Wildlife Management Areas
Wildlife Management Areas in West Virginia provide a one-of-a-kind opportunity to disconnect and reconnect with nature in its purest form. Discover wildlife native to the state and explore the scenic vistas that call these areas home.The statewide Wildlife Management Program is designed to conserve and manage high quality habitats for a variety of wildlife species and to improve public access to these resources. West Virginia provides numerous opportunities to learn and appreciate the abundance wildlife. If you’re looking to travel through the state you best check out a few of these amazing spots.
Meadow River
Meadow River located in Greenbrier County also provides a small area to find the best opportunity to hunt. Especially if you’re looking to hunt smaller game. Camping isn’t allowed so make sure you arrive early to hunt as long as you need.
Accommodations and Facilities
On the WMA: Camping is not permitted.
Location: Greenbrier County
Accessible from the Dawson or Sam Black Church exits of I-64. Larger tracts of land along Meadow River can be found by taking U.S. Route 60 from Sam Black Church to county Route 60/18 near Rupert.
Size: 2,385 acres
Terrain: ranges from flat bottomland to gentle slopes, primarily wetland habitat
Hunting Prospects: deer, grouse, raccoon, squirrel, turkey, waterfowl, woodcock
Pleasants Creek
Pleasants Creek provides the perfect opportunity to hunt and fish if you’re a beginner. With the small acreage and easy access it can be a sure spot to make memories with your family.
Accommodations and Facilities
On the WMA: Campsites − 40 tent/trailer with pit toilets and well water, 200-yard shooting range
Nearby:
Tygart Lake State Park
www.tygartlake.com
Location: Barbour and Taylor counties
Along U.S. Routes 119 and 250, six miles north of Philippi and nine miles south of Grafton.
Size: 3,030 acres
Terrain: varies from wetland to mixed hardwood forest, slopes are moderately steep rising to 1,600 feet in elevation
Hunting Prospects: deer, grouse, rabbit, squirrel, turkey, waterfowl
Fishing Opportunities
Tygart Lake: 1,750 acres
> Boat ramp, trout stocked in tail-waters, Lake conditions
Doe Run Impoundment: electric motors only
Pleasant Creek
Game Fish: rock, smallmouth and white bass, bluegill, channel and flathead catfish, crappie, muskellunge, sunfish, walleye
Morris Creek
Located in Clay and Kanawha counties, Morris Creek is one of the larger WMA’s in the area. At 9,874 acres it provides plenty of boating and hunting opportunities.
Accommodations and Facilities
On the WMA: Camping is not permitted.
Nearby:
Kanawha State Forest
www.kanawhastateforest.com | (304) 558-3500
Location: Clay and Kanawha counties
Near Clendenin, primary access is from county Route 67 along Morris Creek, or county Route 65 in Leatherwood Creek.
Size: 9,874 acres
Terrain: steep and forested
Hunting Prospects: bear, deer, squirrel, turkey
Fishing Opportunities
Elk River: boat ramps at Queen Shoals and Clendenin Water Plant
Game Fish: bass, catfish, muskellunge, walleye