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The nation’s record heat has apparently stifled more than just its crops.

You can now throw in DNR’s recent summer session right in with the lull of the Big Heat.

As the apparent result, this Commission meeting was the quickest, poorest attended by the public with the least active agenda of any ever covered here. Despite the outside temperatures, it was certainly no “heated” session inside.

The grand opening of the Charleston Cabela’s store was on just about everyone’s radar screen. But even with that gala looming, those in attendance may have been wishing they were poolside instead! Nevertheless, there were still a few folks that came and made comment. And there are the matters of unfinished business.

Though not on the agenda, the upcoming gubernatorial election is as close as the next quarterly session.

Though that went unsaid, it could likely be a cause for deferral of certain issues as they may in fact lie in waiting for the November results. We venture to put the active restoration of elk in this category.

Now on to some specifics of the session.

New president of the West Virginia Bowhunters Association (WVBA) and Boone County resident Brian Elkins gave a rundown of recent youth and competitive events. He acknowledged DNR’s thanks for their recent donation of trail cameras to monitor prospective elk vagabonds coming over from Kentucky. Elkins also seemed pleased with a recent letter from Governor Tomblin committing to the existing deer management framework in the hands of DNR.

Larry Orr of Trout Unlimited pledged that organization’s continued support and urged folks to check out their updated web-site. A new Wild Wings chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation (NWTF) in Beckley was announced by Joe Calvert. A private citizen gave a passionate plea for a special deer season unique to flintlock type rifles.

The Commission unanimously passed a few minor fishing changes for 2013 and hunting for 2013-2014. These address some basic management or regulation simplification issues. They are fairly inconsequential but folks should always refer to the current regulations. Deferred or unfinished business from prior sessions include: an earlier spring gobbler season as well as reduced seasons and bag limits for grouse and woodcock.

Folks will have to stay tuned for the bottom line on those matters.

In the meantime, stay cool and rest assured that hunting season is just around the corner.