For access in the Summers County section of the New River, the Bertha ramp is found in the Bertha Camping Area (Bluestone Wildlife Management Area) on county Road 33. This is an all-boats ramp with a five-space parking lot.

Another access ramp is the Bellepoint Park ramp in the Bluestone Reservoir tailwaters off SR 3. This is a small boats ramp with a 30-space parking lot, and it also has a site limitation for "experienced canoeists."

Access to the 2,040-acre Bluestone Lake is found from both interstates 77 and 64. From Interstate 77, take exit 14 (Athens Road) to SR 20. Take 20 north approximately 25 miles to Bluestone dam. From Interstate 64, take exit 139 (Sandstone/Hinton) to SR 20 and travel south about 12 miles to Bluestone dam.

In this region of the state, slow- moving creeks with plenty of bends are perfect for float-hunting. If the river or creek meanders through farm fields or oak groves, then so much the better. The farther the stream is away from a highway, the better the likelihood of finding ducks. These birds prefer secluded areas. Keep in mind that the best strategy is to hug the shoreline. Your downstream approach will be hidden by the bends.

Waterfowl hunting on the Ohio River can be a little tricky at times, and becoming familiar with the regulations governing the river between Ohio and West Virginia can prevent unintended violations.

According to the regulations, current federal waterfowl management places West Virginia in the Atlantic Flyway and Ohio in the Mississippi Flyway. Each state may have different hunting seasons and regulations. Hunters are reminded that opening and closing dates, bag limits and other regulations may vary between Ohio and West Virginia. It is the hunter's responsibility to know and comply with the existing laws.

Waterfowl shooting may take place on or over the Ohio River and West Virginia tributaries only during West Virginia's open season. Hunters cannot hunt from the Ohio bank of the river when the Ohio season is closed.

West Virginia does not allow Sunday hunting. Therefore, the Ohio River and its embayments and tributaries that are within the boundaries of West Virginia are closed to all hunting on Sunday. Sunday waterfowl hunting is only allowed on embayments and tributaries within the boundaries of Ohio and only during the Ohio season. On Sundays, hunters are reminded that they may not shoot waterfowl that are flying over the Ohio River from the Ohio shoreline.

A carefully planned midwinter waterfowl hunt is a highly rewarding experience. A thorough knowledge of the waterways, and the regulations that govern the hunting, is a prerequisite to launching onto the lakes, streams and rivers. Of equal importance is appropriate gear. Warm clothing, especially warm socks, and rain gear will make all the difference between a day of enjoyable comfort or a day of downhearted misery.

For additional information on the regulations governing the Ohio River, contact DNR District VI (Middle Ohio River), 2311 Ohio Ave., Parkersburg, WV 26101; or call (304) 420-4550.

For overall information on waterfowl hunting in the state of West Virginia, write to the Wildlife Resources Section, 1900 Kanawha Blvd., E. Bldg. 3, Charleston, WV 25305 or call (304) 558-2771. You can also visit the DNR Web site at www.wvdnr.gov.