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ELKINS -- The Elkins DNR Operations Center will host one of 12 in-person public meetings across the state next week to discuss proposed hunting, trapping and fishing regulations for the 2024-2025 seasons.
Gov. Jim Justice announced the public meetings, to be offered March 11 and 12, which will allow residents to review and comment on new proposed regulations by the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources.
The Elkins meeting will be from 6-8 p.m. Monday at the Operations Center, located on the Ward Road.
"West Virginia's hunting, trapping, fishing and outdoor community is incredible and I want to encourage folks to attend one of these meetings and be part of making our state the best place for outdoor recreation in the world," Justice said.
The proposed regulations include the 2024 Hunting Regulations for white-tailed deer, wild turkey, black bear and wild boar; the 2025-2026 General Hunting and Trapping Regulations; and the 2025 Fishing Regulations.
Justice also announced that youth hunters ages 10-15 who attend one of the meetings will earn a chance to enter their names into a drawing for an open spot on a trip to Little Coal Wildlife Management Area and participate in a sponsored youth turkey hunt, fishing and camping.
"This informal meeting style allows people to attend at their convenience during the scheduled meeting times, learn about proposed regulation changes, discuss these proposals with personnel from the Wildlife Resources and Law Enforcement sections and comment on the proposed regulations and other wildlife-related issues," said WVDNR Director Brett McMillion.
Those who are unable to attend an in-person meeting but wish to send a written comment on proposed hunting, trapping and fishing regulations, may do so by filling out and submitting a questionnaire, available to download at WVdnr.gov/regulations-questionnaire. Written comments must be received by the WVDNR by April 2.
The other meetings will be on Monday in Grafton, Martinsburg, Beckley, Milton and Cairo; and on Tuesday in Triadelphia, Moorefield, Sutton, Pipestem, Logan and Parkersburg.