WVDNR wildlife specialist named West Virginia Wildlife Manager of the Year

The West Virginia Division of Natural Resources announced that the West Virginia Chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation has named Heath Miles its 2026 Wildlife Manager of the Year, according to a press release from the WVDNR.

Miles, who oversees more than 12,000 acres of wild turkey habitat at Chief Cornstalk and Bright McCausland Homestead Wildlife Management Areas in Mason County, was recognized for his work on behalf of West Virginia’s wild turkey population and turkey hunters.

“Miles has been an influential advocate, building habitat, enabling critical research and recruiting hunters for more than 15 years and we are proud to see his tireless efforts be recognized,” said WVDNR Director Brett McMillion.

Under Miles’ management, habitat conditions for wild turkey have improved at Chief Cornstalk and Bright McCausland Homestead WMAs, where he maintains more than 75 acres of annual and perennial food plots. Several of these plots were built through Miles’ proactive efforts to clear over 100 acres of fallow land, which suffered heavy encroachment from invasive autumn olive.

These land clearing projects created turkey brooding sites and other young forests, shrublands and grasslands that provide breeding, nesting and foraging areas for wildlife. Miles also coordinates wildlife-focused forest management activities, which have resulted in timber harvests on more than 400 acres, with additional work planned in 2026.

Miles was a key member of a project to capture and translocate wild turkey from West Virginia to Texas. Currently, he is the coordinator for turkey trapping efforts in Mason County as part of a statewide survival study. Under Miles’ leadership, the Mason County team has consistently met trapping objectives, including 24 hens trapped, banded and equipped with transmitters in 2024 and 14 hens in 2025.

Beyond his official duties with the WVDNR, Miles shares his passion for hunting and wild turkey conservation through mentorship. He has given himself a personal goal of introducing at least one person to turkey hunting every year. Over the years, Miles has helped 40 hunters, ages eight to 79, go on their first turkey hunt or harvest their first wild turkey.