The West Virginia Natural Resources Commission is a seven-member advisory board that helps guide the WVDNR on issues related to fish, game and wildlife conservation. The Commission meets quarterly and is tasked with the following responsibilities:
- Reviews and approves hunting and fishing regulations
- Sets season dates and bag, creel, size and possession limits
- Hears public comments on proposed rule changes
- Advises the WVDNR on programs and conservation priorities
Next Meeting
Date: April 30, 2026
Time: 6 p.m.
Format: In-Person and Online
Agenda
- Introductions
- Review, correct and approve the minutes of the March 12, 2026 meeting of the Natural Resources Commission
- Public Comments
- Summary of the 2026 Sectional Meetings – Sportsmen and Landowners Questionnaire
- Review and Approve by Vote the 2026-2027 Big Game Hunting Regulations
- Black Bear Hunting Regulations
- Antlerless White-tailed Deer Hunting Regulations
- All other Big Game Hunting Regulations
- Review and Approve by Vote the 2026 State Park Deer Hunts
- Review Proposed 2027 -2028 Hunting and Trapping Regulations
- Review Proposed 2027 Fishing Regulations
- Update on Chronic Wasting Disease in West Virginia Deer
- West Virginia Wildlife Federation Presentation
- Discussion of the 2026 third quarterly meeting of the Natural Resources Commission
- Commissioner recommendations for next meeting agenda
- Tentative dates and location s for next meeting
- Adjourn
In-Person Locations
- District 1 – 1110 Railroad St, Farmington, WV 26571
- District 2 – 1 Depot St, Romney, WV 26757
- Elkins Operations Center in District 3 – 738 Ward Rd, Elkins, WV 26241
- District 4 – 2006 Robert C. Byrd Dr, Beckley, WV 25801
- WVDNR Headquarters in District 5 – 112 California Ave, Charleston, WV 25305
- District 6 – 76 Conservation Way, Parkersburg, WV 26104
Watch Online
The meeting will be livestreamed on the West Virginia Department of Commerce’s YouTube channel at youtube.com/@WVcommerce/streams and will be available starting the day of the meeting.
If you can’t watch the meeting live, a recording will be posted and remain available until the next scheduled Commission meeting, so you can watch it at your convenience.
⚠️ Important Note About Public Comments: The livestream is view-only. To provide public comments, you must attend in person at one of the six district locations listed above.
Meet the Commissioners
Each commissioner is appointed by the Governor and confirmed by the Senate to represent one of six WVDNR districts or to serve at-large. Commissioners serve four-year terms and may not serve more than two consecutive terms.
| Name | District |
|---|---|
| Vincent Cava | District 1 |
| Jeffrey Bowers | District 2 |
| Lauren Winans | District 3 |
| Vips Alpizar | District 4 |
| James Bailey | District 5 |
| Janet Hamric Hodge | District 6 |
| Vacant | At Large |
Contact Us
West Virginia Division of Natural Resources
Director’s Office
112 California Avenue
Charleston, WV 25305
Phone: (304) 558-2754
Fax: (304) 558-2768
Email: wvdnrcommission@wv.gov