ROANOKE, Va. (WFXR) – Here is a round-up of the latest outdoor news from across southwest and central Virginia.
Road Kill Bill
A proposal to allow anyone to harvest a deer, bear, or turkey killed by a vehicle on Virginia roadways has passed both houses of the Virginia General Assembly, and now moves to Governor Glenn Youngkin for his signature.
Under current law, only the person who struck the animal was able to claim it. If the governor signs it into law, as long as the harvest was reported to law enforcement or a Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources Conservation Police officer, any person can take a deer, bear, or turkey killed by a vehicle.
Aside from keeping a valuable resource from going to waste, the bill will help alleviate some of the court burden brought on by people illegally harvesting road-killed game. Lawmakers say enough people were being charged with what was essentially a victimless crime, that the law needed to be changed.
Skunked!
Outdoors Bound heard from a viewer wanting to know why there are so many dead skunks on area roadways. It is because it is skunk mating season and the animals are more active. Skunk mating season happens in February and March.
Elk Hunt Lottery
Applications are now open for Virginia’s annual managed elk hunt lottery. The herd is located in the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources Elk Management Zone. That is an area in Wise, Buchanan, and Dickensen Counties. Applications close March 30. There are five licenses available. The hunt will take place in October.
Smith Mountain Lake Cleanup
The Smith Mountain Lake “Take Pride” Annual Cleanup is scheduled for May 4. The event will happen at various locations around the lake. It gives volunteers the chance to help Smith Mountain Lake beautiful.
