Will Reedy
West Virginia’s official weather-predicting groundhog, French Creek Freddie will leave his den Feb. 2 to predict the approach of spring and is inviting visitors to join him at the West Virginia State Wildlife Center at French Creek south of Buckhannon, West Virginia. “We’re excited to see everyone come out this year, including those who travel … Read more
UPDATE Jan. 23, 2018: Following the enactment of the continuing resolution, staff at New River Gorge National Park and Preserve, Bluestone National Scenic River, and Gauley River National Recreation Area have resumed regular park operations. All roads, trails, campgrounds, and river access points are open and accessible, 24 hours a day, weather permitting, according to Julena … Read more
Sign up for the West Virginia Explorer newsletter by February 28, 2018, and be entered to win a whitewater rafting adventure trip for two in West Virginia with River Expeditions. The drawing is one of many annual drawings offered to recipients of the West Virginia Explorer newsletter, according to publisher and editor-in-chief David Sibray. “Once you’re … Read more
Hunters in West Virginia harvested 3,160 black bears during the combined 2017 archery and firearms seasons, which is the second highest recorded bear kill in state history. Due to more abundant mast production in 2017, the Division of Natural Resources expected a decrease in the archery harvest and an increase in the December firearms harvest … Read more
Preliminary counts indicate hunters harvested 108,160 white-tailed deer in West Virginia during the 2017 hunting seasons. The 2017 harvest was four percent below the 2016 harvest of 112,384 deer and 15 percent below the five-year average of 127,803, according to a report published today by the W.Va. Division of Natural Resources. A breakdown of the … Read more
The West Virginia Division of Natural Resources is requesting original color wildlife paintings for the 2019 edition of the award-winning West Virginia Wildlife Calendar. The deadline for submitting artwork is Feb. 19, 2018. Paintings may depict popular game and fish species, or feature the state’s other wildlife, such as snakes, frogs, turtles, salamanders, bats, songbirds, … Read more
West Virginia’s eagle population is growing, according to a spokesman for the state’s “Eagle Brigade,” which is conducting a survey of eagles and other raptors in the southern and north-central state on Jan. 6. Fifty bald eagles and a golden eagle were counted in January 2017, and 40 bald eagles were counted in March, according … Read more
Sign up for the West Virginia Explorer newsletter by January 15, 2018, and be entered to win a two-day, two-night ski getaway at Canaan Valley Resort & Conference Center. The drawing is one of many annual drawings offered to recipients of the West Virginia Explorer newsletter, according to publisher and editor-in-chief David Sibray. “Once you’re … Read more
The West Virginia Division of Natural Resources will start its 2018 trout stocking season January 2, though two stocking locales will be added to the schedule and one will be removed, according to Paul Johansen, chief of the division’s wildlife resources section. The 2018 stocking schedule contains several changes, Johansen said. The Greenbrier River in Pocahontas … Read more
BECKLEY, W.Va. — Efforts to nominate a former coal-mining town in southern West Virginia to the National Register of Historic Places could spur economic growth there, according to a spokesman for three development agencies engaged in the effort. Once a mining boom-town, Helen, with a population near 125 residents, is among the last coal camps … Read more
