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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.
A Hawks Nest State Park ornament hangs on a Christmas tree.
Recreation

W.Va. Division of Natural Resources offers holiday gift ideas

by Will Reedy

The W.Va. Division of Natural Resources is offering gift ideas for outdoor enthusiasts, including wildlife calendars, state park gift cards, and lifetime and 2020 hunting and fishing licenses. “If you know someone that loves the wonderful things West Virginia has to offer, we have gifts they will enjoy,” says Stephen McDaniel, division director. “Hunters, anglers, … Read more

A Wild Turkey In West Virginia
Hunting

W.Va. autumn turkey harvest slightly below normal

by Will Reedy

Turkey hunters in West Virginia harvested 1,113 birds in autumn 2019, according to preliminary figures provided by the state Division of Natural Resources. Mike Peters, a game-bird biologist for the division said the harvest was slightly low as a result of more available food, which allowed birds to disperse more. “As reported in the 2019 … Read more

Young hunter in the field in West Virginia
Recreation

W.Va. hunting-fishing license contest begins Sunday

by Will Reedy

West Virginians may now purchase their 2020 hunting and fishing licenses earlier than ever before and will also be entered to win a drawing for prizes, Governor Jim Justice announced this morning. Beginning Sunday, anyone who purchases a Sportsman or Junior Sportsman license will automatically be entered to win a free lifetime license or a … Read more

A black bear wanders the woodlands in rural West Virginia.
Hunting

Buck, bear hunting seasons in W.Va. to run concurrently

by Will Reedy

Deer hunters in West Virginia are being reminded that a concurrent bear season (without dogs) will run from Nov. 25 through Dec. 7, 2019, in 51 counties, according to Colin Carpenter, the Black Bear Project Leader for the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources. All 51 counties that are open to buck firearms hunting will … Read more

Matt Born displays the state record chain pickerel taken in 2019 at Upper Deckers Creek Lake.
Fishing

Reedsville man catches state record chain pickerel

by Will Reedy

A West Virginia man caught a 27.87-inch, four-pound chain pickerel on Oct. 13 at Upper Deckers Lake near Reedsville, West Virginia, in Preston County—a state record, according to the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources. Angler Matt Born, of Reedsville, used an in-line spinner to catch the trophy fish, which is a state record in … Read more

Wild boar still range across isolated mountain hollows in Logan County.
Hunting

Wild boar season opens in southern West Virginia

by Will Reedy

West Virginia’s 2019 wild boar firearms season opens Oct. 26, runs through Nov. 2, and is open to West Virginia residents only. A second annual wild boar firearms season will run Feb. 7–9, 2020. Boars will be foraging on acorns abundant this season in Boone, Logan, Raleigh, and Wyoming counties, to which boar hunting is … Read more

White-tailed deer venison is a favorite traditional meat in West Virginia.
Hunting

Nutritional wild game benefits the hungry in W.Va.

by Will Reedy

West Virginia’s abundant wildlife and hunting seasons provide opportunities for many families to fill their freezers with highly nutritious wild game. A low-fat, high-protein alternative, white-tailed deer, for instance, contains fewer calories and approximately five times less fat than the equivalent serving of beef. “Hunting is a great reason to get into the woods and … Read more

An angler cast for trout in the West Virginia highlands.
Fishing

Hot, dry weather will not delay W.Va. trout stocking

by Will Reedy

Despite hot, dry weather, fall trout stocking in West Virginia will run as scheduled during the weeks of Oct. 21 and 28, according to the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources. “We are hoping for more rain, but fall trout stocking is still on,” said division hatchery program Manager Jim Hedrick. “The staff will do … Read more

A Wild Turkey In West Virginia
Hunting

2019 fall turkey season in West Virginia opens Oct. 12

by Will Reedy

West Virginia’s fall wild turkey season opens Oct. 12. All 55 counties will have at least a one-week fall season, according to the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources. It’s also the second fall turkey season during which Sunday hunting is permitted on both private and public lands. “Fall wild turkey season dates are based … Read more

White-tailed deer in West Virginia
Hunting

Big game in W.Va. to be checked through electronic system

by Will Reedy

Big-game hunting season is on the approach in West Virginia, and officials are reminding hunters that they must field-tag and electronically check their harvest. Field tags must be completed before moving the carcass and remain with the carcass until it’s electronically checked. Hunters are no longer required to transport their harvest to a check station, … Read more