From West Virginia Division of Natural Resources

-- Over the next several weeks, West Virginia will conduct spotlight surveys throughout 41 counties of the state to evaluate white-tailed deer population densities.

“Monitoring deer population levels is an important component of the 2011-2015 West Virginia White-tailed Deer Operational Plan,” according to game management supervisor Gary Foster. “We’ll use spotlight distance sampling which has been used by state fish and wildlife agencies throughout the country to determine deer population densities and recruitment.”

Surveys involve sighting deer along randomly selected roads by searching adjacent fields and woods with spotlights.  Surveys will not involve the collection of live or dead animals, and will not involve personnel entering onto private property.  Spotlight surveys will be completed by mid-September.