There will be no change in hunting regulations this fall at New River Gorge National Park and Preserve/NPS
Though the name has changed, there will be no change this fall in hunting regulations at New River Gorge National Park and Preserve in West Virginia.
New regulations for hunting are on the horizon in response to the park’s recent redesignation to "national park and preserve." However, hunters and hikers should be aware that these changes will not take effect until January 1, 2022.
Areas where hunting is currently prohibited in the park include Grandview, Camp Brookside, the Arrowhead Trail Area, the Park Loop Trail Area, and the Burnwood Environmental and Education Area. Hunting is also prohibited within 500 feet of heavy visitor use areas, including established campgrounds, day-use areas, and visitor centers.
Under West Virginia state hunting regulations, it is illegal to shoot a firearm within 500 feet of a school, church, dwelling, or other places where people socially gather. Regulations also prohibit ATV and ORV use on trails and off-road in the park.
Visitors enjoying the trails during hunting season should consider following a few extra safety precautions. Wear blaze orange and include an orange vest for pets. Stay on established trails, avoid cross-country travel and consider hiking in areas where hunting is prohibited. Leave No Trace principles are always encouraged, but especially important during hunting season.
Hunting is mandated by law within New River Gorge National Park and Preserve through the enabling legislation that created the park, because it is a “national park and preserve.” For additional NPS units that allow hunting see https://www.nps.gov/subjects/hunting/visit.htm.
Information and maps for areas currently restricted to hunting and for hunting areas that will take effect beginning January 1, 2022, are on the park’s website at Hunting - New River Gorge National Park and Preserve (U.S. National Park Service) (nps.gov). Additional information and regulations for hunting within the park and other areas can be found on the West Virginia Department of Natural Resources Hunting website at Hunting - West Virginia Division of Natural Resources : West Virginia Division of Natural Resources (wvdnr.gov)
Visitors should also be aware that COVID restrictions remain in place in the park. To promote staff and visitors’ safety, masks are required in all NPS buildings, which include Canyon Rim Visitor Center, Thurmond Visitor Center, Grandview Visitor Center, and Sandstone Visitor Center, regardless of location or vaccination status. Additionally, masks must be worn in outdoors spaces where physical distancing cannot be maintained, such as narrow or busy trails and overlooks.
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Comments
So now there's a national park that allows hunting w/in the national park (not preserve)? Note that this "Park and Preserve" is different than the AK parks where the Park and the Preserve are physically different areas and count as seperate NPS units. This law further muddles the definition of a national park and devalues and degrades all the real national parks.
It's hard enough explaining to people the difference between national parks and national forests. Hunting WAS one of the prime differences. This will make it harder to educate the public; creates a horrible precedent; and will ultimately make it more difficult to enforce poaching laws in national park areas.