Published: February 28, 2009 06:27 pm      

W.Va. may have early deer hunts

One thing you cannot accuse the West Virginia Wildlife Resources Section of is coming up with the trite approach of “Hey, we’ve always done it that way.”

A September ago, the biologists of this arm of the Division of Natural Resources thought outside the ground blind and sprung the earliest bear season in decades. The result, from all appearances, was successful in that a substantial number of bears were bagged, which should lead to fewer nuisance complaints. Such complaints were heading off the charts. The bruins were even ripping siding off houses.

So, what’s up for this September?

There is a distinct possibility that hunters in West Virginia will be able to go after deer (antlerless only) in September, not only with bows and arrows, but with muzzleloaders.

A lot of things remain to be figured out, but as of right now here is what we know.

The agency will propose a bow hunt Sept. 14-19 and a blackpowder hunt Sept. 21-26. Both of those hunts are Monday through Saturday deals.

Paul Johansen, who is assistant chief of wildlife, said discussions began when Frank Jezioro, DNR’s director, asked the biologists to work up a plan for an early muzzleloader season.

“We did that, but we also thought there was opportunity for bow hunters as well,” Johansen said. “The primary reason for the proposal is to provide additional hunting opportunity, but there is a management factor as well.”

One of the unknowns is where exactly the hunts will take place. Early speculation puts the hunts in as many as 30-some counties.

“You can pretty much look at last year’s regulations and figure that the new hunts will be proposed in the counties where there is already a liberal antlerless limit.

Hunters would have the base license and purchase additional bow and muzzleloader tags to participate. Any deer taken would be tagged as an additional deer. The limit per season would be one animal.

By the time the regulation meetings come around later this month, the agency will have the details pinned down and will ask for the opinions of hunters throughout the Mountain State.

I figure there will be some fussing among hunters about this proposal. You know my stance when it comes to additional hunting opportunities. Go for it.

Likely, some hunters will believe that such an early hunt will stir up the woods too much. Others will say there aren’t enough deer to withstand additional hunting. Still others will say that they expect people to poach nice bucks during this early antlerless season.

I’m certain that some will complain that the weather will be too hot and meat will be lost. I don’t buy that. A September ago in Maryland, I bow-bagged a 4-point on the 15th day of the month. Because I was near home, getting the deer into refrigeration was not a problem. If you are far from home, take the appropriate ice and chests to deal with the matter.

Anyway, we all know that there are sometimes October and even November days when deer hunters have to deal with warm or even hot weather. It can be done.

As soon as we get the dates for the regulation meetings, we will pass them on to you. There is usually a meeting in Moorefield and another in Martinsburg in the eastern part of the state.

By the way, Johansen said there is likely to be another September bear season this year, but only in the southern part of West Virginia.

Contact Outdoor Editor Mike Sawyers at msawyers@times-news.com.