Partnership Between DGIF and Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation Leads to Success in Virginia Elk Program

American Hunter has this story on the success of the reintroduction of Elk in the Commonwealth:

The project, originally spearheaded by the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries (VDGIF), was met with initial resistance from the Virginia Farm Bureau as farmers worried about potential fence and crop damage as well as the spread of disease to existing cattle herds. VDGIF chose Buchanan County as the drop location because its vast reclaimed mine lands provided the least amount of agricultural risk, and Buchanan was the only county that didn’t initially oppose the reintroduction. The agency coordinated with Buchanan County, RMEF and the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources (KDFWR) and today Buchanan, Dickenson and Wise counties all are included in the Virginia restoration, which adds up to 1,200 square miles of elk country.

After the herd reaches 400, hunting will be added to the program as a management tool.  The herd currently stands at about 100, with 20 calves born in 2014 and possibly 50 more this year. 

DGIF Quota Hunt Applications End Friday

Via the Department of Game and Inland Fisheries:

Several Deer and multi-species hunts are still open but the deadline to apply for these hunts is Friday, August 15, 2014. Don't miss out on these great hunt opportunities:

• 201 Hog Island WMA Archery Deer Hunts
• 202 Hog Island WMA Deer Hunts (Shotgun and Muzzleloader)
• 203 The Nature Conservancy, North Landing River
• 204 Mockhorn Island WMA Deer Hunts
• 205 Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge and False Cape State Park Deer Hunt
• 206 Rappahannock River Valley National Wildlife Refuge (Archery)
• 207 Rappahannock River Valley National Wildlife Refuge (Muzzleloader)
• 208 Rappahannock River Valley National Wildlife Refuge (Firearms)
• 209 Presquile National Wildlife Refuge
• 210 James River National Wildlife Refuge
• 212 Lone Star Lakes Park (Hunter's Choice)
• 213 Lone Star Lakes Park (Hunter's Choice)
• 214 Lone Star Lakes Park (Muzzleloader/Archery)
• 217 Doe Creek WMA Archery or Muzzloader Deer Hunts
• 301 Cavalier WMA Hunts
• 302 Featherfin WMA
• 303 Merrimac Farm WMA

Once you create a VA Quota Hunts online account, you can:

• Apply for these or a variety of other quota hunts
• Pay using a credit card (we also accept check and money order)
• Check the status of the hunts you applied for,
• And if you win a hunt, download all the necessary documents and permits.

Quota hunts provide hunters unique opportunities to access public lands that otherwise may be closed to hunting (such as our most popular hunt, the Radford Army Ammunitions Plant Deer Hunt.) Hunters can participate in random drawings to hunt waterfowl, white-tailed deer, black bear, quail, rabbits, turkeys, and feral hogs.

For rules and regulations, or for a complete list of hunts including ones new for the 2014-2015 season, consult the Virginia Hunting Guide or visit http://www.dgif.virginia.gov/hunting/quotahunts/

VDGIF Public Comment Period on Hunting Regulatory Proposals

After the passage of several bills related to hunting during the 2014 Session of the General Assembly, the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries has proposed several regulatory amendments related to those bills.  A public comment period on the regulatory proposals is now open and runs until 5:00 PM on May 26, 2014. The Board will consider the proposals for possible adoption as final regulation amendments at its June 10, 2014 meeting.

Regulation 4VAC15-20. Definitions and Miscellaneous: In General.
4VAC15-20-65	Hunting, trapping, and fishing license and permit fees.
4VAC15-20-130	Endangered and threatened species; adoption of federal list; additional species enumerated.
Regulation 4VAC15-30. Definitions and Miscellaneous: Importation, Possession, Sale, Etc., of Animals.
4VAC15-30-40	Importation requirements, possession and sale of nonnative (exotic) animals.
Regulation 4VAC15-50. Game: Bear.
4VAC15-50-11	Open season; generally.
4VAC15-50-71	Muzzleloading gun hunting.
4VAC15-50-110	Use of dogs in hunting bear.
4VAC15-50-120	Bear hound training season.
Regulation 4VAC15-80. Game: Crows.
4VAC15-80-10	Open Season.
Regulation 4VAC15-90. Game: Deer.
4VAC15-90-10	Open season; generally.
4VAC15-90-70	Bow and arrow hunting.
4VAC15-90-80	Muzzleloading gun hunting.
4VAC15-90-91	General firearms season either-sex deer hunting days.
4VAC15-90-260	Hunting with dogs prohibited in certain counties and areas.
4VAC15-90-293	Chronic Wasting Disease deer carcass importation restrictions.
Regulation 4VAC15-240. Game: Turkey.
4VAC15-240-10	Open season; generally.
4VAC15-240-20	Open season; certain counties and areas; Saturday prior to the last Monday in October and for 11 hunting days following, and on Thanksgiving Day.
4VAC15-240-31	Open season; certain counties and areas; Saturday prior to the last Monday in October and for 11 hunting days following, on Thanksgiving Day, and on the Monday closest to December 2 and for 11 hunting days following.
4VAC15-240-40	Open season; spring season for bearded turkeys.

• Review Disclosure Statement
• Review Rules

Written comments on the proposed amendments must include the commenter's name, address, and telephone number.  Comments can be submitted online at www.dgif.virginia.gov, or email at regcomments@dgif.virginia.gov or snal mailed the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries, Attn. Policy Analyst and Regulatory Coordinator, 4016 West Broad Street, Richmond, Virginia 23230.  Again, they must be received no later than May 26, 2014.