Archive for April, 2008

A tribute to a big ol’ bear

Tuesday, April 29, 2008

Visitors to the West Virginia Wildlife Center during the 1980s and early 1990s undoubtedly remember Jack, a black bear big enough to qualify for his own ZIP code.

Jack loved to eat junk food and drink pop, both of which visitors to the center were all too happy to provide. He grew large on the rich diet. In his prime, he was estimated to weigh as much as 700 pounds.

Now, thanks to the efforts of concerned volunteers, Jack’s memory will live on. A taxidermist mounted the great bear’s hide, and the mount now occupies an exhibit in the center’s gift shop.

Posted in West Virginia, Wildlife | No Comments »

Turkey season is off to a soggy start

Tuesday, April 29, 2008

Great.

After months of enforced inactivity, West Virginia’s turkey hunters finally get to play. What happens? It rains!

Yesterday’s opening day of the 2008 spring gobbler season dawned cool and wet. This morning was no better — not as wet, but much colder.

A sizable portion of West Virginia’s spring harvest comes during the first three days of the season. The first two days have been washouts. Wildlife officials had predicted an increase from last year’s kill of 9,965, but if this sort of weather continues the number will come in lower.

On the bright side, maybe these inclement conditions will force hunters to hunt more during the season’s last two weeks. A second peak of gobbling occurs during that time, but most sportsmen miss out on it because they prefer to hunt early.

Sunday’s Gazette-Mail feature outlines the Division of Natural Resources’ expectations for the season.

Posted in Hunting, West Virginia, WV DNR | 1 Comment »

A first: Public hunting land in Logan County

Monday, April 14, 2008

By all descriptions, the new Elk Creek Wildlife Management Area in Logan and Mingo counties will provide good hunting for deer, turkeys and squirrels.

Division of Natural Resources officials recently dedicated the 6,004-acre tract, which will be open to turkey hunters when West Virginia’s  spring gobbler season opens April 28. Sunday’s Gazette-Mail article gives details.

Posted in Hunting, WV DNR | No Comments »

‘Touchable, seeable’ improvements

Wednesday, April 9, 2008

Ever wonder where the money goes that you spend on that “conservation stamp” for your hunting or fishing license?

Every year, that stamp brings in an estimated $1.6 million, all of which goes toward capital improvements such as rifle ranges, boat ramps and land for public hunting and fishing.

Sunday’s Gazette-Mail feature takes a closer look at how the program has affected hunting and fishing in the Mountain State.

Posted in Fishing, Hunting, West Virginia, WV DNR | 1 Comment »

W.Va. not worried about lead contamination in venison

Wednesday, April 9, 2008

After a North Dakota doctor found lead in venison being given to needy families, charitable programs that rely on hunter-donated venison came under scrutiny.

Officials who administer West Virginia’s Hunters Helping the Hungry program aren’t worried about the venison being distributed in this state. Curtis Taylor, wildlife chief for the state Division of Natural Resources, says that because all the meat is cut and prepared by state-certified meatcutters, the chance of contamination is slim.

Sunday’s Gazette-Mail column outlines the entire story.  

Posted in West Virginia, WV DNR | No Comments »

Wild goings-on around the country

Wednesday, April 9, 2008

Everywhere one looks, it seems, critters are “going wild.”

People in Alaska, for example, are learning to deal with dumpster-diving moose.

Members of a theater’s board of directors got invaded by a kamikaze turkey gobbler.

A deputy answering a home-intruder call ended up having her police dog tangle with a burgling turkey.

Postal workers in Madison, Wis., have armed themselves with water pistols to fend off attacking turkeys.

And a 63-year-old New Hampshire motorcyclist is recovering from injuries he received after a turkey flew into him.

(Hat tip for all the above: J.R. Absher at the Outdoor Pressroom.)

Posted in Uncategorized | No Comments »