Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources: Difference between revisions
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The '''Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources''' is a department of the government of the [[U.S. state]] of [[Virginia]] that regulates [[wildlife conservation]].<ref |
The '''Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources''' is a department of the government of the [[U.S. state]] of [[Virginia]] that regulates [[wildlife conservation]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=Va Code 29.1-109|url=https://law.lis.virginia.gov/vacode/title29.1/chapter1/section29.1-109/}}</ref> |
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==History== |
==History== |
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The Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries was created on June |
The '''Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries''' was created on June 17, 1916, under the [[Virginia Marine Resources Commission|Commission of Fisheries]] with M.D. "Mac" Hart appointed as Secretary of the Department. A Virginia hunting license was established as one of the primary sources of funding as the agency is fully self-sufficient and receiving no financial support from the state treasury. From 1903 until this point the Game Wardens had been administered by each locality. In 1920, the first Virginia State Game Farm of 1200 acres was established at Windsor Shades in [[New Kent County, Virginia|New Kent County]]. In 1923, Mrs B. M. Miller and Mrs. C. E. Sykes are recognized among Virginia's first women game wardens. In 1926, the Department was separated from the Commission of Fisheries and reorganized into the '''Commission of Game and Inland Fisheries''' chaired by A. Willis Robertson. In 1928 the Commission of Game and Inland Fisheries was given sole authority to shorten hunting seasons, removing the privilege from the localities to adjust their own season. In 1982, Virginia Game Wardens were given full law enforcement authority. In 1987, the commission's name returns to become the '''Department of Game and Inland Fisheries'''. |
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On July 1, 2020, the Department's name was changed to '''Department of Wildlife Resources'''.<ref name="Dunovant">Jason Dunovant, [https://newsadvance.com/news/local/department-of-game-and-inland-fisheries-to-get-a-new-name/article_8a120248-94b0-5e64-abf0-78551f323919.html Department of Game and Inland Fisheries to get a new name], ''The News & Advance'' (June 22, 2020).</ref><ref>Bryan McKenzie, [https://www.dailyprogress.com/news/local/local-legislators-see-gun-mental-health-insurance-voting-bills-become-law/article_9e77534c-721c-5527-9302-96421a185210.html Local legislators see gun, mental health, insurance, voting bills become law], ''Daily Progress'' (July 3, 2020).</ref> |
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== Mission == |
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VDWR's mission[1] is to: |
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* '''Conserve''' and manage wildlife populations and habitat for the benefit of present and future generations. |
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* '''Connect''' people to Virginia’s outdoors through boating, education, fishing, hunting, trapping, wildlife viewing, and other wildlife-related activities. |
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* '''Protect''' people and property by promoting safe outdoor experiences and managing human-wildlife conflicts. |
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== Powers == |
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Under Virginia Code Section 29.1-109 the Director of Wildlife Resources has the power to:[2] |
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* Enforce or cause to be enforced all laws for the protection, propagation, and preservation of game birds and game animals of the Commonwealth and all fish in the inland waters thereof |
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* Initiate prosecution of all persons who violate such laws, and seize and confiscate wild birds, wild animals, and fish that have been illegally killed, caught, transported or shipped. |
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* Enter into reciprocal or mutual aid agreements with other states pertaining to the enforcement of laws across state boundaries, |
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* Employ persons necessary for the administrative requirements of the Board and to designate the official position and duties of each, |
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* Perform such acts as may be necessary to the conduct and establishment of cooperative fish and wildlife projects with the federal government, |
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* Make and enter into all contracts and agreements necessary or incidental to the performance of his duties and the execution of his powers. |
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==Conservation police officers == |
==Conservation police officers == |
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[[Image:VA - Conservation Police.jpg|thumb|right|200px|Conservation Police patch]] |
[[Image:VA - Conservation Police.jpg|thumb|right|200px|Conservation Police patch]] |
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The [[law enforcement officer]]s of the department have the title [[Conservation officer|conservation police officer]].<ref name=ConservationPolice>[https://dwr.virginia.gov/conservation-police Conservation Police], Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources.</ref> Conservation police officers enforce Virginia laws relating to hunting, fishing, and boating; conduct patrols in cars, aircraft, [[all-terrain vehicle]]s, and [[boat]]s, and on foot; and investigate tips from the public. Virginia conservation police officers are also appointed as deputy [[U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service]] [[special agent]]s, which allows them to investigate (and cross state lines to investigate) suspected violations of federal wildlife laws.<ref name=ConservationPolice/> Virginia game wardens were first appointed in 1903. The title was changed to "conservation police officer" in 2007.<ref name=ConservationPolice/> |
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The law enforcement officers of VDWR carry the official title of [[Conservation officer|Conservation Police Officer]]. The official title was ''Game Warden'' prior to July 1, 2007. [[Game warden|Conservation police officers]] from the Law Enforcement Division of VDWR have full police powers but focus on enforcing Virginia's wildlife and boating laws in the state's numerous fields, forests, and waterways. Usually a single officer is assigned to work in a county or city. There are some exceptions, depending on the needs of the community. Conservation officers assist each other in adjacent counties within their work areas. They also work with local law enforcement agencies when performing manhunts, search and rescue, and other endeavors. Conservation Police Officers are fully certified officers through the Department of Criminal Justice Services, with the authority to enforce all of the laws of Virginia. As Deputy US Fish and Wildlife Special Agents, they may also conduct investigations and cross state lines when violations of federal wildlife laws have been committed. |
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Since the establishment of the department, |
Since the establishment of the department, eleven officers have died while on duty. In the 1920s and 1930s, five game wardens died from gunfire, and two game wardens died from drowning/pneumonia. Two additional officers were fatally shot in 1952 and 1960. On December 19, 1972, two game wardens died in an aircraft accident.<ref>[http://odmp.org/agency/4052-virginia-department-of-game-and-inland-fisheries-virginia Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries, Virginia, Fallen Officers<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> |
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==See also== |
==See also== |
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* [[List of law enforcement agencies in Virginia]] |
* [[List of law enforcement agencies in Virginia]] |
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* [[Virginia Wildlife Management Areas]] |
* [[Virginia Wildlife Management Areas]] |
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* [[List of |
* [[List of state and territorial fish and wildlife management agencies in the United States]] |
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==References== |
==References== |
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{{State agencies of Virginia}} |
{{State agencies of Virginia}} |
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{{authority control}} |
{{authority control}} |
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[[Category:State agencies of Virginia|Wildlife Resources, Department of]] |
[[Category:State agencies of Virginia|Wildlife Resources, Department of]] |
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[[Category:State environmental protection agencies of the United States]] |
[[Category:State environmental protection agencies of the United States]] |
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[[Category:State law enforcement agencies of Virginia|Wildlife Resources, Department of]] |
[[Category:State law enforcement agencies of Virginia|Wildlife Resources, Department of]] |
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[[Category:1916 establishments in Virginia]] |
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Latest revision as of 10:12, 27 September 2023
The Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources is a department of the government of the U.S. state of Virginia that regulates wildlife conservation.[1]
History
[edit]The Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries was created on June 17, 1916, under the Commission of Fisheries with M.D. "Mac" Hart appointed as Secretary of the Department. A Virginia hunting license was established as one of the primary sources of funding as the agency is fully self-sufficient and receiving no financial support from the state treasury. From 1903 until this point the Game Wardens had been administered by each locality. In 1920, the first Virginia State Game Farm of 1200 acres was established at Windsor Shades in New Kent County. In 1923, Mrs B. M. Miller and Mrs. C. E. Sykes are recognized among Virginia's first women game wardens. In 1926, the Department was separated from the Commission of Fisheries and reorganized into the Commission of Game and Inland Fisheries chaired by A. Willis Robertson. In 1928 the Commission of Game and Inland Fisheries was given sole authority to shorten hunting seasons, removing the privilege from the localities to adjust their own season. In 1982, Virginia Game Wardens were given full law enforcement authority. In 1987, the commission's name returns to become the Department of Game and Inland Fisheries.
On July 1, 2020, the Department's name was changed to Department of Wildlife Resources.[2][3]
Conservation police officers
[edit]
The law enforcement officers of the department have the title conservation police officer.[4] Conservation police officers enforce Virginia laws relating to hunting, fishing, and boating; conduct patrols in cars, aircraft, all-terrain vehicles, and boats, and on foot; and investigate tips from the public. Virginia conservation police officers are also appointed as deputy U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service special agents, which allows them to investigate (and cross state lines to investigate) suspected violations of federal wildlife laws.[4] Virginia game wardens were first appointed in 1903. The title was changed to "conservation police officer" in 2007.[4]
Since the establishment of the department, eleven officers have died while on duty. In the 1920s and 1930s, five game wardens died from gunfire, and two game wardens died from drowning/pneumonia. Two additional officers were fatally shot in 1952 and 1960. On December 19, 1972, two game wardens died in an aircraft accident.[5]
See also
[edit]
- List of law enforcement agencies in Virginia
- Virginia Wildlife Management Areas
- List of state and territorial fish and wildlife management agencies in the United States
References
[edit]- ^ "Va Code 29.1-109".
- ^ Jason Dunovant, Department of Game and Inland Fisheries to get a new name, The News & Advance (June 22, 2020).
- ^ Bryan McKenzie, Local legislators see gun, mental health, insurance, voting bills become law, Daily Progress (July 3, 2020).
- ^ a b c Conservation Police, Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources.
- ^ Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries, Virginia, Fallen Officers
External links
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