The Charleston Gazette - Hunting & Fishing

USDA kills eight coyotes at Granville shopping center

webmaster@ap.org ( The Associated Press) — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 18:38:26 -0500

GRANVILLE, W.Va. -- U.S. Department of Agriculture employees have killed eight coyotes in a hilltop shopping center complex near Morgantown. They arent sure how many remain nearby. The Monongalia County town of Granville hired the USDA under a $2,600 ...

Still time to take advantage of mild winter

johnmccoy@wvgazette.com (John McCoy) — Sat, 04 Feb 2012 22:42:20 -0500

Wow. Winter reached its halfway point today, and so far theres been very little snow throughout most of West Virginia.A serious columnist might explore all the effects a lack of snowfall might have on the ecosystem - how the mild winter might help more ani...

Outdoors notes -- Feb. 5

( ) — Sat, 04 Feb 2012 22:42:48 -0500

In SeasonSmall game

Cottontail rabbits may be hunted through Feb. 29. The bag limit is five rabbits a day.

Raccoons may be hunted through Feb. 29. The bag limit is four raccoons a night.

Snowshoe hares may be hunted through Feb. 29. Th...

Federal aid program set up in 1930s remains key to good hunting

johnmccoy@wvgazette.com (John McCoy) — Sat, 04 Feb 2012 22:43:35 -0500

West Virginians enjoy good hunting today because hunters three-quarters of a century ago decided to place a tax on themselves.Under the sportsmen-initiated Federal Aid in Wildlife Restoration Act, every time guns, bows, ammunition or arrows get purchased, ...

45 deer killed in Morgantown hunt

webmaster@ap.org ( The Associated Press) — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 19:00:22 -0500

MORGANTOWN, W.Va. -- Hunters killed 45 deer during Morgantowns first urban archery hunt. Monongalia County Deer Control Committee chairman Rick Bebout says 21 deer were donated to local food banks. Rebout says there werent any hunting-related inciden...

State trapping seasons drawing to a close

webmaster@ap.org ( The Associated Press) — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 08:27:08 -0500

SOUTH CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- West Virginia trappers are nearing the end of the season for fisher, and the clock is ticking on a number of other trapping seasons for fur-bearing animals.The West Virginia Division of Natural Resources says today is the season ...

Examining the slow death of fall turkey season

johnmccoy@wvgazette.com (John McCoy) — Sat, 28 Jan 2012 23:04:28 -0500

West Virginias fall turkey-hunting season is dying a slow death.For the past several years, hunters have struggled to kill more than 1,000 birds during the season, which ranges in length from one week in some counties to four weeks in others.Last fall, hun...

Outdoors notes -- Jan. 29

( ) — Sat, 28 Jan 2012 23:05:48 -0500

In SeasonSmall game

Squirrels may be hunted through Tuesday. The bag limit is six squirrels a day.

Cottontail rabbits may be hunted through Feb. 29. The bag limit is five rabbits a day.

Raccoons may be hunted through Feb. 29. The bag l...

Bear seasons spread the wealth around

johnmccoy@wvgazette.com (John McCoy) — Sat, 21 Jan 2012 20:23:41 -0500

One thing can be said about West Virginias bear-hunting seasons: Year to year, they change quite a bit.In 2009, hunters killed more bears during the bow season than they did during the December gun season. In 2010, hunters killed many more bears during the...

Outdoors notes -- Jan. 22

( ) — Sat, 21 Jan 2012 20:24:14 -0500

In SeasonSmall game

Squirrels may be hunted through Jan. 31. The bag limit is six squirrels a day.

Cottontail rabbits may be hunted through Feb. 29. The bag limit is five rabbits a day.

Raccoons may be hunted through Feb. 29. The bag l...

Man catches, releases monster muskie on Elk

johnmccoy@wvgazette.com (John McCoy) — Sat, 21 Jan 2012 20:24:55 -0500

As Jay Carper steered his boat toward the middle of the Elk River, he couldnt help but wonder what sort of obstruction had snagged his lure.He found out when he pulled on the line. The "snag" hightailed it toward the far side of the river and lau...

Hunting, fishing enthusiasts flock to Civic Center

(Megan Workman) — Sat, 21 Jan 2012 20:36:58 -0500

CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- Isabella Grace may have attended the West Virginia Hunting and Fishing Show for the first time on Saturday, but hunting isnt anything new for the 8-year-old -- she bagged her first squirrel in September. Grace, along with ...

The main attraction

johnmccoy@wvgazette.com (John McCoy) — Sat, 14 Jan 2012 17:41:37 -0500

If anyone ever needed evidence that West Virginians are a huntin and fishin bunch, consider this:Outfitters who exhibit at Charlestons annual West Virginia Hunting and Fishing Show sell as many trips there as they do at much larger shows."We get about...

DNR says state hunters took 1,172 fall turkeys

webmaster@ap.org ( The Associated Press) — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 18:17:02 -0500

CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- The Division of Natural Resources says West Virginia hunters bagged 1,172 turkeys last fall, a 4 percent increase from the previous year. Assistant chief for game management Paul Johansen said the total for fall 2010 was 1,126 bird...

W.Va. reports higher kill in all four deer seasons

johnmccoy@wvgazette.com (John McCoy) — Tue, 10 Jan 2012 16:51:11 -0500

CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- West Virginias deer hunters enjoyed across-the-board success during the recently completed 2011 season. Statistics released Tuesday by state Division of Natural Resources officials show higher kills in all four of the states dee...

Staying warm begins with the right attire

johnmccoy@wvgazette.com (John McCoy) — Sat, 07 Jan 2012 21:25:25 -0500

Its been close to 20 years since that raw, drizzly day in east-central Kentucky, but its memory still gives me shivers.I was working on a profile of muskie fisherman Steve Feaster, and had accompanied him on a half-day fishing trip to Cave Run Lake. We lau...

Outdoors notes -- Jan. 8

( ) — Sat, 07 Jan 2012 21:25:49 -0500

In SeasonSmall game

Squirrels may be hunted through Jan. 31. The bag limit is six squirrels a day.

Cottontail rabbits may be hunted through Feb. 29. The bag limit is five rabbits a day.

Raccoons may be hunted through Feb. 29. The bag l...

Learning to fly: Angling Arts classes teach sportsmen the fundamentals of fly fishing

johnmccoy@wvgazette.com (John McCoy) — Sat, 07 Jan 2012 21:27:06 -0500

Twice each year, a dedicated group of volunteers come together to help Charleston-area residents overcome their fear of "flying."Fly fishing, to be specific.Since 1977, members of the Kanawha Valley Chapter of Trout Unlimited have worked through ...

Stocking elk proves to be an expensive undertaking

johnmccoy@wvgazette.com (John McCoy) — Sat, 31 Dec 2011 14:40:56 -0500

If West Virginia wildlife officials ever decide to stock elk in the states southwestern counties, theyd be well advised to learn from their counterparts in Missouri.Folks in the Show Me State are upset because a stocking project that was supposed to cost $...

Man overcomes chest pains to bag an elk

johnmccoy@wvgazette.com (John McCoy) — Sat, 31 Dec 2011 14:43:14 -0500

Jack Patton wasnt about to let something as trivial as chest pains keep him from enjoying his elk hunt."The doctor wanted to keep me in the hospital overnight for observation, but I signed a release and checked myself out," said the 75-year-old E...

A rare trophy

johnmccoy@wvgazette.com (John McCoy) — Sat, 24 Dec 2011 17:50:34 -0500

Levi Whites experience as a bow hunter can be summed up in his name.No, the buck he shot wasnt wearing Levis. It was white.The 11-year-old fifth-grader made his first-ever archery kill a memorable one by bagging a rare albino buck.When Levi and his dad, So...

Weather has DNR officials optimistic about trout stockings

johnmccoy@wvgazette.com (John McCoy) — Sat, 24 Dec 2011 17:53:27 -0500

The man who heads West Virginias trout program has just one hope for the 2012 winter stocking season:Good weather."So far, so good," said Mike Shingleton, the Division of Natural Resources assistant chief in charge of coldwater fisheries. "T...

Parks supporters, sportsmen spar over proposed park preserve

pjnyden@wvgazette.com (Paul J. Nyden) — Sun, 18 Dec 2011 23:00:00 -0500

CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- Judy Rodd, executive director of Friends of Blackwater Canyon, is supporting the creation of the proposed High Allegheny National Park and Preserve.

The preserve wou...

Asst. wildlife chief excited about family deer seasons

johnmccoy@wvgazette.com (John McCoy) — Sat, 17 Dec 2011 22:42:53 -0500

Paul Johansen might be a little biased, but he believes West Virginias so-called "family" antlerless-deer seasons are two of the best things the Division of Natural Resources has ever done.Johansen, the DNRs assistant wildlife chief, said the twi...

A year to remember

johnmccoy@wvgazette.com (John McCoy) — Sat, 17 Dec 2011 22:43:37 -0500

Griffin McNeely will never forget his sophomore year of high school.Oh, he might forget a few football games, a dance or two and much of the day-to-day grind. But hell never, ever forget the pair of trophy bucks he killed."Ive been hunting since I was...

Poaching on rise, DNR officers say

johnmccoy@wvgazette.com (John McCoy) — Wed, 14 Dec 2011 20:30:00 -0500

For more on hunting and fishing, read John McCoys Woods and Waters blog

Outdoors notes -- Dec. 10

( ) — Sat, 10 Dec 2011 23:56:06 -0500

In SeasonBig game

White-tailed deer may be hunted with archery equipment through Dec. 31. The bag limit is one deer of either sex per season, or two with special permit.

Wild boars may be hunted with archery equipment through Dec. 31. The bag l...

Bowhunters hard work pays off

johnmccoy@wvgazette.com (John McCoy) — Sat, 10 Dec 2011 23:56:39 -0500

Trophy bucks dont grow big and old by being stupid.The buck David Miller saw walking toward his tree stand was big - big enough to keep the young bowhunter obsessed for two months. More than big enough to set Millers heart racing. Big enough, as it turned ...

Gun season buck kill up 38 percent

johnmccoy@wvgazette.com (John McCoy) — Fri, 09 Dec 2011 21:51:26 -0500

What a difference a year makes.Hunters in West Virginia enjoyed better-than-expected success in the recently completed firearm season for buck deer. The kill for the 12-day season came in at 59,835, an increase of 38 percent from last years worse-than-expe...

Deadline looms for buying muzzleloader license

webmaster@ap.org ( The Associated Press) — Tue, 06 Dec 2011 08:48:18 -0500

SOUTH CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- Hunters who plan to participate in West Virginias muzzleloader deer season have until Sunday to buy their additional license.The muzzleloader season opens Monday, Dec. 12, and the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources remin...

Va. deer hunter fatally shoots son in Gap Mills

webmaster@ap.org ( The Associated Press) — Mon, 05 Dec 2011 19:09:01 -0500

GAP MILLS, W.Va. -- A Virginia deer hunter is dead after his fathers rifle discharged while being unloaded. The incident occurred at about 2 p.m. Saturday near Gap Mills in southeastern West Virginia. The West Virginia Division of Natural Resou...

Outdoors notes -- Dec. 4

( ) — Sat, 03 Dec 2011 23:20:11 -0500

In SeasonBig game

White-tailed deer may be hunted with archery equipment through Dec. 31. The bag limit is one deer of either sex per season, or two with special permit.

Wild boars may be hunted with archery equipment through Dec. 31. The bag l...

All the comforts of home

johnmccoy@wvgazette.com (John McCoy) — Sat, 03 Dec 2011 23:21:40 -0500

For more on hunting and fishing, read John McCoys "Woods and Waters blog" SPEED - When Philip Smith built a new home last year in rural Roane County, the construction bu...

Bridgeport deer hunt on track to pass 2010 kills

webmaster@ap.org ( The Associated Press) — Wed, 30 Nov 2011 08:49:46 -0500

CLARKSBURG, W.Va. -- Bridgeports urban deer hunt is on track to surpass the number of animals killed in 2010.The Exponent Telegram says hunters checked in 29 deer as of last week, the eighth week of the 13-week season. Hunters killed a total 42 deer in 201...

State uses cameras to track elk population

webmaster@ap.org ( The Associated Press) — Tue, 29 Nov 2011 08:55:16 -0500

CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- West Virginia wildlife officials are using trail cameras to track the states growing elk population.Division of Natural Resources assistant wildlife chief Paul Johansen tells West Virginia Public Broadcasting that the elk are migrating...

Outdoors notes -- Nov. 27

( ) — Sat, 26 Nov 2011 23:07:11 -0500

In SeasonBig game

White-tailed bucks may be hunted with firearms through Dec. 3. The bag limit is one antlered deer per season, or two with special permit.

Antlerless white-tailed deer may be hunted on private lands in designated counties throu...

Keeping an eye on elk

johnmccoy@wvgazette.com (John McCoy) — Sat, 26 Nov 2011 23:08:00 -0500

Its official. West Virginia wildlife officials are keeping a close eye on southern West Virginias embryonic elk population.For the past several months, Division of Natural Resources game biologists have been setting out trail cameras in an attempt to verif...

DNR seeks help finding out-of-season deer killer

webmaster@ap.org ( The Associated Press) — Tue, 22 Nov 2011 19:30:33 -0500

FAIRMONT, W.Va. -- The Division of Natural Resources wants help solving what it calls an out-of-season deer slaughter. Capt. William Persinger says at least 13 deer were shot and left lying on the ground in the Fairmont area in the month before gun se...

Rain dampens first day of buck season

johnmccoy@wvgazette.com (John McCoy) — Mon, 21 Nov 2011 21:03:50 -0500

For more on hunting and fishing, read John McCoys Woods and Waters blog: MARTINSBURG, W.Va. -- A program in Berkeley County intended to reduce the improper disposal of deer carcasses is entering its second year.
The Journal of Martinsburg (

Preston father and son guilty of bear poaching

(Staff reports) — Fri, 18 Nov 2011 18:29:05 -0500
KINGWOOD, W.Va. -- A father and son from Preston County were arrested this week for illegally killing a black bear. Arnold Dalton, 77, and his son, Eric Dalton, 47, pleaded guilty Monday to multiple violations of the states wildlife laws after offic...

Children learn to fish, experience outdoors at fishing rodeo

lori.kersey@wvgazette.com (Lori Kersey) — Sat, 12 Nov 2011 18:49:14 -0500
CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- In his camouflage jacket, fishing hat and Transformer boots, Devin Rader proudly displayed his first catch of the day. The trout thrashed inside the plastic bag where the 5-year-old held it. "Hey Daddy, can we catch another o...

TU directive could impact local stockings

johnmccoy@wvgazette.com (John McCoy) — Sat, 12 Nov 2011 23:13:43 -0500
Theres trouble brewing among West Virginias Trout Unlimited members.The organizations national leaders have decided that hatchery trout should not be stocked in streams that contain native trout. Whats more, theyve handed down a directive that forbids loca...

Outdoors notes -- Nov. 13

( ) — Sat, 12 Nov 2011 23:14:10 -0500
In SeasonBig game
White-tailed deer may be hunted with archery equipment through Dec. 31. The bag limit is one deer of either sex per season, or two with special permit.

Black bears may be hunted with archery equipment through Nov. 19. The bag ...

W.Va. game laws no longer cheap to violate

johnmccoy@wvgazette.com (John McCoy) — Sat, 12 Nov 2011 23:14:47 -0500
Deer poachers are learning that West Virginias game laws are no longer cheap to violate.Since a 2010 law increased the fines for killing deer with trophy antlers, state Natural Resources Police havent been shy about imposing what they call "enhanced p...

Urban bears on the move

johnmccoy@wvgazette.com (John McCoy) — Sat, 12 Nov 2011 23:15:31 -0500
Maybe West Virginias urban bears arent as invulnerable as everyone thought.Scientists have watched the comings and goings of city-dwelling bruins for half a year now, and they now believe urban bears routinely wander into the countryside where they could l...

Boy charged with killing trophy buck out of season

webmaster@ap.org ( The Associated Press) — Wed, 09 Nov 2011 08:52:07 -0500
BRIDGEPORT, W.Va. -- A 16-year-old Bridgeport boy has been charged with illegally killing a trophy buck deer and could be fined $1,000 if convicted.The Division of Natural Resources says a taxidermist reported the boy after he brought in a 10-point buck an...