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Will ReedyWill Reedy

Will Reedy is a West Virginia writer and contributor to West Virginia Explorer Magazine whose work focuses on hunting, fishing, and the outdoors. Through essays and feature writing, he explores the landscapes, communities, and traditions that define West Virginia, bringing a thoughtful perspective to stories about heritage, travel, and everyday Appalachian life.
Maryland Heights, rises above the Potomac River near Harpers Ferry, West Virginia.
Attractions

Harpers Ferry and nearby national parks to cull deer herds

by Will Reedy

The National Park Service will conduct deer management at national park areas at Harpers Ferry, West Virginia, and in nearby Virginia and Maryland through March, according to a press release from the service. To protect and restore native plants, promote healthy and diverse forests, and preserve historic landscapes, the service will reduce the population beginning … Read more

Otter In West Virginia
Communities

DNR seeks river otter carcasses for population study

by Will Reedy

The W.Va. Division of Natural Resources is asking trappers in the Mountain State to help collect data on river otter populations by donating otter carcasses. Between 50 and 75 otter carcasses are needed each year over the course of the next five trapping seasons. A $20 gift card of your choice is being offered for … Read more

A white-tailed buck peers out from behind a woodpile.
Hunting

2020 “good year for deer hunting,” says DNR biologist

by Will Reedy

Hunters in West Virginia harvested 38,776 antlered deer during its two-week buck firearms season in 2020, according to preliminary data collected through the electronic game checking system managed by the W.Va. Division of Natural Resources. Gary Foster, assistant chief of game management for the division, said state game biologists felt positive about the harvest, which … Read more

A young hunter aims from behind a blind in West Virginia.
Hunting

Special antlerless deer and new bear seasons open Oct. 17

by Will Reedy

Youth, senior, and Class Q/QQ hunters in West Virginia will be able to participate in a special hunting season for antlerless deer and a new season for black bear. Special seasons for antlerless deer and bear will run October 17-18, during which youth (ages 8-17), seniors, and Class Q/QQ senior hunters with Class XS licenses … Read more

A West Virginia youth practices target shooting with bow and arrow. (Photo courtesy W.Va. Dept. of Commerce)
Hunting

W.Va. DNR shares tips for introducing children to archery

by Will Reedy

Families looking for an alternative for school-based sports or a new outdoor activity their children have plenty of options in West Virginia, thanks to archery and other bow-shooting programs. With the COVID-19 pandemic creating uncertainty over participation in traditional team sports this school year, now is a great time to start, according to officials at … Read more

Bluegill are a favorite lake and pond fish among West Virginia anglers.
Fishing

W.Va. biologists researching ways to grow bigger bluegill

by Will Reedy

There’s always a bigger fish, isn’t there? That’s what fisheries biologists in West Virginia are trying to determine as they research ways the state can provide anglers with bigger bluegill. Over the last few years, fish biologists with the state Division of Natural Resources have been focusing on how bluegill management in small lakes can … Read more

Dear are exceeding manageable goals in several areas of West Virginia.
Hunting

Applications available for W.Va. 2020 Limited Antlerless Hunt

by Will Reedy

The West Virginia Division of Natural Resources is accepting applications for its 2020 Limited Antlerless Hunt, which will be permitted in areas where division biologists have deemed the deer population too high. Chris Ryan, the supervisor of game management services for the division, says the hunt will help wildlife officials manage herds in those areas. … Read more