Chronic wasting disease detected in Roanoke, Floyd, Montgomery, Pulaski counties as Virginia releases new surveillance results. The disease affects deer, elk and moose and is described as a slow, progressive neurologic disease that is fatal to infected animals. The disease-causing agent, known as a prion, can spread through the urine, feces and saliva of infected animals, DWR said.

Charges are pending after a large poaching bust that took place in Pulaski County in Nov. 2025, the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources said.

Rudolph and the team are ready to hit the skies!

More than a dozen dead vultures were found at the corner of Dent and Franklin streets in Rocky Mount on December 2nd. Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources confirmed they tested positive for avian flu.

The Town of Blacksburg announced that the police department, along with the approval of the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources, will be conducting deer culling operations over the next few months.

Virginia’s general firearms deer season begins Saturday and hunters hoping to fill their freezers are reminded to be safe, courteous and have a detailed hunt plan by the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources.

Virginia’s general firearms deer season is set to begin on Saturday, Nov. 15, and there are plenty of things you need to be aware of before heading out to hunt.

Virginia officials urge backyard bird owners to strengthen biosecurity as wild waterfowl migration resumes this fall, amid concerns over Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI).

The investigation involved multiple agencies, including the ATF, U.S. Marshals Service, Radford Police Department, Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office, and others.

Pulaski County High School and the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources have been working together to improve Claytor Lake following the damage caused by Hurricane Helene in 2024.

The Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources is reminding people to stay sober and always wear a lifejacket when boating this summer season.

The Alleghany Sheriff’s Office announced Monday that they had charged a registered sex offender in South Carolina for using a communication system to facilitate offenses involving minors.

Jerry Hall reeled in a new record fallfish weighing 3 pounds, 13 ounces and measuring nearly 20 inches. Hall landed the record-breaking fish in the Jackson River near Covington.

The Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources announced Thursday that a new record fallfish weighing in at 3 pounds, 13 ounces and measuring nearly 20 inches was caught by a Lexington man.

A quiet night at home took a surprising turn for a woman in Bedford County this week when she came face to face with a black bear outside her window.

The Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources' popular Richmond Falcon Cam has returned for another season.

The Virginia Elk Hunt Lottery is now open until March 31., the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources announced Monday.

There is a lot of concern surrounding deer having chronic wasting disease, you may know it from photos and talk of “zombie deer” in the wild.

Thousands of pounds of debris are clogging Claytor Lake from Helene, and since the storm, crews have been constantly cleaning up to get it back to where it once was.

Three men are dead after a boat capsized in Halifax County Sunday, according to the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources.

A 23-year-old man drowned in Amherst County Thursday, according to the Amherst County Sheriff’s Office.

The Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources is alerting the public of a confirmed case of chronic wasting disease in an adult male deer legally harvested in Tazewell County.

Applications are open for the 2024 Elk Hunt Lottery, according to the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources.

Fall is here! Along with the beautiful colors and falling leaves comes an increased number of deer on the roadways.

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.