Tag: The West Virginia Division of Natural Resources

West Virginia Ups Reimbursement for Hunter Food Program

Meat processors participating in the Hunters Helping the Hungry program are getting a larger reimbursement from the state.

The Division of Natural Resources says the reimbursement has been increased from $1.45 per pound of processed venison to $2 per pound. The change went into effect with the 2015 deer seasons.

The increase is funded by a grant from the nonprofit Governor’s One Shot, Inc. The group organizes an annual fundraising event, the Governor’s One Shot Whitetail Hunt, to support the food program.

West Virginia Elk Restoration Could Begin in 2016

A new elk management plan released by the Division of Natural Resources calls for the agency to acquire and stock 150 elk in seven southwestern counties by 2019. The plan assumes that some elk will be available by the spring of 2016.

Natural Resources wildlife chief Paul Johansen told The Charleston Gazette-Mail that the agency hopes to obtain elk from Kentucky but no agreement has been reached.

Johansen says Kentucky’s elk have adapted well to the Appalachian landscape. But he wouldn’t rule out pursuing commitments from other states.

Under the plan, the elk would be contained in a management zone in Boone, Lincoln, Logan, McDowell, Mingo, Wayne and Wyoming counties.

West Virginia’s last native elk was killed around 1875.  

Hunters Must Use Electronic Game Checking System

Officials are reminding hunters that they must use a new electronic game system to report their harvested animals this buck firearms season.

The West Virginia Division of Natural Resources says hunters can report their game by using their DNR identification number and calling 1-844-wvcheck. 

They can also do it online at wvhunt.com or visit a hunting and fishing license agent. Hunters will get a 13-digit number that they have to write on a tag attached to the animal.

Lifetime license holders should already have a DNR number and can find it at www.wvhunt.com. People who bought an annual license will find their number on the top left corner of their card. People who don’t yet have a number can get one at www.wvhunt.com.

Buck firearms season extends through Dec. 5.

Hunters Can Donate Deer to Program to Feed Families

West Virginia’s Division of Natural Resources says hunters can donate deer to a program that benefits needy families.

Hunters can deliver legally harvested deer to the nearest meat processor participating in the Hunters Helping the Hungry program. A list of processors is available at www.wvdnr.gov/Hunting/HHH.shtm .

Venison is deboned, ground and frozen in two-pound packages. Food banks pick up the venison and distribute it to more than 500 food programs throughout West Virginia.

Since its inception in 1992, Hunters Helping the Hungry has provided nearly 900,000 pounds of venison for more than 1.2 million family-style meals.

Permits for Limited Hunting Seasons Have Been Mailed

West Virginia hunters who were selected to participate in this year’s limited antlerless deer and bear firearms seasons should be receiving their permits any day now.

Paul Johansen, chief of the Division of Natural Resources Wildlife Resources Section, says the permits have been mailed. The permits will provide 2,220 antlerless deer hunters and 2.995 bear hunters an opportunity to help wildlife biologists meet management objectives in designated areas of the state.

Hunters also can see if they were selected for a permit by logging on to their account at www.wvhunt.com . Johansen said applicants can click on “Enter Lottery” on their home screen, and those who were selected will see the word “picked” in the box beside that respective hunt.

State Obtains Land in McDowell County for Elk Restoration

The Division of Natural Resources has obtained 4,300 acres in McDowell County for an elk restoration program.

Natural Resources director Robert Fala tells the Bluefield Daily Telegraph that the state is leasing the land near the Tug Fork Wildlife Management Area, roughly between Welch and Roderfield.

Fala says the land won’t be restricted to elk. He says it will be open for other public recreation, such as deer and turkey hunting.

The DNR hopes to bring elk from neighboring Kentucky to restore West Virginia’s herd within the next couple of years.

Fala says Kentucky allows only 50 elk to leave the state per year, and Wisconsin is ahead of West Virginia on a waiting list.

West Virginia’s last native elk was killed around 1875.

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