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Thanks to its diverse wildlife and ideal habitat conditions, Green Bottom WMA is a choice destination for migratory bird hunters.
This story was originally published in the September 2024 issue of Wonderful West Virginia. To subscribe, visit wonderfulwv.com.
Written by Devin Lacy
photographed by West Virginia Department of Commerce
For migratory bird hunters, one destination in West Virginia stands out: the Green Bottom Wildlife Management Area of Cabell and Mason counties. This unique and expansive WMA is home to a wide variety of species and provides ample opportunities for bird hunters and other outdoor recreationists.
The story of Green Bottom starts several years before it opened as the WMA we know today. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers completed work in 1937 on the Gallipolis Locks and Dam to allow boats to navigate the waters of the Ohio River all year long. In 1993, after many years of operation and an expansion project, the facility, near Apple Grove, was renamed after our longtime West Virginia senator and became the Robert C. Byrd Locks & Dam.
But as comes with all man-made intervention, significant ecological concerns had to be balanced. After the locks and dam’s expansion, as part of the Corps’ mitigation efforts, Green Bottom WMA was established downriver from the locks and dam in 1994.
Covering approximately 1,100 acres of property owned by General Albert Jenkins in the 1830s—his nearby plantation home serves as a museum today—Green Bottom is a flourishing habitat for a wide variety of flora and fauna, thanks in part to the 380 acres of pristine wetland habitat. “The diversity of the plants is second to none, in my opinion,” says David Arbogast, a wildlife resources specialist at Green Bottom WMA. “Because of the vast wetlands, we really don’t have any other management area like it in the state.”
Casual visitors to Green Bottom can enjoy traversing the boardwalk that crosses one of the swamps on the property. An overlook allows visitors to take in the lush greenery and expansive wetlands while keeping their feet dry. “Plenty of people are coming to bird watch—more than I ever dreamed possible,” Arbogast says. “I like learning from them, too.”
Flying South
West Virginia is home to many flighted friends, though not all of them stick around for the entire year. Migratory birds are a specific classification that travel each year when resources, such as food or ideal habitat conditions, grow more scarce—that is, they “fly south for the winter.”
Migratory game birds are not our familiar resident game birds, such as turkeys, quail, grouse, or pheasants. These birds travel seasonally in search of food and habitat. They’re predominantly waterfowl, like ducks and geese, as well as webless species, like doves or woodcocks. Unlike for resident game birds, migratory bird hunting requires a valid Harvest Information Program (HIP) registration. HIP, a program through the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, aims to manage waterfowl sustainably by collecting Harvest Surveys from a small number of migratory bird hunters each year to inform future bag limits and season dates for migratory species.
Of the migrating species that call the Mountain State home in the fall and early winter, some may be harvested during specific open seasons: mourning doves, soras, Virginia rails, Wilson’s snipes, woodcocks, scaups, American coots, common gallinules, mergansers, and variety of other ducks and geese. These migratory species play an important role in our ecological diversity while also piquing hunter interest from inside and outside of the state.
WMAs like Green Bottom are pockets of nearly untouched wilderness to which bird hunters otherwise would not have access. The wetlands of Green Bottom specifically provide the feathered creatures with open space to feed, roost, and raise young, bringing populations back to the area seasonally. “It’s mostly the diversity of the habitat,” says Arbogast when considering the reason behind the locale’s popularity with birds and, subsequently, hunters. “It just suits duck hunting to a tee. There are always going to be more ducks there.”
On the Hunt
Migratory bird hunting typically takes place September through January of a given year, each harvestable species having its designated season or seasons within those months. Several species, like the scaup or geese, have multiple seasons during the fall and winter months, and those for different species overlap or have certain constraints and regulations. To be sure you’re heading out at the right time—and hunting responsibly—reference your 2024–2025 Migratory Bird Hunting Regulations Summary for detailed information. The annual update is made available each August at WVdnr.gov/hunting-regulations. Such regulations include, but are not limited to, the restriction to use and carry only nontoxic shot size T or smaller when hunting waterfowl. In addition, hunting hours for migratory birds are limited to one-half hour before sunrise to sunset. If you are hunting mourning doves, please see the regulations for special hunting hours in the first September–October season.
A Birdy Breakdown
Bird hunting is a quick and quiet sport, and knowing your target makes it all the more enjoyable. Here are a few you’re most likely to come across.
Canada geese are a common sight in the Mountain State, identifiable by their large, brown bodies and long, black necks, heads, and beaks. White or tan markings on the face and undercarriage also set them apart. Considered a nuisance animal by some, these migratory creatures prefer wetland habitats despite foraging for food on dryer ground. Thanks to banding projects, it has been discovered that more than 90% of that state’s Canada geese population were born here within the mountains.
Mallards are a neotropical migratory bird commonly found in West Virginia. Preferring fresh water, they are found in areas such as marshes, swamps, and other wetlands. These ducks are classified as “dabbling ducks,” meaning they search for food along the surface of the water rather than diving deeper below. Mallards are currently the subject of a large-scale study looking at hens and their activity and survival rates in order to better understand a recent population decline.
Wood ducks aren’t hard to spot—if you know where to look. Preferring areas with both water and woods, these “perching ducks” are known to create their homes in the hollow spots in trees and can be seen perching on branches when not in the water. The distinctive coloring of the males draws attention with bright blues, oranges, and greens popping out from their predominantly dark, neutral-toned bodies. Brightly colored eyes stand out from the black feathers along their uniquely feathered heads.
While out hunting for ducks, geese, and other migratory birds this season, you might come across one with a bit of adornment in the form of small, metallic bands or colorful markers on their legs or necks. Researchers band birds as part of the data collection to help them better understand species’ habits and life spans. “It’s not something you see a lot, but we do see a few more than typical,” says Arbogast. “We had a duck killed here that was banded in Canada.”
Almost every state has a band program, he says, so you never quite know where your banded bird may have hailed from—though there is a way you can find out. Visit www.reportband.gov to report the recovered band and receive details tied to each band’s unique number. “It gives you the history of the bird and information on where it was banded and released.” And West Virginia is doing its part. At the time of being interviewed, Arbogast had recently returned from helping to band 300 geese.
If you’re trekking Green Bottom this year in search of the perfect shot, Arbogast says that, in the early days for duck hunting, a large majority of what hunters will see at Green Bottom are wood ducks, with the occasional mallard or canvasback making an appearance—and things can be pretty hectic. “There’s probably 100 people. Everyone there gets to shoot, and it’s fast and furious for the first few hours.” So, if you’re looking for a quieter experience, you might plan your trip for a few days after the rush. But, like they say: The early bird catches the worm. “After the first day, it’s never quite the same down there. But they still go there to roost, because it’s still an ideal area. There’s a lot of cover out on the water.”
To learn more about banded birds and to report your recovery, visit www.reportband.gov.
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