HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 102

(By Delegates R. Phillips, Tomblin, L. Phillips,

        Moore, Marcum White and Barker)

Urging the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources to continue indefinitely its regulatory policy of permitting only bow hunting during designated deer hunting seasons in Logan, McDowell, Mingo and Wyoming counties.

    Whereas, The Division of Natural Resources initially implemented a "no firearms/archery only" deer hunting season in Logan, McDowell, Mingo and Wyoming counties in the late 1970s because the deer population in these counties was so decimated; and

    Whereas, The deer population in Logan, McDowell, Mingo and Wyoming counties is healthy and stable now, but there has been another important benefit of the no firearms/archery only deer hunting season in these counties; and

    Whereas, The no firearms/archery only deer hunting season in Logan, McDowell, Mingo and Wyoming counties has allowed a greater percentage of bucks to survive into older age classes and reach maturity, and thus has produced significantly more trophy bucks; and

    Whereas, This prevalence of trophy deer in Logan, McDowell, Mingo and Wyoming counties has brought national acclaim to the region and in recent years articles about the area's trophy deer hunting have been featured in publications such as Outdoor Life, North American Whitetail, and Game and Fish; and

    Whereas, Because of the DNR's no firearms/archery only deer season that has been in place for more than thirty years, this four county region is now considered a mecca for deer hunting that draws bow hunters from all over the United States and even from other countries; and

    Whereas, The increased national interest and growth of trophy deer hunting in Logan, McDowell, Mingo and Wyoming counties has brought tremendous economic benefit to the region; therefore, be it

    Resolved by the Legislature of West Virginia:

    That the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources is urged to continue indefinitely its regulatory policy of permitting only bow hunting during designated deer hunting seasons in Logan, McDowell, Mingo and Wyoming counties; and, be it 

    Further Resolved, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates forward a certified copy of this resolution to the Director of the Division of Natural Resources and the Governor of West Virginia.