Incorrect Opening Date for Deer Archery Season and Fall Forest Season on Pocket Calendar

CHARLESTON, W.Va. – Anyone carrying those handy little pocket calendars published by the West Virginia Divisions of Natural Resources and Forestry should be aware that important dates and other information have been changed since the calendars were printed in late 2010.

·         An incorrect opening date for deer archery season appears on the 2011 pocket calendar.  Hunters are reminded that the traditional deer archery season opens on Oct. 1, 2011, and closes on Dec. 31, 2011.  This year’s earlier opening date for the deer archery season was approved by the Natural Resources Commission during its May 1 meeting. Deer of either sex may be hunted statewide with a bow during this traditional archery season. The daily bag limit is one (1) and the maximum season bag limit varies from three (3) to two (2) depending upon the county.

For information about the West Virginia fall hunting seasons, hunters are urged to check the 2011- 2012 Hunting and Trapping Regulations Summary, available at all license agents or online at www.wvdnr.gov.

·         Beginning Oct. 1, 2011, outdoor burning will be prohibited until after 5 p.m. during fall and spring forest fire seasons.  All fires must be extinguished by 7 a.m.  No outdoor burning will be allowed from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. during forest fire seasons.  Until now, outdoor burning hours started at 4 p.m.

·         In addition to changes in the forest fire season burning hours, the Legislature has increased the maximum fine for illegal burning or escaped fires from $300 to $1,000.  Fines now range from a minimum of $100 to a maximum of $1,000.  A new civil penalty of $200 also may be assessed; money collected from the civil penalty will supplement the agency’s wild land fire suppression budget. 

For more information about the state’s outdoor burning laws and fire safety, visit the Division of Forestry’s website at www.wvforestry.com.