| Charleston Gazette outdoors writer John McCoy called the WV-DNR to inquire about their optimistic forecast regarding the 2010 deer kill.
McCoy said DNR summed it up in three words. "We were wrong."
The WV-DNR predicted the 2010 kill would be about the same as last year.
Asst. Wildlife Chief Paul Johansen said, "We failed to recognize the winter mortality (2009-10)" where thousands of deer died from starvation because of the poorest mast crop in over 35 years.
The 2010 kill was the lowest since 1980.
Calhoun's buck kill during the two week 2010 season was nearly 50% down from 2009. The state kill was down 31%.
Johansen said despite the dip, the sky is not falling, saying the herd will rebound.
"We control the deer population by setting regulation so that hunters will kill few or more antler-less deer in each county," Johansen said.
Calhoun hunters predicted a down year after observing lots of deer carcasses in the woods, also expressing concerns about coyotes killing young deer.
Lots of hunters seem to think the increase in coyote population is beginning to effect the herd.
Calhoun Buck Kill Statistics:
1039(2006) 1163(2007) 1252(2008) 1124(2009) 565(2010)
West Virginia still leads the nation in deer and vehicle collisions.
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