Farmers shall be allowed to destroy or halt predatory
animals on site.
Removal of coyotes from active grazing lands
is imperative. We recommend that the state of West
Virginia expand the existing coyote control program
that includes use of coyote control collars, snares,
trapping and other methods, including, but not limited
to, night vision lighting, artificial calling devices and
bounties. The program shall include reimbursement
to farmers for livestock damage, with payment made
within 60 days. Enforcement of a fully funded coyote
control program shall be vested in the WV Department
of Agriculture. We recommend that coyote control
program be expanded so that assistance is available to
all farmers in the state.
Continuation of the issuance of crop damage
permits. The crop damage permit category should
include pasture and meadowlands. Streamlining the
crop damage permit system by allowing three nonrelative farmers to assess the situation and forward
a recommendation to the DNR District office where
permits will be issued in accordance with the threefarmer recommendation within four days. The
harvesting of the deer will not be restricted as to time
of day or as to who may complete the harvest. We
also recommend allowing any unused portion of an
antlerless deer crop damage permit be filled during
deer hunting season. Animals harvested and tagged
using crop damage permits may be transported out
of state for personal use, or for donation to non-profit
hunger programs.
We recommend that raccoons be removed from
seasonal hunting due to damage to gardens and field
crops.
If the N stamp is not eliminated, then the money
generated from the sale of this stamp should fund a
crop damage reimbursement program available to
those farmers who suffer deer-related crop losses.
The allocation of funds from this program to a county
should be determined by the number of N stamps sold
there in the prior season. Farm Bureau recommends
an additional $5 fee on hunting licenses to reimburse
farmers for crop damage.
The rate of compensation for the Bear Damage
Compensation Program should be based on current
market prices.
The crossbow should be a tool of choice to
harvest wildlife.
24 West Virginia Farm Bureau News
80. DEER HERD REDUCTION
West Virginia Farm Bureau supports maintaining
a deer herd at a level supported within their natural
habitat so long as it does not adversely affect
agriculture practices and production.
81. DEER DAMAGE STUDIES
West Virginia Farm Bureau recommends that
the economic losses caused by deer be ascertained.
Specifically:
• A study by the Division of Forestry,
Department of Agriculture and West Virginia
University detailing losses to farm products,
timber, grasslands, nursery products, agro
forestry, gardens, landscaping, orchards,
fences and any other property damage caused
by deer. These studies should be collected
every 5 years and used to guide the deer
management plan.
• A study by the Insurance Commissioner
detailing vehicle damages, injuries and loss of
life due to collisions with deer.
WVFB recommends the elimination of any costsharing program specifically designed to enhance the
deer population.
82. ELK MANAGEMENT
West Virginia Farm Bureau believes that elk should
not be a protected species in West Virginia.
83. WILD BIRDS
The term, “wild bird,” shall include only those
birds that are hatched in the wild and at no time of
their lives are pen-raised.
84. BEAR SEASON
West Virginia Farm Bureau believes the bear
population should be maintained at or below the
“cultural carrying capacity” of the range.
85. TRESPASS & HUNTING LAW
ENFORCEMENT
West Virginia Farm Bureau recommends that
trespass and hunting laws be strictly enforced and that
minimum trespass penalties be increased to $500.
86. PALESTINE BASS HATCHERY
West Virginia Farm Bureau recommends the