VIRGINIA DEPARTMENT OF WILDLIFE RESOURCES

Conservation Police arrested three people and reported one tubing crash during the July 4th holiday weekend at Smith Mountain Lake.

Memorial Day weekend is here. The Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources wants you to stay safe on the water.

A bear in the backyard was an unexpected visitor for some Star City neighborhoods and nearby Round Hill Elementary.

A bear on the loose prompted a lockdown at Roundhill Elementary School, according to Paige Pearson with the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources.

During this time of year, more bears are on the move.

A bald eagle that was found dead at Carvin’s Cove in December has tested positive for the Bird Flu, or Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza. It’s the first known case in a bald eagle in Southwest Virginia, according to the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources.

One Martinsville elementary school is being recognized for its efforts in environmental awareness.

The Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources discovered more than 100 dead striped bass between Pulaski County’s Claytor Damn and the Claytor Dam State Park over the span of just a few days.

With the Smith Mountain Lake Pirate Days event coming on July 16, the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources is reminding Virginia citizens of the new regulation that went into effect on July 1, which bans citizens from intentionally releasing or discarding any non-biodegradable or non-photodegradable balloons outdoors in the Commonwealth.

These two safety departments continue to remind us how we can be safer on the water, especially during the holidays as fun destinations get a bit busier.

Roanoke police say they have gotten several calls about bear sightings near Hershberger Road NE & Carlton Road SW.

Grab your waders, bait and fishing rods because this weekend — you can fish for free in Virginia.

Here's a look at some of the stories we'll be following today as they make headlines in Southwest Virginia.

Ahead of the busy holiday weekend, conservation police with the Department of Wildlife Resources are reminding people to be safe while out boating.

Wildlife officials are alerting people to a diseased deer killed in Floyd County this hunting season.

The Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources (DWR) is asking hunters from Virginia to help them in their efforts to monitor the spread of chronic wasting disease (CWD) in the deer population.

Fall is here, meaning it’s breeding season for deer

For the first time this year, there are some new hunting regulations after a trace of chronic wasting disease was found in Montgomery County.

The proposed regulation is a two-week extension of the general firearms season to help slow the spread and transmission of Chronic Wasting Disease and reduce deer populations in Floyd, Montgomery and Pulaski Counties.

The Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources gave an update Tuesday regarding the mortality event affecting birds across multiple states.

A bear got himself into a tricky situation last week, one that left him 20 feet off the ground.

A 59-year-old man died on Saturday when the canoe he was in capsized on the New River while in Montgomery County.

Wildlife officials are alerting people to a diseased deer killed in Montgomery County.

A Sunday afternoon fishing trip led to a record-breaking catch from one Rockbridge man.

ROANOKE, Va. – Some of you out there planning to go on a boat ride this year will now be able to keep some extra money in your wallet. The Department of Wildlife Resources (DWR) announced Thursday that it’s extending the start date of a new boat ramp fee. The $23 annual fee, or $4 daily fee, was originally enacted on January 1 for people without a boating registration, fishing license, hunting license or access permit. By extending the fee’s start date to July 1, 2022, DWR said it now has the chance to talk with stakeholders and decide the best way to fund recreational access sites without putting economic pressures on outfitters, education providers and others. DWR hopes to meet with stakeholders within the next few months and then issue a report of the group’s findings by December 1.

BUCHANAN, Va. – People who want to hit Virginia’s waterways may have to pay more to do it this coming year. The Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources is charging new fees for using state access ramps. Those with a boat registered in Virginia, a hunting or fishing license, or other state access passes are exempt as they already pay into the system. In Buchanan, Twin River Outfitters does half its business with out-of-state tourists. Only the operator will be required to pay the access fee, meaning one fee for a tandem kayak, for example.

DANVILLE, Va. – One person is dead and another is hurt after a canoe overturned on the Dan River, police said. Danville Police Department Capt. Authorities said the grandson was treated by the Danville Life Saving Crew before he was taken to a local hospital. The life saving crew located and recovered Reynolds’ body via rescue boat. Along with the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources, the Danville life saving crew, police department and fire department all responded to this incident.