West Virginia

[Cory Mattson]

Along the lines of do it your self - we have hunted the bow zone on and off for 20 years. On our own we have each had shot opportunities at good bucks - 130s - 140s - with a few times along the way at 150s maybe bigger. Big Bucks are cool - but the real reason we hunt there is the true wild adventure. You can see a bobcat, coyote, deer, turkey, grouse or bear we while scouting or sitting and you very likely will. Amazing how many bears we bump into. There has been a new early bear gun season which could destroy that - we'll see.

It is rough country - very steep - stand entry is still my biggest challenge since I seem to always have a mile walk before stand entry.

Most of the 4 counties are open to anyone. Coal Company land is good. RD Bailey is good. McDowel Co probably has more hunters from NC than from WV    

I love it there and just talking about it gets me going. Been a few years since we went.

Try to pick one or two hollows by studying topos - then spend time scouting those for actual hunting. Scouting there is serious business - spend a day or days walking just one hollow - you will find old homesites, abandoned wells, gas wells, timber - cut maybe - apple trees - scrape lines - as well as the food source which is often red oaks. Basically the whole place has water, feed and cover. You are looking for contours - thick cover - and a plan to access (enter & exit) - mining reclaim needs to be looked at also.

Most times you are dragging a deer downhill - but be prepared to use frieghtor packs or wheeled carts. Bucks weigh well into the 200# range - I have seen some pushing 300# - does (always get a doe tag and fill it) are big too 150# or so.

Camping - cool
Cabin rental - cool
Motel - Ok for scout trips - even short hunts

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[Wolfie2nd]

Yeah I'm definitely going to do some late winter scouting a turkey hunt come spring and more scouting right before the hunting season. I am so jacked up and can't wait to do some shed hunting! Hopefully have some       stories coming up soon

[Ron Haines]

Here is a link that I use from time to time:

 http://www.wvdnr.gov/Hunting/WMAMap.shtm

I have been looking into Wyoming county for a few years now.  With work and new kiddies over the last couple of years just been tough to get away.

[TLANE]

I live in Wyoming county, one of 4 bowhunting only counties.  I would say for #s of P&Y bucks, Wyoming & Logan usually swap places every few years.  McDowell occasionally takes the lead and Mingo is always last but still has some nice bucks.  The most huntable would probably be RD Bailey WMA which is in Wyoming & Mingo.  They have a primitive camping area that is available for use during bow season.  My girlfriend lives in Logan Co. and I've met quite a few bowhunters there who consistently take trophy bucks but to my knowledge there is very little public land, most of it is controlled by coal companies that will not allow access or it is leased to private hunting clubs.  Alot of Wyoming & McDowell counties are also leased up.  But.....don't think that because RD Bailey is a WMA that it gets too much pressure.  If you are willing to walk and I mean rough walking, there are lots of places where you will never see another hunter.  I promise you there are bucks in these counties that die of old age.  I took a buck in 2007 that was 8 1/2 years old and a doe last year that was 8 1/2  This year has been really tough as there are acorns everywhere!  Deer have been darn near impossible to pattern!  I did see a bruiser 8 pointer during Thanksgiving week, actually saw him twice on the same day and had him 15-20 yds from me just couldn't get the shot.  He would probably score in the 140s.  You can't control the weather but if you do decide to come down try to be here the week of the new moon.  The week before Thanksgiving is really one of the best weeks.

[Wolfie2nd]

Now I had a feeling I would run into private land problems.
That's why I didn't even bother looking into Ohio

[TLANE]

RD Bailey is 17,000 acres, and anyone can hunt it.   ATVs are not allowed but you can walk, use a bicycle, or use a canoe or jon boat to get to some pretty remote areas.

[Roy Steele]

I've bow hunted McDowell and Logan.And yes you can camp.I've shot bucks in both co's.sHORT STEEP MOUNTAINS\\


  I've bow hunted both McDowell and Logan and killed mature bucks in both.Short steep mountains.Bucks are nice but #'s are probery not what your use to.I perfer McDowell have'nt hunted it in a few years.But would'nt hestate to go back.
  As far as elk there is a spill over from KY in a few Co.'s. But we don't have and elk program yet.But it's coming.If you what to elk hunt go to KY for sure.I have had 2 friends both kill bulls 2 bulls each sence 07.