Volunteer Needs: The Annual Deer Hunt

Deer Management Hunt to Take Place at National Conservation Training Center!

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is accepting applications for persons to hunt deer on the 532-acre National Conservation Training Center property in Shepherdstown, WV. This fall season will mark the twenty second year for this managed hunt. In order to manage the deer population on the property, the use of archery equipment, shotguns with single slugs, and muzzleloader rifles will again be allowed during the appropriate West Virginia hunting seasons. Hunters will be randomly selected from those who apply for a given date and assigned to a certain location from which to hunt. Hunters may apply for multiple dates. In 2023 thirty-one deer were harvested.

The hunt dates, all of which are on Saturdays, are:

• October 12
• November 9
• November 16
• November 23
• November 30
• December 7
• December 14
• December 21

During that time hunters may use shotgun, muzzleloader, or bow (during the appropriate WV DNR hunt season), and either buck or doe may be taken (also during the appropriate state season)--subject to NCTC’s antlerless-first policy.

Hunters interested in participating should obtain more information at the Deer Hunt website https://www.fws.gov/office/national-conservation-training-center-facility/visit- us/activities/hunting that will also take you to the required online orientation and application. Inquiries may be sent by email to nctc_deerhunt@fws.gov/.

Applications for the hunt MUST be received by Saturday, August 31.

This managed hunt is open to out-of-state applicants as well as West Virginia residents. Before their first hunt day the hunter must have a valid West Virginia hunting license and have received a hunter safety education certification. Hunters with disabilities are welcome to participate, and accommodations will be made as needed.

The use of non-toxic lead-free ammunition will be continued. Crossbows as well as regular bows are allowed for all archery hunting.