New Outdoors Activities at National Hunting and Fishing Days Sept. 25 & 26 at Stonewall Resort State Park

            ROANOKE, W.Va. – Several new outdoors activities will be featured this year as the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources (DNR) and the West Virginia Wildlife Federation co-sponsor West Virginia’s Annual Celebration of National Hunting and Fishing Days (NH&FD) on Sept. 25 and 26. The event will again be held at Stonewall Resort State Park near Weston, conveniently located along Interstate 79 (Exit 91). “This year should be extra special, with an exciting array of new seminars and activities, said DNR Director Frank Jezioro. 

            “NH&FD is designed to appeal to outdoor enthusiasts of any age, and is especially beneficial to young hunters, anglers and other outdoor recreationists,” noted Jezioro. “NH&FD is the largest single weekend outdoor-oriented event in the state and is something not to be missed.”

            Back after a long absence, the “Hawg Trough” is a huge mobile aquarium that will be filled with native West Virginia fish. Also new, the Collaborative for 21st Century Appalachia will give a presentation on cooking with wild game and local produce – and providing free samples.

            “We are very excited about the line-up of new seminars and the addition of the ‘Hawg Trough’ this year,” said NH&FD Event Coordinator Jerry Westfall. “Our new seminars include world champion turkey caller Jim Clay discussing his turkey calling and hunting techniques; popular outdoor writer Bruce Ingram discussing hunting and fishing tactics; and the DNR’s own Jim Fregonara, giving his popular seminar on West Virginia snakes with live specimens. Also, we are very happy to have professional bass fishing champion Bill Lowen demonstrate some professional fishing tips at the “Hawg Trough.” 

            “We are very happy to bring back our biggest draw of past years – the outstanding archery showman Byron Ferguson,” Westfall continued. “Byron is an unparalleled archery talent whose performances leave audiences across the nation speechless.”  Tom Bechdel’s very popular seminar on coyote hunting and calling, and Smokey McNicholas’s seminar on deer and other wildlife calls will also be returning. 

            Visitors also can check out popular exhibits like the West Virginia Big Buck Display and the West Virginia Trophy Fish Display, showing some of the largest deer and fish taken in the state.

            “We are also proud to have back for the third year – the squirrel field dressing and skinning demonstration,” noted Westfall.  “This squirrel demonstration compliments our long-standing deer field dressing and skinning demonstration, which has taught proper field dressing and skinning techniques to a couple generations of wildlife enthusiasts.

            “We encourage youth attendance by keeping prices low and by providing two action-packed days of youth activities,” said Westfall.

            The Outdoor Youth Challenge (a youth expo and competition relating to wildlife, hunting, fishing, firearms safety and outdoor recreation) has expanded more this year. “The Outdoor Youth Challenge is perhaps the most important event at NH&FD because, for some youngsters, this may be the only opportunity they will have to be exposed to these fun and exciting outdoor activities. The hunting simulator, climbing wall, lake boat rides, and the W.Va. Army National  Guard helicopter are always a big hit with the kids.”

            Adults and youth under supervision can try for absolutely free:  archery, muzzleloader shooting, .22 caliber shooting, skeet (shotgun) shooting, fly casting, and many other activities.

            For more information on NH&FD, including a complete schedule, description of activities, and an event map, go to the website at: www.wvdnr.gov/hunting/nathuntfish.shtm, or call the Event Coordinator, Jerry Westfall, at 304-558-2771; jerry.a.westfall@wv.gov.  For more information on Stonewall Resort State Park, go to their website at:  www.stonewallresort.com.