posted 09-03-2004 07:34 AM         

West Virginia Division of Natural Resources

www.wvdnr.gov

Bob Wise, Governor

Ed Hamrick, Director

News Release: September 2, 2004

Hoy Murphy, Public Information Officer (304) 558-3380 hmurphy@dnr.state.wv.us

Contact: Curtis Taylor, Wildlife Resources Section Chief (304) 558-2771 wildlife@dnr.state.wv.us

Minimum Age Limit for Special Youth Deer Season Changed;
Special Split Youth Deer Season Set

In a special meeting of the Natural Resources Commission on August 18, 2004, the commissioners unanimously voted to lower the age limit for youths participating in the Special Youth Split Deer Season to age eight, according to West Virginia Division of Natural Resources’ Director, Ed Hamrick. This action was precipitated by an earlier announcement by DNR that hunters, eight and nine years of age, can now obtain a temporary youth hunter education card after completing an abbreviated Hunter Education Course.

“This presents an excellent opportunity for our young people to participate in these special deer hunts at an earlier age,” said Hamrick. “One of the best ways to recruit youngsters to hunting is to expose them to the excitement, challenges and rewards of deer hunting. West Virginia has a tremendous hunting heritage and if this heritage is to be safeguarded and continued, it is very important that they become involved.”

With this change in the minimum age limit, the Special Split Youth Deer Season is now open to hunters who are ages 8 through 14. This year’s split season is scheduled for November 6 and December 27-28, 2004 on private land in counties or parts thereof open to antlerless (Class N) deer hunting and on 28 specified Wildlife Management Areas. Participants must be accompanied by a licensed adult, age 21 or older, who cannot carry a gun or a bow and must remain close enough to render advice and assistance. The daily bag limit is one antlerless deer and both hunters and adults must wear 400 square inches of blaze orange.

Complete information regarding this Special Split Youth Deer Season can be found in the July 2004 - June 2005 Hunting & Trapping Regulations Summary available at DNR offices and license agents or online at www.wvdnr.gov.

**DNR**