HUNTING &
FISHING LICENSE SALES UP 40 PERCENT
Gov. Justice took time out of his briefing Monday to report that June 2020
hunting and fishing license sales were up by nearly 40 percent compared to the
same month last year.
In June 2020, the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources sold 43,091
licenses, compared to 31,148 licenses for the same month in 2019.
In an effort to encourage outdoor activity among West Virginia residents at a
safe distance during the COVID-19 pandemic, Gov. Justice greatly expanded
the state's annual Free Fishing Days promotion, holding dates for free fishing
in March, extending the promotion through nearly all of April
and May,
and holding an additional free fishing weekend in June.
As a result, this June, more than 10,000 total fishing licenses were sold,
shortly after the series of free fishing promotions came to an end.
“Over 50 percent of all fishing license sales this year have been from new,
first-time license holders,” Gov. Justice said. “Now, what does that tell you?
It tells you that when we did the program to let people go fishing for free, a
lot of people went and they had a great time and now they’re buying licenses.”
Last week, the Governor also announced
that West Virginia State Parks had seen a 227 percent increase in online
reservations from West Virginia residents in June 2020 compared to the previous
year as a result of the state’s ongoing WVSTRONG Discount.
“I’m just tickled to death that people are getting out and enjoying the great
outdoors of this state because it is absolutely magnificent,” Gov. Justice
said. “Go fishing, go hunting, go walking, go hiking, go biking. This state
abounds in beauty like you can’t fathom.”
Gov. Justice encourages all West Virginians to practice proper social
distancing and maintain at least six feet of space between themselves and
others as they continue to explore Almost Heaven through the rest of the
summer.
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