Joe Manchin III, Governor
Frank Jezioro, Director

News Release : November 26, 2007

Hoy Murphy, Public Information Officer (304) 558-3381 hoymurphy@wvdnr.gov
Contact: Curtis Taylor, Wildlife Resources Section Chief (304) 558-2771 wildlife@wvdnr.gov

Class RM and RRM Additional Muzzleloader Deer Stamps Must be Purchased Prior to Muzzleloader Season

Class RM and Class RRM stamps may be used to take one additional muzzleloader deer in the muzzleloader season in all counties having a muzzleloader season. The Class RM and RRM stamps must be purchased before December 10, 2007, prior to the opening of muzzleloader season. A resident may purchase only one Class RM stamp and a nonresident may purchase only one Class RRM stamp. Only one deer may be taken with a Class RM or RRM stamp.

Class RM or RRM stamps are valid for taking one antlered deer in all counties having a muzzleloader season or they may be used to take one either-sex deer in counties and selected Wildlife Management Areas or other public lands having a Class N or NN antlerless season bag limit of two or more antlerless (Class N) deer. Hunters are encouraged to read the 2007-2008 Hunting and Trapping Regulations Summary or visit the DNR Web site at www.wvdnr.gov to obtain complete information about muzzleloader hunting on public and private lands.

To take an additional muzzleloader deer during the muzzleloader season, all residents, except resident landowners hunting on their own land are required to purchase a Class RM stamp. All nonresidents are required to purchase a Class RRM stamp, if they choose to take an additional muzzleloader deer.

In all instances, the first muzzleloader deer must be taken on an appropriate base license, license/stamp combination, free license, resident underage or as a landowner hunting on his/her own land and legally checked before the Class RM or RRM stamp is legal. Hunting cannot begin on the Class RM or RRM stamps until the day after legally checking the first muzzleloader deer. Additionally, hunters are reminded that only three antlered deer may be taken in a calendar year in all deer seasons combined.

A bow or crossbow cannot be substituted for a muzzleloader during the muzzleloader season. However, concurrent archery deer hunting is legal during the muzzleloader season subject to all archery hunting regulations, except archery hunters must wear at least 400 square inches of blaze orange as an outer garment.

Muzzleloader hunters should be aware there are special deer carcass transport regulations for deer killed in Hampshire County north of US Route 50. For further information, please consult the Deer Muzzleloader Season section of the 2007-2008 Hunting and Trapping Regulations Summary available from license agents, DNR offices or the DNR Web site at www.wvdnr.gov .

**DNR**