reintroduction Program”! The RMEF has publicly announced its support this project and there are some great benefits to the state and localities when this project has been approved and put into practice.
Here’s the page: http://www.dgif.virginia.gov/wildlife/elk/management-plan/ [Read more...]
Elk Foundation Voices Support for Elk Restoration in Va.
MISSOULA, Mont.–The Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation today voiced its official support for the concept of restoring elk populations in Virginia, and praised the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries for its research and analysis of five proposed alternatives for restoring a species native to the Old Dominion State.
“There is no higher calling in conservation than restoring a native game species to sustainable, hunt-able, balanced populations,” said David Allen, RMEF president and CEO. “When the citizens of Wisconsin, Kentucky and Tennessee decided to bring elk back to those parts of their former range, we were there to help, and those successes are among the most rewarding and popular accomplishments in our organization’s history.”
Allen encouraged Virginians to get involved in the process. The public can comment on the agency’s proposals at a series of meetings and online by Aug. 1, 2010. [Read more...]
YES VIRGINIA WE HAVE ELK!!!
On August 18th, 2009 the Board of Directors of The Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries voted today on a motion that will become 100% official at the October 22nd, 2009 board Meeting where it will be written into regulation that elk hunting in the Commonwealth of Virginia will not be allowed.
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