While I was in contact with the DNR for my last column, there were a few other subjects I wanted to touch base on.

First off were results from the spring “Gold Rush” fish stocking. There were 30 lucky anglers that won prizes as part of the giveaway. The five big winners of the life-time fishing licenses were: Amber Kincaid of Meadow Bridge, Logan Hill of Marmet, Christopher Swimm of Wayne, Wayne Worth of Clarksburg and Charles Everson of Belington. All five were West Virginia residents. So, congratulations to them and all the winners.

Then there was also, I believe, a new state record Golden Trout caught in Little Beaver State Park. So, keep in mind, records are meant to be broken. So, get out there and fish because you never know what you might land.

Then to reference a DNR press release, there was a 19% increase in trout stocking compared to 2022.

Also, there was a significant upgrade to the Bowden Hatchery. The hatchery went from 40 fish rearing units to 60, which will allow them to produce an additional 100,000 pounds of trout.

Although the 2023 Bowden Fishing Derby was cancelled, they are hopeful that with an earlier start, the 2024 Derby will be brought back, according to Jim Hedrick, WV DNR Trout Program Leader.

Now to mover on to the 2023 Spring Gobbler harvest. In a similar press release, according to preliminary date, 2023 will go down as a record spring gobbler harvest for the last five years. During the 2023 season, Spring gobble hunters harvested 12,217 birds. Harvest increased in every district except division four.

The top five counties with highest harvest were Mason (559), Jackson (416), Preston (390), Harrison 357) and Hampshire (347). My home county of Randolph was at 261 up from 223 from the previous year. Most Randolph County hunters had a lot more luck than I had. Although I did not hunt as much as usual, I heard very few birds and even less shots in the areas that I hunt.

During the 2023 season, youth hunters took 781 turkeys, 490 on Saturday and 291 on Sunday. This was the fourth year the youth season has been two days.

I encourage hunters to try and take a youth to take advantage of any hunting season in 2024. Let us call it “The youth hunter challenge” and it is a lot safer than Tide Pods.

Finally, a game law regulation change for the 2024 season. The one that I’m sure you will hear some varied opinions over will be the total number of antlered deer that can be taken, in all seasons combined, during a single year. Right now, deer hunters can take a total of 3 antlered deer for combined seasons. Starting in 2024 that will change to two.

According to Steven Rauch, Assistant Chief in Charge of Game Management Unit and Certified Wildlife Biologist for the WV DNR, “the thought is that this will carry over more antlered bucks from year to year, although less the 2% of the total annual antlered buck harvest is a third buck.”

In my opinion, I’m not sure how big a carryover this will bring. However, with the liberal doe seasons across the state, if you feel yourself shorted by the two-buck limit, I’m sure you can find a location or another deer season to harvest a doe for the freezer.

Stay Safe and Stay Outdoors.