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.
Anglers watch the sun set on a West Virginia lake.

DNR holds meetings to discuss hunting, fishing, trapping

The West Virginia Division of Natural Resources will present proposed hunting, trapping and fishing regulations to the public at locations around the state on March 16-17. Scheduled from 6 to 8 p.m., the meetings will be hosted at schools and community centers and in other public spaces in each district. During the meetings, hunters, trappers, … Read more

Bobwhite were heard across much of West Virginia until the late 1970s.

Justice announces five-year project to restore bobwhite

West Virginia has launched a five-year project to restore northern bobwhite quail, a native species that was decimated during the winters of 1977, 1978, and 1979. Governor Jim Justice announced the launch of the project today while mourning the song of the bird, which was once heard in pastures across the Mountain State. “There’s no … Read more

Two-day hunter education courses are being taught by DNR law enforcement officers.

Hunter education classes prepare hunters for upcoming seasons

When it comes to participating in West Virginia’s many hunting seasons, there’s a lot to remember. But new hunters don’t have to learn everything on their own, thanks to hunter-education classes being provided by the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources. The class is open to anyone who wants to learn more about hunting, but … Read more

A new forestry partnership at Glenville State College is providing internships in the Monongahela National Forest.

Glenville, U.S. Forest Service to offer forestry internships

The Glenville State College Department of Land Resources, the GSC Foundation, and the United States Forest Service have partnered to offer internship opportunities for students within the Natural Resource Management program. An agreement was signed between the institutions to formalize this year’s initiative, according to Dr. Rico Gazal, professor of forestry and chair of the … Read more

Fisheries biologists are using Christmas trees to create fish habitat.

DNR using Christmas trees to create, improve fish habitat

Fisheries biologists with the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources are using old Christmas trees to improve habitat at popular fishing locations around the Mountain State. Aaron Yeager, an assistant fisheries biologist, said the program is very beneficial. “Most of our reservoirs are lacking in complex woody cover, so any type of structure we can … Read more

White-tailed deer in West Virginia.

West Virginia deer harvest down nine percent in 2019-20

Preliminary counts indicate hunters harvested 99,437 white-tailed deer in West Virginia during the 2019-20 seasons, according to the state Division of Natural Resources. The harvest was nine percent below the 2018 harvest of 108,856 deer and 13 percent below the five-year average of 114,520. A breakdown of the combined 2019-20 deer seasons reveals 36,472 bucks … Read more

A rite of winter in West Virginia, trout stockings have resumed in select lakes and streams. (Photo courtesy W.Va. Dept. of Commerce)

Trout stocking provides opportunity for year-round fishing

Thanks to West Virginia’s year-round trout stocking program, fishing opportunities abound across the state, and officials are looking toward a new employment program to help stock in spring. Fisheries biologists have been stocking trout in lakes and streams around the state since the beginning of the year, according to Jim Hedrick, hatchery program manager for … Read more

A wildlife biologist surveys a glade in West Virginia.

Wildlife management major coming to Glenville State

The Glenville State College Department of Land Resources will offer a Wildlife Management major within their Bachelor of Science in Natural Resource Management Program beginning fall 2020. The major is designed for students who want to pursue a career in wildlife management or pursue an advanced degree in wildlife, according to Dr. Brian Perkins, associate … Read more