RE: West Virginia Deer Hunting Hurting!
Masonsridge is the only one who posted something remotely close to the root of the problem. West Virginia makes a boat-load of cash from out of state hunting licenses. I'm certain that there is enormous pressure from the state government to keep revenues coming in. Unfortunately West Virginia government is looking at the short term and ignoring the long-term effects. Yes, population ratios in the vast majority of West Virginia are out of whack but WV is a hot bed for out-of-staters from MD, VA, OH, PA, and KY. If it is not the number one state in the union for out-of-state hunting licenses, I'm sure it's in the top five. The out of state hunters like WV because they "see" a lot of deer and they have very liberal bag limits. Considering the potential for vast kill-offs during rough winters, the liberal limits (year in and year out) should be scrutinized.
For another short-sighted example in WV, take the timber industry. One day "Wild and Wonderful" will be replaced with "Timbered to Death".