WVBA History 1993

During the first quarter Game Commission meeting it was learned that the Muzzleloaders Association request at the previous meeting had been placed on the DNR questionnaire.  WVBA president John Edman expressed concern about changing the bear archery season to a primitive weapons season.  He felt the 5 week “gun” season would lead to an overkill in those counties currently open to bowhunters.

Two more crossbow bills are introduced in the Legislature.  One comes up for public hearing in committee and is promptly tabled after hear the facts from DNR/Legislative representative Larry Lawson.

The second quarter Game Commission meeting found John Edman, WVBA president, giving many reasons for the number increase in bowkilled bears; last years spotty mast had led to more bear movement, increased bear population (as attested to by road kills and sightings), more counties open to bear bowhunting, and an increase in bowhunters hunting bears.  John stated that with an increased number of bowhunting bear counties (more in 1994); bowhunters will soon be killing more bears than gun hunters.

At the fourth quarter Commission Meeting, Larry Lawson stated there is a need for requiring bowhunters to purchase the bear tag before season.  He also requested the Commissioners allow bowhunters to use the Class N tag during early bow season instead of waiting until the doe season in December.  The Pendleton County requested an opening date for bow season on September 1 and presented an information packet to the Commission supporting their request.  The WVBA stated it would be making a request for an earlier bow season at the January Game Commission meeting.