madvilledoc

Although not a member of the NRA (why I have no idea), I've always supported what they do. Like most hunters, I am very pro gun. But the recent actions of the NRA in southern West Virginia is leaving me shocked and if I am honest, somewhat angry.

In southern West Virginia, there are four counties that have been archery-only for deer since the mid 70's. At the time, the whitetail deer population had nearly been wiped out. Due to the archery only status and a one buck limit, the population has slowly recovered although it is still no where near the population of most counties in West Virginia. Also due to the archery-only status and one-buck limit, the age structure is much higher than what is found elsewhere in the state. In these counties bucks have a great chance to reach their true potential. It is no surprise that 80-90% of the P&Y bucks taken in the state are from these 4 counties. You will find that most hunters in these counties allow small bucks to walk as a rule which is the opposite of what you find elsewhere in the state.

Most of the hunters that are from these areas wouldn't trade the situation that is found in these 4 counties for nothing. Why would they? It is a treasure trove of trophy bucks. You can go almost anywhere in this four-county area, put out a little corn and a camera, and have a very good chance to have a P&Y buck appear on camera within a few days. Unfortunately, it seems the setup is not loved by everyone. Evidently a small number of NRA members from this area notified the higher ups in the NRA and complained that they aren't able to gun hunt in these four counties. The NRA responded by sending out a questionnaire to all of their members from these counties to ask their opinion on the matter.

I have heard through various sources that the NRA plans to lobby the West Virginia legislature to allow some form of gun season in these counties. The NRA is a powerful lobby group, but I think they are setting a dangerous precedent here. They are getting away from gun rights and toying with game management, which in my opinion they have no business being involved with. The job of game management belongs to the Department of Natural Resourses for each state. Besides it isn't like the state is restricting gun use in these counties. You can still gun hunt small game, coyote, bear, birds, etc. The only species that is archery-only is whitetail.

One can only hope that nothing comes from this. I do know that the West Virginia Bowhunters Association is fighting it.

But I am from the area and probably biased. What do you guys think? Thoughts?

WV Hunter

I think the NRA should stick to worrying about the Obama train that is starting to roll already. I doubt they will spend much time on that issue, but I guess we'll see.

I would love to be able to hunt an area that was bow only. The super long gun seasons and brown its down mentality, combined withtoo many buck tagsfor too long where I hunt, has definitely hurt the chances of even seeing a P&Y, much less anything bigger. Good luck, keep us posted.

Schultzy

The NRA lately has really ticked me off with sticking there nose's where they don't belong. 1st It was the xbow thing In PA and now this. Do they realize that many of there members are also bowhunters? Sounds to me there getting a bit cocky!![:'(]

OHbowhntr

+1 on both accounts.

5 shot

I hope this is not true. I hunt in Wyoming county most every year and it's a greatarea to take a big buck. The country is rough and full of good bucks. In fact it's one of the very few areas in the nation where there is actually a healthy deer hear in terms of bucks to does as well as the over all health of the hear. The NRA should keep there nose out of non gun related issues. This is a wildlife managment situation, not any type of gun control.

Bob H in NH

People wanted the NRA to get more active in hunters rights, so they did. Now there's areas that are only open to bowhunting, some for good reason, others possibly not so any longer. If the area in W. VA can handle the increased hunting that gun hunting would allow, it should be allowed.

that said, the NRA should butt out, this should be aquestion for the F&G of W. VA.

If the population can handle it and there's no safety issue, gun hunting should be allowed.

Schultzy

1st of all I'm guessing the gun hunters want In because there's big bucks running around, don't we all!! Maybe the gun hunters that are pushing the NRA to get them In this area should take this Into consideration on what can happen when small bucks get passed and quit blasting the 1st thing they see. From the sounds of It these bowhunters managed this area and made It what It Is, why the hell should someone else get the benefits? Greedy If you ask me!![:'(]

BowHuntingFool

My opinion is the NRA is doing exactly what they should be doing, obtaining mote hunting lands for hunters! More power to them!!!! Sounds to me like some Bowhunters in WV are being a little selfish. jmo!

madvilledoc

How do you figure that the NRA will obtain more hunting lands? The amount of hunting lands will not change. The only thing that will change is that you will be able to hunt with a different type of weapon in these same areas.

The population of deer in these counties has increased in the last several years (especially in the last 10). For years you could only take one buck (no does) in these counties. Last year the DNR added one doe to the mixture to combat the rising population. However, the overall population is rather low in comparison to other areas of the state.

A gun season in these counties would be devastating. In one season you would literally wipe out the big buck population. You would kill what makes these counties special. I would also imagine you would kill alot of the money that comes into the area by out-of-town hunters. There are a lot of people that come into these areas to hunt these big bucks.

But the most troubling thing is that the precedent that this will set. What's next? The NRA lobbying Illinois and Ohio to open their gun seasons to rifle hunting instead of shotgun only? Where do you draw the line?

BowHuntingFool

I think you answered your own question! They're trying to obtain more hunting lands for its members that hunt. They are doing the exact same thing the WVBA is trying to do. I don't understand is why can't the guys that hunt with different weapons have a crack at these bucks and does your talking about?? What if these guys own land there and want to hunt they're own land and do so with a gun?