Thursday, September 4, 2025
65.3 F
Beckley
More

    Plentiful autumn mast in W.Va. should influence hunting for years

    State officials say 2017 mast should influence hunting for years. Photo courtesy David Sibray

    The production of acorns, apples, walnuts, and hickory nuts is significantly higher than in 2016 and will have noticeable effects on the 2017–2018 hunting seasons in West Virginia, according to the state Division of Natural Resources.

    Advertisement

    Deer, bear, and turkey harvests should all be influenced by a season of plentiful "mast"—the seed and fruit produced by trees or shrubs that wildlife species consume, according to Chris Ryan, supervisor of the Game Management Services of the division's Wildlife Resources Section.

    “The availability of fall foods has significant impacts on wildlife populations and harvests,” Ryan said of the season.

    Since 1971, the division, in cooperation with volunteers from other agencies, has conducted an autumn survey to determine the abundance of mast produced by 18 species of trees and shrubs in the Mountain State.

    Advertisement

    “Our biologists have used the mast-survey data to demonstrate a strong correlation between mast conditions and deer, bear, and turkey harvests. In addition to the impacts on harvests, the amount of food available each year can affect the reproductive success of numerous species which will affect population sizes in following years.”

    Production of acorns, walnuts, apples, and hickory nuts is significantly higher than in 2016, he said, and will have noticeable effects on the 2017–2018 hunting seasons.

    Most species produced mast well above the 46-year average.

    “It is very important for hunters to scout and consider the type and amount of food available in the areas they hunt,” Ryan said.

    Advertisement

    “Hunters can find a wealth of facts in the Mast Survey and Hunting Outlook, and it should provide them valuable information before heading into the field.”

    The 2017 Mast Survey and Hunting Outlook may be found on the division website at wvdnr.gov under the section. Information analyzing mast conditions and wildlife harvests also is available on the site.


    Sign up to receive a FREE copy of West Virginia Explorer Magazine in your email weekly. Sign me up!
    David Sibray
    David Sibray
    Historian, real estate agent, and proponent of inventive economic development in West Virginia, David Sibray is the founder and publisher of West Virginia Explorer Magazine. For more information, he may be reached at 304-575-7390.

    LEAVE A REPLY

    Please enter your comment!
    Please enter your name here

    Hot this week

    Scenic tram at Pipestem Resort State Park in West Virginia reopens

    PIPESTEM, W.Va. — After two years of construction, a...

    Oral history recordings now available on New River Gorge national park website

    GLEN JEAN, W.Va. — Officials at the New River...

    West Virginia on track for brilliant fall foliage; new autumn map published

    CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Autumn has arrived in West Virginia,...

    Wolves and panthers roamed the forgotten wilderness east of the West Virginia capital

    CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Glance at a road map of...

    Topics

    Related Articles

    Popular Categories