Squirrel and archery seasons in full swing

October 9, 2021

As I write this, both squirrel season and archery season are in full swing. I have been unsuccessful at both, but it is still very early in the season. Although it has started to cool down a little during the nighttime, it still has been fairly warm during the day. It usually does not feel like hunting season until daytime temperatures become a little more moderate. The main reason I have been going out is to take my grandson. As I have often stated, anytime to get youth into the woods is well worth it. They are the hunters of the future. As far as squirrel hunting, the area we hunt ...

Late season hunting opportunities

December 19, 2020

As we head into the second half of December, deer season is starting to wind down. Some die hard archery hunters may still be chasing that trophy buck that eluded them during the firearm season or may just be wanting to top off their freezer for winter. There is also some end of the year doe season’s still available in some counties. Also, keep in mind, there is the fairly new Mountaineer Heritage deer and bear season on Jan. 14th-17. This season is open to percussion side lock or flintlock rifles, pistols and long or recurve bows. Now let’s talk about some other late season ...

Hunters prep for start of antlered deer season

November 21, 2020

It’s been a rough year, but as we move into the month of November and toward Thanksgiving, I’m sure everyone can find something to be thankful for. I, myself, am thankful that my family and friends have been pretty much COVID-free and I hope they stay that way. I have had just a few people I know get the virus and they have recovered with minimal effects. If anyone reading this has lost someone, you have my condolences. I think that in this state, we can also be thankful that the start of the state’s antlered deer season coincides with Thanksgiving week. I have many ...

Youth squirrel season gets underway today

September 5, 2020

Hello to one and all. First off, let me introduce myself. My name is Don Thomason, I’m currently president of the Tygart Valley Chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation and a board member at the Mountaineer Chapter of the Izaak Walton League of America. It was through the IWLA that I met Ken Cobb, former writer of this column. As most of you know, Ken passed away on July 11 of this year. Ken was an active member of the IWLA and helped out at many activities. He was a strong advocate of trying to get today’s youth involved in the outdoors. Especially hunting and fishing. ...

Deer harvest shows another decrease

April 18, 2020

The leave of absence I had to take from this “Outdoor Column” was longer than expected due to complications that occurred after surgery on Nov. 6, 2019. I had to have two additional surgeries in December and ended up being in a recovery rehabilitation center for nearly three months. This past Monday, I got a copy of the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources Big Game Bulletin for 2019. There was a nice increase (19 percent) in black bear from the bear harvest in 2018. The total wild turkey harvest (spring gobbler and fall) was down to 8.7 percent. The total wild boar harvest ...

Millennial generation can save hunting

November 2, 2019

In past columns, I have stated repeatedly there are not enough youth hunters to replace the senior hunters who are leaving this outdoor activity. In the United States, hunter participation dropped by 2.2 million or 16 % between 2011 to 2016, according to the latest U.S. Fish and Wildlife Survey. Some hunting enthusiasts may look at this as good news because it could mean fewer people in, what they consider, their favorite hunting grounds. It also means less revenue being generated for fish and wildlife management through license sales, along with fewer voices in various levels of ...