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ORIGINAL: hillbillyhunter1
I live in Martinsburg and hunt in Jefferson County and can tell you that both deer numbers and quality are strong. Really nice deer.
I am originally from hardy co. --Moorefield and have land and hunt there as well and think that the deer there suffer somewhat from coyotes, imo.
A major problem with the quality of bucks historically in some areas throughout WVcomes with poor management (both by the state and the local hunters). Many hunters I know (most of which are great ol' country boys) still have the attitude that they'd shoot that little 4-point standing right beside a big ol' fat doe--just so "they got their buck". Antler restrictions by the state and some reduced limits on bucks would help. Local hunters/landowners practicing QDM really improves the local herd in places throughout the state, imo.
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IO was born here in Berkeley..and can tell you that the herd is down...waaaaay down from past years. with the loss of nearly 85% of the farms/orchards due to Ryanization, the deer are forced into pockets, usually around said subdivisions where one cannot hunt. as for Jefferson, not as bad as berkeley with better quality deer(always was)... I too hunt near Needmore, and can say the deer has taken a beatin' up there... darn few this year.