West Virginia archery hunters could be in for a real treat in the Mountain State this fall.  The bow hunting season opens this weekend statewide.   DNR Biologist Scott Warner says the combination of low mast and a high deer population make the chances for success very strong.

"The outlook is very good.   I'm always positive about the prospects for bow season and this year is an exceptional year," said Warner. "The numbers seem to be up, the interest in bow hunting seems to be up and actually the only thing down is mast conditions, but actually that's going to hopefully get the harvest up." 

Warner explains that historically when mast productivity has been down, deer become more concentrated in smaller areas.   The concentration makes deer easier to locate and normally translates to a 10 to 15 percent increase in the harvest of deer.

It will be incumbent on a hunter to have some advanced knowledge of his or her hunting territory.   Pre-season scouting and a constant finger on the pulse of deer movement will be the key.

"Hopefully by this time they've already picked their stand locations and have them up and ready to go for Saturday morning," Warner said. "First part of the season I'd probably look in the field.   Without much to keep deer in the woods in terms of food a lot of them are going to be coming out into the fields."

Warner suggests locating the spot where those deer travel from their secluded bedding spots to those fields as high percentage points for hunters.    Selecting key pinch points and funnels which bring a large number of deer through a narrow and common path would be an ideal location.

The 2009 DNR Mast Survey reveals statewide the mast conditions are down just about everywhere for all species.  But with spotty mast, locating a food source in the woods would be a gold mine.

"There are some good mast conditions in the higher elevations above 25-thousand feet," said Warner. "If you do happen to know where there are a few acorns, that's where I'd be hanging my stand."

Warner is hopeful with deer so plentiful, archers will take advantage and consider using at least one of their tags to drop a doe during this year's season.    He says removing females from the West Virginia deer population is the best way to bring the herd back into balance and helps to increase the age structure of deer, improving the health of the overall  herd and antler development among bucks.

The DNR reminds hunters to purchase an extra bow tag before Saturday.   The additional stamps aren't available after the season's opening.