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Wildlife Viewing
Watch the Shad Cam!
Shad Cam provides viewers with a glimpse under the surface of the James River as fish swim upstream through the fishway. Read more…
Join Us for the 3rd Annual Virginia Birding Classic Event!
The Virginia Birding Classic is a statewide birding competition in which teams of birders search public lands for as many species as they can find in 24 hours. Read more…
I Spy Salamanders
Virginia Master Naturalist volunteers have been providing crucial vernal pool data for more than 15 years. Read more…
Fishing
Watch the Shad Cam!
Shad Cam provides viewers with a glimpse under the surface of the James River as fish swim upstream through the fishway. Read more…
State Fish Hatcheries Support Recreation, Conservation, and a Connection to the Outdoors—and They Need Our Help
The average age of a government fish hatchery in the Northeast is 80 years, and many hatcheries need expensive infrastructure upgrades. Read more…
Top Virginia Waters for Trophy Smallmouth Bass in 2025
Where the most trophy-size smallmouth bass catches were recorded in DWR's trophy fish program in 2025. Read more…
Hunting
Virginia’s 2026 Spring Gobbler Forecast
There's good news and bad news when looking at the forecast for the spring turkey season. Read more…
Myth vs. Reality: Predators and Turkeys in Virginia
It's not about the predators, it's about the habitat. Read more…
Hunt Clubs in Virginia are a Long-Lived Tradition!
Membership in a well-established hunt club can be both rewarding and a way to safeguard this treasured tradition. Read more…
Boating
Answers to Some Common Boating Questions
Answers to some of the most common questions we get—in no particular order—to help you get ready for the boating season. Read more…
Taking A Boating Safety Course in Virginia
Taking a boating safety course in Virginia is an important step for anyone who plans to operate a motorboat or personal watercraft. Read more…
Exploring the Lower Nottoway River from General Vaughan Bridge
Accessing the Nottoway River from the General C.C. Vaughan, Jr. Bridge boat landing is a great option for diverse fishing opportunities. Read more…
Habitat
A Blueprint for Biodiversity
The third iteration of the Virginia Wildlife Action Plan expands an essential roadmap to help species at risk in the Commonwealth. Read more…
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…
Conservation Police
True Wildlife Crime: When State Violations Become Federal Charges
CPO Bratton takes us to Virginia’s Eastern Shore, where a phone call from a concerned landowner set off a complex, multi-agency investigation. Watch…
True Wildlife Crime: A Tip, a Buck, and a Legacy of Crime
First Sergeant Amanda Nevel takes us inside a Northern Neck case that began with an anonymous tip from social media & unfolded into a months-long investigation. Watch…
True Wildlife Crime: The Runaway Boat
A loud bang jolting a homeowner awake quickly turned into an investigation, complete with stolen trucks, DNA evidence & a suspect who couldn't dodge the truth. Watch…