West Virginia has eight state forests that are co-managed by the West Virginia Division of Forestry, West Virginia Division of Natural Resources Wildlife Resources and Parks & Recreation Sections. The WV Legislature has mandated that these State Forests be managed to: provide a resource for silvicultural and other scientific research, provide developed and undeveloped outdoor recreation; propagation of forest trees, fish and wildlife; wildlife and fisheries management; aesthetics; hunting and fishing; timber production; and demonstration of state-of-the-art forest management and therefore should be managed on a multiple-use basis. In addition to harvesting timber and wildlife, extraction of minerals (natural gas and coal [if accessed from off the forest]) can occur on State Forests. It is the policy of the Division of Forestry to manage each state-owned forest for multiple benefits while guarding that our actions are ecologically responsible and economically viable.
1. Which state forest were you visiting?
2. Date(s) of visit?
month day year
(note: if you are a regular forest user please see question 4)
3. Time of day?
from to
4. If you use the forest on a regular basis (daily, several days per week, weekly or monthly) please indicate when you usually use the forest (day(s) and time(s) of day).
5. Which trail(s) or other areas did/do you utilize? If a regular user, indicate most frequently used trail(s)/area.
Click here to view a page complete with maps of trails and areas.
Trail(s)/Area
Trail(s)/Area
Trail(s)/Area
Please describe below, the area of the trail that you visited:
6. What activities did you participate in while at the forest? (check all that apply)
bird watching
camping
cross country skiing
educational - field trip
stay in cabin
stay at group camp
fishing - if yes, what species were you after?
were you successful? Yes No
hiking
horseback riding
hunting/trapping - if yes, what were you after?
mountain biking
nature study
photography
picnicking
sightseeing
scouting areas for hunting
snow shoeing
rock climbing/rappeling
trail running
wildlife observation
walking/exercising your dog
other
- if other, please describe
7. Did you feel crowded while you were in the forest during your visit? (Check a number)
not at all crowded
slightly crowded
moderately crowded
extremely crowded
8. Please indicate which trails or areas where you felt crowded:
Click here to view a page complete with maps of trails and areas.
Trail(s)/Area
Trail(s)/Area
Trail(s)/Area
9. Please list those features that particularly CONTRIBUTED to your enjoyment (wildflowers, views, wildlife, etc.) as well as any aspects of the forest that DETRACTED from your enjoyment:
Features Which:
10. During your visit did you have any conflicts with others? (If no, go to 13)
yes
no
11. If you experienced a conflict, please identify who, besides yourself, was involved:
hikers
mountain biker(s)
vehicle(s)
forest staff
dog(s)
adjacent property owner(s)
horseback rider(s)
educational group(s)
ATV user(s) [these are illegal on state forests]
climber(s)
hunter(s)
bird watcher(s)
other, identify:
12. If you experienced a conflict, please describe the nature of the conflict:
13. While in the state forest, how often would seeing other groups of hikers in the forest be acceptable?
at times how many times?
doesn't matter to me
14. About what percent of time were you in sight of people from other groups? (Check one)
15. What would be an acceptable percentage of time to see people from other groups while you are in this state forest? (Check one)
The Division of Forestry is compiling a mailing list of those forest users who would like to participate in tours, educational opportunities and/or who would like to comment on proposed forest practices. If you would like to be put on this list please provide the following information:
|
