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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.
Justice feeds quail
Communities

Governor unveils initiative to restore bobwhite in West Virginia

by Will Reedy

ALUM CREEK, W.Va. — The W.Va. Division of Natural Resources is stocking more than 20,000 bobwhite quail this autumn at wildlife management areas across the state. According to Gov. Jim Justice, the division has stocked more than 12,000 and will continue stocking through October, weather and habitat conditions permitting, through the governor’s new quail-stocking initiative. … Read more

Hunting

West Virginia updates regulations for coyote night hunting

by Will Reedy

SOUTH CHARLESTON, W.Va. — The W.Va. Natural Resources Commission has approved updates to the regulations for coyote night hunting. Using any color artificial light or night vision technology, including image intensification, thermal imaging, or active illumination, for coyote hunting in West Virginia is permitted between September 1 and December 31 on private land. Hunting coyotes … Read more

Archery and crossbow hunting continue to be popular in West Virginia.
Hunting

Archery seasons for bear, boar, and deer open Sept. 24

by Will Reedy

CHARLESTON, W.Va. — The West Virginia Division of Natural Resources reminds hunters to prepare for the state’s archery and crossbow seasons for white-tailed deer, black bears, and wild boars. The popular seasons will open on Sept. 24 and run through Dec. 31. Hunters are also reminded to purchase their license and stamps at wvhunt.com before … Read more

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

West Virginia seeks resident opinions about black bears

by Will Reedy

BECKLEY, W.Va. — The W.Va. Division of Natural Resources is conducting a scientific study on black bears and black bear management that will involve telephone surveys of residents, according to a press release from the division. In the coming weeks, state residents may receive a phone call from Responsive Management, a research firm contracted by … Read more

WVU scientists and citizen assistants are examining blotchy bass taken across West Virginia.
Communities

WVU and citizen scientists fish for answers on blotchy bass

by Will Reedy

MORGANTOWN, W.Va.—Using data collected by citizens through a mobile app, researchers at West Virginia University are working to understand why some bass are becoming “blotchy.” Brent Murry, assistant professor of aquatic ecology in the Davis College of Agriculture, Natural Resources, and Design, and the U.S. Geological Survey’s Eastern Ecological Science Center, hope to uncover information … Read more

Hunters walk in the highlands in search of their quarry.
Hunting

Applications available for antlerless deer hunts in 2022

by Will Reedy

The West Virginia Division of Natural Resources is now accepting applications to hunt in limited permit areas during the 2022 antlerless deer season. According to Chris Ryan, game management supervisor for the division, applications for the lottery are available online at WVHunt.com and will be accepted until midnight on Aug. 12. “These limited permit areas … Read more

A white-tailed buck deer waits in a West Virginia woodland.
Hunting

West Virginia hunters harvested 105,278 deer in 2021

by Will Reedy

Hunters harvested 105,278 white-tailed deer in 2021 during the recent buck firearms, antlerless, muzzleloader, archery, crossbow, youth/Class Q/Class XS, and Mountaineer Heritage deer seasons. The total harvest was 1.5 percent below the 2020 deer harvest of 106,861 and was less than one percent below the five-year average of 105,718, according to Paul Johansen, chief of … Read more

West Virginia residents are eligible through December to register for the annual Hunting & Fishing License Giveaway.
Hunting

Division of Natural Resources conducts study on hunting

by Will Reedy

The West Virginia Division of Natural Resources is conducting a survey of state residents and their hunting participation and success rates for various species to help manage wildlife populations and hunting opportunities in the state. The study will include licensed hunters, license-exempt hunters, and state residents among the general population, according to Paul Johansen, chief of the division’s wildlife … Read more