Published: November 07, 2009 07:06 pm      

W.Va. brush briefs - November 8, 2009

Fins, feathers and fur news from

Trout stocked by helicopter

The West Virginia Division of Natural Resources, in cooperation with the West Virginia Professional Outfitters Association, stocked 1,200 pounds of rainbow trout in the Summersville Dam tailwater of the Gauley River Oct. 28. The goal of the stocking is to enhance trout fishing opportunities in the Gauley River, especially in the remote canyon section of the Gauley River, according to Frank Jezioro, DNR director.

“The trout stockings were conducted by helicopter and should provide good fishing in the fall with holdover fish available to anglers into next year,” said Jezioro. The program is supported by whitewater rafting fees to compensate for additional days of whitewater rafting flows on the Gauley River and resulting reduced fishing opportunities during these high flows released from Summersville Dam.



Trappers must follow rules

Trappers harvesting beaver and fisher in West Virginia must present the whole animal or pelt to a game checking station or Division of Natural Resources representative within 30 days after the close of the respective season. A tag provided by the checking station shall be attached to the whole animal or pelt until it has been sold, tanned or mounted.

The law requires bobcat hunters and trappers to field tag each bobcat before moving the animal from the location where it was killed. The field tag must remain on the carcass until it is retagged with an official game checking tag at an official game checking station. Hunters and trappers are to present the unskinned bobcat when checking the animal.

Information provided by hunters or trappers on the checking tag is used to monitor harvests and assist in future management of these species. Decisions regarding season length, opening and closing dates, and bag limits are reliant upon accurate data obtained from these tags.



Venison for needy families

West Virginia hunters, churches, and the general public can help support DNR’s charitable Hunters Helping the Hungry Program, according to Jerry Westfall who coordinates the effort. The program allows hunters to donate legally harvested deer to certified processors so the meat can be given to soup kitchens, food pantries, shelters, senior centers, missions, churches, and community centers around the state. The HHH program has been highly successful since it began in 1992, providing more than 925,000 meals to the neediest of West Virginians. However, because of processing and distribution costs, the program also requires cash donations to benefit these needy individuals.

To make a monetary donation, visit www.wvdnr.gov/Hunting/HHH.shtm or call Billie Shearer at (304) 558-2771; billieshearer@wvdnr.gov. Hunters can also consult the Web site for certified processor locations around the state.



Fall trout stocked in West Virginia

The following waters were stocked with trout the week of Oct. 19-23. Anthony Creek, Big Clear Creek, Blackwater River, Brandywine Lake, Buckhannon River, Buffalo Fork Lake, Coopers Rock Lake, Cranberry River, Elk River, Evitts Run, Glade Creek of New, Knapps Creek, Lost River, New Creek Dam #14 and North Fork of South Branch.

Also Opequon Creek, Pinnacle Creek (lower), Pond Fork, RD Bailey Tailwaters, Rockcliff Lake, Seneca Lake, Shavers Fork (Bemis), Shavers Fork (lower), Shavers Fork (upper), South Branch (Franklin), South Branch (Smoke Hole), Spruce Knob Lake and Summersville tailwaters.

Also Summit Lake, Sutton Tailwaters, Teter Creek Lake, Tygart Headwaters, Tygart Tailwaters, West Fork of Greenbrier and Williams River.