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Wildlife Viewing
Explore the Mountaintop Wild from Laurel Bed Lake
Whether you enjoy paddling in a picturesque mountain setting; fishing for smallmouth bass, trout, or panfish; or watching wildlife in unique microclimates, Laurel Bed Lake is worth the trip! Read more…
Draft Marine Mammal Conservation Plan
The public is invited to review and comment on the plan that will guide the DWR and its partners in the conservation and management of these protected species in Virginia. Read more…
Cassandra Kim’s Whimsical Paintings Draw Attention to Virginia’s Wildlife
Cassandra Kim uses her unique animal portraits to draw attention to imperiled wildlife species in Virginia. Read more…
Fishing
Explore the Mountaintop Wild from Laurel Bed Lake
Whether you enjoy paddling in a picturesque mountain setting; fishing for smallmouth bass, trout, or panfish; or watching wildlife in unique microclimates, Laurel Bed Lake is worth the trip! Read more…
Fish Bite in the Rain!
While fishing in the rain requires proper gear and a willingness to get wet, the rewards can be well worth it. Read more…
Virginia’s Five Best Lesser-Known Smallmouth Waters
Overshadowed by bigger-name smallie rivers, these less-celebrated waterways offer not only great fishing, but because they’re often overlooked, they can put you on the fish while being away from the crowds. Read more…
Hunting
Give the New September Firearms Seasons a Try
The new regulations for a longer antlerless firearm season in some western Virginia counties with high deer populations are set to meet objectives! Read more…
The Virginia Appalachian Carnivore Study: Black Bears & White-tailed Deer in the Appalachian Mountains of Virginia
A unique study using video camera collars gave researchers insight into how much of black bears' diet is made up of white-tailed deer. Read more…
DWR’s Hunting Mentor Program Helped Cut Tyler Clark’s Learning Curve in Half
DWR's Hunting Mentor Program can give novice hunters valuable experience and knowledge. Read more…
Boating
Explore the Mountaintop Wild from Laurel Bed Lake
Whether you enjoy paddling in a picturesque mountain setting; fishing for smallmouth bass, trout, or panfish; or watching wildlife in unique microclimates, Laurel Bed Lake is worth the trip! Read more…
Draft Marine Mammal Conservation Plan
The public is invited to review and comment on the plan that will guide the DWR and its partners in the conservation and management of these protected species in Virginia. Read more…
Eyes on the Water: The Importance of a Proper Lookout
Keeping a proper lookout can prevent boating incidents Read more…
Habitat
To Spray or Not to Spray? That’s the Aphids Question
When aphids appear, it's tempting to treat them chemically, but sometimes letting nature take its own course is a better option. Read more…
2025 Restore the Wild Artwork Competition’s Atlantic Sturgeon Winners Chosen
“We were thrilled to see how creative artists got in their depictions of the Atlantic sturgeon and their aquatic habitat,” said DWR's Stephen Living of the Restore the Wild Artwork Competition. Read more…
Tear Down That Dam: Reconnecting a Piedmont Stream
A unique public/private partnership to remove a dam will restore aquatic habitats and have significant impacts on aquatic wildlife in Rock Island Creek. Read more…
Conservation Police
Conservation Police Officer (CPO) Recruiting: Now Accepting Applications!
The Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources (DWR) is now accepting applications for multiple Conservation Police Officer duty assignments throughout Virginia! Read more…
Man Pleads Guilty to Killing Eagles and Hawks
A DWR Conservation Police Officer worked with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to solve the case of a man who killed more than 20 juvenile and mature bald eagles and hawks. Read more…
DWR Conservation Police Presents 2024 Awards
In a ceremony on March 19, the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources (DWR) Conservation Police presented their 2024 awards, recognizing exceptional efforts from Conservation Police Officers across the state. Read more…