Joe Manchin III, Governor

Frank Jezioro, Director

News Release : October 20, 2005

Hoy Murphy , Public Information Officer (304) 558-3380 hoymurphy@wvdnr.gov

Contact: Curtis Taylor , Wildlife Resources Section Chief (304) 558-2771 wildlife@wvdnr.gov

Special Areas Accessible to Physically Challenged Hunters

With Class Q Permit

  Physically challenged hunters possessing a Class Q hunting permit (permanently disabled in both lower extremities) may hunt on designated roads throughout the Monongahela National Forest , portions of the George Washington/Jefferson National Forest and on certain state-owned Wildlife Management Areas, according to Curtis I. Taylor, Chief of the Wildlife Resources Section of the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources.

  “This is a cooperative program between the Monongahela and George Washington/Jefferson National Forests and the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources, providing access to suitable hunting areas for sportsmen who possess a Class Q permit. These Class Q roads have been popular and well received by physically challenged hunters on both our state and National Forest Wildlife Management Areas,” Taylor said.

  Both resident and nonresident hunters who qualify and obtain a West Virginia Class Q permit may now participate in special Class Q hunts and use designated Class Q hunter access roads (see 2005 Hunting and Trapping Regulations). Nonresidents must also have applicable nonresident annual hunting licenses. Both resident and nonresident hunters with a Class Q permit must apply in person or by mail at the appropriate National Forest Ranger District office or appropriate West Virginia Division of Natural Resources district office. Hunters applying by mail must include a copy of their Class Q permit. Approved hunters will be issued a letter of authorization, which must be in possession while hunting.

  The Class Q permit holder may be accompanied by no more than one assistant when hunting within a designated area. Assistants may change from one trip to the next, but all assistants must be listed on the letter of authorization. The assistant may hunt with the Class Q permit holder, but must be out of the vehicle while hunting, and possess appropriate hunting licenses as required by state law. A hunting license is not required for the assistant if he is not hunting. All state hunting regulations are to be observed while hunting these designated areas. Authorized hunters will have access to specific gates via a special lock, for which the hunter will be issued a key. While behind the gate, hunters must observe all National Forest and state Wildlife Management Area regulations. All off-road driving is prohibited.

  The West Virginia Division of Natural Resources allows certain physically challenged bowhunters who cannot ordinarily use a conventional bow to modify a long bow, recurve bow or compound bow, by attaching a device to hold the bow at full draw. These devices can only be used by bowhunters who have a licensed physician certify their need. Application forms for this “Modified Bow Permit” are available at all Division of Natural Resources District offices and hunting license agents.

  For specific information about applying for a key to access National Forest Class Q roads, including location and road length, contact the respective National Forest Ranger District. For information on State Wildlife Management Area Class Q roads, call the Division of Natural Resources office in Elkins at 304-637-0245 or visit the DNR Web site at www.wvdnr.gov .

Class Q Roads Available on National Forest Lands .

Cheat/Potomac Ranger District, Parsons, WV (304-478-3251)

Goodwin Run ( Forest Road #933) Tucker County

Bonifield Run ( Forest Road #929) Tucker County

Five Lick ( Forest Road #153/153A) Randolph County

Back Ridge ( Forest Road #814) Pendleton County

Greenbrier Ranger District, Bartow , WV (304-456-3335)

Little Beech Mountain ( Forest Road #385, 183A) Randolph County

Burner Mountain Sale Road ( Forest Road #803)

Gauley Ranger District, Richwood , WV (304-846-2695)
Left Branch (Frosty Gap) ( Forest Road # 731) Pocahontas County

Spice Run ( Forest Road #787) Webster County

Marlinton/White Sulphur Ranger District, Marlinton , WV (304-799-4334 )

Crooked Fork ( Forest Road #251) Pocahontas County

Middle Mountain ( Forest Road #790) Pocahontas County

Panther Ridge ( Forest Road #298) Greenbrier County

Bear Track ( Forest Road #882) Greenbrier County

Dry River Ranger District, Bridgewater , VA (540-828-2591 or 304-249-5548)

Dry River Hollow Road ( Forest Road #151H) Pendleton County

State Wildlife Management Areas with available roads

Bluestone WMA, Burnsville Lake WMA, Elk River WMA, Hughes River WMA, Lewis Wetzel WMA, McClintic WMA, Sleepy Creek WMA, Stonewall Jackson Lake WMA, and Wallback WMA.

  The U.S. Forest Service and WVDNR are committed to providing quality hunting opportunities for physically challenged hunters and welcome comments and concerns from participating hunters.

**DNR**