WV DNR News Releases

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.

West Virginia Hunters Harvest 132,323 Deer in 2011

Paul Johansen, Wildlife Resources Section 304-558-2771 DNR.Wildlife@wv.gov — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 14:56:08 GMT

SOUTH CHARLESTON, W.Va. – Preliminary counts of game checking tags indicate West Virginia hunters harvested a total of 132,323 white-tailed deer during the recently completed bucks-only, antlerless, muzzleloader, archery and youth/Class Q deer seasons, according to Division of Natural Resources Director Frank Jezioro. This year’s total harvest was 24 percent above the 2010 deer harvest of 106,499. A total of 60,516 bucks, 38,381 antlerless season deer, 26,136 bow-killed deer and 7,290 muzzleloader season deer were taken during the 2011 seasons. The top ten counties for total deer harvest are: Preston (5,712), Mason (5,181), Jackson (4,782), Wood (4,173), Upshur (3,883), Lewis (3,815), Monongalia (3,785), Randolph (3,783), Braxton (3,701) and Roane (3,607).

Deer/vehicle collision reduction is goal of study by West Virginia Division of Natural Resources and Department of Transportation

Wed, 11 Jan 2012 14:47:38 GMT

SOUTH CHARLESTON, W.Va. – Two state agencies and an auto insurance company are collaborating to study deer/vehicle collisions in West Virginia and come up with ways to best reduce their occurrence. The long-term goal of the project is to identify the most effective mitigation technique at the lowest cost, according to Division of Natural Resources (DNR) Director Frank Jezioro and Department of Transportation (DOT) Secretary Paul Mattox.

West Virginia Trout Stocking Week of January 3 – 6, 2012

Mike Shingleton, Wildlife Resources Section 304-637-0245 dnr.wildlife@wv.gov — Fri, 06 Jan 2012 21:21:54 GMT

ELKINS, W.Va. – The following waters were stocked with trout the week of Jan. 3, 2012:

Training Program for Historic Interpretation Offered March 31 at Prickett’s Fort State Park

Melissa May, Executive Director (304) 363-3030 — Fri, 06 Jan 2012 17:26:38 GMT

FAIRMONT, W.Va. – The Pricketts Fort Memorial Foundation is bringing NAI Certified Interpretive Trainer Richard N. Pawling to West Virginia on Saturday, March 31. “An intense day of historic interpretive training is our goal,” said Melissa May, Executive Director of the Pricketts Fort Foundation. Participants will learn effective methods for presenting history to diverse audiences.

An Evening with Porte Crayon – A History Alive Progam at Blackwater Falls State Park January 21

Paulita Cousin, Blackwater Falls State Park paulita.l.cousin@wv.gov 304-259-5216 — Fri, 06 Jan 2012 17:24:00 GMT

DAVIS, W.Va. – Some of the earliest images depicting West Virginia’s scenic areas, the people and their lifestyles were created by artist and illustrator David Hunter Strother. He is better known by his pen name “Porte Crayon.” A History Alive program, presented by Don Teter of Monterville, is scheduled at Blackwater Falls State Park on Jan. 21 at 7 p.m. It is a free presentation and is open to the public. Attendees will find ample parking at the Harold S. Walters Nature Center. Park Naturalist Paulita Cousin will be the event host and she promises hot chocolate and an enjoyable program. The nature center exhibits will also be open for the evening.

North Bend becomes its own galaxy for a weekend, Jan. 20-22 Register for Winter Wonder Weekend at North Bend State Park

Emily Fleming, Asst. to the DNR Director Emily.J.Fleming@wv.gov; 304-558-2754 — Wed, 04 Jan 2012 17:13:02 GMT

CAIRO, W.Va. – Dark skies and wintry weather is the perfect blend for the annual Winter Wonder Weekend at North Bend State Park. “Outer Space” is this year’s theme with related activities, games and programs that will create a fun family winter weekend Jan. 20-22. Sled riding is part of the fun if there is snow. “We don’t do warp speeds at our sledding hill,” said Ken Zebo, activities coordinator at the Ritchie county destination, “but we sure feel like a rocket taking off and hope for a smooth slide.” Zebo will be involved with the planned NASA activities during the weekend.

Our national emblem counts – Eagle Count at Pipestem State Park January 7

Wed, 04 Jan 2012 17:10:36 GMT

PIPESTEM, W.Va. – Weather permitting, “and it looks like it will,” the Eagle Count in the Pipestem area will be conducted on Jan. 7, 2012. “It’s an annual survey that Jim Phillips, naturalist at Pipestem Resort, has conducted with the help of volunteers for many years,” said Mindy Waldron.

Bring on the New Year at a W.Va. State Park

Thu, 22 Dec 2011 16:30:58 GMT

SOUTH CHARLESTON, W.Va. – From 1920s jazz to country and swing, several of West Virginia’s state parks with lodges are offering a variety of dinners and dances and packaged options for New Year’s Eve. Lodge parks offering parties include Blackwater Falls, Cacapon Resort, Canaan Valley Resort, Chief Logan Lodge, North Bend, Pipestem Resort, Stonewall Resort, Twin Falls Resort, and Tygart Lake.