BRIDGEPORT, WV (LOOTPRESS) – The Bridgeport Police Department has officially announced the commencement of the 2023 Bridgeport Urban Deer Hunt, which is scheduled to run from September 9th to December 31st.
Aspiring hunters, both new applicants and previous hunters from the last 5 years, are invited to participate in this annual event.
For the convenience of returning hunters, the Application forms will be available for pick up at the Bridgeport Police Department between 8 AM and 4 PM, Monday through Friday, starting July 24th, 2023.
Hunters who have participated in the urban hunt within the last 5 years will not be required to attend Urban Hunt Meetings.
To ensure a smooth application process, all interested individuals must complete the Urban Deer Hunting Application and the Urban Deer Hunting Landowner’s Permission Forms.
The Hunting Application requires essential contact information, such as the applicant’s phone number, email address, WV Hunting License Number, and Type, along with emergency contact details.
Failure to provide this necessary information will result in the application not being processed for a Hunting Permit. In addition to the Application, previous hunters must submit complete Urban Deer Hunting Tract Applications, whether they are requesting approval for previously used tracts or new ones.
For those seeking new hunting tracts, once approved, a unique Hunting Tract Number will be assigned, and both hunters and landowners will be notified accordingly. If the Hunting Tract Number is unknown for previous tracts, applicants can leave it blank, and the identification will be completed during the processing of applications.
Completed applications and attached landowner permission forms and hunting tracts must be submitted to the Bridgeport Police Department between 8 AM and 4 PM, Monday through Friday.
Approved hunters can collect their Urban Deer Hunting Permits and related paperwork from the Bridgeport Police Department during the following week after drop-off.
Applicants are reminded that the deadline for submission is September 1st, 2023. Any applications received after this date will not be processed.
New applicants or those who haven’t participated in the last 5 years are required to complete a proficiency test and obtain an Urban Deer Hunting Permit. During this process, permission slips for City Hunting Tracts will also be issued.
To facilitate this, applicants can pick up Application forms at the Bridgeport Police Department between 8 AM and 4 PM, Monday through Friday, starting July 24th, 2022, prior to attending a scheduled meeting.
The scheduled dates and times for these proficiency tests and permit acquisitions are as follows:
- Thursday, August 24, 2023 – 6pm to 7pm at Bridgeport City Hall
- Saturday, August 26, 2023 – 9am to 10am at Bridgeport City Hall
- Tuesday, August 29, 2023 – 6pm to 7pm at Bridgeport City Hall
- Saturday, September 2, 2023 – 9am to 10am at Bridgeport City Hall
Hunting on Sundays will be permitted on the Bridgeport City Hunting Tracts, and private hunting tract owners will have the discretion to allow hunting on their properties.
Landowners with property interested in being considered for the urban hunt can obtain the necessary forms at the Police Department, fill them out, and return them to the Bridgeport Police Department for evaluation.
It’s important to note that even if a property was part of the hunt in the previous year, landowners need to fill out new forms as the permits are not automatically renewed from year to year.
For further details on the rules and regulations of the hunt, interested parties are advised to consult the Urban Deer Hunt Ordinance.
Should you have any inquiries or require clarifications, please contact Sgt. C. S. Carpenter at 304-842-8260 ext. 117.