More Liberal Hunting Rules Could Be Coming

Wildlife officials may loosen the reigns on hunting seasons around the state. They’re proposing regulations to allow hunters to kill more white-tailed deer, black bears and turkeys in the fall. The Charleston Gazette-Mail reports Division of Natural Resources biologists made the proposal Sunday in South Charleston during the quarterly meeting of the state Natural Resources Commission, which sets season lengths and bag limits. If approved, the proposal would allow hunters to kill more antlerless deer and more female bears to control deer and bear populations. The proposal would make deer bag limits more liberal in 21 counties or parts of counties, more restrictive in two and would remain the same in 33. It would also give more liberal regulations to 13 counties for bears.