SOUTH CHARLESTON, W.Va. – The West Virginia Division of Natural Resources (DNR) reminds hunters to always get written landowner permission before entering private property.
“It is important to remember that once you have obtained permission, you are an invited guest and you should always respect the rights and property of the landowner,” said Paul Johansen, chief of the DNR Wildlife Resources Section. “A little respect and a simple ‘thank you’ will go a long way in obtaining permission to hunt there for years to come.”
According to state code, “It is unlawful for any person to shoot, hunt, fish or trap upon the fenced, enclosed or posted lands of another person; or to peel trees or timber, build fires or do any other act in connection with shooting, hunting, fishing or trapping on the lands without written permission in his or her possession from the owner, tenant or agent of the owner.”
Beginning this year, posted lands include those properties with boundaries clearly marked with purple paint. Purple marks must be a single vertical line at least 8 inches in length, at least 2 inches in width, and be between 3 to 6 feet above the ground. The marks should be no more than 100 feet apart and easily seen by any person approaching the property boundary.
Although 90 percent of West Virginia is owned by private landowners, there is still more than 1.4 million acres of public land open to hunting. Hunters in need of help locating a place to hunt can contact any DNR district office, the Elkins Operation Center, or go to the DNR’s website www.wvdnr.gov to obtain information about wildlife management areas, state forests and national forests that are open to public hunting.
