Youth hunters who attend public meetings may enter into a drawing for a hunting, fishing and camping trip to Little Coal WMA

SOUTH CHARLESTON, W.Va — Gov. Jim Justice announced today that the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources (WVDNR) will host 12 in-person public meetings on March 11–12 to discuss proposed hunting, trapping and fishing regulations for the 2024-2025 seasons.

“West Virginia’s hunting, trapping, fishing and outdoor community is incredible and I want to encourage folks to attend one of these meetings and be part of making our state the best place for outdoor recreation in the world,” said Gov. Justice.

The public meetings, scheduled for 6-8 p.m. at various locations around the state, will provide hunters, trappers, anglers, landowners and other interested parties an opportunity to review and comment on the following proposed regulations:

  • 2024 Hunting Regulations for White-tailed Deer, Wild Turkey, Black Bear and Wild Boar
  • 2025-2026 General Hunting and Trapping Regulations
  • 2025 Fishing Regulations

Gov. Justice also announced that youth hunters ages 10–15 who attend one of the meetings will get a chance to enter their names into a drawing for an open spot on a trip to Little Coal Wildlife Management Area and participate in a sponsored youth turkey hunt, fishing and camping. Anyone interested in attending the meetings scheduled in their areas should note these dates and locations:

Monday, March 11 – 6-8 p.m.

  • Grafton – Tygart Lake State Park Lodge
  • Martinsburg – Martinsburg Holiday Inn (I-81, Exit 13)
  • Elkins – DNR Operations Center (Ward Road)
  • Beckley – Beckley-Raleigh County Convention Center
  • Milton – West Virginia Pumpkin Park (Office Building)
  • Spencer – Spencer Heritage Park Community Building

Tuesday, March 12 – 6-8 p.m.

  • Triadelphia – Cabela’s Wheeling (2nd Floor Conference Room)
  • Moorefield – South Branch Inn (Route 220 and Corridor H)
  • Sutton – Braxton County High School
  • Pipestem – Pipestem Resort State Park Lodge
  • Logan – Chief Logan State Park Conference Center
  • Parkersburg – DNR District 6 Office (Emerson Ave. and Conservation Way)

“This informal meeting style allows people to attend at their convenience during the scheduled meeting times, learn about proposed regulation changes, discuss these proposals with personnel from the Wildlife Resources and Law Enforcement sections and comment on the proposed regulations and other wildlife-related issues,” said WVDNR Director Brett McMillion. 

Those who are unable to attend an in-person meeting but wish to send a written comment on proposed hunting, trapping and fishing regulations, may do so by filling out and submitting a questionnaire, available to download at WVdnr.gov/regulations-questionnaire. Written comments must be received by the WVDNR by April 2.