The state’s Wildlife Resources Department plans to fully transition big game checking to electronic and telephone checking at the beginning of the 2021-22 hunting season, as of September 1, 2021.
All hunters, including those who are not required to purchase a license, who harvest a deer, turkey, bear, bobcat or elk, will need to check their harvest by calling (866) 468- 4263 [(866)GOT-GAME], by using the mobile app harvest reporting system, GoOutdoorsVa which is free through the app store, or by logging on to the website.
Since 2004, DWR has offered some form of electronic harvest reporting, and beginning in 2019, electronic harvest reporting options were available for all game species for which reporting is required.
Last hunting season, 86% of all deer, 93% of fall turkeys, 100% of spring turkeys, 100% of bobcats, and 58% of all bears were reported through an electronic harvest reporting system.
Mandatory game checking, a cornerstone of DWRs game management program for more than 70 years, will remain vital for game management in Virginia for many years to come. It is critical that every hunter report their harvest using the electronic or telephone harvest reporting systems.
DWR recognizes traditions associated with paper checking and game check stations and is grateful to check station operators for their decades of service collecting the harvest data that has supported restoration of our deer, bear, and turkey populations. While moving to an electronic/telephonic check system will no longer necessitate official “check stations”, those operators who wish to continue offering this service to hunters may do so by assisting with electronic or telephonic checking.
DWR remains committed to a harvest reporting system that is convenient to hunters, obtains reliable data, and maintains the public’s trust in information that is of critical importance to sound wildlife management.
For more information on this change, consult the Electronic Game Harvesting FAQ.
Hunters who have questions or need additional information can email gamecheck@dwr.virginia.gov.