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.
Annual Reported Deer Hunt
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
2000: 195,000
2001: 218,253
2002: 255,356
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
*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