Assessment of Hunting Impacts at New River Gorge National River, West Virginia
Hooper MK, Parkhurst JA, McMullin SL. 2006. Assessment of Hunting Impacts at New River Gorge National River, West Virginia. National Park Service. New River Gorge National River, West Virginia
We conclude that hunting conducted in accordance with existing laws and regulations should have no adverse impact on the fauna and flora within the boundaries of NERI. This conclusion is based upon evidence from studies conducted throughout the eastern United States, and through consultation with noted experts on wildlife ecology. The assessment of hunting impacts included: 1) listing the hunted species that occur within the boundaries of NERI, 2) providing summaries of life history, habitats, abundance, and distribution of hunted species known to occur within the boundaries of NERI, 3) describing hunting regulations implemented by the State of West Virginia that apply to NERI as well as any applicable park hunting restrictions instituted by NPS, including legal methods of hunting and specific seasons and limits, 4) describing annual hunting patterns and the degree of hunting intensity within NERI by species, time, and place, 5) providing the best available information on the number of animals taken per species per year within the park since 1978, when the park first was established, 6) conducting a review of the extant literature regarding hunting impacts in the eastern United States, and 7) preparing a synthesis of findings from the assessment and description of known or anticipated ecological and recreational impacts of hunting within the NERI.
- Type
- Published Report
- Authors
- Hooper, Melissa; Parkhurst, James; McMullin, Steve
- Date of Issue
- 2006-08
- Publisher
- National Park Service
- Units
- NERI
- Keywords
- Hunting, Impacts, Management