2024 trout stocking underway around the Mountain State

February 2, 2024

If you haven’t had the chance to go yet, you should know that 2024 trout stocking started on Jan. 2. Although the last week or so has brought a fair amount of snow and frigid temperatures, the forecast shows some above average temperatures soon. Once the snow melts and waters receded, there might be some good opportunities to get out and wet a line. With the recent temperatures, a lake like Spruce Knob might give you the conditions to try ice fishing. If you ice fished before then you probably know it can be productive under the right circumstances. Usually, it’s not very ...

The practice of baiting deer is still a subject of controversy

December 28, 2023

While sitting in my tree stand this season, I got to thinking about the practice of baiting deer. This is still a subject of some controversy. While some states ban the baiting of the deer altogether and I believe there are some states that have a certain period that can bait if it is ceased by a certain time. In West Virginia it is illegal to bait or feed any wildlife on public land. It is also illegal to bait deer in the CWD containment areas. This is one of the precautions to try and curb the spread of CWD in those areas where it has been found. It also got me thinking about ...

Thanksgiving means the first week of buck season

November 16, 2023

Thanksgiving week is upon us. In West Virginia that has always meant the first week of buck season for as long as I have hunted. Even with the drop in the number of hunters and less accessible hunting land, I’m sure this is still one of the busiest weeks of the year in our state. It is a time when a lot of families get together to hunt, go to a traditional deer camp and celebrate Thanksgiving. I have visited several deer camps where it seemed to be about more the camaraderie of camp than the harvesting of a deer. If you were lucky enough to get a deer that just afforded you ...

Outdoor activities with kids, grandkids a joy

October 19, 2023

It’s hard to believe we are already over two weeks into archery season. I’m sure you’ve heard all your life how the older you get, the more time flies. I’m getting to the age now where I’m finding it to be very truthful. I find it harder and harder to find the time and energy to partake in many outdoor activities, I was motivated in the form of taking my grandsons hunting, but now that is even starting to go away some, as they get older and are branching out on their own. The youngest while he does hunt, seems like he could take it or leave it and that’s fine because ...

Harvesting groundhogs is the forgotten season

August 10, 2023

When I was growing up and way younger, it seemed like the only thing I wanted to do was hunt and fish. It really didn’t matter what I was hunting, as long as it was in season. The year usually started out with the remaining small game seasons, squirrels for a very short period and then a switch to rabbit, while there was snow on the ground which helped with your success rate. Throw in with that a little furbearer trapping and that would keep you pretty busy for quite some time. Then by the time those were over, trout stocking usually began. You could fish many of the streams or ...

DNR reveals Gold Rush and Spring Gobbler results

July 22, 2023

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 ...