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W.Va. Wildlife with Paul Bender
ANTLERLESS DEER SEASON
Paul Bender
December 3, 2003
Reporter: Paul Bender
Videographer: Brad Rice

A large deer herd has an impact in many people's lives. Take a look at deer from a farmer's perspective and how hunters can help.



W.Va. Wildlife from Eyewitness News



Farmers like Joe Casto are feeling the effects of a bigger deer herd.

Joe Casto
Ripley, WV
"They are a problem to us from a productivity standpoint on the farm."

Joe farms 900 acres where he raises cattle and depends on pastures for grazing.

W.Va. Wildlife from Eyewitness News



Joe Casto
"I keep my livestock fenced out of the field, but there will be 25, 30 or 40 deer a night in this field. They get to it first before my livestock gets to it."

The only way to help Joe out and reduce the deer herd is to harvest does. The West Virginia Division of Natural Resources expanded hunting regulations this year and encourages farmers and hunters to use them.

W.Va. Wildlife from Eyewitness News

Click for full size picture


Dr. Jim Crum
DNR Biologist
"We do have the most liberal season antlerless season in the history of the state. We have 51 counties this year that have a 22 day antlerless season on private land."

Harvesting antlerless deer is not only critical for land owners and land management, it is also very important for the health of the overall deer population.

W.Va. Wildlife from Eyewitness News



Dr. Jim Crum
"The more deer you have as they exceed Mother Nature's limit to carry that number of deer the more likely you are to have animals in poor health."

Jim's message is straight forward.

Dr. Jim Crum
"I think the hunter needs to take advantage of the antlerless deer hunting opportunities for the long-term good of the deer herd in West Virginia."

And Joe has seen regulations and antlerless deer hunting work.

W.Va. Wildlife from Eyewitness News



Joe Casto
"Six to eight years ago, I considered us having a really significant dear problem. Harvesting some doe on the farm, we can control the deer herd at the level it's at now.

Landowners experiencing deer damage problems need to allow a sufficient number of hunters access to their property to harvest antlerless deer.



Links to learn more

The Allure of the White-Tail:
Wonderful West Virginia Magazine

Hunting Season Dates:
W.Va. DNR

2003 Antlerless Deer Season:
W.Va. DNR

An Integrated Approach To Deer Damage Control:
W.Va. DNR

Check Stations:
W.Va. DNR


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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