Bill > HB2666

This bill modifies existing West Virginia law to allow landowners or land lessees who are experiencing wildlife damage to hire third-party hunters to kill deer or other wildlife specifically using bow and arrow. Currently, landowners can report wildlife damage to local natural resources authorities, who will investigate and potentially issue a permit to kill damaging wildlife. The new provision explicitly allows the landowner to hire someone else to do the hunting on their behalf, rather than having to hunt the animals themselves. The bill maintains existing restrictions on hunting methods, meaning that any hired hunters must follow the same regulations that would apply during regular hunting seasons, such as minimum bow poundage requirements or firearm caliber restrictions. This change provides landowners with more flexibility in managing wildlife that is causing damage to crops, trees, gardens, or other property, by allowing them to contract professional hunters to address the problem.

Business and Industry, Government Affairs

http://www.wvlegislature.gov/Bill_Status/Bills_history.cfm?input=2666&year=2025&sessiontype=RS&btype=bill