State: VA

Why It Matters: Despite the importance of young forests to a variety of wildlife species, young forests and other early successional habitats comprise less than 1% of the George Washington National Forest. Implementation of the Archer Knob Project is critical to reversing the habitat loss and declines in wildlife, including species pursued by Virginia’s hunters…

Why It Matters: Early successional habitats are lacking on George Washington and Jefferson National Forests, and the scarcity of these critical habitats for wildlife negatively impacts hunting traditions as game populations have declined because of reduced active forest management treatments. Supporting these projects is important for creating habitat that supports game and nongame wildlife and…

Why It Matters: Governor Youngkin’s membership in the GSC expands the network of pro-sportsmen elected officials in Virginia, including members of the Congressional Sportsmen’s Caucus and the Virginia Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus, who are committed to advancing and protecting outdoor sporting traditions in the Commonwealth. Highlights: On September 23, Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin became the newest…

Contact: John Culclasure, Southeastern States Director Why It Matters: Sunday hunting restrictions are Blue Laws with no basis in wildlife management that restrict only one user-group, hunters, from accessing public lands on Sundays. Repealing Sunday hunting restrictions has been a top priority for the Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation (CSF), the Sunday Hunting Coalition, and in-state partners,…

Contact: John Culclasure, Southeastern States Director Why It Matters: The passage of the Sunday hunting legislation is a huge win for the Virginia sportsmen’s community, working with the Virginia Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus, to provide seven-day access on more than 2 million acres of public land. The defeat of the anti-trapping bills and the predator hunting…

 Contact: John Culclasure, Southeastern States Assistant Director Why It Matters: Senate Bill 8 is the fourth public lands Sunday hunting bill introduced in three years. The legislation passed the Senate 29-11 on January 24, and the Committee and House of Delegates were the final hurdles before the bill could be sent to the Governor’s desk….

Contact: John Culclasure, Southeastern States Assistant Director Why it Matters: After public lands Sunday hunting legislation died in committee the last two years, Senate passage of SB 8 signals the winds of change may be coming for sportsmen and women wishing to hunt public lands on Sundays. SB 8, patroned by Senator Chap Petersen, would…

Contact: John Culclasure, Southeastern States Assistant Director Highlights Why It Matters: The Virginia Board of Wildlife Resources’ adoption of the resolution expressing support for allowing Sunday hunting on public lands sends a strong message to the Virginia General Assembly as legislation to remove the prohibition on public lands Sunday hunting is considered. In the last two…

Contact: John Culclasure, Southeastern States Assistant Director On January 4, Virginia Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus Co-Chair Delegate James Edmunds introduced legislation that would permit Sunday hunting on public lands. The legislation is co-sponsored by Delegate Rodney Willett. Specifically, HB 1799 would expand the exception to the prohibition against hunting or killing any wild bird or wild animal,…

Contact: John Culclasure, Southeastern States Assistant Director Under the leadership of Senator Emmett Hanger and Delegate James Edmunds, the Virginia Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus (Caucus) met regularly during the 2020 legislative session to discuss issues impacting sportsmen and women in the Commonwealth.  Over the course of the session, the Caucus held eight meetings where Caucus members heard presentations from the…

Contact: John Culclasure, Southeastern States Assistant Director  Virginia’s 2020 legislative session concluded with pro-sportsmen’s bills signed into law.  Management of Menhaden Fishery  On March 8, legislation was signed into law that transfers authority to manage Atlantic menhaden from the legislature to the Virginia Marine Resources Commission. Menhaden are important forage food for many recreationally important species, and…

Contact: John Culclasure, Southeastern States Assistant Director On February 27, legislation that would transfer authority from the legislature to the Virginia Marine Resources Commission to manage Atlantic menhaden, cleared its final hurdle in the House of Delegates before advancing to Governor Northam’s desk. Governor Northam is expected to sign the legislation which will enable the…