losses. The allocation of funds from this program
to a county should be determined by the number
of N stamps sold there in the prior season. Farm
Bureau recommends an additional $5 fee on hunting
licenses to reimburse farmers for crop damage.
The rate of compensation for the Bear Damage
Compensation Program should based on current
market prices.
The crossbow should be a tool of choice to
harvest wildlife.
DEER HERD REDUCTION
Farm Bureau supports maintaining a deer herd at
a level supported within their natural habitat so long
as it does not adversely affect agriculture practices
and production.
DEER DAMAGE STUDIES
Farm Bureau recommends that the economic
losses caused by deer be ascertained. Specifically:
A study by the Division of Forestry, Department
of Agriculture and West Virginia University
detailing losses to farm products, timber,
grasslands, nursery products, agro forestry, gardens,
landscaping, orchards, fences and any other property
damage caused by deer. These studies should be
collected every 5 years and used to guide the deer
management plan.
A study by the Insurance Commissioner detailing
vehicle damages, injuries and loss of life due to
collisions with deer.
WVFB recommends the elimination of any costsharing program specifically designed to enhance
the deer population.
ELK MANAGEMENT
West Virginia Farm Bureau believes that elk
should not be a protected species in West Virginia.
WILD BIRDS
The term, “wild bird,” shall include only those
birds that are hatched in the wild and at no time of
their lives are pen-raised.
BEAR SEASON
WVFB believes the bear population should
be maintained at or below the “cultural carrying
capacity” of the range.
TRESPASS & HUNTING LAW
ENFORCEMENT
Farm Bureau recommends that trespass and
hunting laws be strictly enforced and that minimum
trespass penalties be increased to $500.
PALESTINE BASS HATCHERY
We recommend that the West Virginia Division
of Natural Resources (DNR) continue to use and
upgrade the Palestine Hatchery located in Wirt
County.
SUNDAY HUNTING
West Virginia Farm Bureau is opposed to hunting
on Sunday.
NONRESIDENT HUNTING & FISHING
LICENSES
West Virginia Farm Bureau supports the concept
that landowners, the children of landowners, and
the parents of landowners shall not be required to
purchase hunting or fishing licenses to hunt or fish
on their own property.
CLEAN WATER ACT AND
AGRICULTURAL WATER QUALITY
PROGRAMS
West Virginia Farm Bureau supports the concept
of cleaning up West Virginia water. The current
focus of the Clean Water Act should remain that
of achieving fishable and swimmable standards.
Standards should not result in unfunded mandates
for landowners or city and county governments
and should be subject to sound cost/benefit and risk
assessment analysis.
The Clean Water Act should not alter state water
rights and should encourage state control over these
programs. Efforts to address nonpoint runoff should
target impaired watersheds using a worst-case first
approach. Efforts to control phosphorous content of
runoff water should be applied to ALL contributors.
West Virginia Farm Bureau will not condone the
intentional pollution of any water sources.
Any permitting system (such as CAFOs) should
be based on scientific evidence that a problem exists
before permitting is required.
Farm Bureau wants to ensure that the
Interpretative Rule regarding the nomination process
for Ti