Contact: John Culclasure, Central Appalachian States Manager
On October 26-27, the 13th Annual Governor’s One Shot Whitetail Hunt was held at the Stonewall Resort in Roanoke. Hosted by Governor Sportsmen’s Caucus member Governor Jim Justice, the event is an annual fundraiser that benefits the Hunters Helping the Hungry program in West Virginia. The West Virginia Division of Natural Resources (DNR) and the One Shot Committee sponsor the event.
Hunters came from across the state to participate in the antlerless deer hunt and banquet that raised funds to support the Hunters Helping the Hungry program, a game meat donation program that works with hunters and meat processors to provide venison to food shelters, pantries, churches and children’s homes. This year’s event was a group effort involving West Virginia hunters, the DNR, the West Virginia Department of Agriculture, Mountaineer Food Bank, Facing Hunger Foodbank, and other local charities. All of the harvested meat was distributed to charity.
Since the launch of Hunters Helping the Hungry in 1992, over one million pounds of venison has been donated by hunters, providing over 1.3 million meals.
This year’s hunt was highly successful and marked the first time that an all-women team took home the top prize.
Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation (CSF) Central Appalachian States Manager John Culclasure attended the reception and banquet on Saturday night. The West Virginia Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus and CSF supported the fundraiser by donating items for the live auction.
Studies conducted at both the state and federal level have found that the number of hunters and trappers have been on a generally declining trend over the past several decades. To increase recruitment, retention, and reactivation (R3) of hunters and trappers, which initiative do you think would have the greatest impact?
