First off- I saw just as many deer as I have any other year when it wasnt 70 degrees out, raining, and windy. We had an aweful year weather wise, and most of the breeding was done at night, and deer activity during the day was minimal.

2nd- Are you forgetting that the eastern half of the state got 4 feet of snow in a week two years ago? That killed off a good many of the worn down deer. And that will definitly show its effects two years later.

3rd - I really dont think antler restrictions are the answer if you want monster bucks. I'm a firm beleiver that ar's allow the best potential bucks to be harvested at 1.5 years old. Why save all the spikes and 4's, when you can harvest the basket 8 pointers legally? And W V also has a large population of mature 4 and 6 pointers. Why leave those bucks that are 85" 6 pointers and 4.5 years old to breed?


West Virginia needs to update it laws, however, I dont think antler restrictions are the answer if you want truely large bucks like this state is capable of producing. Why not head out to one of the 4 bowhunting counties only, and try your luck there. The ration is fairly even, the pressure is light, and the bucks are huge.