CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin signed the deer farm bill into law Wednesday evening.
The bill (SB 237) transfers the management of deer farms from the state Division of Natural Resources to the state Department of Agriculture.
“I have great respect for the significant economic impact hunting has in West Virginia, with more than 350,000 hunters helping to create more than 5,000 jobs and generate nearly $270 million for the state’s economy. I also respect the overwhelming bipartisan support this bill received in both the Senate and House of Delegates, passing with wide margins in both chambers,” Tomblin said in a news release. “I am confident we can protect our wildlife and maintain our state’s strong hunting tradition while expanding responsible deer farming operations across the state, creating new jobs and new opportunities for our residents and small businesses.”