Area businesses benefit from start of deer hunting season

By BRETT DUNLAP

PARKERSBURG - Local businesses benefited economically from Monday's opening of deer hunting season.

Hunters came into town Sunday and spent the night so they could be up and out as early as possible for the start of the season.

Steve Nicely, president of the Greater Parkersburg Visitors and Convention Bureau, said local hotels see an increase in out-of-town guests at the beginning of hunting season.

''Places like North Bend (State Park) see a significant increase,'' Nicely said Tuesday. ''These people come to the area, they spend the night, eat meals, buy gas and purchase their supplies locally. There is definitely some impact to the local economy.''

The West Virginia Department of Natural Resources expects 350,000 hunters statewide, resulting in an annual economic impact of $233 million across the state.

''It's the biggest single-day event of any kind in West Virginia,'' said Curtis Taylor, chief of the DNR's Wildlife Resources Section. ''Nothing else even comes close. A West Virginia University football game might involve 70,000 people. The opening day of buck season stands alone, both in terms of participation and economic impact.''

Microtel in Mineral Wells had all 52 rooms booked Sunday night, said assistant manager Abha Patel. ''We are doing real good,'' she said. ''We believe we will do good into (Tuesday).''

The Amerihost Inn in Mineral Wells had repeat customers who took up 10 rooms of the hotel's 61 rooms, said General Manager Jill Huling. They had guests from Pennsylvania, North Carolina, Tennessee and Ohio.

''Many of them checked out (Tuesday) morning because they got a deer yesterday,'' she said. ''The opening of hunting season has always been good for our business.''

The Hampton Inn in Mineral Wells did not report increases in business for this time of year and was maintaining its normal numbers.

Cracker Barrel at Mineral Wells reported a slow Monday with hunters more interested in getting into the field than to the breakfast table. Gasoline stations and convenience stores in the area reported a brisk business Sunday and Monday morning.

Hunters were buying supplies and gassing up four-wheelers. Hunters bought potato chips, drinks, jerky, items to make sandwiches and other items to spend the day outdoors.

Once the hunting is done, hunters will take their game to a local meat processor to cut it and get the choice cuts of meat.

Pioneer Meat Processing in Waverly received 70-80 deer Monday, said employee Andy Judge.

''We are going to start cutting them (Tuesday),'' he said. ''Hunting season is always a busy time for us.''

Most of the deer brought in is from local hunters, but Judge said they had a few out-of-state customers coming in hoping to have their meat processed before they start for home Tuesday.

Hunters ask for the tenderloin, either sliced or butterflied; steaks, both sliced and cubed; and shoulder and ham roasts, Judge said. They also make trail bologna, snack sticks and summer sausage from the deer meat.

The hunting season combined with the holidays has a significaant economic impact, said George Kellenberger, president of the Chamber of Commerce of the Mid-Ohio Valley.

Many people will be going out the day after Thanksgiving to begin their Christmas shopping. It is traditionally a time when families are together during the long Thanksgiving weekend.

Hunters are already here for the holiday, visiting with friends and family.

''There are many hunters who brought their families with them,'' Kellenberger said. ''Many of those families will be going to the mall, the Patriot Center or other shopping centers for something to do while the hunters are out in the woods.''

The DNR office in Parkersburg reported 5,392 deer were bagged Monday during the first day of hunting season across Calhoun, Doddridge, Gilmer, Jackson, Pleasants, Ritchie, Roane, Tyler, Wirt and Wood counties.

That number is down 14 percent from the first day of hunting season last year, local DNR officials said.
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Just wanted to pass along this interesting angle on hunting....

Adam Thompson
The Hunting News Guy :-)