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.
Pioneer Farm at Twin Falls Resort State Park, West Virginia

Spring photography workshop at Twin Falls set for April 7-9

Amateur and professional photographers are invited to attend West Virginia’s annual spring photography workshop April 7-9 at Twin Falls State Park, which offers some of the best opportunities for nature photography in the state park system. Led by instructors Steve Shaluta and Steven Wayne Rotsch, the 2017 workshop will cover an array of subjects, including … Read more

Unnamed in West Virginia

DNR to host Archery-in-the-Schools tournament March 25

The West Virginia Division of Natural Resources will host the 12th annual West Virginia Archery-in-the-Schools state tournament at the Charleston Civic Center Saturday, March 25, according to Art Shomo, Program Coordinator. The event will run from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., followed by an awards ceremony at 4:30 p.m. Students from the following schools have … Read more

Free Fishing Days in West Virginia

Free fishing weekend (June 7-8) to boost travel

This weekend (June 7-8) is free fishing weekend in West Virginia — that time of year when anglers can fish without a license and everyone seems hooked on the sport. Rangers are expecting increased activity on waterways, and ponds on private properties will enjoy a boost as well. The old-time bamboo poles that staff at … Read more

Fishing on Tygart River

June 7-8 is free fishing weekend in West Virginia

The weekend of June 7-8 (2014) is free fishing weekend in West Virginia, during which residents and nonresidents alike may fish its lakes and streams without a license. Frank Jezerio, director of the W.Va. Division of Natural Resources, emphasized in a May 28 press release the opportunity that weekend to introduce or reintroduce friends and family … Read more

Eric Files displays record rainbow trout

W.Va. record for rainbow trout set at Berkeley Co. pond

A state record for rainbow trout was established April 30 by Eric Files Sr. of Martinsburg, West Virginia, who pulled the 33.11-inch, 19.40-pound specimen from a private pond in Berkeley County. The catch set a new West Virginia record for weight and length, according to a press release disseminated today by the W.Va. Division of … Read more

Channel Catfish

W.Va. DNR: Catch a channel cat, and win a night’s camping

SOUTH CHARLESTON, W.Va. — In an effort to increase visitation at state-managed parks and recreation areas, the W.Va. Division of Natural Resources will begin stocking more than 5,000 channel catfish in West Virginia ponds and lakes on May 20, 2014, and anglers who report a tagged catfish will receive a certificate good for a night’s … Read more

Illustration of Whip-poor-will

Biologists seek help finding whip-poor-wills in W.Va.

SOUTH CHARLESTON, W.Va. — The West Virginia Division of Natural Resources is seeking public help in locating whip-poor-wills, rural songbirds that may be on the decline in West Virginia and in adjacent states. According to Curtis I. Taylor, chief of the Wildlife Resources Section for the division, biologists are asking observers to report any and … Read more

Austin Hoffman and record blue cat taken on Ohio River, 2014

State confirms W.Va. record blue catfish taken in Ohio River

APRIL 30, 2014 –The West Virginia Division of Natural Resources today confirmed the capture of the largest and longest blue catfish in state history, taken on the Ohio River below the Robert C. Byrd Lock & Dam near Apple Grove, W.Va.,  by Austin Hoffman, of Milton. Hoffman caught the 47.75-inch, 52.95-pound fish using cut bait on April … Read more