Media Center

Media Inquiries:

Shelby Crouch, DWR Public Information Officer (PIO)
shelby.crouch@dwr.virginia.gov
(804) 802-1557

Press Releases:

2025

June 6, 2025: Senior Officer Dan Smith Conservation Police Officer of the Year
June 2, 2025: Get Hooked During Free Fishing Days: June 6–8, 2025
May 29, 2025: 2025 Spring Turkey Harvest
May 28, 2025: DWR & WFV Award $203k in Grant Funding
May 20, 2025: Reminder: If You Find a Fawn, Leave It Alone
May 14, 2025: National Safe Boating Week & Media Ride Along
May 14, 2025: Trophy Trout Weeks at Clinch Mountain & Crooked Creek Fee Fishing Areas
May 12, 2025: Public Urged to Stay Clear of Gardy’s Millpond
May 8, 2025: DWR Reports 2024–2025 Chronic Wasting Disease Surveillance Results
April 24, 2025: Reminder: Spring Brings Increased Bear Activity
April 17, 2025: Raffle Offers Rare Opportunity for RVA Peregrine Falcon Chick Encounter
April 15, 2025: Dana Sanders 2024 Communications Officer of the Year
April 4, 2025: Red Fox Tests Positive for Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza in Loudoun County
March 26, 2025: 14th Wildlife Resources Basic Law Enforcement Academy Class Begins
March 19, 2025: DWR Announces Winners of 2025 Restore the Wild Art Competition
March 13, 2025: Public Invited to Comment on Smallmouth Bass Management Plan
March 12, 2025: 2025 Old Dominion One Shot Turkey Hunt & Youth Essay Contest
March 10, 2025: Richmond Falcon Cam 2025 is Live
March 6, 2025: Public Invited to Comment on Draft Wild Turkey Management Plan
March 4, 2025: You’re Invited to Opening Night of the 2025 Restore the Wild Art Exhibition
February 13, 2025: DWR Recognizes Outstanding Biologists and Team of 2024
February 5, 2025: 2024–2025 Bear, Deer, and Turkey Harvest Data Announced
February 4, 2025: Think You Found a Bear Den? Please Leave It Alone!
February 3, 2025: Virginia Elk Hunt Lottery Open Until March 31
January 31, 2025: Restore the Wild Artwork Competition Submission Deadline Extended
January 30, 2025: DWR Avian Influenza Update and Guidance
January 7, 2025: Statewide Wetlands Technical Team Holds First Meeting

2024

November 26, 2024: Shop with DWR & Support Local Craftspeople & Organizations that Connect People with the Outdoors
November 14, 2024: General Firearms Season Starts Saturday—Set Yourself Up For Success
October 16, 2024: After Years in Captivity, Turtles Find Their Way Home to Virginia
October 9, 2024: Virginia Board of Wildlife Resources October Public Meeting Action Items
October 7, 2024: Trout Stocking Changes in Southwest Virginia Resulting from Hurricane Helene
October 4, 2024: Join DWR for a Presentation on the Lake Shenandoah Dam Replacement Plan
September 29, 2024: Numerous DWR Facilities in Southwest Virginia Closed Due to Storm Damage
September 26, 2024: Join DWR’s Wildlife Health Team for CWD Updates & New Regulations for 2024
September 26, 2024: Upcoming Stockings for Clinch Mountain & Crooked Creek Fee Fishing Areas Have Been Cancelled
September 5, 2024: DWR Graduates 13th Academy Class of Conservation Police Officers
August 29, 2024: DWR Presents Department-Wide Lifesaving Award
August 27, 2024: Officer First Class Adam Roberts Awarded Boating Officer of the Year
August 16, 2024: Protect Virginia’s Natural Resources, Residents, and Visitors: Become a DWR Conservation Police Officer
August 15, 2024: DWR Statement on the Court Resolution of the Illegal Killing of Three Deer Including the Hollywood Buck
August 13, 2024: DWR Honors Schools for the 2023–2024 Virginia Naturally Schools Recognition Program
August 9, 2024: Comment Period for Proposed DWR Recreational Fishing, Non-Game Wildlife, and Boating Regulations Opens August 12, 2024
July 19, 2024: DWR Receives Grant to Enhance and Restore Critical Marsh Habitat at Ragged Island Wildlife Management Area
July 17, 2024: DWR Encourages the Fishing & Boating Community to Heed VDH Advisories for Several Waterways in Mecklenburg, Brunswick, & Greensville Counties
July 3, 2024: Summer Stocking Schedule Update for Clinch Mountain & Crooked Creek Fee Fishing Areas
June 27, 2024: Operation Dry Water and 4th of July Boating Safety Media Ride-Along
June 6, 2024: William J. Harris 2023 Conservation Officer of the Year
June 4, 2024: 2024 Spring Turkey Harvest
June 3, 2024: Get Hooked During Free Fishing Days — June 7–9, 2024
May 31, 2024: Two K9s Join DWR Conservation Police
May 30, 2024: DWR Awards More Than $150K in Grants and Launches Enhanced Partnerships with Four Organizations
May 17, 2024: Public Comment Period Opens on Proposed Regulations Regarding Hunting with Hounds
May 16, 2024: National Safe Boating Week and Media Ride-Along
May 13, 2024: Reminder: If You Find a Fawn, Leave It Alone
May 10, 2024: Road Closure at Clinch Mountain Fee Fishing Area and Laurel Bed Lake
May 9, 2024: DWR Reports 2023–2024 Statewide Chronic Wasting Disease Surveillance Results
May 6, 2024: June Trophy Trout Week at Clinch Mountain & Crooked Creek Fee Fishing Areas Cancelled
May 3, 2024: Reminder: Spring Brings Increased Bear Activity
April 23, 2024: Streambank Repair at Crooked Creek Fee Fishing Area
April 18, 2024: Chronic Wasting Disease Detected for the First Time in Tazewell County
April 17, 2024: Honor Your School’s Environmental Ed Achievements: Apply for the Virginia Naturally School Recognition Program
April 5, 2024: Virginia DWR Monitoring Increase in Cases of Avian Influenza in Wild Bird Populations
April 4, 2024: Virginia DWR Advisory Council First to Receive State-Wide Unit Citation for Exceptional National-Level Teamwork
March 21, 2024: Virginia DWR Conservation Police Seeks Accreditation in North American Wildlife Law Enforcement Accreditation Program
March 15, 2024: Virginia DWR Announces 2024 Restore the Wild Art Competition Winners
March 4, 2024: DWR Launches Explore the Wild: Your Ultimate Guide to Virginia’s Public Lands
March 1, 2024: The Richmond Falcon Cam is Back and Better Than Ever
February 26, 2024: You’re Invited: 2024 Restore The Wild Artwork Exhibition to be Held At Pine Camp Cultural Arts and Community Center
February 20, 2024: Virginia Elk Hunt Lottery Open Until March 30
February 12, 2024: Think You Found a Bear Den? Please Leave It Alone!
February 7, 2024: 2023–2024 Bear, Deer, and Turkey Harvest Data Announced
February 5, 2024: DWR and NCWRC Collaborate to Enhance Musky Stocking Efforts in Virginia
January 29, 2024: Arrest Made in Illegal Killing of Hollywood Buck
January 12, 2024: Caution Urged on Water Amid Hazardous Boating Conditions
January 11, 2024: Virginia DWR Commences Its 2024 Freshwater Fisheries, Recreational Boating, and Nongame & Endangered Species Regulation Cycle

2023

December 18, 2023: Suspects Identified in “Hollywood Buck” Case in Richmond
December 18, 2023: Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources Named Agency of Year at Sportsmen’s Caucus Summit
December 15, 2023: Chronic Wasting Disease Detected for First Time in Carroll County
December 1, 2023: Tom’s Creek in Montgomery County Now a “No Fall Stocking” Water
November 30, 2023: 2024 Restore the Wild Artwork Competition is Live!
October 19, 2023: Whirling Disease Detected at State Fish Hatchery
October 17, 2023: Drivers: Slow Down For Deer!
September 27, 2023: Removal of Lower Section of Crooked Creek from Stocked Trout Program
August 29, 2023: Be Safe on the Water This Labor Day Weekend – Tropical Storms and Flooding Likely
August 16, 2023: New State Record Saugeye
August 11, 2023: DWR Recognizes Schools for the Virginia Naturally Schools Recognition Program
August 4, 2023: DWR Bear Management Plan Open for Public Comment
July 10, 2023: Summer Stocking Schedule Is Now In Effect for Clinch Mountain and Crooked Creek Fee Fishing Areas
June 29, 2023: Operation Dry Water and 4th of July Boating Safety
June 26, 2023: Join DWR’s Conservation Police to Serve Virginia’s Citizens and Outdoors
June 13, 2023: DWR Receives Muskie Fingerlings from North Carolina
June 6, 2023: Trophy Stocking Week Returns to Clinch Mountain and Crooked Creek Fee Fishing Areas
May 30, 2023: Fish On! Free Fishing Days Established for June 2–4, 2023
May 26, 2023: 2023 Spring Turkey Harvest
May 19, 2023: National Safe Boating Week and Media Ride-Along Throughout Virginia
May 18, 2023: 2022 Conservation Police Officer Of The Year Awarded To Officer First Class Amanda Nevel
May 10, 2023: Reminder: Spring Brings Increase Bear Activity
April 18, 2023: Agreements Expand Opportunities for Wildlife-Related Recreation in Southwest Virginia
April 4, 2023: Coastal Forest Wildlife Management Area Open for Hunting
March 15, 2023: The 2023 Old Dominion One Shot Turkey Hunt and Youth Essay Contest
March 13, 2023: Wytheville Community College Pond Now Part of Stocked Trout Program
March 10, 2023: Thoughts from the Winners: 2023 Restore the Wild Artwork Competition
March 10, 2023: 2023 Restore the Wild Artwork Competition Winners
March 8, 2023: DWR Reports 2022–2023 Chronic Wasting Disease Surveillance Results for Disease Management Areas
February 21, 2023: You’re Invited: Inaugural Restore the Wild Art Exhibition To Be Held at Artspace
February 14, 2023: 2022–2023 Bear, Deer, and Turkey Harvest Data Announced
February 6, 2023: Musky Broodstock Collection Partnership with NC Wildlife Resources Commission
February 1, 2023: Virginia Elk Hunt Lottery Applications Open Until March 30
January 31, 2023: Think You Found a Bear Den? Please Leave It Alone!
January 17, 2023: Chronic Wasting Disease Detected for the First Time in Fairfax County

2022

December 20, 2022: Virginia State Veterinarian Approves Entry of Santa’s Reindeer into Virginia on December 24
November 16, 2022: Assistance Needed from Virginia Hunters for Chronic Wasting Disease Surveillance (DMA3)
November 16, 2022: Assistance Needed from Virginia Hunters for Chronic Wasting Disease Surveillance
November 10, 2022: First Ever Virginia State Record Saugeye
November 10, 2022: New State Records: Archery Blue Catfish and Archery Flathead Catfish
November 7, 2022: Drivers: Slow Down For Deer!
October 19, 2022: Virginia Tourism Launches Collaboration Project with the Department of Wildlife Resources and Hmble Hstle Clothing
October 11, 2022: DWR Recognizes Schools for the Virginia Naturally Schools Recognition Program
October 3, 2022: Avian Influenza (HPAI) in Virginia
September 30, 2022: Virginia DWR Trout Stocking Season Opens October 1 + Expanded Trout Fishing Opportunities in Southwestern Virginia
September 28, 2022: Forecasted Flooding and Heavy Rains Lead to Fatal Boating Conditions
September 18, 2022: Lake Chesdin Boat Accident – Double Fatality
September 9, 2022: DWR Tracking Team Leads Successful Rescue in Smyth County
September 1, 2022: Be Safe on the Water This Labor Day Weekend
August 30, 2022: Cavalier Wildlife Management Area Closed for Dove Hunting
August 30, 2022: Join DWR for Public Elk Viewing Tours
August 30, 2022: DWR Elk Cam Is Live!
August 29, 2022: DWR Wildlife Biologist Ruth Boettcher is 2022 William T. Hesselton Memorial Award Recipient
August 26, 2022: 2021 Boating Officer of the Year Awarded to Officer First Class Shane Wilson
August 22, 2022: James Spinymussel Released Back Into the James River
August 15, 2022: Hemorrhagic Disease of Deer Reported in Virginia
August 8, 2022: DWR to Hold Public Meeting for Eastern Shore Land Acquisition
July 13, 2022: Reminder: The Release of Certain Balloons is Now Prohibited in the Commonwealth
July 1, 2022: Low Water Level at Laurel Bed Lake
June 30, 2022: DWR Encourages Life Jacket Wear While Boating
June 27, 2022: Operation Dry Water and 4th of July Boating Safety Media Days
June 24, 2022: DWR Encourages Life Jacket Wear While Boating
June 15, 2022: Appalachian Power Issues Warning About Water Levels Downstream of Claytor and Leesville Dams
June 13, 2022: DWR is Accepting Applications for the Elk Landowner License Program (ELLP) from Now Until July 1st
June 10, 2022: Open Comment Period Begins 6/11 for DWR Aquatic Wildlife, Recreational Fishing, and Boating Regulations
June 6, 2022: 2021 Conservation Police Officer of the Year Awarded to First Class Officer William Bostic
June 1, 2022: Fish On! Free Fishing Days Established for June 3–5
May 24, 2022: DWR Fish Hatcheries to Reopen May 27
May 23, 2022: DWR Reports Statewide 2021–2022 Chronic Wasting Disease Surveillance Results and Year-Round Deer Feeding Prohibition in Grayson County
May 18, 2022: National Safe Boating Week and Media Ride-Along Throughout Virginia
May 18, 2022: National Safe Boating Week and Media Ride-Along
May 17, 2022: Join DWR’s Conservation Police to Serve Virginia’s Citizens and Outdoors
May 12, 2022: Reminder: If You Find a Fawn, Leave It Alone
May 10, 2022: Join DWR’s Conservation Police to Serve Virginia’s Diverse Population
May 10, 2022: The 2022 Old Dominion One Shot Turkey Hunt and Youth Essay Contest
April 21, 2022: DWR Graduates New Class of Conservation Police Officers
April 13, 2022: Reminder: Spring Brings Increased Bear Activity
April 6, 2022: Removal of Lower Section of Elk Creek from Stocked Trout Program
April 1, 2022: DWR Shad Cam Returns for Its 22nd Season and Celebrates with Live Video Feed
March 30, 2022: Virginia “Falcon Cam” Falcon Laid Fourth Egg
March 28, 2022: Virginia “Falcon Cam” Falcon Laid Third Egg
March 28, 2022: Last Chance for Virginia Elk Hunt Lottery Applications Open Until March 30
March 25, 2022: Virginia “Falcon Cam” Falcon Laid Second Egg
March 24, 2022: Gill Lice Found in Southwestern Virginia
March 23, 2022: Virginia “Falcon Cam” Falcon Laid First Egg
March 21, 2022: 2022 Restore the Wild Artwork Competition Winners Chosen
March 17, 2022: The 2022 Old Dominion One Shot Turkey Hunt and Youth Essay Contest
March 16, 2022: Virginia Elk Hunt Lottery Applications Open Until March 30
March 8, 2022: DWR Reports 2021–2022 Chronic Wasting Disease Surveillance Results for Disease Management Areas
March 1, 2022: Richmond Falcon Cam 2022 Is Now Live With a Suite of New Features
February 24, 2022: DWR Received George H.W. Bush Vamos A Pescar™ Education Fund Grant
February 15, 2022: DWR Urging Citizens to Use Caution When Purchasing Fishing and Hunting Licenses
February 11, 2022: 2021–2022 Bear, Deer, and Turkey Harvest Data Announced
February 7, 2022: Leave Bear Dens Alone!
January 25, 2022: DWR Urging Citizens to Use Caution When Purchasing Fishing and Hunting Licenses
January 24, 2022: DWR Recognizes Fisheries and Wildlife Staff
January 21, 2022: Bull Elk Taken Illegally in the War Fork Area of Buchanan County
January 12, 2022: Governor Northam Opens Expansion of Virginia’s Doe Creek Wildlife Management Area
January 5, 2022: Scoping Period Open for DWR Fishing, Aquatic Wildlife Management, and Boating Regulations

2021

December 21, 2021: Virginia State Veterinarian Approves Entry of Santa’s Reindeer in Virginia on December 24
November 12, 2021: Second Annual Restore the Wild Artwork Competition Expanded and Open
November 12, 2021: Black Bear Fall Feeding Frenzy
November 8, 2021: Drivers: Slow Down for Deer!
October 29, 2021: The Department of Wildlife Resources and Devils Backbone Brewing Company Partner Together to Restore the Wild
October 27, 2021: Virginia DWR’s Rebecca Gwynn Wins Wildlife Management Excellence Awards
October 25, 2021: Retired DWR Executive Director Receives Highest Honor from Regional Wildlife Agencies
October 22, 2021: Virginia DWR Wins SEAFWA Diversity and Inclusion Award for Workforce Inclusion
October 20, 2021: Conservation at Work: Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources Announces First Paid Student Internships
October 8, 2021: DWR Urging Citizens to Use Caution When Purchasing Fishing and Hunting Licenses
September 21, 2021: 2021 Boating Officer of the Year Awarded to Senior Officer Brandon Harris
September 15, 2021: DWR Law Enforcement Division Receives Accreditation by the Virginia Law Enforcement Professional Standards Commission
August 20, 2021: DWR Advises Following Best Practice Guidelines to Resume Feeding Birds
August 10, 2021: Chronic Wasting Disease Public Meetings Scheduled in Culpeper, Floyd, Montgomery, and Pulaski Counties
July 28, 2021: Update on Avian Mortality Event in Northern/Northwestern Virginia
July 7, 2021: Virginia Conservation Police “Operation Dry Water” and Holiday Weekend Boating Safety Report
July 6, 2021: Open Comment Period for Montgomery County Chronic Wasting Disease Regulations
July 6, 2021: Continuing Avian Mortality Event in Northern/Northwestern Virginia
June 29, 2021: Public Comment Period on Proposed Regulation: Coyote and Furbearer Hunting Contests
June 25, 2021: Operation Dry Water and 4th of July Boating Safety Media Day
June 11, 2021: Forecasted Flooding and Heavy Rains Lead to Fatal Boating Conditions
June 8, 2021: 2020 Conservation Police Officer of the Year Awarded to Officer Cory D. Harbour
June 7, 2021: 2021 Spring Turkey Harvest
May 18, 2021: National Safe Boating Week and Media Ride Along
May 17, 2021: DWR Hosts Run for the Wild Virtual Running Event
May 12, 2021: Chronic Wasting Disease is Detected for the First Time in Montgomery County
May 10, 2021: Reminder: If You Find a Fawn, Leave It Alone
April 21, 2021: Reminder: If You See a Bear Cub, Leave It Alone
April 15, 2021: New State Record Fallfish
April 14, 2021: Reminder: Spring Brings Increased Bear Activity
April 9, 2021: 2020–2021 Chronic Wasting Disease Surveillance Results for Disease Management Areas 1 and 2
April 1, 2021: DWR Hosts COVID-19 Vaccine Clinic for Pre-Registered Individuals
March 26, 2021: DWR Encourages Safe Boating and Water Safety
March 19, 2021: Virginia Adopts Groundbreaking Regulation to Ensure the Protection of Migratory Birds
March 18, 2021: DWR Warns Outdoor Enthusiasts of Extremely Cold Water
March 16, 2021: New Boat Engine Cutoff Switch Law Goes Into Effect April 1
March 10, 2021: DWR Extends Deadline for Conservation Police Applications
March 9, 2021: DWR Now Leasing Falls Mills Lake for Public Access
March 5, 2021: Consumer Alert: Home Aquarium Moss Balls May Be Contaminated with Invasive Zebra Mussels
March 2, 2021: Richmond Falcon Cam 2021 is Live
March 1, 2021: 2020–21 Bear, Deer, and Turkey Harvest Data Announced
February 15, 2021: Restore the Wild Artwork Competition Winner Chosen
February 11, 2021: Join DWR Conservation Police for Facebook Live Recruiting Event
February 10, 2021: Chronic Wasting Disease Detected for First Time in Rappahannock County
February 5, 2021: Virginia’s Wildlife Viewers Encouraged to Participate in Open Comment Period
February 1, 2021: Join DWR’s Conservation Police to Serve Virginia’s Diverse Population
January 27, 2021: New Wildlife License Plate Announced
January 26, 2021: Culvert Replacement Project to Begin at Lake Shenandoah
January 22, 2021: Dredging Project to Begin at Osborne Landing
January 8, 2021: Virginia Opens Comment Period on Groundbreaking Rule to Ensure Development Protects Migratory Birds

2020

December 23, 2020: Chronic Wasting Disease Detected for First Time in Madison County
December 17, 2020: Chronic Wasting Disease Detected for First time in Warren County
December 14, 2020: Note to Hunters: DWR to Discontinue Game Check Stations and Game Check Books Next Fall
December 4, 2020: DWR is Looking for Conservation Collaboration Partners
November 18, 2020: Chronic Wasting Disease Detected in Loudoun County
November 17, 2020: Reminder: Wildlife Are Wild Animals, Not Pets
November 12, 2020: Forecasted Flooding and Heavy Rain Could Lead to Fatal Boating Conditions
October 22, 2020: Drivers: Slow Down for Deer!
October 19, 2020: Partnering for Public Access with POWRR (PALS)
September 30, 2020: Chronic Wasting Disease: 2020–2021 Disease Management Areas
September 18, 2020: Department of Wildlife Resources Special Ops Unit Receives National Award
September 18, 2020: Hurricane Sally Brings Heavy Rains and Flooding Which Could Lead to Fatal Boating Conditions
September 15, 2020: Department of Wildlife Resources Board Member Receives Prestigious John L. Morris Award
September 9, 2020: DWR Sergeant Daniel Hall Receives Guy Bradley Award
September 9, 2020: Chronic Wasting Disease: Loudoun County Added to Disease Management Area 2
September 4, 2020: Heavy Rain and Flooding Lead to Fatal Boating Conditions
August 25, 2020: Six DWR Habitat Projects Funded by Restore the Wild
August 21, 2020: Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources to Seek Accreditation by the Virginia Law Enforcement Professional Standards Commission
August 19, 2020: Agencies to Add River Access Points in Shenandoah River Watershed
August 3, 2020: Tropical Storm to Bring Forecasting Flooding and Heavy Rain — Could Lead to Fatal Boating Conditions
July 8, 2020: Virginia Conservation Police “Operation Dry Water” and Holiday Weekend Boating Safety Report
July 1, 2020: DGIF Changes Name to the Department of Wildlife Resources Effective July 1
June 30, 2020: Department of Wildlife Resources Legislation Changes Effective July 1