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Hunters killed fewer deer during Morgantown’s 2014 urban archery hunt than they did the previous year.
The city said Thursday that 105 deer were killed during the four-month hunt that ended Dec. 31. That’s down from 137 deer killed in 2013.
Local shelters and kitchens received 853 pounds of ground venison from 35 deer donated during the 2014 hunt.
Registration for a lottery for new hunters will begin March 1 and run through March 31.
Streams and lakes across West Virginia will be stocked with about 42,000 pounds of trout during the next two weeks.
The West Virginia Division of Natural Resources began its fall trout stockings on Tuesday. Trout stockings will continue next week. Nine lakes and 25 streams will be stocked.
Wildlife resources chief Curtis Taylor says in a news release that information about trout stockings will be posted first on the DNR’s Facebook page, www.facebook.com/wildlifewv , at 2:30 p.m. each day. The information will be posted on the DNR’s website, www.wvdnr.gov, and on the Fishing Hotline, 304-558-3399, an hour later.
Governor Earl Ray Tomblin named new heads for two sections of the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources. Sam England will be the new chief of the Parks and Recreation section of the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources, and Jerry Jenkins is the chief of the Law Enforcement section.
A news release from the Governor’s office says each has more than 30 years of public service. Commerce Secretary, Keith Burdette thinks that both men have the talent, skills, and motivation to move the Division of Natural Resources to the next level.
England has a wildlife biology degree and has worked in various parks around the state including North Bend and Stonewall Jackson. Jenkins has a forestry degree and has served as a natural resources police officer.
England and Jenkins fill the positions left by the recent retirements of State Parks Chief Ken Caplinger and Col. David Murphy.
Jenkins was sworn in yesterday, and England will assume his post Friday, July 25th.
A board asked to produce a list of animals that are illegal to keep as pets in West Virginia plans to amend an earlier list after receiving public comments.
The original list developed by the Wild and Dangerous Animal Board includes chimpanzees, crocodiles, giraffes, elephants, piranha, and several types of pythons. But it also includes some types of birds, turtles, tetra fish and geckos.
The Charleston Gazette reports the board Thursday decided to have a subcommittee work on a compromise.
The law passed this year clamps down on new animals brought into West Virginia. Residents who already own creatures on the list can keep them if they get a board permit, pay a fee and not breed or replace the animals.
The comment period ends Aug. 1.
Hunters can apply for a controlled deer hunt at the National Radio Astronomy Observatory site in Green Bank.
The Division of Natural Resources says a drawing will be held for the hunt, which will be conducted in four areas on Oct. 17 and 18. Applications are due by Aug. 1 and are available at DNR district offices or at the observatory.
The hunting areas will be designated for bow, muzzleloader and shotgun, or muzzleloader only.
The maximum limit is one doe per day. Five hunters also will be selected from a lottery to hunt for deer of either sex. These deer don’t count toward the hunters’ annual limit.
Participants must have hunting licenses or have exemptions from purchasing them. Deer must be taken to a checking station on site.
The West Virginia Wildlife Center in French Creek has announced its newest resident: a female bison calf. The calf, born Friday, May 2, joins the many…
The West Virginia Wildlife Center in French Creek has announced its newest resident: a female bison calf. The calf, born Friday, May 2, joins the many animals native to West Virginia that are on display at the Wildlife Center.
“A bison calf can walk almost immediately after birth, albeit a bit wobbly,” said Rob Silvester, wildlife biologist for the Wildlife Center in a news release. “It will begin to nurse within minutes as well. The calf will nurse for four to six months before beginning to nibble on grass and grain.”
According to the West Virginia Wildlife Center, Bison once were found in large numbers in West Virginia and across North America, but now are mostly found in captivity for display purposes or on public lands and ranches. They can weigh as much as 2,400 pounds when fully grown. The Wildlife Center has several adult bison as part of the facility’s exhibit.
“This is a great opportunity for the public to see a bison calf,” Silvester said. “If you want to see one in the wild you’d have to go out west. This is a big event for the Wildlife Center and we hope people will visit us over the spring and summer to help us celebrate.”