The Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries (VDGIF) is responsible for the management of inland fisheries, wildlife, and recreational boating for the Commonwealth of Virginia. Virginians are encountering wild species more than ever before. Growing human populations sometimes modify or destroy important plant and animal habitat, threatening or endangering some species in the process. Other species are more able to live close to humans. While they may add interest to the local environment, they also can cause problems for their human neighbors.
In order to manage and protect Virginia’s wild animal and plant populations and serve the public interest, the VDGIF sets regulations and policies that protect plant and animal resources and regulate human actions. Some nuisance wildlife control actions you want to take will require a VDGIF permit or use of a professional nuisance wildlife control operator; however, many do not. Your VDGIF regional office is the first place to call when a permit is required.
Not all of the management techniques on this site may be legal or applicable to Virginia. To assist individuals in addressing human-wildlife conflicts, the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries provides state-specific, single-source, scientific-based information on managing wildlife conflicts through the Virginia Wildlife Conflict Helpline 855.571.9003 and our website https://www.dgif.virginia.gov/wildlife/nuisance. These resources are designed to provide practical, site-specific options for addressing conflicts, address questions about the legality of certain management practices in Virginia, and afford a direct person-to-person alternative for answering questions.
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