A morning or afternoon hunt takes about 3 hours, and is guaranteed to be a lot of fun. We can use our bird dogs or yours. We are a licensed shooting preserve. We make the hunting experience as natural as possible by releasing birds at several different locations on the property prior to each hunt. 

You can purchase a special 6-day hunting permit for a nominal fee that is much less than for a regular West Virginia hunting license. Shotguns are available at no charge, upon request. Ammunition can be purchased on-site. Lunch is provided.

We are currently taking reservations for the 2010 firearms season.

Antlered or antlerless deer may be taken from November 22 – December 4, followed by an antlerless season from December 6 - December 11 and another antlerless season from December 29-31. Up to 2 antlered deer and 4 antlerless deer may be taken (with proper licensing).  

There is also a special antlerless season in Hampshire County from October 29-30. One antlerless deer may be taken during the 2-day period. In addition, there is also a special muzzleloader season for antlerless deer from September 20-25. So there are plenty of opportunities for deer hunting!

We have 23 ladder-style metal tree stands set up at strategic locations on the property and adding more each year. Portable blinds can also be established for hunters wishing to hunt from the ground. Several wildlife food plots are planted every year as an attractant to deer and other wildlife. To ensure for safety and a quality experience for everyone, hunters are asked to stay in or by their stands.

There are plenty of deer, but this is generally not a "trophy buck" area. To improve deer management, we encourage hunters to harvest does and only bucks with 6 points or better. Except for clients who have never taken a deer in the past, clients hunting with during the firearms season pay an additional $50 for taking any buck with less than 6 points. This rule is paying off - we've been getting larger bucks at NRR, as you can see by these photos. 

We have safety harnesses for tree stand hunting and rifles available at no charge, upon request. Familiarization with and sighting-in of loaned rifles is required prior to hunting. Ammunition can be purchased on-site. Hunters are also provided portable radios for communication and safety.

Most bow hunters prefer to hunt on their own and often for more than 1-2 days at a time. Therefore, we are leasing NRR lands to bow hunters (for deer only) on a weekly basis during the 2010 archery season.

In order to avoid hunter interference and to ensure for a quality hunt, we will lease only to a single group of bow hunters during each week (“lease group”).  A lease group can be from 1-5 persons, such as family members or friends wishing to hunt together.

The archery season is October 16 – December 31. The bag limit is 3 deer (with proper licensing), one of which must be antlered.

North River Retreat lands will be leased on a weekly basis, as follows:

Week 1: September 13-18

Week 2: October 18-23

Week 3: October 25-30

Week 4:  November 1-6

Week 5: November 8-13

Week 6: November 15-20

We will have a cookout on the Sunday prior to each weekly hunt and provide keys and maps to the property at that time. Hunters are welcome to contact us prior to the archery season to scout the property. Groups are welcome to use the campground by the North River and fish the trout pond at no extra charge.

Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) Containment Area

Chronic Wasting Disease is a serious neurological disease in cervids that is spreading rapidly throughout areas of the country. Unfortunately, as the disease has been detected in Hampshire County, a Containment Area has been established to help prevent the spread of the disease. This Area is expanded in 2010 to include all of  Hampshire County. Hunters must transport deer meat and parts from Hampshire County only as follows:

Meat that has been boned out;

Quarters or other portions of meat with no part of the spinal column or head attached;

Cleaned hide with no head attached;

Clean skull plate (no meat or tissue attached) with antlers attached;

Antlers with no meat or tissue attached; and

Finished taxidermy mounts.

Although we do not process deer at North River Retreat, we have a hanging pole, gambrels and saws to making gutting and quartering as simple as possible. We transport hides, heads and organs to an on-site location for disposal.  

In order to reduce the spread of CWD, it will be illegal to bait or feed deer in Hampshire County. Therefore, the feeders at North River Retreat will not be functioning during the upcoming season. Hunting over or near food plots or other natural food is legal. We are in the process of expanding our food plot locations.  

SPRING GOBBLER HUNTING!

Turkey calling legend Jim Clay (R) admiring Gary Phares' nice gobbler

We guide turkey hunters in late April and early May on a very limited basis, so be sure to book early. This is a wonderful time of year, and hearing a turkey gobbler sound off in the morning is an added bonus! Hunting starts before sunrise and ends in the early afternoon, so there's time later for relaxing, fishing and a much-needed nap!

We have shotguns and ammunition available, as well as hunting vests and camouflage clothing.

We have a well-maintained cozy cabin overlooking the North River Valley There are two bedrooms for guests who stay overnight for hunting and other activities.

In addition to the two guest bedrooms, the North River Retreat cabin contains a master bedroom, a kitchen/dining area and a small living room with reading material and a DVD player. A bathroom and shower are also available (not shown). Gas lights, furnaces, hot water heater and two refrigerators run on propane. A small generator is used for electric lights, the DVD and other small electrical appliances in the evening. A larger generator runs the well pump, which sends water to a pressure tank in the loft of the cabin. The water is stored in the tank and release to the kitchen and bathroom fixtures, as needed.

A large screen porch and even larger deck provide for plenty of room and fresh air for our guests!