28-04-2025
Nonprofit offering rewards for information on West Virginia turkey poachers
SOUTH CHARLESTON, (WBOY) — The West Virginia chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation (NWTF) is offering rewards for information on poachers in the state.
The West Virginia Division of Natural Resources (WVDNR) said over the weekend that the nonprofit will give rewards to people who provide information that leads to the arrest and conviction of turkey poachers in West Virginia.
West Virginia is in spring turkey season until May 25, but any killing or capture of wild animals not within the scope of legal hunting is considered poaching. For turkeys in West Virginia, the fine for poaching is $250 per bird, according to West Virginia Code.
To legally hunt turkeys, West Virginia hunters must have a valid hunting license, hunt on approved land, adhere to the bag limits and properly field tag their harvest.
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It is illegal to use bait, use electronic calls or hunt with dogs when hunting turkey.
Anyone who illegally kills or sells a wild turkey, or any other wildlife, will have six point added to their hunting license. If a hunter gathers 10 points, their license will be revoked.
Although the NWTF does not provide any additional details about rewards related to information about poachers, according to the 2024-2025 Hunting Regulations for West Virginia, the reward for information leading to a conviction is $200.
'If you see something suspicious, contact your WVDNR district office or send us a message through our Facebook page. For crimes in progress, call 911,' the WVDNR said.
Tips can also be made to the WVDNR online here.
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