news
West Virginia’s six-day muzzleloading deer season begins December 11 and continues through December 16, 2000 in all counties open to firearm hunting for deer according to Bernie Dowler, Chief of the Division of Natural Resources, Wildlife Resources Section.
"We anticipate a slight decrease in our muzzleloader deer harvest this season," Dowler said. "A greater dispersion of deer due to an excellent mast crop this season are main factors contributing to our anticipation of a harvest decrease." Mountain State black powder hunters harvested 13,295 deer in 1999 which represented a 15% increase from the 1998 harvest.
Deer of either sex may be taken in counties or portions of counties open to antlerless (Class N) deer hunting. Hunters are reminded that only antlered deer may be taken in those counties or portion of counties that are closed to antlerless deer hunting. A second deer of either sex may be taken using an unfilled Class RG or Class RRG additional deer license or by a resident landowner hunting on his/her own property in specified counties. In counties, or parts thereof, and State Wildlife Management Areas, where a limited number of antlerless permits were issued, a hunter may only take one deer of either sex during the muzzleloader season.
Only single shot muzzleloaders with iron sights and a minimum .38 caliber may be used. Muzzleloaders with fiber optic and other non-magnifying open sights are legal to use during the muzzleloader season. Firearms that have been converted into a muzzleloader by the use of a plug, or double-barreled or swivel-barreled muzzleloaders are illegal for hunting during the muzzleloader season. A bow may not be substituted for a muzzleloader during the muzzleloading deer season. Concurrent archery and small game hunting is legal during the muzzleloader season subject to all archery and small game hunting regulations, except all hunters must wear at least 400 square inches of blaze orange as an outer garment. Hunters should consult the 2000 West Virginia Hunting and Trapping Regulations Summary available at all license agents and DNR District Offices for additional information.
Uploaded: 11/25/2000
Uploaded: 11/25/2000