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Sportsmen urge DNR action after reports of heavy deer losses and request CWD/EHD updates
Summary
During public comment at the March 12 commission meeting, landowners, sportsmen and organizations described large local deer die-offs, pressed for clearer CWD/EHD communication and asked the commission to expand antlerless harvest and youth hunting opportunities. The commission agreed to add disease updates to a future agenda.
Dozens of sportsmen who signed up for public comment told the West Virginia Natural Resources Commission on March 12 that large, localized deer losses and incomplete public information on diseases such as epizootic hemorrhagic disease (EHD) and chronic wasting disease (CWD) require immediate attention.
Mike Anthony, a Wood County landowner, told commissioners: “I found over 40 deer on my farm, on 150 acres that I live on. Over 40 deer I found dead.” He said local harvest counts posted online did not match what he observed in the field and urged stronger agency response and reporting.
The concern was echoed across districts. Don Radcliffe, a longtime meeting attendee, and other speakers described sharp declines in deer observations and urged the commission to prioritize hunting and habitat decisions that reflect local conditions. Several commenters recommended increasing antlerless-harvest opportunities and altering season timing to support population recovery where losses were reported.
Dr. Chris Ryan, supervisor of game management, framed those reports inside statewide harvest data presented later in the meeting. He said 2025 saw an unusually large acorn mast that affects animal distribution and hunter success, and summarized statewide harvests: 33,823 bucks harvested in 2025 with an antlerless harvest of 25,453 and a statewide average of about 4.03 deer per square mile. He cautioned that localized die-offs may not be fully represented in aggregated harvest figures.
Sportsmen also pressed for clearer agency communications about EHD and CWD. Charity D. asked for a DNR presentation on CWD similar to recent EHD briefings; several commenters said the public had trouble reaching staff to report dead deer and wanted more timely public bulletins.
Deputy Director Wendy Green said staff would add an agenda item to update commissioners on both CWD and EHD and promised follow-up to public commenters who left contact information: “If any of your comments included questions, be sure to leave your name and address on the public comment sign‑in sheet. We will make a response and get it out to you within two weeks.”
The public comments also included a range of management suggestions: revision of youth license fee structures so youth hunters have clearer access to antlerless tags; consideration of earlier muzzleloader or trapping dates to address predator pressure; and continued adherence to science-driven principles urged by conservation organizations. Sean Butler, a wildlife biologist and founder of a field group, urged the commission to honor the North American model of wildlife conservation and continue basing decisions on data and public surveys.
Next steps: the commission will add disease (CWD/EHD) briefings to a future agenda and staff committed to responding to commenters’ questions within two weeks. Several commenters were directed to leave contact information so staff could provide individualized follow-up.
