Applications Available for Controlled Deer Hunt on Blennerhassett Island November 5 and 8, 2012

PARKERSBURG, W.Va. – A controlled deer hunt will be held on Blennerhassett Island on Monday, November 5 and Thursday, November 8, 2012. The West Virginia Division of Natural Resources (WVDNR) monitors the white-tailed deer population on the island.
“Based upon survey results, a controlled hunt is needed to maintain the deer population at a level which is more in balance with the habitat conditions on the island,” said WVDNR Director Frank Jezioro.
Deer on Blennerhassett Island may not be hunted during the regular deer hunting seasons and, as a result, the deer population level gets much higher than on the mainland. Hunting is not permitted on state parks unless under a controlled hunt setting. Controlled hunts have been conducted on Blennerhassett Island in 2001, 2002, 2007 and 2010.
Hunting will be by permit only. Resident and non-resident hunters may apply. Applications and rules for the hunt are available at www.wvdnr.gov under “Hunting” and by clicking on the title “Controlled Hunts.” Applications must be submitted by U.S. mail only. Applications also are available at all WVDNR district offices, State Park and Forest offices, WVDNR headquarters in South Charleston, and at Blennerhassett Island Historical State Park (304-420-4800).
Applications for the Blennerhassett Island controlled hunt must be signed, legible, complete, and postmarked by August 30, 2012. Permits will be selected at random for each day of the hunt and successful applicants will be notified after October 1, 2012. All hunting must be done from elevated (minimum of eight feet off the ground) tree stands (ladder, or self-climbing) provided by the hunter. Tree stands must be able to adjust to trees up to 18 inches in diameter. A safety belt is required to be worn while in the tree stand. Only bows, muzzleloaders, and shotguns using slugs with rifled barrels or chokes are allowed (high-powered rifles will not be permitted).
Successful applicants will be ferried from Civitan Park in Belpre, Ohio, to the island on the mornings of the hunt. Approximately 50 hunters for each day will be randomly selected for the hunt. Deer harvested will not count against the hunters’ annual bag limit.