Proceeds of wild boar hunt support elk restoration project

The W.Va. Division of Natural Resources has utilized proceeds from a February lottery wild boar hunt to purchase a UTV in support of the ongoing Elk Restoration Project, according to Elk Project Leader Randy Kelley.

In conjunction with Natural Resource Partners, a special hunt was held between February 5-7 on the organization's private lands in southern West Virginia. To be entered into the lottery, resident hunters were required to submit an application through the division licensing system and pay a $10 non-refundable fee.

Monies from the application fee benefited a variety of division programs, including the Elk Restoration Project. Kelley said the UTV was invaluable, given the complexities of tracking the elk, which were recently reintroduced to the state.

“The UTV will be used almost daily on the Elk Project as we continue to monitor the population through the calf drops this summer,” Kelley said.

“It will also be invaluable during the winter months when we deploy new GPS collars. The UTV has proven to be less destructive to area roads when they are wet.”

In total, 1,763 hunters entered the boar hunt lottery with 200 being chosen to participate. Over the three-day hunt, 65 boars were harvested in Boone and Logan counties.

DNR Director Stephen McDaniel expressed his thanks, especially in light of the rarity of both elk and boar.

“We were excited and honored to offer this special lottery hunt to resident hunters because there are limited places in West Virginia where you can hunt wild boar,” McDaniel said.

“We are extremely grateful for Natural Resource Partners offering this private hunting land to the citizens of West Virginia.”