West Virginia Deer Population and Management Archive - West Virginia

View the archive by scrolling through the window below.  Historic deer hunt data is below the Archive window on the left column with links to sources.    A list of all articles in the Archive is below the window.

Washington Deer Population and Management Archive

Annual Reported Deer Hunt

Graph of 1945 to 2004


1950:     6,559

1951:   21,951

1955:   13,148

1957:     6,187

1960:   15,928

1965:   19,911

1968:   10,547

1970:   13,988

1975:   35,336

1980:   54,166

1985:   84,600

1990:  169,948

1992:  204,201

1997:  235,305

1999:  231,221 

2000:  195,000  

2001:  218,253

2002255,356

2003:  208,216

2004:  179,066

2005:  135,361

2006:  136,289

2007:  145,577

2008:  163,603

2009:  155,214

2010:  106,499

2011:  135,696

2012:  132,261 

2013:  150,877 

2014:  104,707

2015:  138,493

2016:   112,384

2017:  108,160

2018:  108,856

2019:    99,437

2020:  106,861

2021:  105,278

2022:  118,606**

** Preliminary


*Record harvest in 2002.



Chronic Wasting Disease first detected in 2005


West Virginia Draft Elk Plan 2011 - 2015


A List of Articles in the Archive


..........2021

WV hunters harvest 106,861 deer during fall, winter seasons February 8, 2021 West Virginia

.........2020

Deer hunting season could be a good one for area November 11, 2020 West Virginia

Mast decline could benefit WV's hunters this fall October 3, 2020 West Virginia

Mild winter and spring could boost deer numbers, antler size July 4, 2020 West Virginia

Snapshot Wisconsin’s Data Dashboard Now Open To The Public October 6, 2020

W.Va.'s Elk Population Grows To 85 September 18, 2020

West Virginia hunters harvest 99,437 deer in fall 2019 and January 2020 February 12, 2020

........2019

'Family seasons' will be W.Va. deer hunters' last hurrah for 2019 December 26, 2019 West Virginia,

Extra week should boost bowhunters' success, DNR says September 22, 2019 West Virginia

Mast Plentiful in 2019 for West Virginia wildlife September 28, 2019 West Virginia

West Virginia hunters harvest 108,856 deer during Fall 2018 through January 2019 seasons February 7, 2019

WV's environmental bounceback has been great for fish and wildlife June 12, 2019 West Virginia

.......2018

2018 West Virginia deer firearms season fact sheet November 14, 2018

A look into West Virginia's long hunting history October 25, 2018

Abundant acorns might disperse deer, but WV DNR still expects good archery kill September 22, 2018 West Virginia

Arizona elk arrive in West Virginia March 19, 2018

Arizona elk prepared for their new West Virginia home May 15, 2018

Deer harvest decline had natural causes January 20, 2018 West Virginia

Hunters in West Virginia harvested 44,572 bucks during the traditional buck firearms season December 7, 2018

Logging bill cautiously welcomed in Richwood January 19, 2018 West Virginia

West Virginia hunters harvest 108,160 deer in 2017 January 10, 2018

West Virginia Legislation Would Support Healthy Forests and Expanded Recreational Opportunities in West Virginia State Parks February 5, 2018

......2017

2017 West Virginia Deer Forecast September 22, 2017

Are record-breaking bucks a thing of the past in WV? August 5, 2017 West Virginia

DNR expects 60 elk for reintroduction effort to be captured in January December 11, 2017 West Virginia

Research project seeks to understand coyotes' impact on deer February 4, 2017 West Virginia

W.Va. buck firearms season opens November 19, 2017 West Virginia

West Virginia deer season hit by hemorrhaging disease November 24, 2017 WTOV

West Virginia hunters harvest 112,384 deer in 2016 January 11, 2017 West Virginia

WV DNR expects good buck season, despite scattered whitetail herds November 18, 2017 West Virginia

WV Elk Herd Inspires Hopes of Economic Renewal, if not Ecological Redemption December 29, 2017

.....2016

2016 West Virginia deer firearms season fact sheet November 18, 2016

Big numbers for 2015 deer January 24, 2016 West Virginia

Buck numbers near DNR prediction December 9, 2016 West Virginia

DNR’s new computer-based checking system yields erroneous deer-kill numbers January 25, 2016 West Virginia,

Elk setback only flaw in 'good year for hunters' January 2, 2016 West Virginia

Hunting seasons bring in big bucks October 22, 2016 West Virginia

QDMA responds to Wilson's remarks February 26, 2016 West Virginia

The North American Model of Wildlife Conservation January 31, 2016 West Virginia

Venison now being sold in West Virginia market February 6, 2016 13

West Virginia deer farms make the transition from one state agency to another January 6, 2016

West Virginia Deer Forecast for 2016 October 11, 2016

....2015

2014 deer kills in West Virginia down 31 percent January 16, 2015 West Virginia

2015 Trophy Deer Forecast: West Virginia October 21, 2015

2015 West Virginia deer firearms season fact sheet November 17, 2015

2015 West Virginia Mast Survey and Hunting Outlook WVDNR

2015-2016 West Virginia Hunting and Trapping Regulations Summary available July 14, 2015

Addition to elk bill clears way for deer crossbow season March 22, 2015 West Virginia

Amended deer farming bill passes February 15, 2015 West Virginia

Antlerless deer three-day season slated on private land October 20, 2015 West Virginia

Antlerless hunting proposals reflect lower 2014 harvest February 23, 2015 West Virginia

Archery season opener this weekend in W.Va. September 24, 2015 West Vigrinia,

As predicted, deer hunters off to fantastic start November 29, 2015 West Virginia

Baiting deer illegal in Mineral, Grant counties July 22, 2015 West Virginia

Baiting, ethics and other moral dilemmas October 18, 2015 West Virginia

Banner buck season for W.Va. hunters December 7, 2015 West Virginia

Bill would open hunting seasons to crossbows February 16, 2015 West Virginia,

Crossbows legal for first time in WV deer hunting history October 1, 2015 West Virginia

Deer baiting might be legal, but it threatens hunters’ image March 8, 2015 West Virginia

Deer farming bill passed the Senate January 31, 2015 West Virginia

Deer farms hoping for jump in business August 8, 2015 West Virginia

Deer harvest totals exceed 100,000 January 20, 2015 West Virginia

DNR hunting for public input on new regulations March 18, 2015 West Virginia

First week of buck deer firearm season shows increased harvest ... December 1, 2015 West Virginia

Hail to new chief, decline of deer populations January 6, 2015 West Virginia

Hunters make call for a reduced buck limit August 9, 2015 West Virginia

Keeping today's deer hunting in perspective October 31, 2015 West Virginia

New W.Va. law forbids use of drones to aid hunters March 28, 2015 West Virginia

Officials hope 'family' hunts can boost antlerless-deer kill December 25, 2015 West Virginia

Pipestem State Park officials prepare for controlled deer hunt November 14, 2015 West Virginia

Poor Mast Could Make for Good Openers in Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia September 22, 2015

Senate committee defers milk, deer action January 19, 2015 West Virginia

Should albino or piebald deer be shot? September 19, 2015 West Virginia

Sportsmen press for veto on deer farm legislation February 23, 2015 West Virginia

State prepares for inaugural crossbow season August 28, 2015 West Virginia,

The rut' is prime time for W.Va.'s bowhunting enthusiasts October 24, 2015 West Virginia

Total deer harvest is down 31 percent January 24, 2015 West Virginia,

W.Va. DNR proposes more conservative deer regulations for 2015 February 23, 2015 West Virginia

W.Va. dodges deer-farm disease bullet January 31, 2015 West Virginia

W.Va. wildlife biologists calculate deer numbers to set hunting regulations February 1, 2015 West Virginia

We interrupt this column to bring you deer season November 24, 2015 West Virginia

West Virginia elk restoration program receives $50,000 grant March 1, 2015

West Virginia hunters harvest 104,000 deer in 2014 January 16, 2015

West Virginia preparing for elk release September 25, 2015

West Virginians want elk, but are they ready for them? May 30, 2015

WV deer hunt up 77-percent on first day of gun buck season November 24, 2015 West Virginia

WV Elk Restoration Program Receives $50,000 grant March 6, 2015 West Virginia

WV Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin signs deer farming bill into law February 25, 2015 West Virginia

WV's wildlife chief says 2015 buck harvest could be 'outstanding' November 22, 2015 West Virginia

‘Devil is in the details’ for new deer-farm regulations February 21, 2015 West Virginia

...2014

2014 buck season is the lack of the bucks in the field, back of trucks December 26, 2014

2014 West Virginia deer gun season fact sheet November 26, 2014 West Virginia

2014 West Virginia deer gun seasons fact sheet November 18, 2014

Antlered (buck) firearm season begins Monday in West Virginia November 19, 2014 West Virginia

Archery season arrives in West Virginia September 27, 2014 West Virginia

Baiting — the taboo subject March 8, 2014 West Virginia

Buck kill plunges 34 percent, DNR says December 12, 2014 West Virginia

Deer farming bill passes in House unanimously February 28, 2014 West Virginia,

Deer farms March 7, 2014 West Virginia

Deer Farms May 9, 2014 West Virginia

Deer farms: Economic boon or wildlife bungle March 2, 2014 West Virginia

Deer Hunters in West Virginia harvest 37,277 bucks during the buck firearms season December 12, 2014 West Virginia

Deer hunting season kicks-off with discussions of elk restoration in West Virginia November 24, 2014 West Virginia

Deer season begins Monday November 21, 2014 West Virginia

Deer season off to good start November 24, 2014 West Virginia

Deer, bear and fall turkey totals January 25, 2014 West Virginia

DNR to ‘spotlight survey’ deer herds August 3, 2014 West Virginia

Expect deer hunting opportunities in 2015 December 24, 2014 West Virginia

Giving W.Va.'s 400,000 deer hunters a voice March 9, 2014 West Virginia

Hunters harvest fewer bucks; New WMAs open in Preston December 20, 2014 West Virginia

Hunters’ habits sometimes slow to change, DNR says March 5, 2014 West Virginia

Is there really a need for deer farms? November 23, 2014 West Virginia

More deer hunters are passing on young bucks February 11, 2014 West Virginia

North American Elk Breeders Association Opposes Wild Elk Importation into West Virginia November 25, 2014

Setting deer-hunting regulations 'a huge undertaking' January 18, 2014 West Virginia

Shooting preserve's closure could take years May 3, 214 West Virginia

Size of W.Va.’s buck harvest largely hinges on weather November 23, 2014 West Virginia

Sunday hunting on ballot in two more counties November 1, 2014 West Virvinia

W.Va. deer program a success October 25, 2014 West Virginia

W.Va. DNR observes increase in average deer antler size October 11, 2014 West Virginia

W.Va. hunting, fishing licenses going electronic on Jan. 1 December 28, 2014 West Virginia,

W.Va. lawmakers want DNR chief fired March 27, 2014 West Virginia

W.Va. Senate approves regulations for deer farming March 8, 2014 West Virginia

W.Va.’s mast outlook ‘a lot more promising’ than in 2013 October 4, 2014 West Virginia

W.Va.’s October antlerless-deer season catching on with hunters October 18, 2014 West Virginia

W.Va.’s whitetail rut sparks myths, misconceptions November 1, 2014 West Virginia,

West Virginia Deer Hunting Forecast for 2014 October 2, 2014

West Virginia Hunters Harvest 150,268 Deer in 2013 January 16, 2014

West Virginia’s bowhunters are primed for early season opener September 27, 2014

What 2015 has in store for sportsmen December 28, 2014 West Virginia

What W.Va. law says about deer-chasing dogs June 21, 2014 West Virginia

When the acorns fall, it's time to go nuts October 12, 2014 West Virginia

Winter weather impacting wildlife, too February 8, 2014 West Virginia

Wyoming county senator unhappy with DNR commitment to deer farming March 6, 2014 West Virginia

..2013

Ag commissioner pushing for control of deer farming ... November 7, 2013 West Virginia,

Archery deer becoming the new big gun, deer management September 22, 2013 West Virginia

Attendance improves at regulation meeting, deer harvest March 23, 2013 West Virginia,

Big changes in 2013 W.Va. hunting regulations September 18, 2013 West Virginia

Buck harvest higher than last year in Berkeley, Morgan counties December 16, 2013 West Virginia

Could buck kills be higher? December 21, 2013 West Virginia

Deer and Their Headgear October 10, 2013 West Virginia

Deer as prey - Scott Shalaway November 22, 2013 West Virginia

Deer hunt numbers start to pick up November 19, 2013 West Virginia

Deer hunters brave the cold in search of prey November 26, 2013 West Virginia

Deer Kills Up In Wetzel County November 27, 2013 West Virginia

Deer management decision making time, decline of deer January 13, 2013 West Virginia

DNR officers uncover major deer poaching operation November 19, 2013 West Virginia

Electronic game check a year away November 7, 2013 West Virginia

Fall hunting regulations finalized May 5, 2013 West Virginia

G&F Forecast: Best Counties for West Virginia Deer Hunting in 2013 October, 2013

Higher buck kill surprises W.Va. DNR December 13, 2013 West Virginia

Hunters concerned about high mountain deer December 3, 2013 West Virginia

Legislators hear testimony on deer farm management September 24, 2013 West Virginia

Low Acorn Production to Blame for Influx of Deer October 23, 2013 West Virginia

Mast report shows severe oak decline September 28, 2013 West Virginia

New regulation could bolster deer harvest November 23, 2013 West Virginia

Officials hope for bigger early antlerless season October 19, 2013 West Virginia

Plentiful deer harvest dependent on several factors during winter December 10, 2013 West Virginia

State deer hunters harvest 56,333 bucks December 18, 2013 West Virginia

Survey shows few W.Va. deer hunters reach bag limit November 2, 2013 West Virginia

Survival rates of female white-tailed deer on an industrial forest following a decline in population density August 24, 2013 U.S. Forest Service

The science behind the rut November 18, 2013 West Virginia

West Virginia ag commissioner to propose deer farm legislation December 4, 2013

WV hunters kill 131,444 deer, 1233 turkeys in 2012 January 14, 2013 West Virginia

.2012

330,000 Hunters to Hit Woods; W.Va's Deer Gun Season Begins Monday November 18, 2012 West Virginia

Coyote Talk Is Everywhere January 2, 2012 West Virginia

Deer Farm Bill Dead March 8, 2012 West Virginia, West Virginia

Deer farmers call for move to Department of Agriculture January 25, 2012 West Virginia

Deer Farmers Hope to be Regulated By Department of Agriculture April 1, 2012 West Virginia

Deer Farming Stirs Emotions Again February 17, 2012 West Virginia

Deer-kill statistics are sometimes deceiving January 17, 2012 West Virginia

DNR officials expecting hunters to take advantage of earlier start to deer archery season, earn-a-buck September 29, 2012 West Virginia

DNR to hunters: Kill more female deer February 26, 2012 West Virginia

Doe-hunting portion of buck season could play out differently November 17, 2012 West Virginia

Economy Slows Down Hunting Season November 27, 2012 West Virginia

Getting the Lay of the Land, GIS September 22, 2012 West Virginia

Hunters must adjust to Oct. doe season October 20, 2012 West Virginia

It could be a big year for big bucks November 17, 2012 West Virginia

Mast Production Up for 2012 September 29, 2012 West Virginia

Natural Resources Commission gets more liberal with deer regs March 3, 2012 West Virginia

Scientific confirmation [coyote and deer] April 28, 2012 West Virginia

Snow Challenges High Country Deer November 8, 2012 West Virginia

Sportsmen Paying the Freight for 75-years April 27, 2012 West Virginia

State opens up doe, anterless deer hunting April 29, 2012 West Virginia

Video Paints Grim Picture of Deer Farms March 1, 2012 West Virginia

W.Va. eyes bigger daily deer bag August 18, 2012 Wet Virginia

W.Va. opens 2 new wildlife management areas October 27, 2012 West Virginia

W.Va. reports higher kill in all four deer seasons January 10, 2012 West Virginia

Wood in top 10 on deer kills [West Virginia deer kill total] January 12, 2012

WV Deer Hunters Harvest 56,173 Bucks During Buck Firearms Season December 10, 2012 West Virginia

WVDNR to Conduct Surveys to Estimate Deer Numbers August 10, 2012 West Virginia

2011

'Thrill kill' leaves 13 deer dead in Marion County November 23, 2011 West Virginia

2011 West Virginia deer gun seasons fact sheet November 15, 2011

Antlerless deer-hunting regulations more liberal than DNR officials had planned May 7, 2011 West Virginia

Bill would put deer farms under Dept. of Ag January 28, 2011 West Virginia

Bright Outlood for 2011 Deer Season September 28, 2011 West Virginia

Buck Harvest Up Dramatically for 2011 December 12, 2011 West Virginia

Coyotes Becoming More Common in W.Va. September 14, 2011 West Virginia

Deer Farmers Plan Another Push for Change December 14, 2011 West Virginia

Deer farming controversy flaring again December 25, 2011 West Virginia

Deer Kills Drop 2010 February 20, 2011 West Virginia

Deer season brings in big bucks for the state November 13, 2011, West Virginia

DNR OKs deer farm near New Creek to raise deer for trophy hunting on preserves January 18, 2011 West Virginia

DNR Proposes Scaled Back Antlerless Season for 2011(declining herd population) February 27, 2011 West Virginia

Doe Season 2011 November 29, 2011 West Virginia

Fierce Battle Developing Over Shooting on Public Land November 17, 2011 West Virginia

Mountain State Deer Farming July 7, 2011 West Virginia

NCTC e-Journal - Annual Deer Management Hunt Dates Announced July 24, 2011 West Virginia

Poaching on rise, DNR officers say December 14, 2011 West Virginia

Rack Size Up Substantially for 2011 (average deer age) December 12, 2011 West Virginia

Report: Elk sighted in northern W.Va. [CWD] November 5, 2011 West Virginia

Significant changes await hunters in latest edition of West Virginia regulations July 16, 2011 West Virginia

Stonewall Jackson State Park deer hunt on hiatus July 17, 2011, West Virginia

The return of Elk December 4, 2011 West Virginia

Trophy numbers buck overall decline May 1, 2011 West Virginia

West Virginia agency plans hunter survey February 3, 2011 West Virginia

West Virginia Bear Numbers Remain Strong October 31, 2011

West Virginia deer hunters harvest 59,835 bucks during 2011 buck firearms season December 9, 2011

West Virginia deer kill down 32 percent in 2010 January 14, 2011


2010

Are coyotes suppressing West Virginia deer population? December 4, 2010

DEER SEASON 2010: Forecast for Lower Kill November 18, 2010 West Virginia

Division of Natural Resources will change hunting regulations to halt deer decline December 19, 2010 West Virginia

Graphic of West Virginia Deer Harvest 1945 to 2004

West Virginia Deer Harvest 2002

West Virginia Deer Harvest 2004

West Virginia Deer Management: Population Indicators 2010 Division of Natural Resources

West Virginia Hunters Harvest 136,289 Deer in 2006 January 10 2007