Next was District III (which is much of central West Virginia), where 1,192 deer were checked in. This mark was a major increase from the 2006 figure of 822, but was down a little from the 2005 results of 1,226. District IV (which is most of southern West Virginia) held down the fifth slot with 1,086, a major surge from the 2005 and 2006 figures of 802 and 473, respectively. District V (which is most of southwestern West Virginia) held down the sixth position with 748, as compared with the 2005 and 2006 totals of 1,091 and 667, respectively.

At press time, several new regulations had been proposed. First, as usual, the season would run in mid- December, this year from Dec. 8 through 13 with a maximum season bag limit of two. Now, matters become complicated, as the DNR logically takes into account that deer numbers vary in different counties and districts.

The DNR proposes that in counties with an antlerless deer Class N season bag limit of two or more, hunters could take two deer of either sex, providing the second smokepole whitetail is harvested with an additional muzzleloader stamp, RM for residents and RMM for non-residents. For counties with a one antlerless deer Class N season bag limit, front- stuffers could take one deer of either sex, but the second deer taken on the RM or RMM additional muzzleloader deer stamp could only be antlered, provided the hunter had not filled the maximum annual bag limit of three antlered bucks.

Also, hunters would not be allowed to kill antlerless deer on an unfilled RG or RGG additional deer license. As usual, muzzleloader hunting would not be allowed in the coalfield counties of Logan, McDowell, Mingo and Wyoming. And, as usual, antlerless hunting would not be permitted on a number of public lands, such as the Jefferson National Forest and on many WMAs. To name just a few, antlerless hunting would not be permitted on WMAs, such as Wallback and Elk River.

The DNR will continue with its increasingly popular Older-Aged Deer Management Areas. All antlered deer taken on Beech Fork Lake, Bluestone Lake, Burnsville Lake and McClintic WMAs and Coopers Rock State Forest must have a minimum outside antler spread of 14 inches (ear tip to ear tip). The annual antlered deer bag limit is one for archery and firearms seasons combined. It is illegal to bait or feed wildlife on these areas.

If smokepolers still have an unfilled buck tag and are more desirous of a buck for the wall than meat for the freezer, then the above public lands should be considered. If, however, the individual is looking for a doe to round out his deer season, then he should look for private lands that feature antlerless seasons.

If all this sounds complicated, well, it is. Managing our state's whitetail contingent is complicated, and the DNR performs its duties magnificently. For more information, please closely check the 2008-2009 Hunting and Trapping Regulations Summary or go online to www.wvdnr.gov.