Tuesday, August 5, 2025
70.2 F
Beckley
More

    DNR: Hunters should scout pre-season, check equipment

    September marks the beginning of many hunting seasons, and officials at the W.Va. Division of Natural Resources are reminding hunters to prepare by scouting, inspecting equipment, and sharpening their skills.

    Advertisement

    “By late August you should be able to gauge fall mast conditions in the areas you hunt,” says Ethan Barton, a wildlife-biologist stationed in Romney. “Mast crop quantity is a good indicator of whether or not a hunting area will be productive."

    Division biologists and managers each year conduct mast surveys statewide, and early indicators point toward a mixed mast crop: Deer, bear, and boar hunters should look for producing oaks or other desirable food close to bedding cover or habitat edges, and squirrel hunters should seek out producing oaks and hickories.

    Barton says squirrels should be more abundant this year than during last hunting season.

    Advertisement
    Advertisement
    Advertisement
    Advertisement

    “Hard mast production has a time-lagged effect on squirrel populations. More mast during the previous autumn means higher overwinter survival and more reproduction for squirrels the following year,” Barton said.

    Pre-season scouting will help hunters locate the food and cover that game require, and those efforts should translate into better success and recreational experiences in season.

    Another important pre-season activity for hunters should include practicing their craft and inspecting their equipment thoroughly before seasons begin.

    • Archery and crossbow hunters should practice from heights, ranges, and angles that they expect to encounter. Bows, arrows, and bolts, broadheads, and safety equipment should also be inspected before being used. Improper tuning of compound bows and crossbows can hamper accuracy, and frayed strings may be dangerous. Broadheads that have been previously used should be sharpened or the blades should be replaced to ensure a humane, ethical harvest.
    • Hunters who use tree stands should check their safety harnesses for damage or wear before they go hunting, and should follow manufacturer recommendations for time of replacement. Replacing a worn or damaged tree-stand safety harness could save your life in the event of a slip or fall.
    • Rifle hunters should check their firearms for accuracy and practice shooting from various distances and positions they expect to encounter while hunting before seasons open to ensure proficiency. When sighting-in a rifle, shoot from a solid rest and be sure the rifle’s bore is clean before the shooting session. Barton says it’s also important to check ammunition for corrosion, uniformity, and quality, particularly if hunters have old ammunition that's a few years at hunting camp. If you’re trying a different load, remember that bullets of the same weight, but of different ballistic profiles (a pointed bullet versus a round-nosed bullet) often don’t shoot to the same point of aim. Impact points of similar loads from different manufacturers can also differ substantially, he says.

    “Even if you’re confident your rifle is dead-on, take a few shots at the range to make sure you’re in the black,” Barton said. “You owe it to yourself and to the game animals you hunt to be as accurate and ethical as possible.”

    Advertisement

    Another preseason tip is to read through the 2018-19 West Virginia Hunting and Trapping Regulations summary, available for free at license agents, division offices, and online at .

    If you have additional questions about regulations or seasons, call your local division district office between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.


    Sign up to receive a FREE copy of West Virginia Explorer Magazine in your email weekly. Sign me up!
    Will Reedy
    Will Reedyhttp://wvexplorer.com
    A consummate outdoorsman, Will Reedy has been hunting and fishing West Virginia since he was first able to wield rod and gun. He has been an outdoors writer for West Virginia Explorer since 2001.

    LEAVE A REPLY

    Please enter your comment!
    Please enter your name here

    Hot this week

    Top 10 largest West Virginia cities by population (2025)

    CHARLESTON, W.Va. — West Virginia cities and towns vary...

    Jackson’s Mill Jubilee set to crown best homemade pie in West Virginia

    WESTON, W.Va. — Nothing speaks to West Virginia tradition...

    Solar flowers capture attention along the Kanawha River at Buffalo

    BUFFALO, W.Va. — An array of five giant "solar...

    Thirty-three West Virginia companies receive award for global exports

    CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Thirty-three West Virginia companies that export...

    The eastern panhandle of West Virginia: how it came to be

    SHEPHERDSTOWN, W.Va. — The eastern panhandle of West Virginia...

    Topics

    Top 10 largest West Virginia cities by population (2025)

    CHARLESTON, W.Va. — West Virginia cities and towns vary...

    Jackson’s Mill Jubilee set to crown best homemade pie in West Virginia

    WESTON, W.Va. — Nothing speaks to West Virginia tradition...

    Thirty-three West Virginia companies receive award for global exports

    CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Thirty-three West Virginia companies that export...

    The eastern panhandle of West Virginia: how it came to be

    SHEPHERDSTOWN, W.Va. — The eastern panhandle of West Virginia...

    Unique northern panhandle of West Virginia created by historic dispute

    WEIRTON, W.Va — West Virginia's remarkable shape is partly...

    August in West Virginia: When mountain customs come home

    CHARLESTON, W.Va. — August in West Virginia is a...

    Related Articles

    Popular Categories