The Charleston Gazette - Outdoors

Compulsory service would benefit parks, whole country

(Scott Shalaway) — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 23:45:00 -0500

Writer and historian Wallace Stegner called our National Parks, "the best idea we ever had. Absolutely American, absolutely democratic, they reflect us at our best rather than at our worst." That was the message of the recent Ken Burns series th...

Enjoying the last of autumns beauty

(Lawrence Pierce) — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 20:25:22 -0500

John Rawlins of South Charleston and his dog, Ralph, enjoy the sun and the last of the autumn leaves as they walk along Kanawha Boulevard Saturday afternoon. Rawlins had just finished cutting grass at a nearby church. Sunny skies and highs in the 60s...

A few thoughts while waiting for beginning of buck season

johnmccoy@wvgazette.com (John McCoy) — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 22:34:32 -0500

A few observances as time passes and we West Virginians hurtle toward the start of another firearm season for bucks:

This would be a good week to be a bowhunter. The number of road-killed deer has increased dramatically during the past few days. Thats ...

Outdoors calendar -- Nov. 8

( ) — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 22:35:11 -0500

In season Big game

White-tailed deer may be hunted with archery equipment through Dec. 31. The bag limit is one deer of either sex a season.

Black bears may be hunted with archery equipment through Nov. 21. The bag limit is one bear of either s...

Helpful hints for sighting in your deer rifle

johnmccoy@wvgazette.com (John McCoy) — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 22:35:51 -0500

In a week or so, bench space at West Virginias public shooting ranges will be hard to find.Hunters, eager to get their rifles sighted in before the buck firearm season opens Nov. 23, should start flocking toward the ranges any day now. Division of Natural ...

The bear facts

johnmccoy@wvgazette.com (John McCoy) — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 22:39:21 -0500

For the first time in state history, wildlife biologists have a good picture of how West Virginians feel about bear hunting.Long story short, they like it.Seventy-seven out of every 100 Mountain State residents support bear hunting. Chris Ryan thinks thats...