6:00: Morning News

New law tries to rein in truck chasers

CHARLESTON, W.Va. — The legislation which authorized Sunday hunting in 55 West Virginia counties on private land included more than just the provision to open up a 7th day of hunting.

Gov. Jim Justice actually signed two bills into law which authorized Sunday hunting.  The first was stand alone legislation, but the second was a bill which authorized carrying concealed weapons on state park property and was amended to include the language of the first bill.  The duplication was a result of legislative maneuvers to make sure Sunday hunting didn’t get bottled up and become an unintended casualty of the typical chaos on the final night of the legislative session.

However, the second bill, which is now law since it was signed last, included a third provision and one which addresses what has long been a black mark on the state’s put and take trout program.   The legislation forbids fishing within 200 feet of a stock truck as Division of Natural Resources personnel are putting fish into a stream.  The legislation was sought late by DNR Director Steve McDaniel.

“I started going out and visiting our hatcheries I would ask our staff what is the biggest challenge they face,” said McDaniel. “I had two or three individuals just come out and say it’s getting dangerous stocking fish.”

McDaniel says currently it is not uncommon for personnel to arrive at a stream to deposit fish and have 15 to 20 people sitting there and waiting on the stock truck.  The advancement of the smart phone and rapid communication along with social media is also fueling what has been a long time problem.

“As a citizen I used to question how they did this.  I have seen it, but didn’t realize it was such a big problem until I became director. “McDaniel said. “I guess in the last few years it’s gotten a lot worse.”

DNR employees who stock fish tell McDaniel at times it has been so bad, they’ve been struck in the face by flying lures and treble hooks.   The Director says that cannot continue.

“One thing we take very seriously is the safety of our personnel,” he said.

The DNR currently doesn’t publicize the location of the day’s stocking until the work is completed, but in a recent special stocking at several State Park waters that was not the case.  McDaniel said the Earth Day stocking was a good event, despite the weather, and one he hopes to continue.  He said the new law will be helpful since several hundred were waiting that day when the truck rolled up to deposit the trout.





More Outdoors

Outdoors
Gold Rush to run April 1-13 across West Virginia
Starting Monday, the streams of West Virginia will have a golden hue in hope of attracting anglers young and old
March 27, 2024 - 2:10 pm
News
Final elk from USFS facility in Western Ky. have arrived in West Virginia
DNR officials say a large number of the cows received are bred and will start dropping calves in May
March 21, 2024 - 3:06 pm
Outdoors
Mason County angler hauls in a record bowfin
Lauren Noble of Letart, W.Va. was looking for pre-spawn bass, but found another hungry mouth in the an Ohio River backwater in Mason County this week
March 15, 2024 - 10:15 am
Outdoors
Barnick wins air rifle; Mountaineers finish runner-up to TCU
West Virginia had individual champions in both events for the first time in seven years, but narrowly missed out on a 20th National Championship.
March 9, 2024 - 10:27 pm