Chronic Waste Disease (CWD) affects deer, moose, elk, and other animals alike. CWD, sometimes called the zombie disease, is a kind of prion disease. Prions are harmful proteins that affect the brain. The disease spreads to animals through direct or indirect contact with bodily fluids. Once the animal contracts it, the disease spreads to the spine and brain, eventually leading to death.
The Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources (DWR) has added Franklin, Roanoke, and Wythe counties to the three counties to the Disease Management Area 3 (DMA3) due to rising CWD. New findings of CWD around certain areas have also prompted the DWR to create a new Disease Management Area 4), which includes Bland, Smyth, and Tazewell counties. Since CWD has started rising again, the Virginia DWR has also begun mandatory CWD testing.
On Nov. 16, 2024, the DWR began mandatory CWD testing in Carroll, Franklin, and other counties. They’ve also added more counties to the list where feeding deer is banned year-round. These counties now include Bedford, Botetourt, Henry, Russell, Smyth, Tazewell, and Washington.
While Fluvanna is not one of the affected counties yet, it could be added in the future.
In other hunting changes, hunters can now purchase federal duck stamps online, whereas in the past you had to buy them from the game warden or by mail. They will be valid throughout the entire waterfowl hunting season. Physical federal duck stamps are no longer required to be on your person during the waterfowl hunting season. Physical copies of the federal duck stamps will be sent to mailing addresses after March 10, 2025.
Another change for the 2024-2025 hunting season is that you may now claim a bear, deer, elk, or turkey after coming into a collision with the animal during hunting season. You must receive a call from a conservation police officer (CPO), or another officer, who will provide you with a service or report number.
For more info on the latest in hunting regulations and requirements, see the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources.
