Tick Tock

Tick Tock

Yes, we are winding down. One more year is just about in the books. Winter is bearing down. Harvest season is nearly over. Venison is all that is left. The holiday season is upon us. I do not get too excited about Thanksgiving. It is always Thanksgiving; here.

I am sorry; but when I think about deer hunting the first thing that pops into my mind is cold. Boring and cold may describe it better. I have spent too many hours staring at a desolate hillside; hoping to just see some sign of life. Bleak and desolate seems to be the norm. A lone woodpecker can be the excitement of the day. Stare at your feet for a while; pull the wool up over your face for a while. Stare, stare, and stare. Hope for a glimpse of brown or white. Stare some more, doze off, wake up and stare. Shiver a little, eat something frozen from your backpack, and drink a little ice crystal water and stare.

You hear a few shots in the distance; nothing very close. Maybe they will stir something up. Probably not. Cold; will the sun ever reach this side of the hill? Your mind wanders and you stare some more. Silence, nothing is stirring not even a shrew. A goshawk lights in a tree; it stares. Nothing here. It flies away; headed towards the sun. Finally; it is late morning and sunlight reaches you. It feels so good, the shivers go away. You know in your rational mind that the temperature has only risen 2 degrees. You don’t care; there is light. Something rustles in the leaves; a vole. Birds begin to tweet, Squirrels begin to stir. There is life.

You hear something moving up the hollow. Ten minutes of eternity elapse before you can see what it is. Three gobblers glisten in the sunbeams as they slowly feed up the hill. They disappear from sight. A stick breaks and you are on high alert; then you see orange on the next ridge over. Two hunters are moving towards the top. You know what will happen; soon. The orange dots disappear over the ridgeline. You have been there before. Tick-Tock The anticipation level rises.

A speck of brown trots around the hillside; bad angle and you can see that it is a spike. You hold your ground and stare. The spike slows down and begins to feed in some grapes a hundred yards away. You wait. You know what will happen, soon. That comes from experience. High Noon, soon. Here they come, straight towards the saddle you have been standing in for the past 5 hours. Eight; no nine. Two decent bucks are amongst them. Two hundred yards, one-fifty, one hundred; they stop when they hit the low gap. Fifty yards; bang, It is over.

Field dress and drag straight down the ridge. Back the truck up into the ditch and drag the deer right into the truck bed. Experience once again. Drink your other quart of water that you left in the truck, eat your bag of almonds that you forgot you had. Happy ride home. Tick tock. It is coming soon.

This is my article for the November 2015 issue of Two-Lane Livin

(c) High Virginia Outdoors Photos (c) High Virginia Images All Rights Reserved

WV Firearms Antlerless deer hunting runs Oct. 22-24, 2015

Firearms antlerless deer hunting runs Oct. 22-24 on private land in most counties

SOUTH CHARLESTON, W.Va. - West Virginia deer hunters can take advantage of an October three-day firearm antlerless deer season on private land again this year, according to Paul Johansen, chief of the Division of Natural Resources Wildlife Resources Section (DNR). In counties having a firearms antlerless deer season, the season on private land only will run Oct. 22-24, 2015.
There are several advantages to hunters and the state's deer management program if hunters participate in this season. Many hunters may find the weather better for stand hunting since temperatures should be warmer than during late November and December. Hunters who hunt in one of the nine counties where hunters are required to harvest an antlerless deer prior to taking a second antlered buck can take advantage of harvesting an antlerless deer and not worry about filling this requirement later in the season. From a deer management perspective, every antlerless deer harvested early in the October season means there will be more food for the remaining deer over the winter months.
"The harvest of antlerless deer is the key to healthier, heavier and more productive deer herds," Johansen said. "To manage West Virginia's deer herd, hunters and landowners must continually assess their expectations of the proper number of deer sightings versus the impacts deer have on vegetation."
Hunters and landowners should encourage antlerless deer hunting where needed to benefit the deer herd and other wildlife dependent on our state's woodland habitat. Conversely, antlerless deer harvests can be reduced to stabilize or increase deer populations. The early opening date for antlerless deer hunting with a firearm is a good opportunity for hunters and landowners to accomplish their antlerless deer harvest objectives, according to Johansen.
Hunters are reminded that recording their harvest is an integral part of the DNR's ability to manage deer in West Virginia. Hunters have helped manage deer in the state since mandatory game checking began in 1929, and the information provided by hunters is the foundation for tracking deer herd trends and monitoring doe harvest impacts.
Hunters need to obtain their DNR identification number to use the new electronic game checking process that allows for game checks by phone, computer or smartphone, or by the traditional practice of locating a  license agent/check station.
For more details on license requirements, the new electronic game check process and all deer hunting seasons, please see the 2015-2016 West Virginia Hunting and Trapping Regulations Summary available at DNR offices and license agents across the state.  Or visit the Wildlife Resources Section on the web at www.wvdnr.gov.

DNR

DNR Regulations Error

Archery and Crossbow Deer Seasons Bag Limit Error in 2015-16 Hunting and Trapping Regulations Summary

SOUTH CHARLESTON, W.Va. - The 2015-2016 Hunting and Trapping Regulations Summary contains an error on page 15 with regards to the archery and crossbow white-tailed deer maximum combined seasons bag limit. In the counties listed below, which are closed to the antlerless season, the maximum combined seasons bag limit is two either-sex deer, not three deer as printed. Those counties or parts thereof include:

Boone	Mineral (West Portion)
Clay (South of Elk River)	Pendleton (West Portion)
Fayette (West Portion)	Raleigh (West Portion)
Greenbrier (North Portion)	Tucker
Kanawha (South Portion)	Webster
Mineral (West Portion)

The Division of Natural Resources encourages hunters to refer to pages 22-23 of the Regulations Summary for maps and descriptions of the split counties and regrets any inconvenience this error may cause. Questions can be directed to any DNR district office, the Elkins Operations Center or the South Charleston office.

**DNR**

Three More Days

Buck and Antlerless Gun Seasons Open November 19, 2012 Additional Buck Stamp (Class RG & RRG) Must be Purchased Prior to Buck Season

SOUTH CHARLESTON, W.Va. – West Virginia’s traditional antlered (buck) gun season begins on Monday, November 19, according to Curtis I. Taylor, Chief of the Wildlife Resources Section of the Division of Natural Resources (DNR). West Virginia’s buck gun season provides a wealth of recreational opportunities for resident and nonresident hunters and has a tremendous economic impact on the state’s economy.

“Hunters should enjoy a great deer season in 2012,” said Taylor. “Because our traditional November firearms deer season opens the Monday before Thanksgiving every year, the season opening can be as early November 19 and as late as November 25. This year is one of the early opening years, which is closer to the peak deer rut. This date gives hunters an advantage because bucks are more vulnerable to being harvested closer to the rut.”
“Hunters can harvest an additional buck with the purchase of the appropriate stamp,” added Taylor. Resident hunters wanting the extra buck should purchase the Class RG stamp. The RG stamp must be purchased prior to the beginning of the season, and the cost is $21. The RG stamp must be accompanied by a Class A and CS, A-L, AB-L, X, XS, XJ or free license.
Resident landowners have the privilege of harvesting an extra buck without purchasing the RG stamp if they are hunting on their own property. Nonresident hunters wanting an extra buck must purchase a RRG stamp prior to the beginning of the season, and the cost is $43. The RRG stamp must be accompanied by the Class E or XXJ license. Nonresident hunters who own land in West Virginia are not exempt from purchasing a license or the extra buck stamp, even if hunting on their own property.
Hunters are also reminded that there have been 10 counties or portions thereof (see 2012–2013 Hunting and Trapping Regulations Summary) designated this year where buck firearm hunters are required to take an antlerless deer with a firearm prior to harvesting a second antlered deer during the buck firearms season (with Class N permit for residents or Class NN permit for nonresidents).
In addition, as in past deer seasons, many counties are open to concurrent antlerless deer hunting during the traditional buck gun season. Antlerless deer firearm season opens November 19 on private land and selected public lands. Hunters should consult the 2012–2013 Hunting and Trapping Regulations and Summary available at license agents and www.wvdnr.gov for specific antlerless deer regulations in each county and wildlife management area.
**DNR**

A Good Morning

Oyster Mushrooms (c) 2012 High Virginia Images

I went out on this fine warm morning in search of gobblers and a few new locations to deer hunt. My deer season looks like plans E, F and G will be put into use; due to the storm. I saw a real nice buck chasing a doe, shortly after it was light enough to see. Two other bucks passed by within the next twenty minutes. I'm feeling a little better about next week, now.

I walked a mile or so through one of the few oak and beech woods left in this area. I had seen two bunches of gobblers in the area two weeks ago. I topped one ridge and heard some scratching. I eased up where I could see. It was a flock of about fifteen hens and young; nothing I was interested in. The wind had picked up and was blowing hard out of the south, by then I headed for the truck.

I noticed one Oyster Mushroom on a stump and searched around a little more. I found enough to eat for a couple of days. Overall, it was a pretty productive two hours. Things are looking up.

Youth Antlerless Deer Season

Youth, Class Q/QQ, and Class XS Antlerless Deer Season To Open

SOUTH CHARLESTON, W.Va. – The West Virginia Division of Natural Resources reminds hunters that there is a split, three-day special antlerless deer season for Youth, Class Q/QQ permit and Class XS permit hunters scheduled for this fall. The first segment of this season is one day, October 20, and the second segment is two days, December 26-27. The season is open on private and public lands in counties having a firearms deer hunting season.

Youth hunters ages 8-17 may participate in this special antlerless deer season; however, hunters ages 8-14 must be accompanied by a licensed adult. Hunters ages 15-17 are required to have a base hunting license. Senior citizens 65 years and older who have purchased their lifetime senior hunting/trapping/fishing license (Class XS) also may participate in this special antlerless deer season. Hunters participating in this season must wear at least 400 square inches of blaze orange.
The daily bag limit during this special season is one antlerless deer per day for a total of three antlerless deer for the season. These harvested deer do not count toward the hunter’s annual deer season bag limit. All harvested deer must be checked at an official game checking station within 24 hours of the close of each segment of this special split season and before hunting an additional deer during the second segment of this season.
“This season provides a great opportunity to get young hunters out into the field,”noted Frank Jezioro, Director of the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources. The accompanying adults can focus their attention on these young hunters and make sure they are having a safe and enjoyable experience. “Other eligible hunters who participate in this special antlerless deer season can avoid the competition and pressure that may occur during the regular deer seasons,” said Jezioro.
Refer to the 2012-13 Hunting and Trapping Regulations Summary for further details on the special split antlerless deer season for Youth, Class Q/QQ and Class XS hunters. Hunters also may contact any DNR district office with any questions.
**DNR**

West Virginia Buck Season Harvest

This is the latest report from the WVDNR:  It just shows you what happens when baiting is allowed. Mast Failure + Uncontrolled Timber Harvest + Baiting = A Massacre On The Corn Piles = OverKill.  How are they going to make money from all of the non-resident licenses now? You Reap What You Sow.

Earl Ray Tomblin, Governor


Frank Jezioro, Director

News Release: December 13, 2010

Hoy Murphy, Public Information Officer (304) 558-2003 ext. 365 hoy.r.murphy@wv.gov

Contact:

Curtis Taylor, Wildlife Resources Section 304-558-2771 dnr.wildlife@wv.gov





Deer Hunters in West Virginia Harvest 43,226 Bucks during the Buck Firearms Season SOUTH CHARLESTON, W.Va. – Preliminary data collected from game checking stations across the state indicate deer hunters in West Virginia harvested 43,226 bucks during the two-week buck firearms season, which ran from Nov. 22 through Dec. 4, according to Frank Jezioro, Director of the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources (DNR). The 2010 buck harvest was 31 percent less than the 2009 harvest of 62,986. The top ten counties for buck harvest were as follows: Preston (2,030), Randolph (1,817), Hardy (1,350), Greenbrier (1,348), Mason (1,264), Hampshire (1,261), Ritchie (1,236), Jackson (1,216), Lewis (1,141) and Wood (1,113).

This year’s buck harvest is significantly lower than last year, with declines occurring across all DNR Districts. The largest percent decreases occurred in the western and central counties of the state. The harvest was 30th among all recorded antlered buck firearm seasons. Overall, 14 counties were above or within one buck harvested per square of the harvest objective and 37 counties were one or more bucks per square mile below the harvest objective.

White-tailed deer are a product of the environment. Too many deer on a given tract of land will result in loss of body weight, reduction in antler development, decrease in reproduction and sometimes death due to starvation during winter months. The cumulative effects of too many deer over time causes a decline in herd condition, which actually reduces the deer herd’s resiliency to years of poor mast conditions and harsh winter weather. The below-average acorn crops in 2008 and 2009 (acorn mast in 2009 was the lowest in 40 years) and last year’s unusually severe winter had a significant impact on the deer population and the overall 2010 buck firearms season harvest. Fortunately, 2010 has been a banner year for mast and overall, deer are in good physical condition entering the winter months.

Wildlife Biologists will analyze data from the combined 2010 deer seasons (i.e., buck, antlerless, archery and muzzleloader) before making appropriate recommendations for next year’s deer seasons. These recommendations will be available for public review at 12 regulations meetings scheduled for March 14 and 15, 2011 (see current 2010 - 2011 Hunting and Trapping Regulations Summary page 5 or visit the DNR website at www.wvdnr.gov for scheduled times and places).

Director Jezioro reminds hunters that the traditional six-day antlerless deer season in selected counties on both public and private land ends Saturday, December 11. Muzzleloader deer season begins Dec. 13 and runs through Dec. 18. The Youth and Class Q/QQ antlerless deer season will be open on Monday and Tuesday, Dec. 27 and 28 in any county with a firearms deer season, and will be followed by a three-day reopening of antlerless deer season (Dec. 29 - 31) in 46 counties or portions of counties (see 2010 - 2011 Hunting and Trapping Regulations Summary or visit the DNR website at www.wvdnr.gov for county and area listings).

[Editors: Please see attached table with West Virginia’s buck harvest statistics for 2006 – 2010.]

**DNR**

West Virginia Antlered Deer Gun Harvest, 2006-2010

County

2006

2007

2008

2009

2010



Barbour

1527

1380

1413

1307

860



Brooke

479

386

427

377

333



Hancock

447

361

357

339

302



Harrison

1810

1508

1680

1730

1054



Marion

1443

1114

1489

1183

801



Marshall

1648

1126

1339

1321

1091



Monongalia

1953

1474

1927

1536

1108



Ohio

505

438

485

412

405



Preston

2616

2309

2618

2122

2030



Taylor

903

724

808

727

498



Tucker

1020

974

951

874

747



Wetzel

1926

1767

2210

1474

944



Dist. I Subtotal

16,277

13,561

15,704

13,402

10,173



Berkeley

924

973

855

651

656



Grant

1544

1733

1531

1228

914



Hampshire

1949

2223

2153

1634

1261



Hardy

2178

2111

2046

1601

1350



Jefferson

713

657

605

461

488



Mineral

1388

1420

1383

1158

883



Morgan

845

953

806

573

485



Pendleton

1850

1698

1416

1257

884



Dist. II Subtotal

11,391

11,768

10,795

8,563

6,921



Braxton

1308

2005

1731

1891

992



Clay

399

551

540

552

355



Lewis

1778

1952

2027

2227

1141



Nicholas

991

1216

1082

1176

841



Pocahontas

1410

1277

1223

1346

1056



Randolph

1862

1968

2126

1930

1817



Upshur

1432

1517

1536

1383

1059



Webster

796

929

887

901

806



Dist. III Subtotal

9,976

11,415

11,152

11,406

8,067



Fayette

873

1101

905

896

727



Greenbrier

2143

2204

1925

1976

1348



McDowell

0

0

0

0

0



Mercer

662

820

537

604

363



Monroe

1886

2150

1431

1569

1012



Raleigh

651

842

577

706

440



Summers

944

1282

932

931

526



Wyoming

0

0

0

0

0



Dist. IV Subtotal

7,159

8,399

6,307

6,682

4,416



Boone

495

676

577

628

454



Cabell

683

947

787

695

488



Kanawha

1025

1395

1259

1257

887



Lincoln

832

1126

983

860

740



Logan

0

0

0

0

0



Mason

2067

2154

1892

2099

1264



Mingo

0

0

0

0

0



Putnam

1051

1401

1311

1065

793



Wayne

837

898

768

880

503



Dist. V Subtotal

6,990

8,597

7,577

7,484

5,129



Calhoun

1039

1163

1252

1124

565



Doddridge

1328

1227

1605

1416

765



Gilmer

1182

1401

1585

1398

670



Jackson

2122

2081

1948

2504

1216



Pleasants

588

398

630

531

351



Ritchie

2147

1564

2369

2010

1236



Roane

1691

1873

2010

2112

1066



Tyler

1429

1125

1590

1210

845



Wirt

919

1006

1186

1265

693



Wood

1877

1635

1655

1879

1113



Dist. VI Subtotal

14,322

13,473

15,830

15,449

8,520



State Total

66,115

67,213

67,365

62,986

43,226









--------------------------------------------------------------------------------





--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

HOT TOPICS...


goWILD
WV State Parks
Wonderful WV Magazine
State of West Virginia Home Page

How's You Day Going ?

I hate the two nights preceding the full moon.  I cannot sleep at all.  The night of the full moon is probably my best sleeping night of the month.  That is why I am worried about Monday morning.  The opening day of the West Virginia firearms deer season is on Monday and I'll probably oversleep.  Last night, I went to sleep at 10:30 and was wide awake at 12:45.  I messed around and renamed photo files, until I got bored with that.

Might as well go and try to find that elusive Thanksgiving gobbler.  So I take a shower and it is still 2 hours too early to head out.  Not a thing on TV.  There is a Craftman Truck race repeat, but of course I watched the end of that race, before I went to bed.  I already know what happened.  Goober head won and nobody cares anyway.  I'm not in the mood to walk around in Wal-Mart and watch the early morning dopers try to steal something.  Turn the computer back on, of course nothing is happening.  Why aren't you people on Facebook at 4 am?

Just as well head to the mountain; maybe I can get a nap in before daylight.  So I am backing into a grassy area on the side of the road and I am suddenly looking straight up at my front tires.  after somehow managing to get out of the truck: not an easy uphill battle.  I just shake my head and go on turkey hunting.  At about 7, I happen to walk underneath a trio of gobblers and I can see them sail for about a mile and go across the river.  Mess around and look for some deer sign for awhile.  Head the 1.5 miles back to the stranded truck and call a wrecker.  Fifty dollars later, it is noon and I'm back home.. Wonder how tonight will be?

Getting Ready

I'm starting to think about the upcoming deer firearms season now.  I believe that I will go out tomorrow and make sure my muzzleloader and Encore are hitting where they are supposed to.   I had some scope issues last year and had to put a new Burris 3x9 on my 7mm-08 T/C Encore, at the last minute.  I should be all right, this year.

I was smart in 2010, I bought my ammo, powder,primers and bullets in August.  That gives me one less thing to worry about; with 2 weeks left before opening day.  I have to find a new hunting area for the 2010 season.  My normal area relies on beech production and very little is present.  From what I have seen, the deer didn't do very well last winter in that particular area.  I was over there last week, for several hours and saw a grand total of 2 deer and little sign of anymore.  I get a bad feeling when I walk through the woods and no birds or chipmunks are present.

I'm looking at an area which has really good oak mast this year.  I've never deer hunted in the area before, but it looks promising.  I intend to spend some time in the area, during the next 2 weeks.  Hopefully it will be time well spent.  This may be the first year that I have hunted primarily in Randolph County; since the early eighties.