Deer management hunt to take place at National Conservation Training Center

SHEPHERDSTOWN, W.Va. — The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is accepting applications to hunt deer on the 532-acre National Conservation Training Center property in Shepherdstown.

To manage the deer population on the property, the use of archery equipment, shotguns with single slugs and muzzleloader rifles will 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 certain location from which to hunt.

Hunters may apply for multiple dates.

The hunt dates are Saturdays, Oct. 12, Nov. 9, 16, 23, 30, and Dec. 7, 14, 21.

During that time, hunters may use shotgun, muzzleloader or bow (during the appropriate W.Va. DNR hunt season), and either buck or doe may be taken (also during the appropriate state season) — subject to NCTC’s antlerless-first policy.

This managed hunt is open to out-of-state applicants as well as West Virginia residents.

Before the first hunt day, the hunter must have a valid West Virginia hunting license and have received a hunter safety education certification.

Hunters with disabilities are welcome to participate, and accommodations will be made as needed.

Non-toxic, lead-free ammunition must be used. Crossbows as well as regular bows are allowed for all archery hunting.

Hunters interested in participating should go to https://www.fws.gov/nctc/visit-us/activities/hunting .

Inquiries may be sent by email to nctc_deerhunt@fws.gov/.

Applications for the hunt must be received by Saturday, Aug. 31.

More: Number of deer killed this season dropped by 3 percent in Washington County

This article originally appeared on The Herald-Mail: Deer management hunt to take place at National Conservation Training Center