SOUTH CHARLESTON, W.Va. – The spring turkey hunting season in West Virginia begins April 23 and runs through May 19. The West Virginia Division of Natural Resources (DNR), in cooperation with the West Virginia Chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation (NWTF), is preparing to conduct its annual survey of spring gobbler hunters and is seeking hunters to participate. Each year the surveys are conducted to determine hunting success, gobbling activity, opinions on a variety of subjects and to gather other important biological information. The valuable data supplied by the spring gobbler survey helps the DNR make biologically sound recommendations and provides hunters with information to help them in future hunts. Each cooperating hunter is supplied a copy of the results. Please contact Tammie Thompson at 304-637-0245 or Tammie.E.Thompson@wv.gov to become a cooperator.

Cash Rewards for Poaching Information

DNR Wildlife Resources Section Chief Curtis Taylor also reminds citizens that NWTF will pay $200 cash rewards for information leading to the arrest and conviction of persons who illegally kill or possess a wild turkey. "This cooperative effort between the NWTF and the DNR is designed to curtail illegal activities associated with the state's wild turkey resource," said Taylor.

The NWTF also pays a reward of $100 for information that leads to the arrest and conviction of persons attempting to kill wild turkeys through the use of bait or who willfully destroy the nest or eggs of wild turkey.

"The public is urged to contact their local natural resources police officer or their local DNR district office if they see someone illegally killing a turkey, know of a person possessing an illegally killed turkey, or know of a person attempting to kill wild turkeys through the use of bait," Taylor said. "The informant's identity will remain confidential. By reporting poaching incidents, the public can make a significant contribution to West Virginia's wild turkey management program."