West Virginia Division of Natural Resources Story Archives

Buck Gun Season Begins Monday, Antlerless Deer Included

More than a quarter million hunters will take to the Mountain State woodlands for the two week firearm deer hunting season starting Monday.

More than a quarter million hunters will take to the Mountain State woodlands for the two week firearm deer hunting season starting Monday. This year, hunters again can purchase an additional license stamp to harvest one antlerless deer, along with one buck.

Paul Johansen, the Wildlife Resources chief for the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources, said deer hunting seasons are structured to achieve harvest objectives set for all 55 counties.

“The focus is making sure that the appropriate numbers of female deer are removed from the population,” Johansen said. “Virtually all of the counties in the state have their buck season running concurrently with the antlerless season. There are some exceptions, and hunters need to make sure that they’re aware of that.”

Johansen said hunters in Upshur, Mason, Jackson and Barbour counties are in this year’s observation station rotation. Hunters in these four counties are asked to bring their deer to a biological check station, where the data received will help better manage the deer population.

“We look at the overall health of the deer population,” Johansen said. “We look at reconstructing the population through age data, we look at a suite of different biological parameters that help us better manage the deer population.”

Johansen said overall deer harvest numbers vary from year to year, depending upon a range of conditions, with weather being one of the primary drivers of success. He said last year, the numbers were good.

“In 2022, we took close to 50,000,” Johansen said. “That’s just the buck firearm season component. We have antlerless deer that are harvested. We have deer that are taken during archery season and more from our muzzleloader season.”

Johansen said the two week buck gun season will generate more than $500 million in statewide economic impact.

“Many of those dollars are spent at the small town ‘mom and pop’ stores,” Johansen said. “Those rural communities really make West Virginia a special place and deer season is important for a number of reasons, not the least of which is the economic impact that it provides to those towns and villages.”

Regarding hunting safety, Johansen said the key issue, besides wearing the required amount of blaze orange, is to know exactly what and where you are shooting.

“Make sure you identify your target and what’s behind your target so you’re taking a safe shot,” Johansen said. “Identify the target and make sure that you get a safe backdrop, if you will, and you know what that bullet trajectory is going to be. Taking a course in hunter safety is a great idea as well.”

If you’re hunting from a tree stand, Johanson suggests wearing the proper safety harness. More deer hunters die from heart attacks than gunshots. Johansen said hunters need to have good overall health and common sense.

“Once a deer is shot, really the work just begins,” Johansen said. “Now you’ve got to field dress the deer and you’ve got to drag it out of the woods. Hopefully, they’ve prepared themselves and are in reasonably good shape. Every hunter should take their time. If you get winded when you’re dragging a deer out, just pause for a moment. Don’t be afraid to go ask for help.”

Here are West Virginia’s rules, regulations and safety tips for the 2023 buck firearms hunting season.

Deer Tests Positive For Rabies In Hampshire County

With archery and crossbow season underway across the state, officials with the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources remind hunters that all mammals, including white-tailed deer, are vulnerable to rabies.

A free roaming white-tailed deer has tested positive for rabies in Hampshire County.

The Hampshire County Health Department said on its Facebook page that it was notified about the deer by the West Virginia Department of Agriculture.

The county’s first confirmed case this year indicates that more animals are likely infected with the disease.

Hunters are advised to take precautions to prevent contracting the disease and immediately report suspected cases to the DNR.

Firearm deer hunting season in West Virginia begins on Nov. 20.

Boy Scouts Perform Service Projects In Return For Free Camping

Boy Scouts from the Buckskin Council in southern West Virginia will have the unique opportunity to camp for free in designated state parks in exchange for service projects.

Boy Scouts from the Buckskin Council in southern West Virginia will have the unique opportunity to camp for free in designated state parks. The council represents scouts in 40 counties across the south of West Virginia, as well as in neighboring states Ohio, Virginia and Kentucky.

In exchange, West Virginia Division of Natural Resources Director Brett McMillion said scouts will complete service projects in the parks such as trail maintenance. He said scouts have already helped with the newest Almost Heaven swing at Pipestem Resort State Park.

“Some of the more popular projects will relate to trails, whether it be new trail construction, upgrades to existing or even basic maintenance on trails,” McMillion said. “There will likely be some facility upgrades or renovations, such as painting, and we won’t get into any full blown construction projects, but they’ll really be able to do a variety of items.”

McMillion said scouts can be a resource for smaller parks that may not have the bigger budgets. He said the DNR is already in contact with other scout councils from across West Virginia to expand the program.

“We’re early into this program, but I see a lot of potential growing, I think there’s some badge opportunities,” McMillion said. “The scouts will be able to work with our naturalist or nature programming. Our state park system have absolutely opened their arms to this project, and it’ll give the scouts opportunities to learn more about our West Virginia state parks.”

Jeffrey Purdy is the scout executive for the Buckskin Council of the Boy Scouts of America. He said the current agreement is for Pipestem and North Bend parks, but it could be expanded to other state parks.

“The idea is that scouts would go to the park for the weekend, perhaps spend the weekend camp out, they may do a service project for the park, which is a part of the scouting program, doing service for others,” Purdy said. “Then the parks can also provide some program opportunities.”

The Boy Scouts own many private camps across West Virginia, but Purdy said they are hard to maintain.

“At the same time, the state does an excellent job of maintaining their state parks,” he said. “Those are well-maintained outdoor facilities available for the public. They’re looking for people to work in the park system, and people with scouting backgrounds, young people would be good candidates because of their knowledge and experience in the outdoors.”

McMillion also expressed a desire to see scouts develop through the burgeoning program into the state’s future parks leadership.

Free Fishing Weekend Planned June 10, 11

West Virginia’s Free Fishing Weekend will return June 10-11, 2023.

West Virginia’s Free Fishing Weekend will return June 10-11, 2023. It is part of a nationwide effort to make fishing more accessible to the public. During these two days, residents and nonresidents can fish for free in West Virginia’s public lakes, streams, and rivers without having to buy a license.

“As a lifelong angler, I know firsthand that fishing in West Virginia is one of the most joyous things you can do in this world,” Gov. Jim Justice said. “I want to encourage everyone to take advantage of this opportunity to try fishing out or to introduce someone you know to the sport we all love so much.”

West Virginia’s Free Fishing Weekend isn’t limited to giving new anglers a chance to try the sport out. People who have fished in the past but haven’t renewed their license in years are encouraged to participate.

“Whether you’re a seasoned angler or a beginner, our Free Fishing Weekend is a great time to cast a line and have some fun,” West Virginia Division of Natural Resources (WVDNR) Director Brett McMillion said. “We hope this event will encourage people to try fishing for the first time or to rekindle their love for the sport.”

As part of Free Fishing Weekend, the WVDNR will host its annual fishing derby for kids at Little Beaver State Park on June 10. The event gives children an opportunity to receive basic fishing instruction and to enjoy time outdoors with friends and family. The event is free to attend, but anglers will need to register to participate. Registration will take place on-site from 9-10:30 a.m. on the day of the derby.

Anglers who enjoy Free Fishing Days and want to continue fishing after this weekend can purchase or renew a fishing license at WVfish.com.

For more information about fishing opportunities in West Virginia, go to WVdnr.gov/fishing.

W.Va. Taking Applications For Controlled Deer Hunts

Applications are being accepted for controlled deer hunts at four state parks in West Virginia.

Hunters have until Wednesday to apply for the hunts this fall at Beech Fork, Cacapon Resort, North Bend and Twins Falls Resort state parks, the Division of Natural Resources said in a statement.

A drawing will be held on Thursday. Successful applicants will be notified between Sept. 6 and Sept. 16, the statement said.

The hunts are aimed at controlling the local deer population.

Applications for the hunts must be submitted online at wvhunt.com. Each entry costs $15. A DNR identification is required to enter the lottery.

W.Va. DNR Director Steve McDaniel Retiring

Steve McDaniel is retiring after five years as director of the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources.

Gov. Jim Justice said McDaniel will take on an advisory role to the DNR when he retires at the end of the month.

McDaniel said in a statement that he is stepping down to spend more time with his family.

Since McDaniel took over, more than $151 million has been invested for repairs and improvements at West Virginia state parks and forests, the statement from the governor’s office said. The state also has expanded its hunting areas and improved the restocking of fish into rivers and lakes.

Revenues from hunting and fishing licenses have increased for three consecutive years while state park revenues last year were 52% higher than when McDaniel took over, the statement said.