West Virginia Agriculture Commissioner Walt Helmick wants his
department to have oversight of deer farms.
Helmick believes deer meat sales could create
jobs and economic development in the state.
The concept of deer farming is already
a multimillion-dollar industry in neighboring states such as Pennsylvania
and Ohio
Helmick served in both the House of
Delegates and the state Senate and says the issue has come up before in the
Legislature without success.
He says there seems to be enough
support now to get lawmakers to agree on the issue.
Helmick says a bill will be introduced
early in the 2014 session.
He says the state Division of Natural Resources
would still regulate the wildlife aspect of deer, including hunting licenses
and hunting seasons.
