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W.Va. Wildlife with Paul Bender
WOMEN BIRD HUNTERS
Paul Bender
November 12, 2003
Reporter: Paul Bender
Videographer: Brad Rice

There are only a handful of women bird hunters in the state. Meet one woman's love for the outdoors, her dogs and bird hunting.



W.Va. Wildlife from Eyewitness News



Kay Pierce
Gassaway, WV
"Let's go girls, come on, this way."

That's how Kay Pierce starts her bird hunt, calling her English Setters to the woods.

She has been bird hunting for more than 30 years and it is a team effort with her dogs, who are always ready to go.

Kay Pierce
"They love it! That's what their born for and so they live and die for it."

The dogs immediately start searching for a scent.

Kay Pierce
"You see her now. See how she is slowing down. She picked up a little scent."

W.Va. Wildlife from Eyewitness News



When a dog finds a bird it will go on point alerting Kay.

Kay Pierce
"You notice Cheat is holding really still. She says he (the bird) is still there. He may have been there and left, but maybe he is still in the area. So, we'll go have a look."

In West Virginia only 5 percent of hunters actually bird hunt, but for Kay a successful hunt doesn't even mean she has to fire her gun.

W.Va. Wildlife from Eyewitness News



Kay Pierce
"The bird got me. The bird won that one. Did you hear the flush. No shot. I had my puppy make a point there, and that's makes the day when the puppy points."

Training and raising her dogs are an important part of the experience.

Kay Pierce
"I love watching the puppies develop, seeing how they're going to turn out, and solving problems along the way."

W.Va. Wildlife from Eyewitness News



Kay says keeping hunting dogs is tough work

Kay Pierce
"It does require a real commitment in time. Traveling for the sport, the gear they need, the gear you need. Those type of things should all be taken into consideration."

The outdoors, the birds, the dogs, Kay can't get enough

Kay Pierce
"I love it! Yes. Yes. I would go everyday if life would allow you."

Bird hunting in West Virginia ranges from grouse and woodcock to water fowl.



Links to learn more

Information about bird hunting:
Ruffed Grouse Society

W.Va. Licensing For Bird Hunting:
W.Va. DNR

W.Va. Bird Hunting Season:
W.Va. DNR

Bird Hunting Dogs:
American Kennel Club

Hunting Conditions throughout W.Va.:
Hunting Report

Fishing Conditions throughout W.Va.:
Fishing Report



GET MORE INFORMATION ABOUT WEST VIRGINIA'S WILDLIFE
Visit WV DNR



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