The Rich History of Hunting in Pocahontas County, West Virginia
In the 21st century, the Allegheny Mountains of Nature’s Mountain Playground don’t come to mind as part of a gigantic continental hunting border. But in 1758, that was the decree of the Treaty of Easton. Signed by Great Britain and thirteen Native American nations, the treaty forbade His Majesty’s Subjects from hunting and settling on lands west of the Alleghenies. In exchange for this prohibition, this federation agreed to fight with the British against the French colonists, in what is otherwise known as, ‘The French and Indian War.’ Indeed, the borders of current day Pocahontas County would have for thousands of years been just a buffalo nickel sized section on the map of vast hunting lands that served many different indigenous peoples.
European Settlement and Early Hunting Practices
Since the beginning, hunting in Pocahontas County has not just been a pastime. Hunting is a tradition deeply rooted in the county’s culture, economy, and way of life. In fact, the first officially designated Pocahontas County Seat was a small settlement named ‘Huntersville’ in 1821. Located at a convergence of ancient hunting paths near Knapps Creek, Huntersville sprang up as a meeting place for mountaineers and trappers to buy, barter and sell their furs. It was also a place to swap meat, skins, and supplies, to hear frontier news, and find respite from their travails.
Entrepreneurial trappers like Jacob Marlin and Stephen Sewell were two of the initial beaver trade trail blazers. The two were discovered living in a sycamore tree by General Andrew Lewis in 1749 in what is now Marlinton. Early hunter/trappers sought the monetary value of pelts and skins, but later arriving pioneers relied heavily on hunting for food, shelter, and trade. The dense woodlands teemed with wildlife, including elk, white-tailed deer, black bears, wild turkeys and grouse—making it an ideal sustenance hunting ground for these new settlers. But this westward expansion was more than a significantly annoying encroachment on the interests of local tribes. Used to hunting without competition, for them the conflict became–as hunting almost always is–a matter of life and death. Westward expansion and hunting in the Alleghenies were the primary sources of conflict that led to Lord Dunmore’s War and its Battle of Point Pleasant in 1774.
The Birth of Wildlife Management: Early Laws and the Game Warden
By the time of the establishment of wildlife management laws in the new country called the United States, several large native species like elk, woodland bison, and gray wolves had been wiped out due to overhunting and habitat destruction. In response to the decline of wildlife populations, West Virginia took its first steps toward regulating hunting in the 1860s. When the state achieved Statehood in 1863, it adopted wildlife laws from Virginia, which had passed game and fish regulations in 1849. However, these early laws were largely ineffective without a structured enforcement mechanism. It wasn’t until 1869 that the state passed its first law protecting wildlife. The law merely prohibited the killing of game between February 14 and September 15 and protected certain bird species. The penalty for a violation was not less than $5, nor more than $10, plus costs. A violator could be imprisoned in default of fine for no more than 10 days. Essentially, this was the first hunting season in Pocahontas County.
In 1897, the state took another significant step forward by creating the office of Game and Fish Warden, a position that would oversee the enforcement of wildlife laws. However, it wasn’t until 1909 that the state hired full-time wardens, and in the same year, a law was passed prohibiting the shipment of game out of state. This, combined with the Federal Lacey Act of 1900, ended the practice of market hunting, where hunters killed large quantities of game to sell outside the state.
The Rise of Game Refuges and Conservation Areas
As wildlife management efforts gained momentum, the establishment of game refuges became a key strategy for preserving species in the region. Following the purchase of the first sections of the Monongahela National Forest in 1911 by the Federal Government, six refuges, also called “game breeding areas,” were established on these lands. Seneca State Forest, purchased in 1923, was the first of several game refuges in Pocahontas County. Spanning over 10,000 acres, this tract of land was focused on specifically creating critical habitats for wild turkeys, which were among the species most in need of protection at the time. The management efforts in game refuges included the development of wildlife food plots, forest openings, and springs. Practices like winter feeding and trail maintenance were also designed to enhance chances of survival.
By 1989, game refuges in Pocahontas County, such as Handley, were renamed ‘Wildlife Management Areas.’ This reflected their expanded role in supporting a variety of wildlife-related recreational activities. These areas not only protected wildlife populations but also allowed hunters, anglers, and outdoor enthusiasts to enjoy the region’s natural beauty at a public level.
The Advent of Hunting Licenses and Regulation
One of the critical turning points in the regulation of hunting came with the introduction of hunting licenses. The first hunting license requirement in West Virginia was introduced in 1899, applying only to non-residents. Costing a steep $25—it was a very hefty fee at the time. However, with limited and lengthy transportation options and just few roads, non-resident hunting proved unpopular.
In 1909, the state introduced the first resident statewide hunting license, which cost only 75 cents. This law was passed to raise funds for wildlife management. A total of 24,119 resident and 43 non-resident licenses were sold during the first year. Despite opposition, the hunting license system proved to be an effective tool for managing wildlife populations and funding conservation efforts.
In the decades that followed, hunting license fees fluctuated. The fee for non-residents rose to $16 by 1915, but free hunting licenses were offered to county residents. This move was aimed at ensuring that local hunters could still participate in hunting activities while generating revenue for the state’s wildlife programs.
Restocking and Game Propagation Efforts
As part of the state’s broader wildlife conservation efforts, restocking and game propagation were also introduced in the early 20th century. In 1913, West Virginia began importing game species for restocking purposes. The first major restocking effort brought 50 elk from Yellowstone National Park to Pocahontas County, where they were acclimated and released into the wild. In addition, 105 pairs of English ring-necked pheasants and 65 pairs of Hungarian partridges were introduced to the state.
Despite early enthusiasm for restocking efforts, by the 1930s, concerns arose regarding the effectiveness of artificial propagation. It became clear that managing native habitats and supporting natural wildlife breeding efforts were more effective in maintaining wildlife populations than relying on artificially bred animals.
A Legacy of Conservation
Today, the legacy of wildlife conservation in Pocahontas County is evident in its thriving wildlife populations and protected natural areas. The efforts to restore and protect species like wild turkeys, deer, and elk have paid off, and the area remains a prime destination for hunters, hikers, and nature enthusiasts. Pocahontas County’s history of hunting is a testament to the importance of balancing human activity with environmental stewardship.
As we look back at the history of hunting in Pocahontas County, we can appreciate the significant progress made in wildlife conservation and management. Lessons learned from past mistakes have shaped a more sustainable approach to hunting, ensuring that the natural beauty of Pocahontas County will be enjoyed by generations to come. Request a Sportsman’s Guide & Map and a complete list of public lands in Pocahontas County is available here.