Outdoors Bound Notes: Deer, Bear, and Turkey Harvest Numbers

ROANOKE, Va. (WFXR) – Here is a round-up of the latest outdoor news from across southwest and central Virginia.

Turkeys and Deer and Bears! Oh My!

The harvest numbers are on fall turkey, deer, and bear hunting harvest in Virginia

The Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources (DWR) reports turkey numbers were down by 11% in Fall 2023. The DWR show 1,443 turkeys were reported taken.

There are a few factors involved in the decline. Turkey numbers in the wild are down due to poor recruitment the last two years. The DWR says weather in the spring during those years is partly to blame. The DWR also says many hunters have decided to wait until spring to use their turkey tags for spring, and to pursue other game in the fall.

Deer harvest numbers were up 12%. The DWR reports 206,586 deer were taken. That is a rebound from the year prior when numbers were down.

Bear harvest way up by 29.6% in the fall, but still down from the the five year average. However, the DWR says numbers are strong. Biologists say a weak acorn crop is a major factor in the rising harvest numbers. A lack of acorns forced black bears to range wider to find food, and that put them into contact with more hunters.

Fishing Interference Bill

A bill to increase penalties for interfering with commercial fishing operations in Virginia is being considered by lawmakers in Richmond. House Bill 928 would stiffen fines, include jail time, and take away hunting, fishing, and other licenses from anyone intentionally harassing a commercial fishing operation.

One example is video shown to lawmakers from last September when a man on a jet ski rode between two Omega Protein net boats. Authorities say the man put himself and the crews of those boats at risk. He eventually was found guilty and paid a $500 fine.

Proponents of the bill say stiffer penalties are needed to deter intentional interference. A number of commercial fishing operators and watermen say they have been the target of harassment in the past.

Fight Fire With Fire

The U.S. Forest Service is preparing for prescribed burns in the George Washington and Thomas Jefferson National Forests. Roughly 40,000 acres could be affected.

The burns are a means to prevent forest fires by depriving them of the fuel they need. Prescribed burns are conducted by trained professionals. They take out overgrowth and underbrush. Periodic controlled burns also improve habitat for a variety of wildlife including deer, bear, and gamebirds.

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