Deer season opens Monday

Buck hunting season with firearms opens on Monday, November 19, and will continue through Saturday, December 1.

The maximum bag limit for the season is two. The first antlered deer can be taken with a valid base license or by resident landowner on own land. An additional deer may be taken on an RG or RRG stamp or by a landowner using that privilege.

No more than one deer can be taken on any single day.

Buck harvest is expected to be higher than 2011 due to last winter’s mildness and high reproduction among deer, resulting in an abundance of 1.5-year-old deer.

Wildlife section employees have already conducted spotlight counts in many counties and observed many large racked animals for hunters to pursue.

Hunter visibility
As always, hunters are required by state regulation to wear at least 400 square inches of blaze orange (roughly the size of a vest) as an outer garment for safety and visibility.

Hunters can legally wear blaze orange camouflage as long as a total of 400 square inches is displayed on the front and back of the garment. A blaze orange hat is not required, but recommended.

Checking stations
The West Virginia Division of Natural Resources lists only these deer checking stations in Morgan County:
Berkeley Springs: Roy’s Service Center.

Cacapon Park area: Cacapon Market.

Great Cacapon: Doris’ Deli.

Hedgesville area: Carriage House General Store.

Largent: Stoney Creek Country Store.

Paw Paw: Express Stop.

A conservation officer can be contacted at the DNR District Office in Romney by calling 304-822-3551.