I enjoyed the outdoor articles in the Chronicle
that were written by Maricia Mlynek and Robin Gordon. I liked that the
articles were about Calhoun County. All to often, I pick up a
publication only to be disappointed that it doesn’t relate to me. It is
refreshing to hear about the outdoors of Calhoun County and West
Virginia.
Knowing that the previous outdoor articles would be
over after deer gun season, I contacted the editor about the possibility
of continuing an outdoor column. I hope readers will be interested in
what I have to write.
I would like to focus on the outdoors of West
Virginia, with an emphasis on the woods and waters of Calhoun. I moved
away from Calhoun in 1999 and currently live in Nicholas County. I
travel back to the county to visit family and to experience the county’s
outdoor activities.
Therefore, I am better suited to write about the
outdoors of West Virginia, while trying to place emphasis upon Calhoun
County.
My personal outdoor experiences consist of
bowhunting from Calhoun to Colorado, fishing from Steer Creek to Canada,
being a fishing guide for smallmouth bass on the New River, and having
10 years of experience as a guide on West Virginia’s premier whitewater
rivers.
I hope to focus on current outdoor events and
approaching seasons. One current event to bring to attention is that for
the first time ever, Calhoun County has a firearm bear season. It began
Dec. 8 and continues through Dec. 31. You may not use dogs and you must
possess a bear damage stamp. The stamp is $10 and can be purchased
anywhere that licenses are available.
Last year, Calhoun had two archery black bears
harvested. Before I left the county, its bear population was in its
infancy. Today, it has enough of a population to allow both archery and
firearm hunting. I am sure that many residents have seen a bear, or know
someone who has seen one in Calhoun.
Don’t let the presence of a season fool you--I am
positive that harvesting a Calhoun County black bear would be one of the
most difficult tasks a hunter could tackle. My recommendation would be
to purchase your damage stamp and spend time in the woods doe and
muzzleloader hunting. One never knows what could amble by or be pushed
out during a deer drive.
If anyone is fortunate enough to harvest the first
legal black bear ever in Calhoun’s firearm season, contact me. I would
love to share the story with readers.
To offer ideas and suggestions, contact me at
Coryboothe@verizon.net.
(Editor’s
Note: Cory is the son of Ronzel and Karen Boothe of Russett. He is a
1996 graduate of Calhoun County High School and is a teacher at Meadow
Bridge Elementary, Fayette County. He resides near Summersville.)