West Virginia Wildlife from Eyewitness News

Previous stories in 2005 on West Virginia Wildlife.

A weekly report from Eyewitness News and the West Virginia Department of Natural Resources about West Virginia's wildlife programs and activities.

December 21, 2005
HUNTERS HELPING
This is the season of giving, and for some lucky young men, the right group of folks donated their time this month to give them a day to remember.

December 14, 2005
BACK THE BROOKIE
Trout Unlimited's Back The Brookie program goes a long way towards restoring West Virginia's only native trout in mountain waters.

December 7, 2005
LIFETIME LICENSE
Now is the time to start thinking about the ideal christmas present for that little bouncing baby girl or boy in your life. Here's a great gift idea for that future hunter or angler.

November 30, 2005
WILDLIFE CALENDAR
If you're looking for a perfect gift for the outdoor lover in your family, we have just the ticket. Take a look at the 2006 Wildlife Calendar.

November 23, 2005
BUCK $EASON
So far it's been a very successful buck season-hunters seem very happy. And, the state treasurer's office should be pretty happy, too.

November 16, 2005
BUCK SEASON
The day buck hunters across the state wait for is right around the corner. It should be a banner year for bucks.

November 9, 2005
BROOK TROUT
Most anglers are very familiar with the DNR's program stocking rainbow, golden and brown trout in our streams. Now it's time to learn more about brook trout.

November 2, 2005
HUNTERS HELPING THE HUNGRY
The holidays are right around the corner, and so is your chance to take part in the season of giving. The annual hunters helping the hungry program is in it's 14th year. Thanks to you, half a million servings of deer meat has been given to families that really need the help.

October 26, 2005
FALL TROUT STOCKING
If you're one of those folks who put their fishing poles away until next spring because you thought there weren't any trout out there, think again. There are some monster trout biting right now, right here in West Virginia.

October 19, 2005
BIRD DOG
Hunters are already hitting the woods but other's are waiting for bird season to open. Some tips on training a bird dog.

October 12, 2005
BOW HUNTERS HEAVEN
One of the biggest times of the year for bowhunters is right around the corner - opening weekend. Great not only for hunters, but everyone in the state.

October 5, 2005
MORE ARCHERY IN THE SCHOOLS
Bow season opens in a week and a half and interest in archery is at an all time high. That's thanks in part to the Division of Natural Resources Archery in the Schools program. As Patrick McMurtry explains, every kid in the state can have the chance to pick up a bow and a lifetime hobby.

September 28, 2005
ARCHERY IN THE SCHOOLS
The newest program at the West Virginia School for the Deaf and the Blind is actually making history. See how hearing impaired students are hitting bullseyes with a little help from the DNR.

September 21, 2005
HUNTING AND FISHING DAYS
If you're into the outdoors in anyway, this coming weekend is big. The DNR's annual National Hunting and Fishing Show kicks off Saturday at Stonewall Jackson Lake Resort and State Park. Patrick McMurtry gives you a preview.

September 14, 2005
SPORTING CLAYS
Don't be surprised if you hear the sound of shotguns going off even though hunting season is still a ways away. Patrick McMurtry introduces you to the sport of sporting clays.

September 7, 2005
FISHING
There are some changes in store for anglers fishing for those trophy bass. Now you can get your catch certified and still turn the fish back into the water.

August 31, 2005
BLACK BEARS
There's still a few weeks left in summer, but for DNR biologists, this is the prime time to study black bears. Patrick McMurtry takes you to the hills of Kanawha county and the black bear living there.

August 24, 2005
CANAAN VALLEY WETLANDS
West Virginia is the Mountain State, but did you know it has some of the more unique wetlands in the country? There's even a valley 3,000 feet in the air. Patrick McMurtry takes you to one of the highest valleys in the country.

August 17, 2005
DRAGONFLIES
They probably scared you as a kid, but dragonflies are harmless and actually, very interesting. Find out more about one of the oldest creatures on earth.

August 10, 2005
ARCHERY AND KIDS
Looking for something to do that both you and your kids will enjoy? The Division of Natural Resources has a suggestion about how you can introduce your children to archery.

August 3, 2005
The Mountain State is full of wetlands, home to a diverse population of plants and animals. Join us and explore one swamp you and your family will love.

July 27, 2005
You see them come through every spring and stay through the summer. Learn more about the ruby throated hummingbird.

July 20, 2005
It's an invasion thousands of West Virginians look forward to every year. The ruby throated hummingbirds are back and you'll see them like you've never before.

July 13, 2005
One of the top wildlife centers in the country could be the best kept secret in West Virginia.

July 6, 2005
One of the oldest animals on the face of the earth is now swimming in the waters of the Mountain State. Meet the shovel nose sturgeon.

June 29, 2005
One of the more popular programs the DNR provides for kids is their conservation camps. See the Junior Conservation Camp at Cedar Lake.

June 22, 2005
Calling all women. The DNR wants you to get outdoors. We'll tell you how you can become an outdoors woman.

June 15, 2005
Watching over the state's natural resources and the environment can be a cooperative venture. That kind of attitude provides big dividends for wildlife and outdoors lovers alike.

June 8, 2005
Want to go fishing but don't have a license? Learn how you can do that "legally" on West Virginia Wildlife.

June 1, 2005
He was the original crocodile hunter. You'll meet Jim Fowler on West Virginia Wildlife.

May 25, 2005
Anyone casting a line would love to find an 8 pound bass on the end when they reel it in. See how the DNR keeps track of the bass population.

May 18, 2005
There's nothing like landing a trophy bass. Find out what the DNR is doing to make sure there are plenty of bass to go around.

May 11, 2005
Spring is here and that means anglers all over the state are hitting the waters to do a little fishing. Go bass fishing on Stonewall Jackson Lake.

May 4, 2005
Some of the fiercest fish in the world are swimming around right here in West Virginia. Learn more about the magnificent musky.

April 27, 2005
Some of the best musky fishing in the world is right in your own backyard. Find out where the legendary fish are biting.

April 20, 2005
Turkey hunters, your shot to get your first gobbler of the year is right around the corner. Patrick McMurtry has some tips and more.

April 13, 2005
Spring turkey season is right around the corner and in this West Virginia Wildlife report, Patrick McMurtry explains how the DNR determines when you can hunt these majestic birds.

April 6, 2005
There's great news for anyone who buys a hunting or fishing license in West Virginia. No more lines, hassels or worrying about lost licenses. Patrick McMurtry shows you the Division of Natural Resources new point of sale system you'll be wild about.

March 30, 2005
It's not often your child's school is able to teach them something that could help them become hunters, but that's just one of the benefits of the Division of Natural Resources Archery in the Schools program. Patrick McMurtry takes a look at this unique opportunity on West Virginia Wildlife.

March 23, 2005
The warm spring weather is drawing people to their favorite trout stream hoping to hook a nice rainbow or brookie. Thanks to the hard work of volunteers and fish biologists there's a good chance the waters you fish will have trout ready to jump on your line.

March 16, 2005
The end of winter means trout fishing season is here. The Division of Natural Resources stocks a ton of trout throughout the state, but in this West Virginia Wildlife Report, I'll show you one area you can fish that's too tough even for the DNR.

March 9, 2005
The Department of Natural Resources is continuing to tweak its proposal to raise license fees. If they can't raise the cost to hunt and fish slightly in West Virginia, some of your favorite programs may be cut.

March 2, 2005
Black bears are among the most loved, and most reclusive, animals in our state. Tracking them takes a lot of time and effort, but, the dnr is taking the field research to new levels in our woods.

February 23, 2005
BLACK BEAR RESEARCH
The W.Va. DNR is back checking on the health of some now yearling cubs that we looked at last year. They're putting transmitters in them. Pretty soon, they'll be on their own.

February 16, 2005
CONSERVATIONIST
The day comes for every athlete--retirement. But for former Daytona 500 winner Ward burton, life after NASCAR is very rewarding. He's made the transition from racer to conservationist.

February 9, 2005
TOUGH DECISION
The Division of Natural Resources needs to do something it hasn't done in more than 15 years -- raise fees.

February 2, 2005
WV DNR WANTS YOUR THOUGHTS
The cost of hunting and fishing could go up but you have a chance to sound off.

January 26, 2005
HUNTING AND FISHING SHOW
The Charleston Civic Center will be transformed into a mecca for wildlife enthusiasts.

January 19, 2005
WILDLIFE IN THE CLASSROOM
Taking wildlife to the classroom is a great way to make an impression on young minds.

January 12, 2005
BIRD FEEDERS
Get the bird feeders full and the birds will reward you. Get the right feeder on West Virginia Wildlife.

January 5, 2005
BIRD BRAINED
It's time to think about the wild birds of West Virginia and how you can help them survive the harsh weather.

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