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Comment Period Open for Proposed Wild Turkey & Blue Catfish Regulations & Regulatory Reforms
Richmond, VA — The Board of Wildlife Resources has created regulatory proposals regarding wild turkey bag limits, blue catfish size limits, and regulatory reform. Regulations adopted by the Board are anticipated to go into effect on Jan. 1, 2026, with the exception of the wild turkey bag limit which would go into effect Feb. 1, 2026.
The proposed wild turkey amendment focuses on lowering the harvest of hen (female) turkeys to foster population productivity, allowing hunters to harvest one beardless turkey per season from their available three tags. This change is due to concerns for wild turkey population levels in some portions of the state. Additionally, this proposal would allow a hunter to take three turkeys during the fall seasons, an increase from the current two turkey fall season bag limit.
Proposed regulation changes for blue catfish include the removal of the one per day size limit on blue catfish greater than 32 inches in length on the York and Rappahannock rivers, and on the James River below the freshwater – saltwater demarcation line. An overabundance of blue catfish in tidal rivers has prompted increased efforts to control their population through more lenient harvest regulations.
Additional regulation proposals are aimed at streamlining regulatory language and reducing regulatory burden on the Department’s constituents as well as all Virginians impacted by Department regulation.
These proposed regulations can be viewed at https://dwr.virginia.gov/regulations.
This process offers the opportunity for citizens to comment on regulatory proposals directly to DWR. Comments can be submitted through Oct. 7. They will be reviewed by DWR staff, summarized, and presented to DWR’s Wildlife and Boat Committee and full Board Oct. 22 and 23. These presentations will occur at DWR’s headquarters at 7870 Villa Park Drive, Henrico, Virginia.
Comments can be submitted online at:
https://dwr.virginia.gov/regulations
Or via mail at:
Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources
Attn: Regulatory Coordinator – Board Proposals
P.O. Box 90778
Henrico, VA 23228-0778