CHARLESTON, W.Va. — The state Division of Natural Resources received reports of the woods being busy Monday across the state on the first day of bucks gun season.
DNR Lt. Col. Dave Trader said dense fog in central and southern counties may have kept the numbers down in the first few hours Monday but sunny skies brought out more hunters by midday.
“The officers have seen quite a few people out,” Trader said. “Hopefully we’ll see a high success rate.”
Trader said safety is the top priority. He taught his final hunter safety course this past weekend just before the season opened.
“We preach about muzzle control and wearing blaze orange,” Trader said on MetroNews “Talkline” Monday. “The law requires 400-square inches but I always like to wear more than that. I have hats, gloves and vests and everything because I want to be seen.”
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Trader said there have been a few tree stand injuries in recent weeks. He said there are four things that can go wrong in a tree stand if you aren’t strapped in.
“That’s going up, coming down, getting into and getting out of the stand,” he said. “It’s really critical to wear your safety strap and be anchored to that tree during those times when you’re off the ground.”
Communication is also a key to staying safe, Trader said.
“I can’t stress enough to let somebody know where you’re going and when you’re going to be back so if you don’t show up they can send some help,” he said.
The two-week gun season stretches to Dec. 7.