Photo by Robert Dalrymple

Results were favorable to elk in Virginia from yesterday’s Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries Board meeting.

After about an hour of public comment, largely in opposition to the proposed regulation amendment (8 speaking against and 2 speaking in favor), the Board of Game and Inland Fisheries voted to table the proposed amendment that would have prohibited the hunting of Rocky Mountain elk in Virginia.

The Board also voted on and approved unanimously a motion to direct the Executive Director Bob Duncan to have staff develop an operational plan for the restoration and management of elk. Board members voting made it clear that they were not endorsing a restoration effort with this vote but simply requesting the development of a plan so they would have more information.

An outline of a proposed process and the elements for the plan were presented to the Board and approved. The elk plan will be developed with involvement of stakeholder groups and a draft will be presented to the Board at its April 2010 meeting. The process will include extensive public input and public comment.

The news coverage can be found here!

The Loudoun County Chapter of the Izaak Walton League is holding its 20th Annual Loudoun County Outdoor Ethics Banquet on October 24^th at Hamilton’s Harmony Hall.

Keynote speaker is Bob Duncan, Executive Director Virginia Game and Inland Fisheries.

Outdoor Exhibits and Displays, Auctions, Raffle, Annual Law Enforcement and Citizen Recognition, Meet Local Politicians and Dignitaries

Open to the public and Local Media.

Sponsored by Loudoun County Anti-Poaching Reward Fund and the Loudoun County Chapter – Izaak Walton League of America in cooperation with the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries.

Contact O.E. Banquet for more information or tickets here!

Photo by kuyman

By STEVE SZKOTAK (AP)

RICHMOND, Va. — More than 150 years after Virginia’s last native elk was killed, game officials may try to populate the state’s southwest corner with its bigger, buff-colored cousin — the Rocky Mountain elk.

They say bringing back an elk subspecies could offer hunters another big-game animal and boost tourism in rugged southwest Virginia, but farmers fear it also could infect their livestock with diseases and damage crops.

As it happens, some elk have already arrived.

An estimated 125 to 150 Rocky Mountain elk have wandered into Virginia from Kentucky, where a restoration effort is well under way. That state is now home to more than 11,000 of the animals spread over 16 southern and southeastern counties. They graze on the reclaimed remnants of strip mines and attract hunters and tourists who want to glimpse an elk or hear its haunting bugle.

Read more…

On August 18th, 2009 the Board of Directors of The Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries voted today on a motion that will become 100% official at the October 22nd, 2009 board Meeting where it will be written into regulation that elk hunting in the Commonwealth of Virginia will not be allowed.

View the Podcast here!

Hunters, the application period for 2009-2010 Quota Hunts opened July 1, 2009. The Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries have posted applications and information on the agency website http://www.dgif.virginia.gov/. Hunting opportunities are available for waterfowl, White-tailed deer, dove, rabbits, quail, Black bear and spring turkeys. Several hunts offer multiple species during the hunt segments.

Hunters may apply by mail (Virginia Quota Hunts, c/o CyberData, Inc. P.O. Box 9009, Hicksville, New York 11802), by telephone (1-877- 824-8687) or through the Department’s website by clicking on Hunting and then selecting Quota Hunts.

This year there are several new hunts and some changes in application deadlines.

New Quota Hunts:

* North Landing River Deer Hunts in the City of Virginia Beach (See Series # 203)

* Late Season Feral Hog Hunts at False Cape State Park in Virginia Beach (See Series # 604)

* Lone Star Lakes Deer Hunts in the City of Suffolk (See Series 212 and 213)

New Application Deadlines:

* New Kent Forestry Center Dove Hunts, Series # 601 – Applications due July 28, 2009, only by telephone or online (see information above).

* Radford Army Ammunition Plant Deer Hunts, Series # 211 – Applications due August 14, 2009.

In addition, there have been some changes made to existing quota hunts.

New for the 2009 – 2010 Quota hunt Season:

* Hunters applying for some hunts may receive additional hunt dates as a bonus if the series applied for does not fill to capacity.

* The Hog Island Wildlife Management Area muzzleloader and firearms hunts have been consolidated into one hunt. Hunters may choose to hunt with either shotgun or muzzleloaders during this hunt.

* The Hog Island Wildlife Management Area Waterfowl Hunt has changed. The hunt days have increased to Wednesdays and Saturdays. Five parties will be drawn for each day. Stand-by drawings will no longer be conducted.

The Department would like to thank the U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Virginia State Parks, Virginia Department of Forestry, City of Suffolk, Chesterfield County, U. S. Army Radford Ammunition Plant and The Nature Conservancy for providing the many quota hunting opportunities this coming year.

It is the mission of the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries to manage Virginia’s wildlife and inland fish to maintain optimum populations of all species to serve the needs of the Commonwealth; to provide opportunity for all to enjoy wildlife, inland fish, boating and related outdoor recreation and to work diligently to safeguard the rights of the people to hunt, fish and harvest game as provided for in the Constitution of Virginia; to promote safety for persons and property in connection with boating, hunting and fishing ; to provide educational outreach programs and materials that foster an awareness of and appreciation for Virginia’s fish and wildlife resources, their habitats, and hunting, fishing and boating opportunities.