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 mallard is photographer in flight in West Virginia.

W.Va. sets important 2023-’24 migratory game bird season dates

FARMINGTON, W.Va. — The West Virginia Division of Natural Resources announced that new hunting regulations for migratory game birds will go into effect on Sept. 1 in accord with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s annual guidelines. The new regulations include an increase in the mallard duck daily bag limit. Hunters may harvest four mallards … Read more

Dents Run Wildlife Management Area in West Virginia

Mannington, state expand outdoor recreation at Dents Run

MANNINGTON, W.Va. — The West Virginia Division of Natural Resources has entered into a long-term agreement with Mannington, West Virginia, to allow public hunting, fishing, and trapping on nearly 114 acres in Marion County. The property has been incorporated into the existing 1,259-acre Dents Run Wildlife Management Area. The 10-acre Mannington Lake is also included … Read more

Gar Caught In West Virginia

West Virginia angler catches state record longnose gar

CHARLESTON, W.Va. — According to state officials, an 11-year record for the longest longnose gar caught in West Virginia has been broken. The record-breaking fish, which measured 53.62 inches, was caught by Rich Chapman of Ashton, West Virginia, on July 3, 2023, in the Ohio River in Mason County. The fish exceeded the previous longnose … Read more

Anterless Deer In West Virginia

Applications available for limited-permit area antlerless deer hunts

SOUTH CHARLESTON, W.VA. — Applications to hunt in 12 limited-permit areas in West Virginia during the 2023 antlerless deer season are now available, according to officials with the W.Va Division of Natural Resources. The limited-permit areas provide antlerless deer hunting opportunities in areas where wildlife biologists have determined that issuing a limited number of antlerless … Read more

Golden Trout Stocking In West Virginia

W.Va. reports 19% increase in number of stocked trout in 2023

CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Thanks to its investment in hatcheries, the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources stocked nearly 130,000 more trout in 2023 than in 2022, according to officials. Between January and May, division staff stocked 802,481 trout in lakes and streams around the state, which is a 19% increase over the 673,148 trout stocked … Read more

Gobbler In A West Virginia Pasture

W.Va. records largest spring turkey harvest in five years

FARMINGTON, W.VA. — According to preliminary data released by the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources on Wednesday, hunters in the Mountain State harvested 12,217 bearded turkeys during the spring gobbler season. According to Brett McMillion, director of the division, the harvest is 30.4 percent above the 2022 harvest of 9,366 birds, 12.6 percent above … Read more

Casting for bass In West Virginia

West Virginia Free Fishing Weekend to take place June 10–11

CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Gov. Jim Justice announced today that Free Fishing Weekend in West Virginia will return June 10-11, 2023, and encouraged anglers and their families to plan a trip. The Free Fishing Weekend is part of a nationwide effort to make fishing more accessible to the public. During these two days, residents and nonresidents … Read more

Mourning Dove By Joshua J. Cotten

Mourning dove hunt applications available for South Branch

OLD FIELDS, W.Va. — Applications for a controlled mourning dove hunt at the South Branch Wildlife Management Area in Hardy County in the eastern panhandle of West Virginia are now available, according to officials at the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources. The annual controlled hunt is scheduled for Sept. 1-2. Mourning dove hunters who … Read more