The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is now accepting applications for persons to hunt deer on the National Conservation Training Center property in Shepherdstown, West Virginia. This fall season will mark the twelfth year this managed hunt has been held. In order to maintain the deer population on campus, the use of archery, muzzleloader rifles, and shotguns with rifled slugs will again be allowed during the appropriate West Virginia hunting seasons. Hunters will be randomly selected from those who apply for a given date and assigned to a designated location from which to hunt. Hunters may apply for multiple dates.

Hunters interested in participating are encouraged to complete the online orientation and application at training.fws.gov/courses/olt/olt0003/content .

A paper application may be obtained by calling 304-876-7272. Orientation sessions and archery proficiency tests that were held at the property are no longer required. A day for pre-hunt scouting of stand locations is still being offered. The use of lead-free ammunition will be continued. This prevents lead poisoning of birds and animals that might ingest lead particles or fragments from deer entrails or carcasses.

This managed hunt is open to out-of-state applicants as well as West Virginia residents. Before their first hunt day the hunter must be licensed in West Virginia and have received a hunter safety education certification. Hunters with disabilities are welcome to participate, and accommodations will be made as needed.

The dates are as follows: Oct. 18 (only Youth 10 to 17 years old, Disabled Hunters with Class Q or QQ permit, and Senior Hunters with a Class XS license) shotgun & archery; Oct. 25 shotgun; Nov. 8 –archery; Nov. 29 & Dec. 6 –shotgun & archery; Dec. 13 –muzzleloader and archery; Dec. 20 shotgun and archery; Dec. 27 (Youth 10 to 17 years old, Disabled Hunters with Class Q or QQ permit, and Senior Hunters with a Class XS license); and Dec. 30 –shotgun & archery.

For further information or to apply, visit the NCTC website at training.fws.gov/campus/deer-hunt/ . Inquiries may be sent by email to nctcdeerhunt@fws.gov , or call 304-876-7272. Applications for the hunt must be received by Friday, Sept. 5.

The National Conservation Training Center is the home of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and a leader in environmental sustainability. The center provides exemplary training tailored to support Service employees and conservation partners in the accomplishment of the agencys mission. For more information about NCTC or our green practices, visit nctc.fws.gov.