Officials Make Changes to State's Hunting Regulations

The West Virginia Division of Natural Resources has made several changes to the state’s hunting regulations.

The Charleston Gazette-Mail reports that the changes will alter the hunting seasons of squirrels and turkeys and will redefine the meaning of bear baiting.

Division of Natural Resources wildlife chief Paul Johansen says the hunting seasons of turkeys will be open for at least one week in all of the state’s 55 counties instead of only a handful of them.

Additionally, the department has lengthened the hunting season of squirrels. Instead of ending on Jan. 31, the season will now end on Feb. 28.

The definition of bear baiting has also been clarified. The new definition states that bait includes, but isn’t limited to, grains, animal carcasses and other edible enticements.