WV DNR Story Archives - West Virginia Public Broadcasting

French Creek Freddie Given Federal Reprieve, Will Forecast Friday

A one-day clearance from federal officials will allow French Creek Freddie to make his shadow-based prediction Friday, Feb. 2.

Note: This is a developing story and may be updated.

A one-day clearance from federal officials will allow French Creek Freddie to make his shadow-based prediction Friday, Feb. 2.

Initial reports Wednesday stated that the West Virginia State Wildlife Center would be closed Friday due to issues with the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service’s annual relicensing procedure.

However, on Thursday morning Sen. Joe Manchin sent out a press release stating U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack assured him “that French Creek Freddie will have the opportunity to look for his shadow tomorrow morning.”

The press release went on to say work continues to fully reopen the wildlife center.

Shortly after, Gov. Jim Justice also sent out a press release with details about Friday’s ceremony.

According to the release, the celebration is scheduled for tomorrow, Friday, February 2, at 10:00 a.m., when French Creek Freddie will emerge to reveal whether an early spring is on the way or if winter will continue for another six weeks. Members of the public are invited to attend at 9:50 a.m. for the opening ceremony.

The event will also be live-streamed on Justice’s YouTube page.

USDA Temporarily Closes State Wildlife Center, No French Creek Freddie This Year

With Groundhog Day on Friday, Feb. 2, fans of animal meteorology were dealt a blow Wednesday.

Punxsutawney Phil may be the most popular weather-predicting groundhog, but French Creek Freddie is the local favorite. However, fans will not have a chance to watch the four-legged forecaster this year as the West Virginia State Wildlife Center where Freddie lives is closed indefinitely and the Groundhog Day Ceremony is canceled.

During his regular briefing Wednesday, Gov. Jim Justice explained that the closure was related to an issue with a fence.

“Our state Wildlife Center in French Creek is temporarily closed due to an abrupt decision by the USDA to no longer recognize an indefinite variance, on a secondary committed containment fence that was issued 24 years ago,” he said.

In a press release after the briefing, Justice clarified that the abrupt decision was part of the USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service’s annual relicensing procedure. As the relicensing process and inspection are pending approval, the Wildlife Center is unable to exhibit animals and will be closed to the public until a new license is secured.

Justice says this, along with a challenge by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to the state’s trout stocking program are “a move by folks that are trying to punish states.”

“I’m calling on President Biden to stop this all-out war on West Virginia by his federal agencies,” Justice said in his press release. “It’s so blatantly targeted at our state and our people because we happen to disagree on political issues. It’s just plain wrong.”

According to the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources, Freddie’s weather-predicting career got its start in 1978, when former West Virginia State Wildlife Center Superintendent Bill Vanscoy responded to a reporter on Groundhog Day if there was a groundhog on site and if it had seen its shadow. Freddie can be viewed year-round once the facility re-opens.

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.

Governor Issues Outdoor Burning Ban

To reduce the risk of catastrophic wildfires due to drought, Gov. Jim Justice has banned all outdoor burning throughout West Virginia, effective Monday, April 17, 2023.

Dry and windy weather conditions expected in the coming days and an increasing potential for forest fires prompted the move. The National Weather Service – Charleston issued a Special Weather Statement for a High Fire Danger Threat.

The ban will be in effect until conditions improve and the governor rescinds the order by further proclamation.

The order makes it unlawful for any person in the state to engage in outdoor burning, including fires built for camping, the burning of debris, or warming.

The following items are excluded from the restrictions:

Fires for the purpose of chemical production, where fire is essential to operation.
Fires for commercial land-clearing, such as mining, highway construction, and development provided that a permit is obtained from the Division of Forestry prior to burning.
Training fires conducted under the direct control and supervision of qualified instructors at a training facility operated by a fire department or government entity provided that a permit is obtained from the Division of Forestry prior to burning.
Fires for outdoor cooking conducted for fund-raising events and charitable organizations provided that a water source capable of extinguishing the fire is present and a permit is obtained from the Division of Forestry prior to the operation.
Liquid fueled gas grills, lanterns or liquid-fueled gas fire stoves.

Justice has instructed the Division of Forestry to enact a forest fire readiness plan and to enforce the ban on burning as outlined in W.Va. Code §20-1-1, et seq.

“This year, we have experienced a significant period of low humidity and below average rainfall,” Acting West Virginia Division of Forestry Director and State Forester Tony Evans said. “Since Jan. 1, we have experienced 654 different fires in the state, and a current total of 4,121 acres burned. This ban helps ensure we are doing everything we can to protect the public, our forests, and private property from the damage that can occur from a forest fire.”

The order directs the Division of Forestry and the Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management to provide continuous information to the governor and the public regarding forest conditions.

Additionally, the proclamation orders the Division of Natural Resources, the Office of the State Fire Marshal, the Department of Homeland Security, and the State Police to cooperate in the enforcement of this ban.

View the full proclamation.

DNR Gets New K9 Units And A Raise

As part of the 125th anniversary celebration of the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources Law Enforcement Division, Gov. Jim Justice announced six new K9 units and a $6,000 raise.

As part of the 125th anniversary celebration of the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources (WVDNR) Law Enforcement Division, Gov. Jim Justice had two big announcements Tuesday.

First, he announced that the force is receiving six new K9 units. The officers and their dog partners were introduced at a ceremony at the West Virginia Culture Center Tuesday.

Second, in a surprise statement, the governor said all DNR officers will receive a $6,000 raise.

The wage increase will take effect immediately and will apply to all active WVDNR Police officers and new hires going forward. It will be paid for through an already-funded special revenue account.

“Our WVDNR Police officers do an incredible job every day protecting our state’s natural resources and keeping our state parks and forests, wildlife management areas, lakes, rivers and streams safe for folks to enjoy,” Justice said. “They deserve to be compensated for the hard work and dedication they put in day in and day out, and I am proud to announce this pay raise, which I believe will help us attract and retain the best and brightest to this important role.”

WVDNR Police officers are responsible for enforcing the state’s game and fish laws and rules relating to littering, forestry, state parks, environmental and solid waste, pleasure boating and whitewater rafting.

They also police the Hatfield-McCoy Trails system, assist the State Police and other law enforcement agencies and first responders and oversee the state’s hunter education and boating safety education programs.

Justice joined by DNR law enforcement chief Col. Bobby Cales for the ceremony to introduce the K9 units. Cales explained that all six regions of the state will receive a unit.

“The program’s primary purpose is to provide and increase support to our outdoorsmen, men and women, through article searches, search and rescue and fish and game detection,” Cales said.

All six dogs still have to complete their training with their handlers.

The WVDNR Police, which is the state’s oldest law enforcement agency, celebrated its 125th anniversary in 2022.

Bird Feeding Still Restricted In Two W.Va. Counties

West Virginia officials say they still haven’t discovered why diseased birds were found in the state’s Eastern Panhandle but continue to advise people in two counties not to feed birds for now.

Birds shouldn’t be fed in Berkeley and Jefferson counties until the problem subsides, the state Division of Natural Resources said Friday. Feeders and bird baths should be cleaned with hot, soapy water and sterilized in 10% bleach solution — one part bleach to nine parts water — rinsed with water and allowed to air dry.

Reports of sick and dead birds have decreased since late July, the agency said. Although a final diagnosis hasn’t been made, the division said several pathogens have not been detected, including salmonella, avian influenza and West Nile virus.

The agency recommends not handling birds but wearing disposable gloves if handling is necessary. Keep pets away from sick or dead wild birds as a precaution.

People outside the outbreak area may feed birds but should repair and disinfect their feeders. If sick or dead birds are found near feeders or bird baths, remove the feeder or bath for two weeks and sterilize with a 10% bleach solution, the agency said.

Hummingbird feeders should be cleaned with soap and water and food replaced every few days, the agency said.