Beginning with the 2001-2002 season, the urban hunting dates would be from the third Saturday in September through the Friday prior to the first Saturday in October. Areas eligible for the hunt have the option of deciding whether or not they want it. If they don't, they must notify the DGIF prior to a May 1. The season can bring relief to urban areas that are overrun with deer, but don't be surprised if some heated debates erupt between citizens who want the season and those who think Bambi can do no harm. The risk here, some localities won't know they have a season until archers start stalking their neighborhoods.
Conflicts are certain, and none is likely to be good for hunting.
Tennessee also has started stocking elk, and animals released in that state can be expected to arrive in Virginia. The problem, elk are migrating into counties of Southwest Virginia where often there are buck's-only regulations. Virginia biologists want cow elk to be legal, as well as the bulls. For that to happen, the DGIF board proposed making elk of either sex legal targets in Virginia during any deer season. One board member argued that popping elk from an adjoining state isn't a good neighbor policy, but another said Kentucky and Tennessee weren't being good neighbors by releasing elk that they know will wander into Virginia where diseases and other problems could result.