Applications for controlled deer hunts in 2017 are being accepted at four West Virginia State Parks.
The deadline to apply is August 13 for Blennerhassett Island Historical State Park in Wood County, Pipe stem Resort State Park in Summers County, Cacapon Resort State Park in Morgan County and North Bend State Park in Ritchie County.
For the first time, multiple-day hunts are scheduled at Cacapon and North Bend State Parks. All West Virginia hunting regulations apply.
Applicants with a Department of Natural Resources ID number must log in using their existing account. New customers need to create an account on the Electronic Licensing and Game Checking System.
“Controlled hunts have been successful in deer management in previous years,” said Sam Cowell, hunt coordinator for the state parks system. “It is an effective and efficient means of maintaining a biologically and socially balanced deer herd at our parks experiencing overpopulation.”
Blennerhassett Island Historical State Park hunt dates are Sept. 25 and Oct. 23; for Pipestem Resort State Park, Oct. 9 and 10; Cacapon Resort State Park, Nov. 3 and 4; and North Bend State Park, Nov. 6 to 8 and Nov. 13 to 15.
Applications must be submitted online at www.wvhunt.com.
Once logged in, applicants must select Enter Lottery followed by the hunting options listed for the park where the applicant is applying to hunt. Multiple entries for the same park hunt may disqualify you.
Applications must be completed by midnight, Aug. 13. Hunters will be selected at random, and successful applicants will be notified by the end of August.
Controlled hunts help manage deer populations. Over-browsing by deer leads to loss of native vegetation, prevents forest regeneration and alters habitats for all wildlife species living in the park. The primary goal of controlled hunts is to reduce deer numbers to levels that prevent habitat loss, property damage, vehicle collisions and potential human injuries.
State park contacts include Nathan Hanshaw, Pipestem Resort State Park (304-466-1800); Miles Evenson, Blennerhassett Island State Park (304-420-4800); Scott Fortney, Cacapon Resort State Park (304-258-1022); and Steve Jones, North Bend State Park (304-643-2931).