WV DNR News Releases

West Virginia Trout Stocking Week of February 6 - 10, 2012

Mike Shingleton, Wildlife Resources Section 304-637-0245 dnr.wildlife@wv.gov — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 21:05:09 GMT

ELKINS, W.Va. – The following waters were stocked the week of Feb. 6, 2012:

DNR Moves District 3 Law Enforcement Office to Central Location in French Creek

Capt. Michael Waugh, DNR District 3 Law Enforcement 304-924-6211 DNR.Law@wv.gov — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 19:06:30 GMT

FRENCH CREEK, W.Va. – The W.Va. Division of Natural Resources Law Enforcement Section has moved the District 3 Law Enforcement office to a more central location within the district to better serve the public, according to WVDNR Director Frank Jezioro. DNR District 3 covers eight counties: Clay, Braxton, Nicholas, Pocahontas, Webster, Lewis, Randolph and Upshur.

Stay at a W.Va. State Park on Valentine’s Day, February 14

Paul Redford, District Administrator, 304-558-2764, paul.a.redford@wv.gov — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 19:02:14 GMT

SOUTH CHARLESTON, W.Va. – Tuesday, Feb. 14 is Valentine’s Day and Pipestem Resort and other West Virginia state parks are offering a sweet 50 percent off room rate to celebrate, according to Paul Redford, District Administrator with West Virginia’s state parks system.

Beech Fork State Park Golf Cart Use Policy Established

Brad Reed, District Administrator 304-558-2764 Brad.R.Reed@wv.gov — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 18:59:47 GMT

BARBOURSVILLE, W.Va. – A new Beech Fork State Park campground golf cart use policy begins on April 1, 2012. The West Virginia Division of Natural Resources developed this policy with the goals of balancing public safety and liability concerns with continuing to provide a quality camping experience.

WVDNR Announces Winter Waterfowl Survey Results

Curtis Taylor, Wildlife Resources Section Chief 304-558-2771 DNR.Wildlife@wv.gov — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 16:57:35 GMT

SOUTH CHARLESTON, W.Va. – Wildlife biologists counted 3,716 ducks and 3,904 Canada geese during the annual mid-winter waterfowl survey in early January, according to Steve Wilson, waterfowl biologist for the Wildlife Resources Section of the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources. Compared to 2011, the number of ducks and geese counted decreased 26 percent and 36 percent, respectively, for the 2012 survey.

WV Becoming an Outdoors-Woman Program plans Spring Workshop

Billie Shearer, Wildlife Resources Section 304-558-2771 billie.j.shearer@wv.gov — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 16:53:04 GMT

SOUTH CHARLESTON, W.Va. – The WV Division of Natural Resources announces that the spring Becoming an Outdoors-Woman Workshop at Stonewall Resort will be April 13-15, 2012.

Natural Resources Commission Quarterly Meeting 1 p.m., Sunday, Feb. 26, 2012 DNR South Charleston Headquarters

Emily Fleming, Assistant to the Director 304-558-2754 — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 16:50:49 GMT

SOUTH CHARLESTON, W.Va. – The next quarterly meeting of the Natural Resources Commission is scheduled for Sunday, Feb. 26, beginning at 1 p.m. at the Division of Natural Resources Headquarters at 324 4th Avenue in South Charleston. The public is invited to attend and make comments. Items on the agenda include:

State Parks Offer Sweet Options for Valentines Feb. 10 and 11

Sissie Summers, W.Va. State Parks 304-558-2764 Sissie.A.Summers@wv.gov — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 19:49:56 GMT

SOUTH CHARLESTON, W.Va. - February 14 is Valentine’s Day, but the prior weekend is full of dances, dinners and entertainment at West Virginia’s state parks, making Feb. 10 and 11 Sweetheart Weekend across the state. Here’s what park guests and visitors will find at these West Virginia state parks:

Groundhog Day with French Creek Freddie at the West Virginia State Wildlife Center February 2

Gene Thorns, Wildlife Resources Section 304-924-6211 Eugene.R.Thorn@wv.gov — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 20:22:29 GMT

            FRENCH CREEK, W.Va. – West Virginia State Wildlife Center’s official weather prognosticator, French Creek Freddie, is poised to forecast the onset of spring on Thursday, February 2, 2012, at 10 a.m.   French Creek Freddie has undertaken his annual ritual at the West Virginia State Wildlife Center since 1978.

Trapping Seasons End Soon for Mink, Raccoon, Fox, Muskrat, etc.

Curtis Taylor, Wildlife Resources Section Chief 304-558-2771 DNR.Wildlife@wv.gov — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 20:19:16 GMT

SOUTH CHARLESTON, W.Va. – West Virginia trappers are reminded that the various trapping seasons for affected species will be ending soon, according to the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources.

Schools Encouraged to Start Preparing for the March 24 Archery in the Schools State Tournament in Charleston

Krista Snodgrass, Wildlife Resources Section 304-558-2771 DNR.Wildlife@wv.gov — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 20:27:02 GMT

SOUTH CHARLESTON, W.Va. – The West Virginia Division of Natural Resources (DNR) will be hosting its 7th Annual West Virginia State Archery in the Schools (AIS) Tournament Saturday, March 24, 2012, at the Charleston Civic Center. The DNR anticipates nearly 800 students from across the state will be participating making this the largest indoor youth archery tournament ever held in West Virginia.

Late Season Hunting Opportunities

Jeff McCrady, Wildlife Resources Section 304-420-4550 Jeff.W.McCrady@wv.gov — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 20:24:44 GMT

SOUTH CHARLESTON, W.Va. – The late part of winter presents an often overlooked opportunity for hunting in the Mountain State, according to Jeff McCrady, district wildlife biologist for the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources office in Parkersburg. Rabbits, grouse, foxes, bobcats and raccoons are in season through the end of February.

West Virginia Trout Stocking Week of January 23 - 27, 2012

Mike Shingleton, Wildlife Resources Section 304-637-0245 dnr.wildlife@wv.gov — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 20:22:16 GMT

ELKINS, W.Va. – The following waters were stocked the week of January 23, 2012:

History Series is “A Journey Through Time” at Blennerhassett Island State Park five Sundays in February and March

Wed, 18 Jan 2012 18:09:55 GMT

PARKERSBURG, W.Va. – “A Journey Through Time” theme binds five Sunday afternoon history programs in February and March, creating the 2012 Winter Lecture Series at Blennerhassett Island Historical State Park. The programs feature two first-person interpreters and speakers on a variety of Ohio Valley and West Virginia topics. For five Sunday afternoons at 2 p.m., the Blennerhassett Museum of Regional History In Parkersburg invites the public to attend the programs free of charge.

Pipestem Resort is site for Gift Buyers Marketplace, Feb. 6-8

Dale McLaughlin. Dale.D.McLaughlin@wv.gov or Cathy Mize, 304-466-1800 — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 18:06:13 GMT

PIPESTEM, W.Va. – More than 50 vendors are registered for the annual Gift Buyers Marketplace scheduled February 6-8 at Pipestem Resort State Park. A trade show for gift and souvenir buyers is an annual event that brings wholesale vendors and gift shop buyers together under one roof for three days. Buyers must register in advance or at the door. There is no charge for buyers to attend.

West Virginia Hunters Harvest 2,007 Black Bears in 2011

Paul Johansen, Wildlife Resources Section 304-558-2771 DNR.Wildlife@wv.gov — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 21:30:57 GMT

SOUTH CHARLESTON, W.Va. – West Virginia hunters harvested 2,007 black bears during the combined 2011 archery and firearms seasons, according to Paul Johansen, assistant chief in charge of game management for the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources. The preliminary harvest data for the combined 2011 seasons was 16 percent lower than the record harvest of 2,392 established in 2010. The 2011 black bear harvest is the third highest in West Virginia history.

West Virginia Trout Stocking Week of January 9 - 13, 2012

Mike Shingleton, Wildlife Resources Section 304-637-0245 dnr.wildlife@wv.gov — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 19:41:23 GMT

ELKINS, W.Va. – The following waters were stocked with trout the week of Jan. 9, 2012:

West Virginia Hunters Harvest 1,172 Fall Turkeys in 2011

Paul Johansen, Wildlife Resources Section 304-558-2771 DNR.Wildlife@wv.gov — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 19:38:19 GMT

SOUTH CHARLESTON, W.Va. – Preliminary figures for the 2011 fall turkey hunting season show a harvest of 1,172 turkeys, according to Paul Johansen, assistant chief in charge of game management for the Wildlife Resources Section of the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources. The 2011 harvest was four percent higher than the 1,126 birds checked in during the 2010 fall season.

WVDNR Seeks Paintings for 2013 Wildlife Calendar

Curtis Taylor, Wildlife Resources Section Chief 304-558-2771 DNR.Wildlife@wv.gov — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 19:32:38 GMT

SOUTH CHARLESTON, W.Va. – The West Virginia Division of Natural Resources Wildlife Resources Section is requesting original wildlife art for the 2013 edition of the award-winning WVDNR Wildlife Calendar, according to WVDNR Wildlife Resources Section Chief Curtis I. Taylor. The deadline for submitting artwork is February 17, 2012. An electronic image of each entry capable of being sized at 14 ½ inches wide by 11 ½ inches high at 300 dpi is preferred, but a lower resolution image or 35-mm color slide will be accepted. Artists may send in multiple entries.

Outer Space, Western Dance and more at W.Va. State Parks Jan. 20 - 22

Sissie Summers, Programming Services, 304-558-2764 sissie.a.summers@wv.gov — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 14:59:30 GMT

SOUTH CHARLESTON, W.Va. – Winter brings many events of interest to West Virginia’s state parks the weekend of Jan. 20, according to Sissie Summers, state parks programming services coordinator. “Canaan Valley has downhill skiing and Blackwater Falls has sledding. Hiking and bird watching are outdoor activities that park visitors enjoy in winter and any other time of year. But our special weekends generally focus on a specific interest or activity and generally with an overnight package available.” The weekend of Jan. 20 – 22 is especially packed full of winter fun.