Here from Bill Cochran, retired outdoor editor of the Roanoke Times: (February 2000)
WEST VIRGINIA DEER KILL HIGH
West Virginia has reported a deer kill of 230,008, only about 5,000 less than the record set in 1997. It will be several weeks before Virginia reports its kill, but it is expected to be down, perhaps significantly. Look for it to come in well below 200,000.
West Virginia hunters were afield under more liberal antlerless deer regulations, an effort by wildlife officials to reduce the herd and bring it within management objectives. Virginia knocked its herd back with more liberal regulations several years ago.
Virginia's deer kill also could have been impacted by hemorrhagic disease, a virus that resulted in the death of deer in several counties late summer and early fall.
Hunting pressure also appeared to be down in Virginia. During my travels, I noticed considerably more enthusiasm for the hunt in West Virginia than in Virginia. Questions to be asked: Are Virginia's hunters become older and less active; are deer so common that they no longer spark the enthusiasm they once did; have concentrations of deer spread across the state to the point that it no longer is necessary for hunters to travel or gather in concentrations, are declining license sales beginning to have a major impact?