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Big Game B U L L E T I N 2018

W E S T V I R G I N I A

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TABLE OF CONTENTSBLACK BEAR .................................................................................... 2

Season Results and Highlights ........................................................................................................................2

Non-hunting Mortalities ..................................................................................................................................2

Damage Payments and Nuisance Complaints ...............................................................................................2

Black Bear Research ........................................................................................................................................3

Tooth Collections .............................................................................................................................................3

Reproductive Tract Collections .......................................................................................................................3

WILD TURKEY ..................................................................................12Spring Harvest ................................................................................................................................................12

Fall Harvest .....................................................................................................................................................12

Surveys ...........................................................................................................................................................13

Spring Gobbler Survey ...................................................................................................................................13

Brood Survey ..................................................................................................................................................13

Mast Survey .................................................................................................................................................... 14

WILD BOAR .....................................................................................20

WHITE-TAILED DEER ........................................................................22Deer Season ....................................................................................................................................................22

Special Deer Management Harvest ...............................................................................................................25

Non-hunting Mortalities ................................................................................................................................26

Deer Hunting Outlook ....................................................................................................................................27

This bulletin was made possible through hunting and fishing license monies and funds from Federal Aid in Wildlife Restoration. Project W-48-R-34 Statewide Wildlife Research

WILDLIFE RESOURCES SECTION BULLETIN 19-1

2 W V D N R W I L D L I F E R E S O U R C E S S E C T I O N

BLACK BEAR by Colin P. Carpenter

Season Results and HighlightsWest Virginia hunters harvested 2,606 black bears during the combined 2018 archery and firearms seasons (Tables 1,2 and 3). The 2018 harvest was 18% below the 3,160 bears killed in 2017. The black bear harvest of 2018 is the 6th highest kill recorded (Figure 1).

The 2018 Mast Survey and Hunting Outlook documented mast production for all species combined that was 22% below mast production in 2017. In addition, the mast index for all oak species in 2018 was 24% below the long-term average. Red oak, black oak and scarlet oak production decreased 64% from levels recorded in 2017. The only oaks that produced reliably in 2018 were white and chestnut oaks. White oak production was nearly identical to 2017 and 42% above the long-term average, while chestnut oak was 10% above the long-term average. The 2018 Mast Survey and Hunting Outlook predicted an archery harvest similar to 2017 and a decreased December firearms harvest over the levels observed in 2017. The prediction held true for both the archery and December seasons, however, the overall harvest was much lower than 2017. Overall, the 2018 harvest declined during the September/October, buck – gun and December seasons, yet increased during the bow/crossbow season.

Hunters killed 637 bears during the first segment of the 2018 archery season (September 29 – November 18). Three-hundred seventy-four were taken with vertical bows, 263 with crossbows. The top five counties were McDowell (54), Wyoming (49), Fayette (34), Nicholas (33) and Boone (29) (Table 1). In all bear seasons combined, hunters using vertical bows killed 415 bears and hunters using crossbows killed 289 bears.

Firearms hunters harvested 1,969 bears during 2018. (Table 1). This is a 23% decrease over the 2,547 bruins killed in 2017 (Table 4). Hunters took 565 bears in September and October (18 bears during the concurrent antlerless deer/bear season), 537 during the concurrent buck-gun bear season, and 866 during the traditional December season. One bear was harvested during the first Mountaineer Heritage Season in Preston County (Table 1). The top five counties were Pocahontas (166), Randolph (143), Nicholas (142), Pendleton (126) and Webster (125).

Non-hunting MortalitiesOne-hundred ninety-seven bears were killed on highways, were killed illegally, were destroyed, or succumbed from other non-hunting causes (electrocution, mange, etc.) (Tables 4 and 5). This is up 41% from the 140 non-hunting mortalities recorded in 2017 (Table 4). There were 119 deaths from vehicles in 2018 compared to 63 in 2017. The number of illegal deaths was down from 1 to 0 from 2017 to 2018, respectively. Miscellaneous deaths rose from 3 to 6 from 2017 to 2018. Bears killed for nuisance or damage activity, decreased to 72 in 2018 from the 73 reported in 2017.

Damage Payments and Nuisance ComplaintsAll hunters who pursue bears are required to buy bear damage stamps (Class DS). Funds derived from stamp sales are deposited in a special bear damage account to reimburse property owners for real and personal property damage caused by bears.

The number of bear damage claims was down 12% from 124 in 2017 to 109 in 2018 (Table 6). However, total payments of $102,344 were 9% higher than the $93,534 paid out in 2017. Claims were reported in 27 counties in 2018 and 29 counties in 2017. There were 13 claims for bees (compared to 29 in 2017) totaling $14,138, 29 for livestock at $9,796 (13 in 2017), 40 for corn at $65,856 (52 in 2017), and 27 (30 in 2017) miscellaneous claims at $12,554.

Preston County had the greatest dollar amount in compensations at $19,222 followed by Greenbrier ($17,677), Monroe ($15,786), Pendleton ($9,938) and Jefferson ($5,430). Preston County had the highest number of claims (18) followed by Greenbrier (13) then Braxton, Pendleton and Randolph (7 each).

West Virginia Division of Natural Resources (DNR) employees received 798 nuisance bear calls in 2018 compared to 648 in 2017. The 5 counties with the most complaints were Raleigh (120), Greenbrier (93), Fayette (59), Mercer (57) and Preston (33).

2 0 1 8 B I G G A M E B U L L E T I N 3

BLACK BEARBlack Bear ResearchReproductive tracts and tooth collections from harvested bears provide the most cost-effective way to monitor the black bear population and are being used to help make decisions about changes in hunting regulations. Radio collars have only been left on a small number of females in the northern and southern part of the state (9 in 2018). These sows are used as surrogates for orphaned cubs whenever possible. In 2018, managers visited 3 sows with yearlings and tagged 3 yearlings. Managers visited 4 sows with neonate cubs (x

_ = 2.75) and fostered 3 cubs. One sow

did not have cubs or yearlings (due to advanced age). The dens of 2 sows with cubs were not entered.

Monitoring the status of West Virginia’s black bear population has always been a top priority for the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources. Trends in bear population size are more realistic to obtain than absolute population numbers. In recent years, managers have shifted gears from growing the bear population to stabilizing population growth or reducing bear numbers in some management units. Accurate trend data is essential to making sound decisions on bear hunting seasons and bag limits.

Tooth Collections

Age data from the 2017 tooth samples have been received and hunters have been notified of their bear’s age. Hunters submitted 1,669 usable teeth (correct tooth, tooth not broken, etc.) for age consideration. There were 23 cubs, 28% (460) were yearlings, 32% (530) were 2-year olds, 11% (180) were 3-year olds, and the remaining 29% (476) were 4-years old or older. Biologists use age data from hunter-harvested bear teeth to calculate population estimates and mortality rates for black bears in West Virginia. The 1,669 usable teeth submitted in 2017 represent 53% of the total black bear harvest. This rate is higher than the 49% submitted in 2016, but still not very good considering tooth submission is mandatory. This rate should improve in the years to come which will allow for more precise estimates of population size.

Reproductive Tract Collections

Wildlife managers and biologists have been collecting female reproductive tracts to estimate litter size around the state for many years. The data gathered from reproductive tracts (cubs/female) mirrors data collected from visiting the dens of radio-tagged females. The information collected from examining female reproductive tracts can be obtained at far less cost than maintaining a large sample of radio-tagged females.

Managers collected 38 reproductive tracts in 2017. Twenty-eight of the tracts supplied useful information. Reproductive tract data lags one year behind because researchers are waiting on age data. Information from reproductive tracts obtained in 2017 cannot be fully analyzed until ages are determined. One yearling tract was examined in 2017 and there was no evidence of breeding. Nine 2-year olds were examined in 2017 with 9 tracts containing 14 corpora lutea (x

_ = 1.56) These bears would

have given birth at age 3 to their first litters. Thirteen sows over the age of 3 showed evidence of breeding and averaged 2.85 corpora lutea. Five females over the age of 3 showed evidence of giving birth in 2017 and averaged 3 placental scars. One 8-year old sow had no evidence of corpora lutea or placental scars.

The West Virginia Division of Natural Resources offered hunters who turned in complete reproductive tracts a $20.00 gift card for their cooperation for the third time in 2018. The goal each year is to buy up to 100 reproductive tracts. Hunters submitted 22 reproductive tracts in 2018 and wildlife biologists collected an additional 17 reproductive tracts from bears that died throughout the year. These results will be reported next year.


BLACK BEAR

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West Virginia Black Bear Harvest 1971 - 2018

Figure 1. West Virginia black bear harvest, 1971 – 2018.


BLACK BEARTable 1. 2018 West Virginia Black Bear Harvest

County Bow/Crossbow

Sept./Oct. Gun Buck Gun December

FirearmsMountaineer

Heritage TOTALBarbour 15 2 14 8 0 39Brooke 0 0 0 0 0 0Hancock 0 0 1 0 0 1Harrison 6 0 1 0 0 7Marion 1 0 0 0 0 1Marshall 0 0 0 0 0 0Monongalia 3 0 4 1 0 8Ohio 0 0 0 0 0 0Preston 28 7 17 36 1 89Taylor 8 0 3 0 0 11Tucker 19 28 4 48 0 99Wetzel 1 0 6 0 0 7District I Subtotal 81 37 50 93 1 262Berkeley 0 0 3 0 0 3Grant 10 11 21 43 0 85Hampshire 10 1 29 4 0 44Hardy 10 23 23 57 0 113Jefferson 4 1 2 0 0 7Mineral 14 5 5 11 0 35Morgan 4 0 1 1 0 6Pendleton 13 50 17 59 0 139Dist. II Subtotal 65 91 101 175 0 432Braxton 16 6 26 9 0 57Clay 7 6 17 34 0 64Lewis 10 0 6 3 0 19Nicholas 33 40 28 74 0 175Pocahontas 9 36 18 112 0 175Randolph 26 55 16 72 0 169Upshur 10 6 4 9 0 29Webster 31 51 24 50 0 156Dist. III Subtotal 142 200 139 363 0 844Fayette 34 15 40 17 0 106Greenbrier 17 29 31 62 0 139McDowell 54 30 7 14 0 105Mercer 25 1 4 2 0 32Monroe 21 13 26 15 0 75Raleigh 27 20 23 5 0 75Summers 20 1 10 2 0 33Wyoming 49 27 6 16 0 98Dist. IV Subtotal 247 136 147 133 0 663Boone 29 30 37 26 0 122Cabell 0 0 0 0 0 0Kanawha 18 19 41 41 0 119Lincoln 3 0 1 1 0 5Logan 20 38 1 28 0 87Mason 1 0 0 0 0 1Mingo 18 14 0 6 0 38Putnam 0 0 0 0 0 0Wayne 1 0 0 0 0 1Dist. V Subtotal 90 101 80 102 0 373Calhoun 2 0 1 0 0 3Doddridge 0 0 0 0 0 0Gilmer 5 0 8 0 0 13Jackson 0 0 0 0 0 0Pleasants 0 0 0 0 0 0Ritchie 0 0 4 0 0 4Roane 3 0 2 0 0 5Tyler 0 0 2 0 0 2Wirt 1 0 3 0 0 4Wood 1 0 0 0 0 1Dist. VI Subtotal 12 0 20 0 0 32

STATE TOTAL 637 565 537 866 1 2606Bears listed for Logan, McDowell, Mingo and Wyoming counties as “Buck Gun” are bow or crossbow kills from 11/19 - 12/2.Bow/Crossbow refers to bears killed with a bow or crossbow from September 29, 2018 - November 18, 2018. All other bow and crossbow kills have been separated based on the seasons in which they were killed.Sept/Oct gun includes bears killed during concurrent antlerless deer/bear season 10/25 - 10/28 (18 bears).


BLACK BEARTable 2. Sex ratios of West Virginia black bears for September or November gun season,

bow season, December gun season and Mountaineer Heritage season 1964-2018

YearBow or gun season

September/October

Bow season and/or Early November

gun season

Late November or December or

January gun seasonAnnual Kill Total*

Male Female Male Female Male Female Male Female20-Yr Total 0 0 345 360 415 152 760 512 1,272

Sex Ratios 0 0 49% 51% 73% 27% 60% 40%

1984 0 0 8 8 51 43 59 51 1101985 0 0 14 7 68 24 82 31 1131986 0 0 31 14 61 26 92 40 1321987 0 0 40 14 146 51 186 65 2511988 0 0 21 16 198 165 219 181 4001989 0 0 81 96 198 135 279 231 5101990 0 0 41 20 114 60 155 80 2351991 0 0 72 57 186 111 258 168 4261992 0 0 112 89 169 85 281 174 4551993 0 0 141 96 340 190 481 286 7671994 0 0 111 73 290 258 401 331 7321995 0 0 152 75 310 153 462 228 6901996 0 0 114 101 355 198 469 299 7681997 0 0 225 198 178 85 403 283 6861998 0 0 167 97 481 337 648 434 1,0821999 0 0 256 168 369 201 625 369 9942000 0 0 196 102 655 364 851 466 1,3172001 0 0 302 165 482 301 784 466 1,2502002 0 0 540 321 327 169 867 490 1,3572003 0 0 605 422 450 222 1,055 644 1,6992004 0 0 319 219 479 218 798 437 1,2352005 0 0 432 285 616 301 1048 586 1,6342006 0 0 399 266 727 312 1,126 578 1,7042007 0 0 521 328 637 318 1,158 646 1,8042008 348 322 283 177 597 343 1,228 842 2,0702009 118 79 575 417 464 215 1,157 711 1,8682010 215 248 314 146 932 530 1,461 924 2,3852011 332 306 356 254 483 276 1,171 836 2,0072012 380 310 462 261 844 478 1,686 1,049 2,7352013 375 309 523 330 743 412 1,641 1,051 2,6922014 265 240 402 165 1008 501 1,675 906 2,5812015 423 303 685 406 843 541 1,951 1,250 3,2012016 457 426 600 419 741 369 1,798 1,214 3,0122017 349 274 399 212 1,220 704 1,968 1,190 3,1582018 319 246 421 216 965 439 1,705 901 2,606

34-Year Total 3,581 3,063 9,920 6,240 16,727 9,135 30,228 18,438 48,666

Average Sex Ratios 54% 46% 61% 39% 65% 35% 62% 38%

2018 Sex Ratios 56% 44% 66% 34% 69% 31% 65% 35%

*Represents bears of known sex and not the total harvest in each year.


BLACK BEARTable 3. West Virginia total black bear harvest by county, 2014-2018

County 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018Barbour 43 66 66 56 39Brooke 0 0 0 0 0Hancock 0 0 0 0 1Harrison 2 7 18 3 7Marion 0 4 3 1 1Marshall 0 0 2 2 0Monongalia 7 10 9 4 8Ohio 0 0 0 0 0Preston 119 155 137 131 89Taylor 6 10 18 8 11Tucker 106 116 128 138 99Wetzel 2 2 2 2 7District I Subtotal 285 370 383 345 262Berkeley 5 7 6 3 3Grant 119 73 101 127 85Hampshire 42 59 50 59 44Hardy 169 114 159 130 113Jefferson 2 3 5 5 7Mineral 14 17 20 26 35Morgan 12 12 19 6 6Pendleton 205 190 214 206 139Dist. II Subtotal 568 475 574 562 432Braxton 40 48 62 76 57Clay 34 59 45 55 64Lewis 11 21 18 14 19Nicholas 164 266 213 240 175Pocahontas 199 191 184 218 175Randolph 219 267 249 269 169Upshur 34 38 32 47 29Webster 218 222 149 238 156Dist. III Subtotal 919 1112 952 1157 844Fayette 111 162 147 109 106Greenbrier 199 209 185 192 139McDowell 49 109 108 98 105Mercer 13 34 39 54 32Monroe 55 89 97 73 75Raleigh 63 124 77 85 75Summers 15 14 34 35 33Wyoming 34 108 57 72 98Dist. IV Subtotal 539 849 744 718 663Boone 100 130 113 155 122Cabell 0 1 0 0 0Kanawha 103 102 125 108 119Lincoln 1 7 1 3 5Logan 34 84 51 56 87Mason 0 0 0 0 1Mingo 12 39 34 28 38Putnam 0 1 0 0 0Wayne 1 5 1 4 1Dist. V Subtotal 251 369 325 354 373Calhoun 8 5 4 5 3Doddridge 0 2 3 3 0Gilmer 2 11 14 7 13Jackson 0 0 0 0 0Pleasants 1 1 0 0 0Ritchie 2 1 4 3 4Roane 1 1 1 0 5Tyler 0 1 2 0 2Wirt 5 4 6 5 4Wood 0 0 0 1 1Dist. VI Subtotal 19 26 34 24 32

STATE TOTAL 2,581 3,201 3,012 3,160 2,606


BLACK BEARTable 4. Number of black bears killed each year in West Virginia and cause of death

Year Hunting Season Illegal Kill Road Kill Marauders Others TotalBow Gun

1970s Subtotal 14 523 1970s Average Annual Bag: Bow 2; Gun 65

1980s Subtotal 261 1,542 1980s Average Annual Bag: Bow 26; Gun 154

1990s Subtotal 2,363 4,506 1990s Average Annual Bag: Bow 236; Gun 450

2000 305 1,023 6 16 8 4 1,3622001 475 785 18 43 22 1 1,3442002 726 670 14 82 28 10 1,5302003 774 958 17 87 61 7 1,9042004 374 861 7 55 22 11 1,3302005 585 1,076 15 62 18 10 1,7662006 516 1,188 8 61 36 10 1,8192007 728 1,076 4 62 155 7 2,0322008 460 1,610 3 38 34 6 2,1512009 992 876 11 70 184 9 2,142

2000s Subtotal 5,935 10,123 2000s Average Annual Bag: Bow 600; Gun 1,002

2010 460 1,925 6 66 35 5 2,4972011 610 1,397 8 107 85 6 2,2132012 723 2,012 5 72 104 2 2,9182013 853 1,839 4 65 94 12 2,8672014 593 1,988 2 81 86 7 2,7572015 1,091 2,110 3 60 83 8 3,3552016 1,019 1,993 1 108 127 8 3,2562017 611 2,547 1 63 73 3 3,2982018 637 1,969 0 119 72 6 2,803

2010s Subtotal 6,597 17,780 2010s Average Annual Bag: Bow 733; Gun 1,976

*November Gun Seasons held in 1989, and 2002 - 2018 in certain counties.

**September Season held in 2008-2018 in certain counties.

***Check tags without season (<0.05%) marked were assumed gun kills for this table.

****Bow kill for 2015 - 2018 indicates bears killed between the first day of archery season and the first day of buck firearms season, not all bears killed with a bow or crossbow.


BLACK BEARTable 5. West Virginia 2018 nonseasonal black bear mortalities by county and type

County Roadkills Illegal Destroyed Misc. TotalBarbour 1 0 0 0 1Brooke 0 0 0 0 0Hancock 0 0 0 0 0Harrison 0 0 0 0 0Marion 0 0 0 0 0Marshall 0 0 0 0 0Monongalia 0 0 1 0 1Ohio 0 0 0 0 0Preston 4 0 0 0 4Taylor 1 0 0 0 1Tucker 0 0 0 0 0Wetzel 0 0 0 0 0Dist. I Subtotal 6 0 1 0 7Berkeley 0 0 0 0 0Grant 4 0 0 0 4Hampshire 1 0 5 1 7Hardy 1 0 2 0 3Jefferson 0 0 0 0 0Mineral 0 0 4 0 4Morgan 0 0 0 0 0Pendleton 2 0 2 0 4Dist. II Subtotal 8 0 13 1 22Braxton 22 0 4 0 26Clay 1 0 0 0 1Lewis 6 0 0 1 7Nicholas 15 0 9 2 26Pocahontas 1 0 12 0 13Randolph 1 0 0 0 1Upshur 3 0 3 0 6Webster 3 0 5 0 8Dist. III Subtotal 52 0 33 3 88Fayette 5 0 1 0 6Greenbrier 6 0 11 0 17McDowell 1 0 3 0 4Mercer 8 0 1 0 9Monroe 0 0 4 0 4Raleigh 9 0 2 1 12Summers 5 0 0 0 5Wyoming 5 0 0 0 5Dist. IV Subtotal 39 0 22 1 62Boone 3 0 3 0 6Cabell 0 0 0 0 0Kanawha 6 0 0 1 7Lincoln 1 0 0 0 1Logan 1 0 0 0 1Mason 0 0 0 0 0Mingo 1 0 0 0 1Putnam 0 0 0 0 0Wayne 0 0 0 0 0Dist. V Subtotal 12 0 3 1 16Calhoun 0 0 0 0 0Doddridge 0 0 0 0 0Gilmer 1 0 0 0 1Jackson 0 0 0 0 0Pleasants 0 0 0 0 0Ritchie 1 0 0 0 1Roane 0 0 0 0 0Tyler 0 0 0 0 0Wirt 0 0 0 0 0Wood 0 0 0 0 0Dist. VI Subtotal 2 0 0 0 2Unknown 0 0 0 0 0

State Total 119 0 72 6 197


BLACK BEARTable 6. Black bear damage claims paid and payments by county 2014-2018

County2014 2015 2016 2017 2018

Claims Payments Claims Payments Claims Payments Claims Payments Claims PaymentsBarbour 1 $399 2 $1,396 1 $673 0 $0 0 $0Berkeley 0 $0 0 $0 0 $0 1 $4,629 1 $1,583Boone 6 $2,770 3 $9,443 2 $777 0 $0 0 $0Braxton 4 $750 1 $263 2 $486 6 $2,144 7 $3,719Brooke 0 $0 0 $0 0 $0 0 $0 0 $0Cabell 0 $0 1 $411 0 $0 0 $0 0 $0Calhoun 0 $0 2 $364 1 $52 0 $0 1 $587Clay 8 $1,954 2 $291 1 $205 0 $0 0 $0Doddridge 1 $141 0 $0 0 $0 0 $0 0 $0Fayette 10 $6,695 7 $4,008 3 $1,891 3 $1,353 1 $40Gilmer 1 $398 1 $100 1 $349 1 $105 0 $0Grant 2 $5,578 4 $4,817 2 $1,086 2 $713 0 $0Greenbrier 23 $24,999 28 $46,693 32 $41,981 30 $29,013 13 $17,677Hampshire 3 $328 5 $2,927 5 $8,980 5 $1,606 0 $0Hancock 0 $0 0 $0 0 $0 0 $0 0 $0Hardy 8 $14,839 8 $3,382 8 $10,128 2 $527 5 $4,952Harrison 2 $1,570 1 $150 0 $0 1 $170 0 $0Jackson 0 $0 0 $0 0 $0 0 $0 0 $0Jefferson 0 $0 1 $144 0 $0 0 $0 2 $5,430Kanawha 1 $299 1 $138 3 $591 1 $180 1 $2,020Lewis 1 $541 3 $1,733 1 $293 1 $268 2 $940Lincoln 0 $0 0 $0 0 $0 0 $0 0 $0Logan 5 $1,793 2 $293 0 $0 1 $352 3 $1,335Marion 4 $1,360 4 $1,823 0 $0 4 $469 0 $0Marshall 0 $0 1 $578 1 $951 0 $0 0 $0Mason 0 $0 0 $0 0 $0 0 $0 0 $0McDowell 0 $0 2 $212 1 $125 0 $0 0 $0Mercer 2 $633 6 $3,575 10 $6,089 4 $1,019 5 $797Mineral 3 $1,200 1 $80 7 $6,294 6 $5,657 5 $2,885Mingo 0 $0 5 $4,900 0 $0 1 $490 0 $0Monongalia 2 $7,999 1 $606 0 $0 0 $0 1 $546Monroe 1 $5,765 0 $0 5 $13,366 4 $3,786 6 $15,786Morgan 5 $5,523 1 $674 1 $623 0 $0 3 $908Nicholas 5 $1,107 5 $3,608 10 $3,519 5 $1,366 2 $984Ohio 0 $0 0 $0 0 $0 0 $0 0 $0Pendleton 13 $14,000 11 $21,839 9 $26,748 2 $901 7 $9,938Pleasants 0 $0 0 $0 0 $0 0 $0 0 $0Pocahontas 11 $9,818 12 $13,155 17 $19,425 9 $4,505 4 $3,747Preston 10 $23,758 7 $18,134 15 $42,877 15 $19,766 18 $19,222Putnam 0 $0 0 $0 0 $0 0 $0 0 $0Raleigh 7 $2,726 3 $557 10 $8,004 1 $359 1 $261Randolph 13 $3,123 3 $363 5 $1,004 9 $2,550 7 $1,971Ritchie 0 $0 0 $0 0 $0 0 $0 0 $0Roane 2 $854 0 $0 0 $0 0 $0 0 $0Summers 3 $2,557 1 $173 3 $4,512 2 $1,942 6 $4,352Taylor 0 $0 0 $0 0 $0 0 $0 1 $500Tucker 2 $1,874 2 $5,288 2 $1,552 1 $4,766 1 $153Tyler 0 $0 0 $0 0 $0 1 $1,371 0 $0Upshur 1 $227 4 $1,099 1 $45 2 $825 0 $0Wayne 0 $0 0 $0 2 $696 0 $0 0 $0Webster 0 $0 1 $250 1 $600 1 $85 3 $1,344Wetzel 0 $0 3 $960 0 $0 3 $2,617 1 $286Wirt 2 $775 0 $0 0 $0 0 $0 0 $0Wood 0 $0 0 $0 0 $0 0 $0 0 $0Wyoming 1 $118 5 $554 0 $0 0 $0 2 $381

Total 163 $146,471 150 $154,981 162 $203,922 124 $93,534 109 $102,344

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Spring HarvestSpring gobbler season began in 1966 on our wildlife management areas and went statewide in 1968. According to the ELS hunters harvested 12,287 bearded turkeys during the 2018 spring gobbler season (Table 7), a 6% increase from 2017. This was the largest harvest in 15 years when 12,535 birds were harvested in 2003. This year’s harvest was 21.64% above the 10-year average. This was the third year of West Virginia’s spring gobbler season coming in a week earlier (i.e. the third Monday in April) than historically and the first year the entire state was open to Sunday hunting on private land.

The first week’s harvest, 5,734 birds, accounted for 46.67% of the total 4-week spring gobbler harvest (Table 8). The second week, which was traditionally the first week up to 2015, accounted for 22% of the season harvest. Weeks 3 and 4 combined made up 27.83% of the total harvest. There were 829 more birds killed the last two weeks in 2018 compared to 2017. Weather conditions the first week (i.e. flooding, snow, wind, and cold temperatures) probably contributed to the end of the season harvest. Youth hunters harvested 431 birds during the youth spring gobbler season which was 6% below last year’s youth harvest.

Four of the six DNR Districts reported increases over last year’s harvest. District 4 and 5 harvested fewer birds than last year with District 4’s 2018 harvest being the lowest in the past five years. The counties in District 1 harvested the most birds again this year (3,418, more than 32% over the 2017 harvest) followed by District 6 (2,652), District 5 (1,812), District 3 (1,809), District 4 (1,517) and District 2 (1,079). The top five counties with the highest harvest were Preston (555), Mason (469), Jackson (460), Harrison (440), and Marshal (417).

Fall HarvestThis marked the second year Sunday hunting was permitted on private land in all 55 counties and the first year on public lands. For the third consecutive year, due to regulatory changes, all West Virginia’s 55 counties had at least a one week fall turkey season, which had a one bird either sex bag limit. Twenty-two counties had a one-week season, 19 counties, which had a spring harvest of at least 0.75 birds per square mile, were open to a split two-week season, and the 14 “traditional” counties had a four-week split season. Hunters harvested 1,215 turkeys (Table 9), up 28% from 2017 and 4% below the five-year average.

The 2018 fall season was on par with a typical season. The 2018 brood production increased from last year, an indication of a potential increase in fall harvest from the previous year.

All the districts had an increase in harvest over 2017. District 3’s 2018 harvest was 84% over 2017. District 3 harvested 319 birds, followed by District 1 (232), District 4 (230), District 6 (149), and District 5 (117).

Leading the state was Randolph County, with hunters harvesting 76 birds, followed by Nicholas (68), Greenbrier (65), Upshur (58), and Preston (54) Counties. The top three counties had a four-week season with Preston and Upshur Counties having a two-week season. The 14 “traditional counties”, which have a four-week season, accounted for 44.8% of the state’s fall turkey harvest. Overall the combined 2018 spring and fall turkey harvest ranked 14 compared to all previous hunting seasons (Table 10).

WILD TURKEY by Michael Peters


WILD TURKEYSurveysSpring Gobbler Survey

The Wildlife Resources Section and the West Virginia Chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation (NWTF) conduct an annual survey of spring gobbler hunters. The survey is done entirely by volunteer sportsmen who donate their time and effort to gather information to help the DNR manage wild turkeys. Typically, the West Virginian Chapter of NWTF sends survey forms to its members and the Wildlife Resources Section complies the data from these and other participants. A survey report is written and provided free to cooperators. The results from this survey were not available at the time of this printing.

Hunters desiring a copy of the annual survey report need to participate in the survey. Spring gobbler hunters wanting to help are encouraged to contact; Spring Gobbler Survey, West Virginia Division of Natural Resources, P.O. Box 67, Elkins, WV 26241, phone (304)637-0245. Those wishing to participate will be sent the necessary forms and a questionnaire prior to the spring hunting season. The survey is simple to conduct and a hunter does not have to harvest a gobbler to provide useful data. Most of the information collected deals with what hunters hear, see, or have an opinion on related to turkeys.

Brood Survey

Past studies have shown that the quantity of broods observed two years prior to a spring turkey season is a good indicator of the spring’s gobbler harvest. The number of turkey broods observed in the spring is a good indicator of that year’s fall harvest.

Statewide, 36 observers noted 565 encounters with turkeys in 2018. Observations were 67% higher than 2017 (338 observations). This included 665 hens, 1,476 poults, 580 gobblers, 210 unknown birds, and 36 repeated observations. Removing the repeated observations yielded; 642 hens, 1,427 poults, 493 gobblers, 200 unknown, and a 2.22 poult to hen ratio for the entire observation period. The 2018 poult to hen ratio was 46.1% over 2017 observations (1.52 poults/hen).

A total of 220 turkey broods were observed in 2018, a hundred more than last year. This is 83% above last year’s observations and 16% above the 5-year average. The biggest change occurred in the Southern Ecological Region (Region 4) where brood observation increased by 150% from 2017 to 2018. The Western Ecological Region observations increased by 59% from last year. Overall poult production seems to be up over last years and still on par with observations between 2014-2017.

RETURNS


WILD TURKEYSurveys continued ...Mast Survey

Active duty personnel and retirees from the Wildlife and Lew Enforcement Sections of the Division of Natural Resources and the Division of Forestry devoted their time to perform mast surveys this year. This survey has been conducted since 1970 and is our longest running survey. Two hundred thirty-six locations covering all regions of West Virginia were surveyed in 2017. Mast production for 18 tree and shrub species important to wildlife were observed.

Compared to the 2017 survey the mast index for all species combined was down approximately 22%. Beech, walnut, oak, and hickory nut crops were all less abundant in 2018 than in 2017. Beech and walnut production were down more than 20%, while hickory production was down 13%. However, walnut and hickory production were respectively 31% and 37% above the 47-year average and should provide ample hard mast for squirrels. Oak mast production was down significantly from 2017, with red oak, black oak, and scarlet oak declining more than 64%. Performance of these species was also significantly below the 47-year long-term survey average, with the red oak/black oak group 70% below average and scarlet oak 64% below the average. Acorn production in the usually-reliable scrub oak was down more than 41% as compared to August 2017 and 31% below the long-term average. Chestnut oak production was down 30% from 2017 but remained 10% above the long-term average. White oak acorn production was nearly identical to the abundant crop produced in 2017 and was 42% above the long-term average. Even with abundant white oak acorn production, total oak mast production was nearly 24% below the long-term average.

All soft mast producing species, except yellow-poplar, were below their 2017 performance levels. Apple production was down more than 30% statewide, likely due to deleterious effects of abnormally wet conditions upon overall fruit and tree health during the spring and summer months of 2018. Crabapple, hawthorn, black cherry, and sassafras were all more than 20% below production levels observed during August 2017, and black cherry and sassafras production were more than 20% below the 47-year survey average. Blackberry production was slightly below the long-term

average and 12% below the amount observed in 2017. However, dogwood, grape, and greenbrier crop production was similar to levels observed last year, and fruit production in all of these species was above the long-term average.

When considering all mast-producing species, the 2018 mast index was 22% below last year and approximately 5% below the 47-year survey average. Production of hickories, walnuts, and oaks were nearly 13% below the long-term average, and this difference was driven primarily by the sharp decline in the acorn crop. Total hard mast crop production was 29% below 2017 levels and 5% below the long-term average.

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WILD TURKEYTable 7. Spring harvest of wild turkeys in West Virginia, 2014-2018

County 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018Barbour 178 127 165 204 250Brooke 84 67 78 100 174Hancock 110 89 98 106 87Harrison 264 247 286 328 440Marion 149 170 192 257 330Marshall 220 174 207 256 417Monongalia 174 199 197 267 346Ohio 91 109 111 113 145Preston 344 333 371 475 555Taylor 87 72 101 135 189Tucker 88 82 90 97 89Wetzel 203 168 196 244 396Dist. I Subtotal 1,992 1,837 2,092 2,582 3,418 Berkeley 112 124 115 147 162Grant 129 131 161 145 160Hampshire 138 156 170 184 166Hardy 135 116 132 132 151Jefferson 57 82 79 115 115Mineral 96 118 134 133 148Morgan 62 64 54 64 65Pendleton 95 94 88 112 112Dist. II Subtotal 824 885 933 1,032 1,079 Braxton 175 194 197 209 307Clay 68 83 101 120 142Lewis 180 194 211 249 289Nicholas 164 213 330 311 287Pocahontas 130 145 144 142 113Randolph 186 225 250 247 207Upshur 229 231 228 302 335Webster 113 114 156 151 129Dist. III Subtotal 1,245 1,399 1,617 1,731 1,809 Fayette 244 239 292 278 247Greenbrier 245 242 308 269 225McDowell 215 218 200 177 132Mercer 170 161 176 192 150Monroe 212 181 184 192 183Raleigh 214 231 283 280 213Summers 209 199 219 209 170Wyoming 255 257 320 262 197Dist. IV Subtotal 1,764 1,728 1,982 1,859 1,517 Boone 159 138 157 157 125Cabell 80 110 114 176 125Kanawha 231 227 285 320 308Lincoln 178 169 215 229 158Logan 181 172 181 165 157Mason 293 314 378 448 469Mingo 93 91 131 143 106Putnam 150 181 210 268 235Wayne 103 108 139 186 129Dist. V Subtotal 1,468 1,510 1,810 2,092 1,812 Calhoun 135 128 145 164 190Doddridge 126 118 137 160 216Gilmer 147 124 132 143 170Jackson 293 264 302 408 460Pleasants 73 71 80 88 122Ritchie 245 218 216 264 327Roane 232 210 231 256 280Tyler 136 144 182 181 250Wirt 177 153 174 205 230Wood 271 248 328 380 407Dist. VI Subtotal 1,835 1,678 1,927 2,249 2,652

State Total 9,128 9,037 10,361 11,545 12,287


WILD TURKEYTable 8. Spring wild turkey harvest in West Virginia by week of season, 2017-2018

Week of Season2017 2018

Birds Harvested % Birds Harvested %Youth 458 3.97 431 3.51Week 1 6,143 53.21 5,734 46.67Week 2 2,354 20.39 2,703 22.00Week 3 1,315 11.39 1,743 14.19Week 4 1,275 11.04 1,676 13.64Unknown 0 0.00 0 0.00

State Total 11,545 100.00 12,287 100.00


WILD TURKEYTable 9. Fall harvest of wild turkeys in West Virginia, 2014-2018

County 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018Barbour 18 0 29 21 22Brooke 2 6 15 9 7Hancock 5 8 6 2 6Harrison 20 28 41 15 18Marion 6 19 38 12 20Marshall 22 9 50 17 24Monongalia 15 25 30 20 23Ohio 3 6 21 5 8Preston 53 71 105 55 54Taylor 5 2 23 21 10Tucker 25 13 14 6 26Wetzel 18 0 40 17 14Dist. I Subtotal 192 187 412 200 232Berkeley 19 30 21 20 12Grant 17 38 57 29 47Hampshire 15 35 30 18 22Hardy 18 31 27 19 21Mineral 0 0 8 4 4Morgan 16 25 22 14 30Pendleton 15 15 9 6 13Jefferson 31 25 35 24 19Dist. II Subtotal 131 199 209 134 168Braxton 0 0 43 5 8Clay 0 1 12 4 3Lewis 0 25 21 10 14Nicholas 88 63 140 36 68Pocahontas 54 62 49 34 41Randolph 83 114 116 38 76Upshur 0 59 92 32 58Webster 50 48 91 14 51Dist. III Subtotal 275 372 564 173 319Fayette 0 0 38 14 18Greenbrier 81 81 74 64 65McDowell 0 0 30 14 16Mercer 2 0 27 17 17Monroe 52 61 61 51 53Raleigh 0 0 47 18 24Summers 41 26 29 22 10Wyoming 35 41 62 12 27Dist. IV Subtotal 211 209 368 212 230Boone 0 2 21 5 9Cabell 0 0 12 5 8Kanawha 0 0 38 17 10Lincoln 0 0 26 7 12Logan 0 0 25 5 9Mason 33 43 64 28 45Mingo 0 0 8 1 8Putnam 0 19 27 14 14Wayne 0 0 17 0 2Dist. V Subtotal 33 64 238 82 117Calhoun 0 0 19 7 12Doddridge 0 0 12 5 7Gilmer 0 0 10 9 1Jackson 37 24 48 34 29Pleasants 3 6 7 8 13Ritchie 12 0 21 8 12Roane 0 0 26 17 15Tyler 8 15 18 2 6Wirt 23 17 30 23 17Wood 31 47 84 34 37Dist. VI Subtotal 114 109 275 147 149

State Total 956 1,140 2,066 948 1,215


WILD TURKEYTable 10. Total spring and fall wild turkey harvest, West Virginia, 1966-2018

Year Spring Fall Total Rank1966 12 1,334 1,346 521967 42 989 1,031 531968 134 1,697 1,831 511969 243 3,430 3,673 411970 370 3,020 3,390 441971 421 2,374 2,795 481972 589 2,353 2,942 471973 554 3,038 3,592 421974 596 2,158 2,754 491975 585 2,827 3,412 431976 721 1,860 2,581 501977 719 2,998 3,717 401978 566 2,803 3,369 451979 873 2,421 3,294 461980 1,459 3,696 5,155 371981 1,970 3,135 5,105 381982 2,458 5,684 8,142 331983 2,627 2,224 4,851 391984 3,387 2,414 5,801 361985 4,215 2,343 6,558 351986 4,774 3,130 7,904 341987 5,665 4,114 9,779 291988 6,526 2,939 9,465 311989 7,245 2,204 9,449 321990 9,152 3,504 12,656 161991 10,097 3,690 13,787 131992 11,299 3,518 14,817 81993 13,428 3,536 16,964 61994 15,501 3,351 18,852 41995 16,770 3,211 19,981 21996 16,618 2,870 19,488 31997 14,021 3,385 17,406 51998 12,467 1,678 14,145 111999 11,241 2,901 14,142 122000 12,794 1,541 14,335 102001 17,875 3,505 21,380 12002 13,385 2,808 16,193 72003 12,535 1,841 14,376 92004 10,573 1,357 11,930 212005 10,957 1,130 12,087 202006 11,735 1,186 12,921 152007 9,965 1,511 11,476 222008 9,929 1,206 11,135 242009 9,787 1,208 10,995 252010 10,209 1,126 11,335 232011 9,190 1,186 10,376 262012 8,303 1,294 9,597 302013 11,162 1,019 12,181 192014 9,128 956 10,084 282015 9,037 1,140 10,177 272016 10,361 2,066 12,427 182017 11,545 948 12,493 172018 12,287 1,215 13,502 14

Total 388,102 125,072 513,174

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WILD BOAR by Christopher W. Ryan

Hunters killed 137 boars during the 2018 season. This was the highest harvest in the last two decades since 1997. Hunters had the opportunity to hunt from February 1-3, 2019 in addition to archery season and the firearms season the last week of October. This new season produced great results with a harvest of 49 boars. Two boars were harvested in Logan County with archery equipment during the new season and twenty and twenty-seven were harvested in Boone and Logan counties with firearms, respectively.

Firearms hunters took 63 boars (37 in Logan County and 26 in Boone County) and archers killed 74 (52 in Logan County and 22 in Boone County). Crossbow hunters accounted for 22 kills. Raleigh and Wyoming County had no reported kills. The mast conditions, especially oak, were much lower in ecological region 3 during 2018 where the boar population is located. This led to the high number of archery kills.

Boars were introduced in 1971 to supplement big game populations and did well enough to accommodate a hunting season in 1979. Harvests have ranged from 3 that year to 158 in 1995. The decline in the population since the late 1990’s led to the removal of the December season in 2003. The single October firearms season was designed to reduce the harvest and to allow boars to move into unoccupied habitats. Traditionally, hunters have been less successful during Octobers when weather conditions are warm and dry and leaf fall makes boar sign more difficult to find. Hunters had suggested bringing back a late for several years. Biologists analyzed the data and proposed the stand-alone season in February to allow hunters a unique opportunity. The Natural Resources Commission approved the season and hunters responded accordingly by setting out and enjoying an event that never existed. Biologists will continue to the track the impact of this new season and make proposals accordingly.

Table 11. Wild boar harvest by weapon, 2018

County Crossbow Archery Gun TotalBoone 12 10 26 48

Logan 10 42 37 89

Total 22 52 63 137

Table 12. West Virginia wild boar harvest, 1979-2018

Year Total Kill1979 31980 101981 331982 721983 541984 811985 581986 351987 741988 341989 1161990 861991 591992 1301993 821994 861995 1581996 1391997 1411998 581999 962000 462001 432002 382003 52004 72005 122006 142007 222008 142009 352010 162011 372012 622013 492014 512015 992016 462017 912018 137

Total 2,429

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WHITE-TAILED DEER by James M. Crum

Deer Season 2018 and January 2019Tables 13 through 18 contain the 2018 white-tailed deer hunter harvest information for each of West Virginia’s 55 counties. In 2018 and January 2019, deer hunters harvested a total of 108,856 deer in the combined deer seasons. This is within 1% of the 2017 harvest of 108,160 and 11% below the previous five-year harvest average of 122,924. The combined deer season harvest for 2018 is the 30th largest total deer harvest on record for West Virginia. The 2018 total deer harvest represents one deer killed for every 135 acres of deer habitat in the state, and a 57% harvest decrease from the record harvest of 255,356 deer in 2002. From 1945 through 2018, a total of 6,463,925 deer have been recorded as harvested in West Virginia (Fig. 2). Forty eight percent (3,120,221) of the total recorded deer harvest of the past 73 years has occurred in the last 20 years.

In 2018, the traditional bucks-only firearm season harvest of antlered bucks was 44,599, a 1% increase from the 2017 harvest (Table 13). This is 9% less than the five-year average bucks-only firearm season harvest of 48,997 and ranks 35th among all past years.

The 2018 antlerless deer harvest taken with a firearm decreased by 2.5% from that of 2017 and was 68.5% less than the record harvest of 104,199 in 2002. A total of 32,751 antlerless deer (Table 15) were taken with a firearm during the antlerless deer season and the Youth, Class Q/QQ (physically challenged) and Senior Lifetime Class XS deer season. This year marked the seventh year for an October firearm antlerless deer season however a day was added this October segment (October 25- 28). The traditional December antlerless season was also increased from three to four days (December 6-9) and moved to follow buck firearms season rather than muzzleloader season. The antlerless deer maximum season bag limit was decreased from 4 to 3 in 2012 and continued to remain at 3 for 2018. In comparison to 2017, the antlerless bag limit in 2018 was decreased in 8 counties from 3 antlerless deer to 1 antlerless deer. Three counties that had limited permits in 2017 were opened to unlimited permits in 2018. Two counties with unlimited permits in 2017 were reduced to limited permits in 2018. The firearm antlerless deer season was open in 2018 for 25 days on private land in 50 counties or portions thereof. In 5 counties and portions of 3 more,

Figure 2. White-tailed deer harvest in West Virginia from 1945-2018.


WHITE-TAILED DEER

the season was closed. Of the counties open for antlerless deer hunting to resident and nonresident hunters, 26 counties and portions of 3 counties had a bag limit of three antlerless deer, and 15 more counties and portions of 4 counties had a bag limit of one antlerless deer. Four counties and portions of 3 counties in 2018 were limited to resident and nonresident hunters who had to apply for limited permits. The antlerless season was closed on a large portion of National Forest land. Similar to 2017, all Monongahela National Forest land in Pocahontas, and Randolph counties was closed to firearm antlerless hunting. Qualifying youth, Class Q/QQ and Senior Lifetime Class XS license holders had an additional three-day antlerless-only season on private and public land in counties having a firearms deer hunting season. The 2018 special split deer season for youth, Class Q/QQ and Senior Lifetime Class XS hunters was the eleventh year for the season to be open on private land in all 51 counties open to a deer firearms season, the seventh year that all public lands in the 51 counties were open and also the seventh year that Senior Lifetime Class XS license holders could participate. The 2018 antlerless season harvest was 33rd highest on record and 20% less than the five-year average antlerless harvest of 40,859.

The 2018 deer statewide archery (bow/crossbow) season opened September 29, 2018, one day earlier than the 2017 season. In the 2018 archery season (including urban archery and 23 deer taken with long or recurve bows in the Mountaineer Heritage season), a harvest of 26,636 was recorded which includes 13,369 deer harvested during the archery season with a crossbow. Deer reported as harvested with a crossbow represented 50% of the total archery season harvest and ranged from 17% to 68% of archery harvest of antlered deer by county. This year’s archery harvest was 1.6% more than the 2017 archery season, 18th highest on record and 3% below the five-year average of 27,506 (Table 14).

The 2018 muzzleloader harvest was 4,870 a 15% increase from the 2017 harvest of 4,243 but includes 636 deer taken with side lock and flintlock muzzleloaders in the Mountaineer Heritage season. This is 12% below the five-year average harvest of 5,540, and the 33rd out of 36

years the muzzleloader season has existed in West Virginia (Table 16). Some changes to the muzzleloader season that occurred in 2012 were reversed in 2018. In 2012 the early 6-day special antlerless muzzleloader deer season in September was dropped and the traditional mid-December portion of the season was moved to early December opening the Monday following the close of buck firearm season. In 2018 the September portion remained dropped but the December portion was moved to mid-December (December 10-16) after the antlerless deer season.

In 2018, hunting on Sunday was permissible in West Virginia for the 18th year since 1956. In 2001, all counties were open to hunting on Sunday. In 2002, a total of 20 counties were open to hunting on Sunday. From 2003 through 2013, there were 14 counties open to hunting on Sunday. In 2014 19 counties, in 2015 20 counties, in 2016 22 counties and in 2017 all counties were open to hunting on Sunday on private land with written permission. In 2018 all counties were open to hunting on Sunday on both private and public land making 14 additional days available for deer hunting in 2018 deer seasons. All 14 days were open for bow and crossbow hunters who recorded taking 4,001 deer on Sundays, or 15% of the total 2018 archery (bow/crossbow) harvest. Four Sundays were open for antlerless firearms deer hunting and 2,623 deer were reported as harvested. One Sunday was open for taking an antlered deer with a firearm (the Sunday after Thanksgiving November 25th), and 876 antlered bucks were reported as harvested.

In the 2018 deer season, 51 counties were open to the two-week bucks-only season. The desired buck harvest per square mile was not exceeded by more than one buck per square mile in any county open to firearms deer hunting. There were six counties with a buck harvest of one buck per square mile lower than the desired harvest. For the remaining 45 counties, the buck harvest was within one buck per square mile of the desired harvest for the county. In contrast to 2017, no counties exceeded the desired buck harvest per square mile by at least one buck per square mile and 11 counties were lower than the desired harvest while 40 counties were within one buck per square mile of the desired buck harvest.


WHITE-TAILED DEER

The harvest of antlerless deer is the key to healthier, heavier, and more productive deer herds. This is because there are natural limits to the number of deer the land can support. When these natural limits are exceeded, deer body weights, reproductive rates, antler development, and herd health declines, including an increased likelihood that deer will die over winter. If deer exceed natural limits long enough, habitat quality is reduced which produces a long-term reduction in the natural limit of deer the land can support. To avoid these problems a minimum of 70 females for every 100 bucks is generally required just to stabilize a deer herd. If a decrease in the herd is warranted, the percentage of females needs to be above 40%. Figure 3 depicts the total deer harvest in West Virginia from 1993 through 2018 by the sex composition of the harvest for each year in relation to the percentage of female deer harvested. This figure appears to reflect the stabilizing effect the 40% female harvest has on the number of deer harvested. The 2018 deer harvest

records indicate the percentage of female deer in the harvest was 38.2% down slightly from the 38.8% recorded in 2017 which is expected to stabilize the statewide deer herd. However, the percentage of female deer in the harvest of individual counties in 2018 varied from 12% to 46% which reflects antlerless deer season frameworks design for individual counties to grow, reduce, or stabilize the deer population on a county basis.

Over the last 10 years the yearly average number of reported antlered bucks harvested during all deer seasons is 3 antlered bucks per square mile of deer habitat in West Virginia or one buck per 214 acres. Hunters and landowners must continually assess their expectations of the proper number of deer sightings versus the visible impacts deer have on vegetation, and manage the state’s deer herd by participating and encouraging antlerless deer harvest where needed. This benefits not only the deer herd, but all wildlife dependent on our state’s woodland habitat.

Figure 3. Deer harvested by sex in West Virginia from 1993-2018.

Deer Season 2018 and January 2019 continued ...


WHITE-TAILED DEER

resident landowner privileges. The 2018 season was the ninth year for participation by the 15 -17 age youths and the seventh year for participation by Class XS license holders. The daily bag limit was one antlerless deer. Hunters harvested 1,129 deer on the first day, October 20th and an additional 396 and 365 deer on December 26th and 27th, respectively. Overall the harvest for the 2018 special Youth, Class Q and Senior Lifetime Class XS deer season increased 15% from 2017. The harvest for the 2018 first day was up 15% from the first day of the 2017 season and the second and third days of the 2018 season were up 28% and 69% respectively, from the reported harvest in 2017.

Special controlled deer hunts were held in 2018 on nine West Virginia State Parks. A total of 192 deer (152 antlerless and 40 antlered deer) were harvested. These deer are not included in tables 13 through 18 as part of the 2018 deer harvest. Seven deer were taken at Beech Fork State Park, 36 deer at Cacapon State Park,14 deer at Canaan Valley State, five deer at Lost River State Park, 32 deer at North Bend State Park, 25 deer at Pipestem State Park, 55 deer at Stonewall Jackson State Park, eight deer at Twin Falls State Park and 10 deer at Watoga State Park. This was the fourth year for such a hunt on Pipestem State Park, the third year for a hunt at Cacapon State Park, and the second year for a controlled deer hunt at North Bend State Park. All state park controlled deer hunts are by application only. Visit www.wvhunt.com to apply on-line. Deer are a keystone species in West Virginia’s natural world and proper stewardship of our State’s flora and fauna require that deer management be addressed on all lands.

Special Deer Management HarvestDeer taken by hunters in the Special Urban Deer Season and Special Split Youth, Class Q/QQ and Senior Lifetime Class XS deer season do not count toward the hunter’s regular deer season bag limits nor require the hunter to purchase a Class N/NN or additional deer stamps. However, these deer are included in tables 13 through 18 as part of the 2018 deer season harvest.

The Special Urban Deer Season is available to incorporated cities and homeowner associations, which may open three weeks prior to the opening of statewide deer archery season and close January 31, 2019. The extension through January 2019 was the first year for this expanded opportunity. During this special season, up to seven deer may be taken by each hunter. This is the 14th year that homeowner associations have taken advantage of the special urban archery deer season to address deer population management. For information regarding implementing a special season contact your local city government or homeowner’s association.

In the special split Youth, Class Q/QQ and Senior Lifetime Class XS deer season, a total of 1,890 antlerless deer were harvested. This season was open on private land and public land in any county open to a firearms deer season on October 20, 2018, and again December 26 and 27, 2018. This was the 21st year a Youth special season was held. To participate, hunters had to hold a Class Q license, or be a youth at least eight and less than 18 years of age on the day of the season, or possess a Senior Lifetime Class XS license. Youth hunters, age 8-14, must be accompanied by a licensed adult at least 21 years of age and youths age 15-17 must comply with all regular season license requirements for junior sportsman hunting or hunt with


WHITE-TAILED DEERNonseasonal MortalitiesNonseasonal mortalities are those deer deaths that are not associated with the harvest of deer by hunters. Figure 4 depicts nonseasonal deer mortalities that are associated with human/deer conflicts (i.e., vehicle collisions and crop damage). The public, DNR Natural Resource Police Officers, and DNR Wildlife Resources personnel routinely report nonseasonal mortalities. The WV Department of Transportation, Division of Highways (DOH) -Traffic Engineering Division, provides monthly summaries of vehicle killed deer that are encountered by DOH personnel. DNR Natural Resource Police Officers provide wildlife damage investigation reports from which the number of deer killed for crop damage is obtained.

The reported nonseasonal mortalities from vehicle collisions in 2018 were not available at the time of

Figure 4. Vehicle and crop damage kills in West Virginia from 1978-2018.

preparation of this document so therefore 2018 vehicle deer kills are not reported or depicted in Figure 4. Deer killed on crop damage permits increased in DNR Districts 4, and 5, decreased in Districts 1, 2 and 3 and remained the same in District 6. Overall, deer killed through the crop damage permit system in 2018 decreased by 26%, with 2,017 deer killed on crop damage permits in 2017 and 1,493 recorded in 2018.

The occurrence of deer reportedly killed by collisions with vehicles and deer reported as killed for crop damage follow similar trends. Although other factors such as deer food supply (such as acorns), number and average speed of vehicles, and crop growing conditions like drought influence these trends, a major factor is deer population (Fig. 4).


WHITE-TAILED DEERDeer Hunting OutlookOverall deer hunting opportunities for hunters across the state in 2019 are proposed to be similar to those in 2018 with the exception of decreased antlerless deer season bag limits and some reduction in hunting opportunities in counties where recorded deer harvest data indicates female deer harvest should be decreased to stabilize or increase current deer populations. The 2018 deer seasons were the fourth year for electronic game checking system and the third year hunters were directed to take deer harvested on the first two days of the traditional buck firearm season to specially designated locations where wildlife agency personnel could examine the deer. In Berkeley and Mineral counties this required examination was for the collection of biological information such as age and antler development and to collect samples for CWD testing. A similar requirement may be asked of hunters in the 2019 deer seasons. Hunter cooperation in delivering their deer to the biological examination stations and recording their harvest though out the deer season is an integral part to the DNR’s ability to manage deer in West Virginia. Hunters have helped manage deer in the state since mandatory game checking began in 1929 and the information provided by hunters is the foundation for tracking deer herd trends and monitoring doe harvest impacts. To register your harvest visit www.wvhunt.com, call 1-844-982-4325 (1-844-WVCheck) or visit a license agent.

The 2019 deer archery (bow/crossbow) season opening date is proposed to open the last Saturday in September (September 28th) which is one day earlier than the September 29th opening in 2018. The expanded January portion of the urban archery deer seasons available to incorporated cities and homeowner associations put in place last year is proposed to remain available in January 2020. The liberal bag limit and extended season length available for the season has provided incorporated cities and homeowner associations a reliable and efficient method to address locally over abundant deer populations.

Antlerless deer hunting opportunities for the 2019 muzzleloader season are proposed to follow guidelines adopted in 2012 muzzleloader deer season regulations. In counties with unlimited Class N/NN antlerless deer permits and an antlerless Class N/NN season bag limit of one or more,

hunters would be able to take two deer of either sex during the muzzleloader season, provided the second muzzleloader deer is taken on an additional muzzleloader deer stamp (RM for residents and RMM for nonresident hunters). In counties with limited lottery Class N/NN antlerless season and a one antlerless deer Class N/NN season bag limit, hunters in the 2019 muzzleloader season can take one deer of either sex but the second muzzleloader season deer taken on the RM or RMM additional muzzleloader deer stamp can only be an antlered deer, provided the hunter has not filled the maximum annual bag limit (excluding special urban archery hunts) of three antlered bucks.

Overall the Class N/NN antlerless deer season is proposed to remain the same in 2019 as it was in 2018 in many counties. An October Class N/NN antlerless deer season is again proposed for the fall of 2019and is proposed to occur October 24th through 27th. The number of antlerless deer that can be taken with a firearm is proposed to remain one to a maximum of three deer depending on the need to stabilize, increase or decrease the county deer population. Some counties with a one antlerless deer bag limit maybe restricted to resident and non-resident hunters chosen by lottery. Again, as in the past three years, a split Special Youth, Class Q/QQ and Senior Lifetime Class XS deer season is proposed to be held on October 19th and 20th and open again on December 26th and 27th on private and public lands in the 51 counties open to firearms deer season. This season would be closed in Logan, Mingo, McDowell, or Wyoming counties.

Please refer to the 2019-2020 Hunting and Trapping Regulations Summary for further details on all deer hunting seasons because any proposed seasons and bag limits have not been approved by the Natural Resources Commission at this time. White-tailed deer hunting season regulations for 2019 will be published and available to hunters in July of 2019. This newsprint-like pamphlet contains complete information on gun, archery, muzzleloading, and antlerless deer hunting, plus other hunting regulations on turkey, bear, boar, and small game. Hunters will be able to obtain a copy from any DNR office or any business that sells West Virginia hunting licenses or visit the Wildlife Resources Section on the web at www.wvdnr.gov.


Efforts to control the spread and monitor chronic wasting disease (CWD) in free-ranging deer in West Virginia by DNR, landowners, and hunters are ongoing. In the 2018 deer seasons, samples taken from 814 hunter-harvested deer brought to DNR staffed stations were tested for CWD. Twenty seven samples were found to have the abnormal protein associated with CWD. CWD has now been detected in a total of 350 deer in Hampshire County and six deer in Hardy County, 15 in Berkeley County, four deer Mineral County and one deer in Morgan County. Lowering encounter rates between infected and non-infected animals by prohibiting artificial supplemental feeding and baiting are generally accepted management practices for slowing the spread of an infectious disease among wildlife and initiating these prohibitions on a statewide or regional basis for deer is a major tool used by other states combating CWD. Currently (February 2019) in West Virginia in all of Berkeley, Grant, Hampshire, Hardy, Jefferson, Mineral and Morgan counties it is illegal to bait or feed deer any time. In addition, hunters are prohibited from transporting dead deer or their parts beyond the boundary of Berkeley, Hampshire, Hardy, Mineral and Morgan counties except for the following: meat that has been boned out, quarters or other portions of meat with no part of the spinal column or head attached, cleaned hide with no head attached, clean skull plate (no meat or tissue attached) with antlers attached, antlers with no meat or tissue attached, and finished taxidermy mounts. The Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries

and the Maryland Department of Natural Resources have detected CWD positive deer adjacent to Hampshire County in Frederick and Shenandoah County VA and Allegany County MD. In addition, PA Game Commission has detected CWD positive deer in Bedford, Blair and Fulton counties adjacent and north of Allegany County MD. To reduce the risk of spreading CWD to new areas, other states have made it illegal to possess or use deer scents/lures that contain natural deer urine or other bodily fluids while taking, attempting to take, attracting, or scouting wildlife. All West Virginia deer hunters are urged to use caution in spreading natural deer urine based lures in the environment and ask not to place deer urine lures on the ground or on vegetation where deer can reach them. Additionally, a well-documented method of spreading CWD across long distances is the movement of live species of deer for commercial purposes. Many organizations such as the Quality Deer Management Association, Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, and The Wildlife Society have recognized the threat the pen propagation and translocation of deer species represent to the wild deer and elk resources that are enjoyed by all citizens. This threat is not only from CWD but also from the introduction of other pathogens and genetic consequences, which have the potential to devastate our revered deer resource. For more information on CWD and the current status of the disease in West Virginia contact any DNR office or visit the Wildlife Resources Section on the web at www.wvdnr.gov.

WHITE-TAILED DEERDeer Hunting Outlook continued ...


WHITE-TAILED DEERTable 13. West Virginia Antlered Buck Harvest, 2014-2018

County 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018Barbour 886 1,281 1,098 984 958Brooke 251 286 268 175 188Hancock 200 208 209 157 139Harrison 930 1,418 1,138 1,017 888Marion 702 1,190 765 735 678Marshall 707 818 727 624 637Monongalia 689 1,023 827 825 750Ohio 232 290 270 180 197Preston 1,526 2,046 1,774 1,947 1,607Taylor 453 732 581 485 491Tucker 494 783 730 817 754Wetzel 891 1,144 899 823 676Dist. I Subtotal 7,961 11,219 9,286 8,769 7,963Berkeley 522 908 737 753 757Grant 783 1,304 954 1,194 1,219Hampshire 1,094 1,947 1,197 1,386 1,471Hardy 920 1,709 1,076 1,198 1,212Jefferson 385 499 422 419 463Mineral 835 1,335 922 1,011 1,048Morgan 412 678 437 503 622Pendleton 861 1,297 1,088 1,018 1,275Dist. II Subtotal 5,812 9,677 6,833 7,482 8,067Braxton 921 1,660 1,102 1,233 1,017Clay 329 618 390 481 438Lewis 1,166 1,875 1,246 1,216 1,001Nicholas 871 1,274 1,044 987 1,060Pocahontas 831 1,008 921 1,040 994Randolph 1,291 1,659 1,617 1,633 1,685Upshur 1,009 1,704 1,399 1,025 1,155Webster 632 1,080 941 777 937Dist. III Subtotal 7,050 10,878 8,660 8,392 8,287Fayette 725 1,214 889 927 998Greenbrier 1,372 1,816 1,447 1,628 1,481McDowell 0 0 0 0 0Mercer 402 843 636 593 617Monroe 1,004 1,462 1,099 1,295 1,193Raleigh 506 895 648 592 624Summers 657 999 657 809 701Wyoming 0 0 0 0 0Dist. IV Subtotal 4,666 7,229 5,376 5,844 5,614Boone 519 868 573 658 672Cabell 421 641 677 404 644Kanawha 730 1,547 1,058 1,046 1,214Lincoln 720 1,312 846 569 958Logan 0 0 0 0 0Mason 1,002 1,488 1,267 867 1,206Mingo 0 0 0 0 0Putnam 565 1,114 992 624 943Wayne 528 963 815 448 737Dist. V Subtotal 4,485 7,933 6,228 4,616 6,374Calhoun 504 1,063 705 740 698Doddridge 615 1,376 946 947 659Gilmer 669 1,435 791 875 800Jackson 1,107 1,870 1,487 1,096 1,380Pleasants 273 492 334 317 280Ritchie 1,123 2,024 1,422 1,338 1,065Roane 927 1,846 1,178 1,186 1,176Tyler 566 1,064 855 817 566Wirt 681 1,152 777 734 669Wood 1,011 1,556 1,193 974 1,001Dist. VI Subtotal 7,476 13,878 9,688 9,024 8,294

State Total 37,450 60,814 46,071 44,127 44,599


WHITE-TAILED DEERTable 14. West Virginia Archery/Crossbow Harvest, 2014-2018

County 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018Barbour 416 623 535 534 537Brooke 303 278 262 155 171Hancock 373 344 353 282 267Harrison 502 702 559 634 528Marion 413 640 482 509 433Marshall 307 353 336 300 290Monongalia 584 781 678 694 592Ohio 250 272 286 202 217Preston 999 1,415 1,265 1,469 1,333Taylor 265 346 279 361 286Tucker 312 420 400 482 465Wetzel 248 357 288 311 251Dist. I Subtotal 4,972 6,531 5,723 5,933 5,370Berkeley 397 554 534 559 645Grant 300 423 323 363 366Hampshire 275 457 349 381 355Hardy 231 404 268 321 296Jefferson 363 374 402 408 446Mineral 275 394 327 381 353Morgan 163 253 214 242 251Pendleton 279 391 296 316 371Dist. II Subtotal 2,283 3,250 2,713 2,971 3,083Braxton 380 593 516 539 452Clay 194 339 223 243 250Lewis 372 712 544 538 485Nicholas 630 799 726 635 636Pocahontas 288 318 264 324 244Randolph 779 921 928 883 914Upshur 472 906 747 694 683Webster 420 626 537 511 540Dist. III Subtotal 3,535 5,214 4,485 4,367 4,204Fayette 666 801 701 765 694Greenbrier 556 739 525 722 615McDowell 447 673 456 574 628Mercer 419 817 653 625 567Monroe 460 632 483 542 505Raleigh 640 1,032 729 789 807Summers 341 563 362 450 377Wyoming 686 1,039 867 824 976Dist. IV Subtotal 4,215 6,296 4,776 5,291 5,169Boone 433 486 354 377 399Cabell 288 365 416 208 376Kanawha 771 1,069 894 894 1,045Lincoln 418 643 421 258 415Logan 608 924 574 507 772Mason 628 786 690 535 610Mingo 284 579 386 277 410Putnam 437 599 579 397 551Wayne 304 451 402 179 292Dist. V Subtotal 4,171 5,902 4,716 3,632 4,870Calhoun 213 433 295 283 295Doddridge 210 390 264 328 241Gilmer 174 448 257 334 311Jackson 495 759 692 515 676Pleasants 92 163 137 162 117Ritchie 404 713 536 501 514Roane 356 707 455 489 478Tyler 256 366 281 328 258Wirt 267 459 341 334 341Wood 638 909 853 738 709Dist. VI Subtotal 3,105 5,347 4,111 4,012 3,940

State Total 22,281 32,540 26,524 26,206 26,636


WHITE-TAILED DEERTable 15. West Virginia Antlerless Harvest, 2014-2018

County 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018Barbour 1,074 911 806 873 875Brooke 411 346 392 236 159Hancock 354 210 168 163 100Harrison 1,255 1,228 1,045 1,014 842Marion 943 984 826 809 543Marshall 940 554 514 437 371Monongalia 866 968 673 673 677Ohio 366 361 230 152 141Preston 1,818 1,437 1,635 1,703 1,799Taylor 620 486 514 533 473Tucker 397 47 200 332 413Wetzel 934 957 866 723 516Dist. I Subtotal 9,978 8,489 7,869 7,648 6,909Berkeley 752 813 675 730 706Grant 559 592 467 599 647Hampshire 1,054 1,240 908 959 1,068Hardy 825 967 659 717 774Jefferson 488 442 428 450 411Mineral 880 899 761 706 729Morgan 531 551 433 490 562Pendleton 597 547 497 424 574Dist. II Subtotal 5,686 6,051 4,828 5,075 5,471Braxton 1,266 1,193 909 1,083 848Clay 127 184 182 109 305Lewis 1,414 1,753 1,377 1,258 1,160Nicholas 454 606 509 436 862Pocahontas 355 238 216 249 213Randolph 1,094 533 850 849 850Upshur 1,359 1,271 1,605 1,300 1,289Webster 138 174 314 562 331Dist. III Subtotal 6,207 5,952 5,962 5,846 5,858Fayette 294 392 283 286 441Greenbrier 856 821 739 773 801McDowellMercer 253 337 414 547 423Monroe 1,194 1,220 819 998 1,099Raleigh 219 291 215 226 229Summers 917 689 603 682 524WyomingDist. IV Subtotal 3,733 3,750 3,073 3,512 3,517Boone 203 93 157 172 182Cabell 491 419 422 290 380Kanawha 484 558 412 478 525Lincoln 739 872 567 338 290LoganMason 1,425 1,593 1,370 1,052 922MingoPutnam 800 1,048 885 612 807Wayne 288 38 269 134 53Dist. V Subtotal 4,430 4,621 4,082 3,076 3,159Calhoun 594 802 630 557 653Doddridge 731 914 750 731 627Gilmer 779 1,017 688 727 694Jackson 1,304 1,521 1,317 1,122 1,183Pleasants 254 260 268 298 164Ritchie 1,303 1,622 1,309 1,290 1,123Roane 1,244 1,514 1,123 1,101 1,073Tyler 742 901 815 781 542Wirt 919 1,002 860 733 721Wood 1,529 1,436 1,218 1,087 1,057Dist. VI Subtotal 9,399 10,989 8,978 8,427 7,837

State Total 39,433 39,852 34,792 33,584 32,751


WHITE-TAILED DEERTable 16. West Virginia Muzzleloader Harvest, 2014-2018

County 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018Barbour 159 116 133 119 108Brooke 30 18 38 13 24Hancock 42 23 34 18 19Harrison 183 128 113 126 132Marion 106 124 113 82 72Marshall 108 76 73 64 66Monongalia 92 117 91 82 87Ohio 37 44 46 34 39Preston 267 182 217 203 213Taylor 84 75 70 59 77Tucker 88 16 73 73 84Wetzel 91 88 90 71 44Dist. I Subtotal 1,287 1,007 1,091 944 965Berkeley 83 74 67 64 64Grant 115 112 81 75 100Hampshire 122 127 88 89 121Hardy 109 80 63 74 87Jefferson 56 48 54 46 65Mineral 91 75 80 43 50Morgan 52 70 44 38 48Pendleton 98 67 70 48 62Dist. II Subtotal 726 653 547 477 597Braxton 197 189 157 127 142Clay 26 25 43 34 64Lewis 198 165 168 146 125Nicholas 259 265 232 162 198Pocahontas 120 77 56 57 70Randolph 304 202 243 194 205Upshur 145 155 185 163 169Webster 33 28 139 74 158Dist. III Subtotal 1,282 1,106 1,223 957 1,131Fayette 166 183 124 124 165Greenbrier 128 108 135 130 178McDowellMercer 36 114 86 62 118Monroe 131 105 70 107 93Raleigh 85 83 70 70 114Summers 112 88 62 78 83WyomingDist. IV Subtotal 658 681 547 571 751Boone 132 39 72 74 127Cabell 60 45 60 32 50Kanawha 57 88 78 64 103Lincoln 86 159 106 46 76LoganMason 157 150 153 108 142MingoPutnam 89 90 119 63 90Wayne 55 31 62 30 29Dist. V Subtotal 636 602 650 417 617Calhoun 79 71 69 66 70Doddridge 77 104 70 95 41Gilmer 111 126 93 87 83Jackson 155 183 158 138 154Pleasants 30 34 27 20 27Ritchie 96 167 102 109 88Roane 100 129 105 90 95Tyler 94 75 82 63 43Wirt 87 86 92 91 90Wood 125 154 141 118 118Dist. VI Subtotal 954 1,129 939 877 809

State Total 5,543 5,178 4,997 4,243 4,870


WHITE-TAILED DEERTable 17. Deer Mortality by Type of Season in West Virginia, 2018.

County Buck Gun Antlerless Archery/Crossbow Muzzleloader Mountaineer

Heritage TotalBarbour 958 875 536 98 11 2,478Brooke 188 159 171 21 3 542Hancock 139 100 267 16 3 525Harrison 888 842 526 113 21 2,390Marion 678 543 433 60 12 1,726Marshall 637 371 290 58 8 1,364Monongalia 750 677 592 70 17 2,106Ohio 197 141 217 32 7 594Preston 1,607 1,799 1,333 177 36 4,952Taylor 491 473 284 65 14 1,327Tucker 754 413 465 71 13 1,716Wetzel 676 516 251 41 3 1,487Dist. I Subtotal 7,963 6,909 5,365 822 148 21,207Berkeley 757 706 645 57 7 2,172Grant 1,219 647 365 93 8 2,332Hampshire 1,471 1,068 355 111 10 3,015Hardy 1,212 774 296 81 6 2,369Jefferson 463 411 445 60 6 1,385Mineral 1,048 729 353 45 5 2,180Morgan 622 562 251 44 4 1,483Pendleton 1,275 574 370 59 4 2,282Dist. II Subtotal 8,067 5,471 3,080 550 50 17,218Braxton 1,017 848 451 123 20 2,459Clay 438 305 250 53 11 1,057Lewis 1,001 1,160 485 105 20 2,771Nicholas 1,060 862 634 168 32 2,756Pocahontas 994 213 244 65 5 1,521Randolph 1,685 850 914 185 20 3,654Upshur 1,155 1,289 681 132 39 3,296Webster 937 331 540 137 21 1,966Dist. III Subtotal 8,287 5,858 4,199 968 168 19,480Fayette 998 441 694 151 14 2,298Greenbrier 1,481 801 615 151 27 3,075McDowell 0 0 628 0 0 628Mercer 617 423 567 105 13 1,725Monroe 1,193 1,099 505 76 17 2,890Raleigh 624 229 806 96 19 1,774Summers 701 524 377 74 9 1,685Wyoming 0 0 974 0 2 976Dist. IV Subtotal 5,614 3,517 5,166 653 101 15,051Boone 672 182 398 109 19 1,380Cabell 644 380 376 43 7 1,450Kanawha 1,214 525 1,045 76 27 2,887Lincoln 958 290 415 64 12 1,739Logan 0 0 769 0 3 772Mason 1,206 922 610 128 14 2,880Mingo 0 0 410 0 0 410Putnam 943 807 551 78 12 2,391Wayne 737 53 291 21 9 1,111Dist. V Subtotal 6,374 3,159 4,865 519 103 15,020Calhoun 698 653 295 63 7 1,716Doddridge 659 627 241 38 3 1,568Gilmer 800 694 311 76 7 1,888Jackson 1,380 1,183 675 141 14 3,393Pleasants 280 164 117 21 6 588Ritchie 1,065 1,123 514 77 11 2,790Roane 1,176 1,073 478 84 11 2,822Tyler 566 542 258 38 5 1,409Wirt 669 721 341 82 8 1,821Wood 1,001 1,057 708 102 17 2,885Dist. VI Subtotal 8,294 7,837 3,938 722 89 20,880

State Total 44,599 32,751 26,613 4,234 659 108,856


WHITE-TAILED DEERTable 18. West Virginia 2018 deer kill per square mile of habitat by season (calculated using deer habitat

open by county for season, all seasons combined kill based on total deer habitat for county).

County Area Bucks Antlerless Muzzleloader Archery/Crossbow

All Seasons Combined

Barbour 328 2.92 2.67 0.33 1.64 7.55Brooke 72 2.61 2.20 0.33 2.37 7.51Hancock 64 2.19 1.57 0.30 4.20 8.26Harrison 379 2.34 2.22 0.35 1.39 6.30Marion 286 2.37 1.90 0.25 1.52 6.04Marshall 294 2.17 1.26 0.22 0.99 4.65Monongalia 310 2.42 2.18 0.28 1.91 6.80Ohio 82 2.39 1.71 0.47 2.64 7.22Preston 632 2.54 2.85 0.34 2.11 7.84Taylor 160 3.07 2.96 0.48 1.79 8.30Tucker 402 1.87 1.03 0.21 1.16 4.27Wetzel 350 1.93 1.47 0.13 0.72 4.25Dist. I Subtotal 3,359 2.37 2.06 0.29 1.60 6.31Berkeley 297 2.55 2.38 0.22 2.17 7.32Grant 471 2.59 1.37 0.21 0.78 4.95Hampshire 631 2.33 1.69 0.19 0.56 4.78Hardy 569 2.13 1.36 0.15 0.52 4.16Jefferson 198 2.34 2.07 0.33 2.25 6.99Mineral 319 3.29 2.29 0.16 1.11 6.84Morgan 213 2.92 2.64 0.23 1.18 6.97Pendleton 690 1.85 0.83 0.09 0.54 3.31Dist. II Subtotal 3,388 2.38 1.61 0.18 0.91 5.08Braxton 501 2.03 1.69 0.28 0.90 4.91Clay 338 1.30 0.90 0.19 0.74 3.13Lewis 373 2.68 3.11 0.33 1.30 7.42Nicholas 632 1.68 1.36 0.31 1.01 4.36Pocahontas 911 1.09 0.50 0.08 0.27 1.67Randolph 1,019 1.65 1.20 0.20 0.90 3.58Upshur 343 3.37 3.76 0.49 1.99 9.61Webster 535 1.75 0.62 0.30 1.01 3.68Dist. III Subtotal 4,652 1.78 1.61 0.24 0.90 4.19Fayette 629 1.59 1.11 0.26 1.10 3.66Greenbrier 991 1.49 0.81 0.18 0.62 3.10McDowell 515 0.00 1.22 1.22Mercer 380 1.62 1.11 0.31 1.49 4.54Monroe 463 2.58 2.37 0.20 1.09 6.24Raleigh 562 1.11 0.64 0.20 1.44 3.16Summers 341 2.05 1.54 0.24 1.11 4.94Wyoming 481 0.00 2.03 2.03Dist. IV Subtotal 4,361 1.67 1.20 0.22 1.19 3.45Boone 485 1.39 0.38 0.26 0.82 2.85Cabell 240 2.69 1.59 0.21 1.57 6.05Kanawha 798 1.52 1.84 0.13 1.31 3.62Lincoln 426 2.25 0.68 0.18 0.97 4.08Logan 422 0.00 1.83 1.83Mason 413 2.92 2.23 0.34 1.48 6.97Mingo 404 0.00 1.02 1.02Putnam 320 2.94 2.52 0.28 1.72 7.46Wayne 485 1.52 0.11 0.06 0.60 2.29Dist. V Subtotal 3,993 2.01 1.30 0.19 1.22 3.76Calhoun 276 2.53 2.37 0.25 1.07 6.22Doddridge 316 2.09 1.99 0.13 0.76 4.97Gilmer 330 2.42 2.10 0.25 0.94 5.71Jackson 447 3.09 2.65 0.34 1.51 7.59Pleasants 125 2.23 1.31 0.22 0.93 4.69Ritchie 443 2.40 2.53 0.20 1.16 6.29Roane 476 2.47 2.26 0.20 1.00 5.93Tyler 252 2.25 2.15 0.17 1.02 5.59Wirt 230 2.91 3.14 0.39 1.48 7.93Wood 325 3.08 3.25 0.36 2.18 8.88Dist. VI Subtotal 3,220 2.58 2.43 0.25 1.22 6.48

State Total 22,972 2.11 1.73 0.23 1.16 4.74

*Note counties or portions thereof not open to Class N antlerless deer season include special youth, Class Q/QQ and Class XS season harvest however antlerless kill per square mile is calculated only on area open to Class N season if a portion of the county is closed to Class N season.


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