Virginia Farmers Battle Growing Wildlife Damage to Crops

Agricultural producers in Patrick and Henry counties, Virginia are experiencing escalating losses from bears and deer destroying their fields. Local farmers are pushing for extended hunting seasons and increased harvest limits to address the mounting wildlife pressure on crops.

AXTON, Va.—Agricultural producers throughout Southside Virginia are facing mounting financial losses as bears destroy corn crops and deer consume newly planted fields.

The wildlife challenges affecting Patrick and Henry county farmers have intensified over recent years, leading to a collaborative meeting between local producers and Department of Wildlife Resources representatives to address the escalating agricultural threats.

Farmers attending the discussion emphasized their need for expanded hunting seasons and higher harvest quotas, particularly advocating for greater flexibility in doe hunting programs that help manage deer populations.

“The main thing is we want our rifle and shotgun hunting seasons extended,” stated Darrell Jackson, who sits on the Henry County Farm Bureau board and organized the meeting.

Jackson, who previously cultivated crops in Henry County and currently rents out his agricultural land, witnesses producers repeatedly replanting soybeans throughout growing seasons due to wildlife interference.

“Deer will eat them as soon as they break the ground,” Jackson explained.

According to Jackson, bears target corn fields when ears reach the tender, immature stage, consuming multiple acres of crops during their feeding.

The wildlife interference drives up operational costs while restricting planting options for producers already managing unpredictable weather patterns, volatile market prices, expensive inputs, and shifting trade regulations, Jackson noted.

These challenges create additional obstacles for new and younger producers attempting to launch or grow their farming operations.

“There’s no chance if you’ve got to compete with the bear and deer,” Jackson observed, noting that residential gardeners and beekeeping operations face similar wildlife challenges.

Henry County livestock producer Darryl Holland described his alfalfa fields as “a salad bar for the deer,” with persistent grazing diminishing the forage needed for his cattle operations. Though bears don’t directly impact his livestock, Holland said neighboring corn crop losses “has been substantial.”

“We’re in an area where seeing a bear used to be a novelty,” Holland remarked, who also serves on Henry Farm Bureau’s board. “But in the last five to six years, they’re becoming more common.”

Jake Tabor, legislative specialist for Virginia Farm Bureau Federation, reported that producers also highlighted inconsistent hunting regulations between Patrick and Henry counties during the meeting, creating complications for those operating across multiple jurisdictions.

Department of Wildlife Resources representatives outlined how counties, residents, and farmers can influence hunting policy changes through proactive damage documentation, wildlife population reporting, and participation in public comment processes.

“There was a good-sized crowd,” Holland commented about the gathering. Both Holland and Jackson expressed satisfaction with the opportunity to voice concerns and explore potential solutions.

Officials encourage farmers to monitor DWR public comment periods for submitting crop damage feedback. Holland stressed the importance of accurate harvest reporting by hunters, as officials depend on this data to inform regulation decisions and develop effective management strategies.