Wildlife Management Areas

Wildlife Management Areas (WMAs) provide opportunities to practice more intensive wildlife management than is possible on privately owned lands. Proper techniques for the conservation and management of these habitats benefit both game and nongame wildlife species.

At the present time, West Virginia has 1.3 million acres, representing eight percent of the state's total land area, which are managed by the Wildlife Resources Section for public wildlife-associated recreation. The state owns approximately 13 percent of the public land, the Wildlife Resources Section leases 14 percent, and the federal government owns 73 percent, which is part of the National Forest System and managed by the Wildlife Resources Section under cooperative agreement. The 73 percent of this public land is concentrated in the three national forests located in eastern West Virginia -- Monongahela, George Washington and Jefferson.

The Wildlife Resources Section will allocate almost $5 million for the acquisition and management of Wildlife Management Areas during the next five years. Costs associated with WMA acquisitions are totally borne by hunters' and anglers' license dollars and federally reimbursed excise taxes on sporting arms and ammunition. West Virginia hunters and anglers have whole-heartedly endorsed the Wildlife Resources Section's acquisition efforts through the strong support for the state Conservation Stamp. This annual stamp, costing $3 for residents and $5 for nonresidents, is required of every licensed hunter and angler in the state.