West Virginia Department of Natural Resources

March - April 2008
West Virginia Division of Natural Resources

2007 West Virginia Deer Harvest up 6%

CHARLESTON, WV — Preliminary counts of game checking tags indicate West Virginia hunters harvested a total of 145,577 white-tailed deer during the recently completed bucks-only, antlerless, muzzleloader, bow and youth deer seasons, according to Division of Natural Resources Director Frank Jezioro. This year’s total harvest was six percent above the 2006 deer harvest of 137,621. A total of 67,505 bucks, 43,684 antlerless season deer, 26,965 bow killed deer and 7,423 muzzleloader deer was taken during the 2007 season.

Antlerless Deer Season

The 2007 antlerless deer season, which includes the youth deer hunts, was 11 percent above 2006 due to the increase in bag limits and the number of counties open to antlerless deer hunting. “It is important to note that part of the deer management strategy is to harvest antlerless deer in counties exceeding the buck harvest objective and that is exactly what was accomplished in 2007,” said Jezioro. The top ten counties are: Preston (2,171), Mason (2,171), Monroe (2,123), Jackson (2,000), Ritchie (1,914), Wood (1,789), Harrison (1,615), Lewis (1,450), Upshur (1,371) and Wetzel (1,363).
“Continued doe harvests are the key to healthier, heavier, and more productive deer herds. We will continue to recommend appropriate antlerless harvests guided by our deer harvest management plan," Jezioro said. “Where deer populations have fallen below desired levels, more conservative antlerless harvests will be recommended. Appropriate antlerless deer harvests will benefit not only the deer herd, but all wildlife dependent on our state’s woodland habitat.”
The special two day October antlerless deer hunt in Hampshire County resulted in a harvest of 258 antlerless deer. For the second year in a row, rain and fog on the first day reduced hunter participation and harvest. Conditions slightly improved on the second day.
|
Muzzleloader Deer Season

The 2007 muzzleloader harvest of 7,423 was eight percent above the 2006 harvest. The increase in the harvest is attributed in part to the increased number of counties open to either sex muzzleloader hunting. Generally, the antlerless segment in the muzzleloader season accounts for 80 percent of the harvest. The top ten counties are: Braxton (394), Lewis (354), Preston (320), Greenbrier (307), Monroe (304), Upshur (270), Fayette (264), Jackson (246), Grant (239) and Mason (232).

Archery Deer Season

The bow hunters take of 26,965 deer was seven percent above the 2006 harvest of 25,301. The top ten counties are: Preston (1,167), Randolph (989), McDowell (941), Greenbrier (894), Wyoming (871), Nicholas (850), Fayette (826), Mason (792), Raleigh (778) and Wood (703).
To see the Buck, Antlerless, Muzzleloader, and Bow Harvest table, visit the WVDNR Web site news section at www.wvdnr.gov.

Coyote hunting – take the challenge

CHARLESTON, WV — Coyote hunting has become more popular with hunters in looking for a different challenge in West Virginia. The coyote population continues to grow throughout the state, so hunters have a great opportunity to practice their predator tracking and calling skills. There is a continuous open season for coyote during the day hours, and from January 1 through July 31 night hunting is legal with red or amber colored spotlights.
With prey being scarce in late winter, predators are generally more susceptible to varmint calls. Imitated distress cries of a rabbit or a mouse work well for coyotes this time of year. Predators might be a little easier to call in February, but hunters still need to be mindful of the wind and hide well in order to be successful.

Spring gobbler season – get ready now

CHARLESTON, WV — Now is a good time for hunters to get their gear ready for the upcoming spring gobbler hunting season in the Mountain State. The four-week gobbler season opens April 28 and closes May 24. Spring gobbler hunters should make sure they are prepared with proper clothing, a shotgun that is appropriately patterned, and adequate hunting gear (e.g., turkey calls, knife, rain gear, compass/GPS unit, matches, maps and a pencil for completing field tags).
A special one-day, youth spring gobbler hunt opens April 26, just prior to the regular Monday season opening. Youth participating in this hunt must be at least eight years of age and no more than 14 years old on the day of the season. The youth must be accompanied by a licensed adult of at least 21 years of age, who cannot carry a gun or bow and must remain close enough to render advice and assistance to the youngster. The only legal weapon that can be used by a youth hunter is a shotgun with shot sizes 4, 5 or 6.

Spring trout stocking begins

CHARLESTON, WV — Trout stocking began January 2 and continues through May 30 in West Virginia. Stockings will be completed as weather, road conditions and manpower allow.
Anglers fishing in the cold months are generally most successful using salmon eggs, worms and power bait. These baits should be fished near the bottom and with a very slow retrieve. Warm, dry clothing will make fishing more enjoyable and will reduce the danger of hypothermia. Because of possible icy conditions, anglers also should exercise caution along the edges of streams and lakes.
For up-to-date stocking information, anglers can call 304-558-3399 or visit www.wvdnr.gov. Stockings are listed every weekday afternoon of the day they occur, but are not listed in advance. The 2008 Fishing Regulations brochure has a listing of stocked waters, indicating the frequency of the stocking for each stream or lake. Please pay particular attention to catch and release dates on affected waters. Brochures are available at license agents or online at www.wvdnr.gov .

New licenses are required for 2008

CHARLESTON, WV — Hunting and fishing licenses are good for the calendar year in West Virginia. New licenses must be purchased at the beginning of each year to hunt or fish in the state. They may purchased at more than 350 retail agent locations throughout the state at www.wvhunt.com, www.wvfish.com, or by phoning 304-558-2758.

Donations Up for Hunters Helping the Hungry Program

CHARLESTON, WV — A total of 1,224 deer were donated to the Hunters Helping the Hungry (HHH) Program in 2007, exceeding last season’s total of 1,030, according to the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources (DNR).
DNR is reliant upon the collection and distribution of venison by Mountaineer Food Bank (Gassaway) & Huntington Food Bank. Two-pound packages of ground venison will continue to be distributed to participating food pantries, soup kitchens, senior centers and needy families throughout the state through the month of February. Although it is too late for non-enrolled food pantries, soup kitchens, or senior centers to receive venison this year, those interested are encourage to enroll early this year so they may receive deer in 2009. Contact Mountaineer Food Bank at (304) 364-5518 to discuss the application process needed to receive venison next season. Interested parties are reminded that there is a 60-day application review process.

“Although DNR is very grateful for hunter-donated deer, the HHH Program still requires monetary donations to offset processing and distribution costs,” said Westfall. DNR is restricted from using sportsmen’s license dollars to fund this program, and is completely dependent upon donations by concerned individuals, businesses, conservation organizations, foundations, and churches. “Without this funding, we simply could not continue the HHH Program,” said Westfall.
Anyone wishing to make a donation to the HHH Program, or wishing more information, should go to HHH Web page at: www.wvdnr.gov/Hunting/HHH.shtm, or contact Jerry Westfall at (304) 558-2771; or e-mail jerrywestfall@wvdnr.gov .

West Virginia Hunters Harvest Record 1,807 Bears in 2007

            CHARLESTON, WV — West Virginia bear hunters harvested a record 1,807 bears during the combined 2007 archery and firearms season, according to Frank Jezioro, Director of the Division of Natural Resources. This preliminary harvest data for the combined bear season is six percent higher than the 1,703 bears taken in 2006 and eclipses the previous record harvest of 1,730 bears established in 2003.

            "A number of different factors contributed to the record harvest of 2007,” said Jezioro. “The statewide spotty mast conditions helped archery hunters harvest the second highest archery harvest on record. The incredible bear population and average weather conditions in most of December enabled gun hunters to have their second highest harvest on record. In addition, hunters harvested bears in many non-traditional counties in the western, southern, and eastern portions of the state that added to the total."

            Gun hunters killed 1,071 bears, which is the second highest gun harvest on record. The top five gun counties were Randolph (141), Pocahontas (123), Pendleton (115), Greenbrier (85), and Webster (78).
            Archery hunters took 736 bears, which is 42 percent higher than the 2006 harvest. It ranks as the second highest archery harvest on record. The top five archery counties were Randolph (74), Webster (69), Greenbrier (54), Nicholas (50), and Preston (47).
(The county harvest figures can be found in the news section of the WVDNR Web site at www.wvdnr.gov .)