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

Epizootic Hemorrhagic Disease diagnosed in West Virginia deer

by Will Reedy

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.
Hunting

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

by Will Reedy

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.
Hunting

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

by Will Reedy

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.
Recreation

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

by Will Reedy

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.
Hunting

Applications available for antlerless deer limited-permit areas

by Will Reedy

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

Canada geese groom at the McClintic Wildlife Management Area near Point Pleasant, West Virginia.
Attractions

Applications being accepted for McClintic waterfowl hunt

by Will Reedy

Waterfowl hunters who wish to hunt from a shooting station in the controlled waterfowl hunting zone of McClintic Wildlife Management Area, near Point Pleasant, West Virginia, must submit their application by midnight Aug. 11, 2019. According to Kem Shaw, wildlife biologist for the Division of Natural Resources Wildlife, hunting is by permit only on a … Read more

Gauley River in Gauley River National Recreation Area, New River Gorge Region
Fishing

DNR makes special trout stocking at Summersville Lake tailwater

by Will Reedy

Just in time for free fishing weekend June 8 and 9, the W.Va. Division of Natural Resources—in cooperation with the West Virginia Professional River Outfitters Association—stocked 650 pounds of rainbow trout in the Summersville Dam tailwater of the Gauley River June 6. “The goal of the stocking is to provide increased summer trout fishing opportunities … Read more

A hunter calls a gobbler during spring turkey season in West Virginia.
Hunting

West Virginia spring turkey harvest declined in 2019

by Will Reedy

Preliminary data indicates spring turkey hunters harvested 11,210 gobblers in 2019, according to Mike Peters, Game Bird and Small Game Project Leader for the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources. Although nine-percent less than 2018, this harvest is still three percent above the five-year average and nine percent above the 10-year average, Peters reported. Districts … Read more