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.
An angler in West Virginia shows off his catch, a rainbow trout.

Statewide meetings will discuss trout management

The West Virginia Division of Natural Resources will hold six public meetings with anglers and the general public in late September and October to discuss its draft trout management plan. “We are looking for comments on our plan, which is designed to help develop future management and stocking protocols,” division director Stephen S. McDaniel said … Read more

An elk bellows in a glade in the Tomblin Wildlife Management Area.

Guided tours lead hikers through elk management area

How fares the Mountain State’s new herd of free-range elk? Hikers will have an opportunity to find out in September and October during a series of guided tours of the reintroduction site. The four-hour tours start at the Chief Logan State Park lodge and range over two miles or more of rugged terrain, according to … Read more

Horses endangered by Hurricane Dorian are being admitted to West Virginia.

West Virginia welcoming animals endangered by Hurricane Dorian

The West Virginia Department of Agriculture today announced that it is waiving movement entry requirements for animals being evacuated into West Virginia due to Hurricane Dorian. The State Fair of West Virginia is also offering temporary shelter for evacuated equine and can accommodate up to 100 horses. “West Virginians are always quick to respond to … Read more

A black bear pauses to investigate a photographer in West Virginia.

Growing bear population prompts early hunt in W.Va.

An early black bear gun season, with or without hunting dogs, will run from Aug. 31 through Sept. 15 in all of Logan, McDowell, Mingo, and Wyoming counties in southern West Virginia, according to the W.Va. Division of Natural Resources. All or parts of 16 counties will open to bear gun hunting Sept.21-27, with or … Read more

Photographers on Whispering Spruce Trail, Monongahela National Forest, Allegheny Highlands Region

Shepherd University to use drones to help U.S. Forest Service

Faculty and students from Shepherd University will travel to Randolph County over the next five years, where they will use the school’s drone fleet to help the U.S. Forest Service reclaim strip-mined land in the Monongahela National Forest, according to school officials. Through a five-year agreement with the service and the Shepherd Entrepreneurship and Research … Read more

Controlled hunts are scheduled for the fall at Beech Fork, Cacapon, Canaan Valley, North Bend, Pipestem, and Twin Falls.

Epizootic Hemorrhagic Disease diagnosed in West Virginia deer

West Virginia is experiencing an outbreak of Epizootic Hemorrhagic Disease (EHD) in the state’s white-tailed deer herd, according to the Wildlife Resources Section of the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources. So far this year, deer have been found dead in small areas of Summers, Monroe, and Greenbrier counties. Epizootic Hemorrhagic Disease, virus serotype 2 (EHDV-2), … Read more

The Byrd Telescope glows red in the darkness at Green Bank.

Lottery will permit rare deer harvest at W.Va. observatory

The National Radio Astronomy Observatory at Green Bank, West Virginia, has announced a special West Virginia resident-only controlled deer hunt at the observatory reserve Oct. 11-12, 2019. Hunters must enter a lottery for limited permits, according to Andy Malinoski, a spokesman for the W.Va. Department of Commerce. Due to the nature of the work at … Read more

The Big Buck display attracts visitors during the annual West Virginia celebration of National Hunting and Fishing Day.

W.Va. DNR seeks big bucks and trophy fish for displays

ROANOKE, W.Va.—The West Virginia Division of Natural Resources is asking hunters and anglers to enter showcase pieces for the big buck and trophy fish display at the National Hunting and Fishing Day celebration Sept. 21-22 at Stonewall Resort State Park. Legally harvested, mounted trophy white-tailed bucks with a Pope-and-Young Club or Boone-and-Crockett Club net score … Read more

West Virginia Natural Resources Police Officers will patrol for impaired boaters July 5-7.

W.Va. officers to patrol July 5-7 for inebriated boaters

West Virginia Natural Resources Police Officers will patrol the state’s rivers and lakes during Operation Dry Water July 5-7, part of a national campaign to reduce accidents related to boating under the influence. The goal of Operation Dry Water is to raise awareness about the dangers of boating under the influence and to reduce the … Read more

Controlled hunts are scheduled for the fall at Beech Fork, Cacapon, Canaan Valley, North Bend, Pipestem, and Twin Falls.

Applications available for antlerless deer limited-permit areas

Applications for the 2019 Antlerless Deer Season limited permit areas are now available online and will be accepted until midnight Aug. 14, according to Chris Ryan, supervisor of game management services for the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources. “These limited permit areas provide antlerless deer hunting opportunities in counties or areas of the state … Read more