reglab/statecodes huggingface dataset:
2023 West Virginia Code › Chapter 20. Natural Resources › Article 2. Wildlife Resources › §20-2-49. Licenses for Dealers in Furs, Pelts, etc.

The director may issue licenses for buying or dealing in raw furs, pelts or skins, and carcasses for the making of lures and baits, carcass parts, including glands, skulls, claws, and bones, and fur-bearer urine of fur-bearing animals as follows:
(1) A resident county license, which shall apply only to the county or counties designated on the license and shall be issued only to persons who have been bona fide residents of this state for a period of at least six months prior to the date of application, and of a county in which the privilege is to be exercised. A license shall apply to the county for which issued and to such adjacent counties as are designated in the license. A fee of $1 for each county shall accompany the application;
(2) A resident statewide license, which shall apply to all counties in the state and shall be issued only to persons who have been bona fide residents of this state for a period of at least six months prior to the date of application. A fee of $10 shall accompany the application;
(3) A nonresident statewide license, which shall apply to all counties in the state and shall be issued only to nonresidents. A fee of $50 shall accompany the application; and
(4) An agents permit which shall apply to a person employed by a licensee under subsections (1), (2) or (3) above, to buy or deal as an agent of the licensee other than at the place of business of the licensee. A fee of $2.50 for each such agent shall accompany the application.
2023 West Virginia Code › Chapter 20. Natural Resources › Article 2. Wildlife Resources › §20-2-50. Permit to Hunt, Kill, etc., Wildlife for Scientific or Propagation Purposes

The director may issue a permit to a person to hunt, kill, take, capture or maintain in captivity wildlife exclusively for scientific purposes, but not for any commercial purposes. Any person desiring to collect or procure any wildlife, including any body tissue, organ or other portion thereof, eggs, nesting materials or other materials from the habitat of such wildlife shall be required to make application to the director for a scientific collecting permit. The director shall promulgate rules in accordance with the provisions of chapter twenty-nine-a of this code regarding the issuance of the permits. A permit may be issued only upon written application to the director setting forth at least:
(1) The number and kind of wildlife to be taken;
(2) The purpose and manner of taking;
(3) The name, residence, profession and educational or scientific affiliation of the person applying for the permit; and
(4) The geographic location where the collection or procurement is planned to take place.
A fee, to be set at the discretion of the director, shall accompany the application. No permit may be issued for the purpose of killing deer and bear.
2023 West Virginia Code › Chapter 20. Natural Resources › Article 2. Wildlife Resources › §20-2-50a. Wildlife Damage Control Agents; Licensing

The director may issue a license to a person to act as a wildlife damage control agent. Unless otherwise prohibited by law, any person licensed as a wildlife damage control agent, acting pursuant to the license and subject to the rules promulgated by the director, is authorized to take and dispose of wildlife found by the wildlife damage control agent to be creating a nuisance in or around homes, businesses and other places where the presence of wildlife may be a nuisance. The director is authorized to impose and collect fees when issuing this license and the fees shall be deposited in the nongame wildlife fund. The director shall promulgate rules, pursuant to article three, chapter twenty-nine-a of this code, governing the issuance and use of the license and setting fees.
2023 West Virginia Code › Chapter 20. Natural Resources › Article 2. Wildlife Resources › §20-2-52. Permits for Roadside Menageries

The director may issue a permit for the keeping and maintaining in captivity of wild animals, wild birds, amphibians or reptiles as a roadside menagerie. A permit shall not be issued unless:
(1) The animals, birds, amphibians or reptiles have been purchased from a licensed commercial dealer, either within or without the state, or have been taken legally; or
(2) The director is satisfied that provisions for housing and care of wildlife to be kept in captivity and for the protection of the public are proper and adequate.
A fee of $25 shall accompany each application for such permit.
2023 West Virginia Code › Chapter 20. Natural Resources › Article 2. Wildlife Resources › §20-2-53. License for Privately Owned Commercial Fishing Preserve

The director may issue a license for the operation of a private pond or privately owned pond or impoundment to be used as a commercial fishing preserve, provided such impoundments meet the requirements of section twenty-seven of this article: Provided, however, That only one license shall be required where more than one private pond or privately owned pond or impoundment is operated under one ownership and management and on one separate commercial fishing preserve. The licensee shall have the authority to establish the fishing seasons, size and creel limits for such licensed pond or impoundment. A person fishing in such lake shall not be required to possess the same statewide fishing license as would be required of him if he were fishing in any of the public waters of this state.
The annual fee for the commercial fishing preserve license shall be $25.
2023 West Virginia Code › Chapter 20. Natural Resources › Article 2. Wildlife Resources › §20-2-55. License to Catch and Sell Minnows or Other Bait Fish

The director shall have the power and authority to issue a license to any person to catch and sell minnows or other bait fish upon written application therefor, signed by the applicant. The fee for such license shall be $10. All licenses issued under this section shall expire on January 1, following the date of issue. Any such license may be renewed from year to year upon paying to the director the sum of $1 for each such renewal.
2023 West Virginia Code › Chapter 20. Natural Resources › Article 2. Wildlife Resources › §20-2-56. Permit to Hold a Field Trial, Shoot-to-Retrieve Field Trial, Water Race or Wild Hunt; License Exemption

The director may issue a permit to any person, group of persons, club or organization to hold or conduct a field trial, shoot-to-retrieve field trial, water race or wild hunt, hereinafter referred to as a trial, upon receipt of a written application setting forth: (1) The name of the person, group of persons, club or organization; (2) the type or kind of trial; (3) the place and county in which the trial is to be held; and (4) the period or date on which the trial is to be held. The fee for the permit shall be $5.
No person participating in a field trial, shoot-to-retrieve field trial, water race or wild hunt being held under a permit authorized by this section shall be required to possess a state hunting license.
2023 West Virginia Code › Chapter 20. Natural Resources › Article 2. Wildlife Resources › §20-2-56a. Bird Dog Training Permit

The director may issue a permit to train bird dogs on wild birds or game birds, provided:
(1) The fee for the permit is $10.
(2) The training shall be on private land containing a minimum of five acres in a single tract. The permittee must own the land, lease the land or have written permission of landowner for the training.
(3) The birds permitted to be used for the training of dogs are quail and pigeons. The quail must be purchased from a licensed commercial game farm. Pigeons may be purchased from a licensed commercial game farm or trapped within the state at any time as long as the person conducting the trapping is legally licensed to do so and also holds the appropriate permit. Each trap must be identified by a waterproof tag attached to the trap that bears the name, address and telephone number of the trapper.
(4) The permittee must retain the receipt for two years of all birds purchased from a commercial game farm licensee.
(5) The location where the birds are held and all records pertaining to the purchase and dates of training may be inspected by a natural resources police officer.
(6) No more than thirty birds may be held by the permittee at any given time. All birds must have a uniquely numbered leg band attached. The leg band must remain with the birds until consumption or until the birds are legally disposed.
(7) Birds held under this permit shall be housed and cared for in accordance with the requirements of applicable rules.
(8) The use of the birds held under this permit shall include the release, recapture and/or the shooting of the birds in conjunction with the training of bird dogs.
(9) The person holding birds in captivity under the authority of this permit and the person training his or her bird dog must possess a bird dog training permit.
(10) All other laws and rules governing hunting, trapping, shooting and training apply.
(11) The director may propose rules for legislative approval in accordance with article three, chapter twenty-nine-a of this code, to further restrict bird dog training.
(12) Any person violating any provision of this law is subject to the penalties prescribed in section nine, article seven, chapter twenty of this code.
2023 West Virginia Code › Chapter 20. Natural Resources › Article 2. Wildlife Resources › §20-2-57. Negligent Shooting, Wounding or Killing of Livestock While Hunting; Criminal Violations; Penalty

(a) It is unlawful for any person, while engaged in hunting, pursuing, taking or killing wild animals or wild birds, to carelessly or negligently shoot, wound or kill livestock, or to destroy or injure any other chattels or property.
Any person violating this subsection is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction thereof, shall be fined not more than $1,000, or confined in jail not more than ninety days, or both fined and confined. Restitution of the value of the livestock, chattel or property injured, damaged or destroyed shall be required upon conviction.
2023 West Virginia Code › Chapter 20. Natural Resources › Article 2. Wildlife Resources › §20-2-57a. Negligent Shooting, Wounding or Killing of Another Person While Hunting; Duty to Render Aid; Criminal Violations; Suspension of Hunting and Fishing License; Criminal Penalties; Administrative Penalties

(a) It is unlawful for any person, while engaged in the act of hunting, pursuing, taking or killing wild animals or wild birds, to carelessly or negligently shoot, wound or kill another person.
(b) Anyone who negligently shoots, wounds or injures another person while hunting, not resulting in serious bodily injury or death, is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction thereof, shall be fined not more than $1,000 or confined in jail not more than six months, or both fined and confined.
(c) Anyone who negligently shoots and injures another person while hunting, resulting in serious bodily injury or death, is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction thereof, shall be fined not more than $2,500 or confined in jail for not more than one year, or both fined and confined.
(d) For purposes of this section, serious bodily injury means bodily injury which creates a substantial risk of death, which causes serious or prolonged disfigurement, prolonged impairment of health or prolonged loss or impairment of the function of any bodily organ.
(e) (1) Any person who, while hunting, discharges a firearm or arrow and knows or has reason to know that the discharge has caused bodily harm to another person shall:
(A) Immediately investigate the extent of the person's injuries; and
(B) Render immediate reasonable assistance to the injured person.
(2) As used in this subsection, "reasonable assistance" means aid appropriate to the circumstances, including by not limited to obtaining or attempting to obtain assistance from a natural resources police officer, law-enforcement officer, 911 dispatchers, emergency medical providers and medical personnel.
(f) Any person who fails to render aid and assistance to an injured person as required by subsection (e), to an injured party who has not sustained a serious bodily injury is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction thereof, shall be fined not more than $2,500 and confined in jail for not more than one year, or both fined and confined.
(g) Any person who fails to render aid as required by subsection (e) to an injured party who has sustained a serious bodily injury or dies as a result of their injuries is guilty of a felony and, upon conviction thereof, shall be fined not more than $5,000 or imprisoned in a correctional facility for not less than one year nor more than five years, or both fined and imprisoned.
(h) Any person found guilty of committing a misdemeanor under this section shall have their hunting and fishing licenses suspended for a period of five years from the date of conviction or the date of release from confinement, whichever is later.
(i) Any person found guilty of committing a felony offense under this section shall have their hunting and fishing licenses suspended for a period of ten years from the date of conviction or the date of release from incarceration, whichever is later.
2023 West Virginia Code › Chapter 20. Natural Resources › Article 2. Wildlife Resources › §20-2-58. Shooting Across Road or Near Building or Crowd; Penalty

(a) In addition to any other prohibitions which may exist by law, it shall be unlawful for any person to shoot or discharge any firearms:
(1) Across or in any public road in this state, at any time;
(2) Within five hundred feet of any school or church; or
(3) Within five hundred feet of any dwelling house: Provided, That a person who is a resident of a dwelling house, and his or her authorized guest, may shoot or discharge a firearm in a lawful manner within five hundred feet of the dwelling house where the person lives, if the firearm is being discharged with the express or implied knowledge and consent of all residents of that dwelling house, and no other dwelling houses are located within five hundred feet of where the firearm is discharged; or
(4) In any state, county or municipal park in areas of which the discharge of firearms is prohibited.
(b) Any person violating this section is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction thereof, shall be fined not less than $50 nor more than $500 or confined in jail for not more than one hundred days, or both fined and confined.
(c) Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection (a) of this section, any person operating a gun repair shop, licensed to do business in the State of West Virginia and duly licensed under applicable federal statutes, may be exempted from the prohibition established by this section and section twelve, article seven, chapter sixty-one of this code for the purpose of test firing a firearm. The director of the Division of Natural Resources shall prescribe such rules as may be necessary to carry out the purposes of the exemption under this section and section twelve, article seven, chapter sixty-one and shall ensure that any person residing in any dwelling home within five hundred feet of such gun repair shop be given an opportunity to protest the granting of such exemption.
(d) The provisions of this section are not applicable to indoor shooting ranges the owner or operator of which holds all necessary and required licenses and the shooting range is in compliance with all applicable state, county, municipal laws, rules or ordinances regulating the design and operation of such facilities.
2023 West Virginia Code › Chapter 20. Natural Resources › Article 2. Wildlife Resources › §20-2-59. License to Take Fish and Mussels for Commercial Purposes in Certain Waters

The director may issue a license to any resident of West Virginia or Ohio to take fish or mussels for commercial purposes from any portion or all of the main stem of the Ohio River bordering West Virginia. Said license shall be required of every person engaged at any time in taking fish or mussels for commercial purposes.
All nets, traps or other devices used to take fish or mussels according to the provisions of this section shall be plainly marked with a durable plate or tag bearing the name and address of the owner of said nets, traps or other devices and an accurate report of any fish or mussels caught therein shall be submitted to the director by the license holder. Species of fish which may be taken, seasons for taking, type of gear, catch limitations, and the frequency and content of said report and other necessary requirements shall be determined by the director in his rules and regulations.
The fee for such license shall be $25 for West Virginia residents and $100 for Ohio residents and the license shall expire on January 1, following the date of issue.
2023 West Virginia Code › Chapter 20. Natural Resources › Article 2. Wildlife Resources › §20-2-60. Required Attire for Deer Hunters; Exemption; Penalty

Any person who hunts deer on public lands or the lands of another during the period designated for firearms hunting of deer or muzzleloader hunting of deer shall wear a daylight fluorescent orange outer garment over at least 400 square inches of his or her person:
Provided
, That persons engaged in agricultural occupations shall be exempt from the provisions of this section while hunting deer on their own property. Any person violating any provision of this section is guilty of a misdemeanor, and, upon conviction thereof, shall be fined not less than $5 nor more than $50.
2023 West Virginia Code › Chapter 20. Natural Resources › Article 2. Wildlife Resources › §20-2-62. Persons Exempt From Obtaining Hunting and Fishing Licenses; Qualification

Any person who has been a prisoner of war, was honorably discharged from the military forces and is a resident of this state may take, or catch by angling, fish of the kind lawfully permitted to be taken or caught and may hunt or trap wild birds or wild quadrupeds lawfully permitted to be hunted or trapped without procuring a fishing license, hunting license or trapping permit. The person, while taking or catching fish or hunting or trapping wild birds or wild quadrupeds for which he would otherwise be required to have a fishing license, hunting license or trapping permit, shall carry written evidence in the form of a record of separation, a letter from one of the military forces of the United States, or such other evidence as the director of the department of natural resources requires by rule that satisfies the eligibility criteria established by this section.
For purposes of this section, the term "prisoner of war" means any member of the Armed Forces of the United States, including the United States coast guard and National Guard, who was held by any hostile force with which the United States was actually engaged in armed conflict during any period of the incarceration; or any person, military or civilian, assigned to duty on the U.S.S. Pueblo who was captured by the military forces of North Korea on the January 23, 1968, and thereafter held prisoner. Notwithstanding any provision in this section, a prisoner of war shall not include any person who, at any time, voluntarily, knowingly and without duress, gave aid to or collaborated with or in any manner served any such hostile force.
2023 West Virginia Code › Chapter 20. Natural Resources › Article 2. Wildlife Resources › §20-2-64. Regulating Release of Fish, Water Animal and Other Aquatic Organisms; Stocking Permit

(a) It is unlawful for any person: (i) To release any fish, water animal or other aquatic organism, alive or dead, or any part, nest or egg thereof into the waters of this state except as authorized by a stocking permit issued by the director; or (ii) to take, give or receive, or agree to take, give or receive, any fish, water animal or other aquatic organism taken from the waters of this state for purposes of stocking any commercial fishing preserve, or other privately owned ponds, for commercial purposes: Provided, That this subsection does not restrict:
(1) The release of fish, water animal or other aquatic organism into the waters of this state from which they were taken by lawful methods; or
(2) The release of native or established species of fish in privately owned ponds for noncommercial purposes.
(b) A stocking permit is not required for the stocking of trout in waters of the state provided that the trout originate from a source within the state or meet the disease-free certification requirements for imported salmondiae set forth in section thirteen of this article.
(c) A stocking permit is not required for the stocking of black bass provided that the Division of Natural Resources is notified prior to stocking and is provided a disease-free certification.
(d) It is unlawful for any person to possess, sell, offer for sale, import, bring or cause to be brought or imported into this state or release into the waters of this state, in a live state, any bighead carp (Hypophthalmichthys nobilis), silver carp (Hypophthalmichthys molitrix), black carp (Mylopharyngodon piceus), largescale silver carp (Hypophthalmichthys harmandi), diploid white amur (Ctenopharyngodon idella) or snakehead (Channa spp.), gametes or eggs of the same, or any hybrids of these species. The director may not issue a stocking permit to any person for the species and their hybrids listed in this subsection, but may issue written authorization for the importation or possession of these species or their hybrids into this state if the importation or possession does not violate any federal law and if the use is limited to scientific research.
2023 West Virginia Code › Chapter 20. Natural Resources › Article 2A. Voluntary Wildlife Check-Off Program › §20-2A-1. Legislative Intent

It is in the public interest to preserve, protect and perpetuate all species of wildlife for the use and benefit of the citizens of West Virginia. The intent of this legislation is to provide additional funding for wildlife programs, to be primarily used to enhance nongame wildlife programs and for the management, preservation, protection and perpetuation of nongame species.
The financing of these programs will be derived from a voluntary check-off and contribution designation on state personal income tax return forms of a portion or all of a taxpayer's refund. The funding provided shall be supplemental to existing revenues.
2023 West Virginia Code › Chapter 20. Natural Resources › Article 2A. Voluntary Wildlife Check-Off Program › §20-2A-2. Voluntary Check-Off Designation

(a) Each West Virginia individual income tax return form shall contain a designation as follows:
West Virginia Voluntary Wildlife Check-Off Program.
Check ( ) if you wish to designate $1, $5, $10, or more of your tax refund for this program. If joint return, check ( ) if spouse wishes to designate $1, $5, $10, or more.
(b) Each individual taxpayer desiring to contribute to the voluntary wildlife program may designate by placing an "X" in the appropriate box on the state income tax return form. His contribution shall be credited to said program.
2023 West Virginia Code › Chapter 20. Natural Resources › Article 2A. Voluntary Wildlife Check-Off Program › §20-2A-4. Use of Funds

The funds shall be used for the purpose of enhancement and perpetuation of nongame wildlife programs in this state upon order of the director. The director shall on January 15, each year furnish the Legislature with a report stating the amount of money that has been provided and how such moneys have been expended.
2023 West Virginia Code › Chapter 20. Natural Resources › Article 2B. Wildlife Endowment Fund › §20-2B-1. Purpose

Recognizing the inestimable importance to the state and its people of conserving the wildlife resources of West Virginia, and for the purpose of providing the opportunity for citizens and residents of the state to invest in the future of its wildlife resources, there is created the West Virginia wildlife endowment fund, the interest and principal of which shall be used only for the purpose of supporting wildlife conservation programs of the state in accordance with this section.
2023 West Virginia Code › Chapter 20. Natural Resources › Article 2B. Wildlife Endowment Fund › §20-2B-2. Board Created; Composition

The board of trustees of the wildlife endowment fund of the Division of Natural Resources has full authority over the administration of the wildlife endowment fund. The chairman of the board is the director of the Division of Natural Resources and the members are the executive secretary of the division, the division fiscal officer, the chief of the wildlife resources section, the chief of the law-enforcement section and six citizen members, to be appointed by the Governor. To the extent possible, the Governor shall appoint the citizen members to ensure an equal geographic representation throughout the state and their terms shall be staggered from July 1, 1999. Existing citizen members shall retain their appointed positions for a period of two years from that date. Initial citizen appointments to the board shall be as follows: Two citizen members shall be appointed for a term of three years; two citizen members shall be appointed for a term of four years; and subsequent citizen member appointments to the board shall be for a term of four years. No more than three citizen members may be members of one political party. The actual expenses of the citizen members incurred in the performance of their duties under this section are payable from funds of the division. The State Treasurer is the custodian of the wildlife endowment fund and shall invest its assets in accordance with the provisions of article six, chapter twelve of this code.
2023 West Virginia Code › Chapter 20. Natural Resources › Article 2B. Wildlife Endowment Fund › §20-2B-3. Source of Fund Assets

The assets of the wildlife endowment fund shall be derived from the following:
(a) The proceeds from the sale of lifetime hunting and fishing licenses under the provisions of section seven of this article; and
(b) The proceeds of any gifts, grants, contributions or other moneys accruing to the state which are specifically designated for inclusion in the fund.
2023 West Virginia Code › Chapter 20. Natural Resources › Article 2B. Wildlife Endowment Fund › §20-2B-4. Status of Fund; Expenditures From the Fund

The wildlife endowment fund is declared to constitute a special fund within the department, to be expendable only after legislative approval, with the following limitations and restrictions on expenditures from the funds:
(a) The income received and accruing from the investments of the wildlife endowment fund shall be spent only in furthering the conservation and management of wildlife resources in the state;
(b) The income received and accruing from the investments of the wildlife endowment fund shall be distributed among divisions within the department as prescribed by section six of this article;
(c) No expenditure or disbursement shall be made from the principal of the wildlife endowment fund except at such time as the income received and accruing from the investments of the wildlife endowment fund is expended or disbursed for purposes other than the conservation and management of wildlife resources;
(d) Any disbursement of the principal of the wildlife endowment fund shall be made in the same manner as that prescribed for investment income in section six of this article; and
(e) Any expenditure or disbursement from the wildlife endowment fund must result in benefits to the department of natural resources and must be spent only for the conservation and management of wildlife resources.
2023 West Virginia Code › Chapter 20. Natural Resources › Article 2B. Wildlife Endowment Fund › §20-2B-5. Accumulation of Investment Income; How Expenditures Made; Fund Exclusive of Other Receipts And

appropriations; dissolution of department.
(a) The board of trustees of the wildlife endowment fund may accumulate investment income of the fund within the fund until the income, in the sole judgment of the trustees, can provide a significant supplement to the budget of the department of natural resources. After that time the trustees, in their sole discretion and authority, may direct expenditures from the income of the fund to further the conservation of wildlife resources.
(b) Expenditure of the income derived from the wildlife endowment fund shall be made through the state budget accounts of the department of natural resources. The wildlife endowment fund is subject to the oversight of the State Auditor.
(c) The wildlife endowment fund and the income derived therefrom shall not take the place of any other receipts or appropriations accruing to the department of natural resources, or any part thereof, but any portion of the income of the wildlife endowment fund shall be used to supplement other income of and appropriations to the department of natural resources to the end that the department may improve and increase its services to the people of the state and the conservation of their wildlife resources.
(d) In the event of the future dissolution of the department of natural resources, such state agency as shall succeed to its statutory authority to conserve the wildlife resources of the state shall, ex officio, assume the trusteeship of the wildlife endowment fund and shall be bound by all the limitations and restrictions placed by this section on expenditures from the fund. No appeal or modification of this section shall alter the fundamental purposes to which the wildlife endowment fund may be applied. No future dissolution of the department of natural resources shall invalidate any lifetime license issued in accordance with section seven of this article.
2023 West Virginia Code › Chapter 20. Natural Resources › Article 2B. Wildlife Endowment Fund › §20-2B-6. Expenditure of Funds for Specific and General Purposes

In accordance with the intent of sections thirty-four and forty-two-o, article two of this chapter and pursuant to sections three and four of this article, income accruing from the investments of the wildlife endowment fund shall be distributed in the following manner:
(1) Income accruing from the investment of moneys resulting from the sale of Class O-L licenses shall be distributed and disbursed in the same manner as revenues accruing from the sale of Class O licenses as provided in section forty-two-o, article two of this chapter.
(2) Income accruing from the investment of any portion of the principal of the wildlife endowment fund which, at the time of its deposit into the fund, is specifically designated for the activities of a particular section within the Division, shall accrue solely to that section within the Division; and
(3) All other income accruing from the investments of the wildlife endowment fund shall be distributed within the Division in the same manner as provided in section thirty-four, article two of this chapter.
2023 West Virginia Code › Chapter 20. Natural Resources › Article 2B. Wildlife Endowment Fund › §20-2B-7. Lifetime Hunting, Fishing, and Trapping Licenses Created

(a) Pursuant to 20-2B-3 of this code, the director may issue the following lifetime hunting, fishing, and trapping licenses and for the lifetime of the licensee, the lifetime licenses serve in lieu of the equivalent annual license: Lifetime resident statewide hunting and trapping license; lifetime resident combination statewide hunting, fishing, and trapping license; lifetime resident statewide fishing license; and lifetime resident trout fishing license.
(b) The director shall propose a rule for legislative approval in accordance with 29A-3-1
et seq.
of this code, setting fees for lifetime licenses and shall have authority to promulgate emergency legislative rules necessary to make effective the provisions of this section by July 1, 2021. The fees for adult lifetime licenses shall be 23 times the fee for the equivalent annual licenses or stamps. The rule shall provide that the fee for any resident who has not reached his or her 15th birthday shall be:
(1) Forty percent of the adult fee set under rule for any resident who has not reached his or her first birthday;
(2) Fifty-five percent of the adult fee set under rule for any resident who is over one year old but has not reached his or her fifth birthday;
(3) Seventy-five percent of the adult fee set under rule for any resident who is over five years old but has not reached his or her 10th birthday; and
(4) Ninety percent of the adult fee set under rule for any resident who is over 10 years old but has not reached his or her 15th birthday.
The rule shall also provide that any resident who has not reached his or her 15th birthday and has been legally adopted shall be provided the same fee schedule, except the division shall use the date of entry of the order or decree of adoption as the licensees date of birth for purposes of calculating the appropriate fee:
Provided
, That in addition to the provisions of this subsection for adopted children, foster parents may also purchase a lifetime license for their respective foster children under the same guidelines, except the division shall use the date of entry of the order placing the child in foster care as the licensees date of birth for purposes of calculating the appropriate fee.
2023 West Virginia Code › Chapter 20. Natural Resources › Article 2B. Wildlife Endowment Fund › §20-2B-8. Privileges of Lifetime Licensees

(a) Pursuant to 20-2B-7 of this code, resident lifetime licensees shall be entitled to the same privileges and subject to the same restrictions as resident licensees possessing the equivalent annual license with the following exceptions:
(1) Class A-L, AB-L, B-L and O-L licenses shall be valid for the lifetime of the licensee;
(2) A Class O-L lifetime resident trout fishing license shall be issued only to residents of the state and shall be valid only when accompanied by a Class AB-L, B, B-L, X or XJ license; and
(3) No additional fee shall be required of Class A-L, AB-L or B-L licensees for the conservation stamp required by 20-2B-9 of this code. No additional fee shall be required of Class A-L or AB-L licensees for the Class BG stamp required by 20-2-42v of this code.
(b) Pursuant to 20-2B-7 of this code, nonresident lifetime licensees shall be entitled to the same privileges and subject to the same restrictions as nonresident licensees possessing the equivalent annual license with the following exceptions:
(1) Class E-L, EE-L, F-L and OO-L licenses shall be valid for the lifetime of the licensee; and
(2) No additional fee shall be required of Class E-L, EE-L, or F-L licensees for the nonresident conservation law-enforcement and sports education stamp required by 20-2B-10 of this code.
(3) A Class OO-L lifetime nonresident trout fishing license shall be issued only to nonresidents of the state and shall be valid only when accompanied by a Class F or F-L license; and
(4) A Class UU-L lifetime resident archery deer hunting stamp shall be issued only to nonresidents of the state and shall be valid only when accompanied by a Class E-L license; and
(5) A Class VV-L lifetime nonresident muzzleloading deer hunting stamp shall be issued only to nonresidents of the state and shall be valid only when accompanied by a Class E-L license; and
(6) A Class WW-L lifetime nonresident turkey hunting stamp shall be issued only to nonresidents of the state and shall be valid only when accompanied by a Class E-L license; and
(7) A Class I-L lifetime nonresident national forest hunting, trapping, and fishing stamp shall be issued only to nonresidents of the state and shall be valid only when accompanied by a Class E-L, EE-L , or F-L license.
2023 West Virginia Code › Chapter 20. Natural Resources › Article 2B. Wildlife Endowment Fund › §20-2B-9. Class Cs Resident Conservation Stamp; Purposes, etc.

A resident hunter, angler or trapper licensed to hunt, fish or trap in this state shall have, in addition to a Class A, B or L license, a Class CS conservation stamp. The fee for the stamp is $5.
The revenue derived from the sale of conservation stamps shall be deposited in the State Treasury and shall be credited to the Division of Natural Resources. The revenue shall be used and paid out, upon order of the director, for capital improvements and land purchases or leases benefitting wildlife except that at the discretion of the director, a maximum of twenty percent of the revenue may be used for the operation and maintenance of capital improvements and lands: Provided, That none of this revenue shall be expended for the purchase of wetlands, or for land to be flooded so as to create wetlands, to attract migratory waterfowl within sixty air miles of any established poultry industry: Provided, however, That no expenditures of the revenue derived from the sale of the conservation stamps shall be made for recreational facilities or activities that are used by, or for the benefit of, the general public rather than by or for purchasers of hunting, fishing or trapping licenses. Any unexpended moneys derived from the sale of conservation stamps shall be carried forward to the next fiscal year.
2023 West Virginia Code › Chapter 20. Natural Resources › Article 2B. Wildlife Endowment Fund › §20-2B-10. Class Cs/le Nonresident Conservation Law-Enforcement and Sports Education Stamp

(a) Any nonresident hunter, angler or trapper licensed to hunt, fish or trap in this state, in addition to a Class E, EE, F, H, LL or XXJ license, shall have a Class CS/LE nonresident conservation, law-enforcement and sports education stamp. The fee for the stamp is $12.
(b) The revenue derived from the sale of Class CS/LE stamps shall be deposited in the State Treasury and shall be credited to the Division of Natural Resources. Fifty percent of the revenue shall be used and paid out, upon order of the Director, for the law-enforcement section's expenses relating to the general enforcement of state laws pertaining to the conservation of fish and wildlife and law-enforcement education programs for hunters, anglers and trappers: Provided, That no expenditures of the revenue derived from the sale of the Class CS/LE stamp shall be made for law-enforcement purposes not directly related to the wildlife resources of the state or for the educational programs set forth in this subsection. Fifty percent of the revenue shall be used and paid out for capital improvements and land purchases or leases benefitting wildlife except that at the discretion of the Director, a maximum of twenty percent of the revenue may be used for the operation and maintenance of the capital improvements and lands: Provided, however, That no expenditures of the revenue derived from the sale of the conservation stamps shall be made for recreational facilities that are used by or for the benefit of the general public rather than by or for purchasers of hunting, fishing or trapping licenses. Any unexpended moneys derived from the sale of Class CS/LE stamps shall be carried forward to the next fiscal year.
2023 West Virginia Code › Chapter 20. Natural Resources › Article 2C. Interstate Wildlife Violator Compact › §20-2C-2. When and How Compact Becomes Operative

When the Governor shall have executed said compact on behalf of this state and shall have caused a verified copy thereof to be filed with the Secretary of State and when said compact shall have been ratified by one or more other states, then said compact shall become operative and effective between this state and such other state or states. The Governor is hereby authorized and directed to take such action as may be necessary to complete the exchange of official documents between this state and any other state ratifying said compact.
2023 West Virginia Code › Chapter 20. Natural Resources › Article 2C. Interstate Wildlife Violator Compact › §20-2C-3. Compensation and Expenses of Compact Administrator

The compact administrator representing this state, as provided for in article VII of the Interstate Wildlife Violator Compact, shall not be entitled to any additional compensation for his duties and responsibilities as said administrator but shall be entitled to reimbursement for reasonable expenses actually incurred in connection with his duties and responsibilities as said administrator in the same manner as for expenses incurred in connection with other duties and responsibilities of his office or employment.
2023 West Virginia Code › Chapter 20. Natural Resources › Article 3. Forests and Wildlife Areas › §20-3-3. Establishment of Wildlife Areas; Leasing Lands Therefor

The director shall establish and maintain wildlife areas on lands purchased, leased or given for this purpose. Upon such state-owned or leased lands under its administration, or lands purchased from departmental funds for the establishment of wildlife areas, or upon lands purchased in cooperation with any agency of the federal government or leased therefrom or managed cooperatively therewith, the director shall regulate public hunting, chasing for sport, shooting, and limit the number of wildlife, which may be taken from such areas open to public shooting in any year. The director may establish special open seasons on any such lands, and may close any such areas, or parts thereof, to public shooting.
It shall be unlawful at any time to hunt, pursue or molest in any manner, any animals, birds or fowls on that section of any wildlife area designated as wildlife refuge, except that any legally constituted enforcement officer, or other person designated by the director, may hunt, pursue, catch and kill in any manner predatory animals and predatory birds thereon.
On the boundary of each state wildlife refuge, there shall be posted in conspicuous places, not more than one hundred and fifty yards apart, notices bearing the following words:"State wildlife refuge -- hunting is unlawful," and such other information or rules and regulations as the director may deem advisable. On the boundary line of any such wildlife area which has been established as a public shooting ground, the director shall have posted in conspicuous places, not more than one hundred and fifty yards apart, notices bearing the following words:"Public shooting grounds," together with information as to when hunting is legal on such tract.
The director shall also have the power to lease lands for this purpose for not less than ten-year periods, the rental price thereof not to be more than the amount of the annual property taxes on such land, and in no event to exceed 10¢ per acre per annum.
The director may, with the consent of the owner, set apart any tract of land in the state as a wildlife area. When such lands have been set apart, the director shall manage them in the same manner and for the same purpose as wildlife areas owned by the state. Such lands not owned by the state and now operated by the director as wildlife areas shall, at the expiration of the agreement, be reorganized as wildlife areas or be discontinued.
2023 West Virginia Code › Chapter 20. Natural Resources › Article 3. Forests and Wildlife Areas › §20-3-3a. Cabwaylingo State Forest Trail System

(a) The director, in consultation with the forestry director, may permit all-terrain vehicles (ATVs), off-highway recreational vehicles (ORVs), and utility-terrain vehicles (UTVs) to drive on roads and trails in Cabwaylingo State Forest, as designated and approved by the director. The director may establish special seasons and designate certain campgrounds and tent sites in the forest.
(b) The director, in consultation with the forestry director, may establish a special permit for purchase by the ATV and ORV users for road and trail access, and may close any areas, or parts thereof, to public use. Should the director establish such a special permit, it shall be unlawful, at any time, to operate an ATV or ORV on any roads and trails in Cabwaylingo State Forest without the special permit.
(c) The provisions of 20-15-1
et seq
. of this code apply to the division, participants, outfitters, and licensees of the Cabwaylingo State Forest Trail System, though ORVs may be permitted.
(d) The Parks and Recreation Section of the Division of Natural Resources is prohibited from establishing any additional ATV, ORV, or UTV trail systems within state parks and state forests:
Provided
, That the Director of the Division of Natural Resources shall have the authority to authorize the development and use of certain connector trails, roads, and parking areas from private systems, including, without limitation, the Hatfield-McCoy systems, solely for the purpose of providing access to state park and state forest recreational facilities and lodging by ATV, ORV, and UTV trail system users.
(e) The Director of the Division of Natural Resources shall have authority to promulgate emergency legislative rules and legislative rules necessary to effectuate the provisions of this section.
2023 West Virginia Code › Chapter 20. Natural Resources › Article 3. Forests and Wildlife Areas › §20-3-6. Failure of Person to Extinguish Fire Started or Used by Him or Her; Throwing Lighted Material on Forest Land; Enforcement by State Fire Marshal; Penalties

(a) Any person who, by himself or herself, or by his or her employees, agents or guides, or as an employee, agent or guide of any other person, shall at any time build or use any fire in any field, in any public or private road, or in any area adjacent to or in any forest land in this state, shall, before leaving the fire for any period of time, totally extinguish the same.
(b) A person shall not at any time throw or place any lighted match, cigar, cigarette, firecracker or lighted material on any forest land, private road, public highway or railroad right-of-way within this state.
(c) In addition to any other law-enforcement agencies that have jurisdiction over criminal violations, the State Fire Marshal shall enforce this section as provided in 15A-10-1 et seq. of this code.
(d) Any person who violates any provision of this section shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction thereof, shall be subject to one or more of the following penalties: (1) Fined not less than $100 nor more than $2,000; (2) confined in the county or regional jail not less than 10 days nor more than 200 days; or (3) sentenced to perform community service by cleaning up litter from any public highway, road, street, alley or any other public park or public property or waters of the state, as designated by the court, for not less than 32 hours nor more than 64 hours.
2023 West Virginia Code › Chapter 20. Natural Resources › Article 3. Forests and Wildlife Areas › §20-3-7. Starting Fire on Lands of Another; Penalties

Any person who willfully sets or causes to be set on fire any forest land, grass, grain, stubble, brush, slash, debris, or any other inflammable substance upon the property of another without his consent, or in a place from which it is reasonable to expect that the fire may spread to the property of another without his consent, and as a result of either causes damage or destruction to any natural resources in or on the other person's property, shall be guilty of a felony, and, upon conviction thereof, shall be fined not less than $500 nor more than $5,000, or be imprisoned for not less than one year nor more than five years, or both, in the discretion of the court.