Adventures | West Virginia Hunting, Fishing, Camping News, Adventures, and Links | Page 2 of 4

Bad Economy Is Bad For Deer Management

Jed D. from West Virginia writes to ask
about the impact of the bad economy in the United States on wildlife
management. “The economy is bad and from all appearances will continue to be
bad for several more years if not longer. We hear about cutbacks all the
time. And we hear about various states functioning on the brink of
bankruptcy. What impacts are we seeing with our state fish and wildlife
agencies, and how will this affect deer management from the state perspective?”

Let’s Move Into Town

Mike J. from West
Virginia writes to ask about urban deer. “My city is debating
having a bowhunt because of the high number of deer
that we now have in town. Some folks are saying that housing developments
outside the city limits are ‘forcing’ deer into town and that is the problem. I
didn’t think that deer left their home range, so who is right here?”

Let The Kids Hunt!

Dave D. from West Virginia
writes to ask about Youth Deer Seasons. “We have a Youth Deer Season in West Virginia, and the
purpose is to bring more kids into hunting. Our special season is very short,
so my question is do they work?”

Do Does Change The Rut?

Gary W. from West Virginia writes to ask about the rut. "There are lots
of deer in my area. Probably too many because we have lots of adult does for
each adult buck. However, I don’t find that many scrapes, and the rut seems to
last a long time with no real peak. Could the high density of deer cause
that?"

Rules Of Thumb For Burning

Bud B. from West Virginia writes to ask about burning. "I know that
burning is great for wildlife if done right. Are there good rules of thumb to
follow relative to burning on my hunting farm?"

Do We Need Those Big Bucks?

Dave R. from West Virginia writes to ask about the importance of mature bucks. "I realize that in an ideal situation you should have a high number of 2-1/2-year-old bucks, some 3-1/2’s, and a fair number of 4-1/2’s and 5-1/2-year-old bucks, but where I live most bucks are yearlings. They’ll mate the does, too, so from a biological point of view, does it really matter whether we have older age classes of bucks?"

How To Use Corn As Bait

Walter R. from West Virginia writes to ask about baiting with corn.
"Baiting is legal in West Virginia and I use corn at bait sites and put it
out all year-round. Is there any data that shows whether putting corn out “ad lib” is better or worse than rationing corn? And is it better to spread the corn
or put it in a pile?"

Which Rut Is Best To Bowhunt?

Nick C. from West Virginia writes to ask, which period of the rut is the best time to bowhunt. “What time in the rut is the best chance to harvest a quality buck? Is it the pre-rut, peak-rut, or post-rut? When are bucks the most active?”

Great Stand Location Doesn’t Produce

Steve S. from West Virginia wants to know why the area he scouted and the stand he hung there grew totally cold once the bow season started. “I was seeing good bucks (one a huge non-typical), the rut was just starting, I hung a stand on a rub line, and the stand produced nothing. Five straight days there, and I saw nary a buck. What happened?”