Two Buck Limit Passes
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The West Virginia Natural Resources Commission held it's second quarter meeting at Pipestem Resort yesterday (Sunday, April 23, 2023) at which they approved the proposed big game hunting regulations for the 2023-2024 seasons. Commissioner Burnette motioned for an amendment to lower the annual buck bag limit to 2 beginning with the 2024 season. Commissioner Bowers further motioned for an amendment to exclude the CWD zone and also exempt class XS senior license holders from the limit reduction. After some discussion among the Commissioners and a short pause for legal review both amendments passed. The CWD and class XS exclusion passed unanimously 7-0 with the overall limit reduction, as amended, passing 6-1. Commissioner Milne from District 1 was the lone dissenting vote.
The limit reduction was supported by the WV Deer Association with President Jeremy Preston and District 4 Director Mike Persinger speaking in favor just prior to the vote. The decision to sacrifice a buck tag did not come lightly. Our objective is to join West Virginia in the national trend of reducing buck bag limits and shift management focus on quality rather than quantity. By reducing pressure on bucks and balancing the harvest a more natural doe to buck ratio and an older more natural age structure is expected to result. Bottom line…hunters should expect to see more older-aged bucks with larger antlers and more intense rut activity, with improved overall likelihood of being successful at getting a buck. We will be watching closely over the coming seasons to determine if the limit reduction is having the desired effect, continues to be supported by WV hunters and remains financially sustainable.