West Virginia Hunting Seasons 2023 [Update!]

Take a look at the most recent WV Hunting Seasons and Trapping Guide. It includes guidelines as well as other helpful information for hunting expeditions in West Virginia.

We decided to create the most straightforward guide possible regarding the 2023-2024 hunting seasons in West Virginia. If you want to know when the seasons are, what the rules and bag limits are, what the licensing requirements are, and where to discover useful links?

You will appreciate the information provided in this guide. Let’s find out!

west virginia hunting seasons
west Virginia hunting seasons

WV Hunting Seasons

The beautiful Appalachian Mountains of West Virginia host a number of annual big game hunting seasons. The “Mountain State,” as West Virginia is often called, provides excellent opportunities for hunting big and small game, including deer, bear, turkey, and small game, amid breathtaking isolation. West Virginia’s beautiful scenery and plenty of animals make it the perfect hunting area.

Deer Hunting Seasons WV

WV Deer SeasonHunting Season Start DateHunting Season End DateNote
Archery & CrossbowSaturday-September 24, 2022Saturday-December 31, 2022More information may be found in the rules.
Youth-1Saturday-October 15, 2022Sunday-October 16, 2022Only antlerless. More information may be found in the rules.
Antlerless-1Thursday-October 20, 2022Sunday-October 23, 2022Only certain counties are eligible. For further information, see the rules.
Antlerless-2Monday-November 21, 2022Sunday-December 4, 2022Only certain counties are eligible. For further information, see the rules.
Firearm BuckMonday-November 21, 2022Sunday-December 4, 2022More information may be found in the rules.
Antlerless-3Thursday-December 8, 2022Sunday-December 11, 2022Only certain counties are eligible. For further information, see the rules.
MuzzleloaderMonday-December 12, 2022Sunday-December 18, 2022More information may be found in the rules.
Youth-2Monday-December 26, 2022Tuesday-December 27, 2022Only antlerless. More information may be found in the rules.
Antlerless-4Wednesday-December 28, 2022Saturday-December 31, 2022Only certain counties are eligible. For further information, see the rules.
WinterThursday-January 12, 2023Sunday-January 15, 2023Details about the bear and deer winter seasons may be found in the rules.

* Electronic registration is required (checked). Instructions on how to complete the electronic registration procedure are available in the 2022–2023 Hunting & Trapping Regulations Summary.

Bear Season

WV Bear SeasonHunting Season Start DateHunting Season End Date
Firearms With Or Without DogsSaturday-September 3, 2022Sunday-September 11, 2022
Archery & CrossbowSaturday-September 24, 2022Saturday-December 31, 2022
Firearms With Or Without DogsSaturday-October 1, 2022Friday-October 7, 2022
YouthSaturday-October 15, 2022Sunday-October 16, 2022
Firearm Without DogsThursday-October 20, 2022Sunday-October 23, 2022
Firearms Without DogsMonday-November 21, 2022Saturday-December 31, 2022
Firearms Without DogsMonday-November 21, 2022Sunday-December 4, 2022
Firearms With Or Without DogsMonday-December 5, 2022Saturday-December 31, 2022
Firearms With Or Without DogsMonday-December 5, 2022Saturday-December 31, 2022
Firearms With Or Without DogsMonday-December 5, 2022Saturday-December 31, 2022
Mountaineer Winter HeritageThursday-January 12, 2023Sunday-January 15, 2023

Bobcat, Coyote & Fox Season

Bobcat, Coyote & Fox SeasonHunting Season Start DateHunting Season End DateNote
BobcatSaturday-November 5, 2022Tuesday-February 28, 2023Trapping and hunting More information may be found in the rules.
Coyote – Night HuntingSaturday-January 1, 2022Wednesday-August 31, 2022Artificial light/night vision technology is used at night. There is no limit.
CoyoteSaturday-January 1, 2022Saturday-December 31, 2022There is no limit.
Fox – Red and Gray FoxSaturday-November 5, 2022Tuesday-February 28, 2023Trapping and hunting
Fox – Night HuntingSunday-January 1, 2023Tuesday-February 28, 2023Foxes in red and gray. Using artificial light/night vision technologies to hunt at night. There is no limit.

Wild Boar Season

WV Wild Boar (Hog) Season Hunting Season Start DateHunting Season End Date
Early Archery & CrossbowSaturday-September 24, 2022Saturday-December 31, 2022
Early GunSaturday-October 22, 2022Saturday-October 29, 2022
Late Archery & CrossbowFriday-February 3, 2023Sunday-February 5, 2023
Late GunFriday-February 3, 2023Sunday-February 5, 2023

Dove Season

WV Dove SeasonHunting Season Start DateHunting Season End Date
Dove (Early)Thursday-September 1, 2022Sunday-October 9, 2022
Dove (Middle)Monday-October 31, 2022Sunday-November 13, 2022
Dove(Late)Monday-December 19, 2022Tuesday-January 24, 2023

Duck Season

WV Duck SeasonHunting Season Start DateHunting Season End Date
Duck (Youth-1)Saturday-September 17, 2022Saturday-September 17, 2022
Duck (Early)Saturday-October 1, 2022Friday-October 14, 2022
Duck (Youth-2)Saturday-November 5, 2022Saturday-November 5, 2022
Duck (Middle)Monday-November 7, 2022Saturday-November 12, 2022

Goose Season

WV Goose SeasonHunting Season Start DateHunting Season End Date
Canada Goose (Early)Thursday-September 1, 2022Sunday-September 11, 2022More information may be found in the rules.
Youth-1Saturday-September 17, 2022Saturday-September 17, 2022More information may be found in the rules.
Goose -Canada and White-fronted (Early)Saturday-October 1, 2022Saturday-October 15, 2022More information may be found in the rules.
Light Goose (Early)Saturday-October 1, 2022Sunday-October 16, 2022Blue and white geese More information may be found in the rules.
Youth-2Saturday-November 5, 2022Saturday-November 5, 2022More information may be found in the rules.
Light Goose (Middle)Monday-November 7, 2022Saturday-November 12, 2022Blue and white geese More information may be found in the rules.
Canada & White-fronted (Middle)Monday-November 7, 2022Saturday-November 12, 2022More information may be found in the rules.
Light Goose (Late)Sunday-December 4, 2022Tuesday-January 31, 2023Snow and blue geese More information may be found in the rules.
Canada & White-fronted (Late)Sunday-December 4, 2022Tuesday-January 31, 2023More information may be found in the rules.
BrantTuesday-December 13, 2022Tuesday-January 31, 2023More information may be found in the rules.

Grouse, Pheasant and Quail Season

WV Grouse, Pheasant and Quail SeasonHunting Season Start DateHunting Season End DateNote
Ruffed GrouseSaturday-October 15, 2022Tuesday-February 28, 2023
Pheasant – RegularSaturday-November 5, 2022Saturday-January 7, 2023Roosters only.
Pheasant – Hillcrest WMASaturday-November 12, 2022Saturday-December 3, 2022Roosters only.
Bobwhite QuailSaturday-November 5, 2022Saturday-January 7, 2023Closed to hunting on Tomblin WMA.

WV Turkey Hunting Seasons.

WV Turkey SeasonHunting Season Start DateHunting Season End DateNote
Turkey (Fall-1)Saturday-October 8, 2022Sunday-October 16, 2022limited to a few counties. View the rules.
Turkey (Fall-3)Monday-October 24, 2022Sunday-November 13, 2022Split season, only in certain counties. The following rules are available online: https://wvdnr.gov/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/2022.07.01-DNR_HuntingTrapping_Regulations.pdf
Turkey (Fall-2)Monday-October 24, 2022Sunday-October 30, 2022limited to a few counties. View the rules. 
Turkey (Spring Youth)Saturday-April 15, 2023Sunday-April 16, 2023For information, see the rules.
Turkey (Spring)Monday-April 17, 2023Sunday-May 21, 2023only turkeys with beards. For information, see the rules.

* Electronic registration is required (checked). Instructions on how to complete the electronic registration procedure are available in the 2022–2023 Hunting & Trapping Regulations Summary.

Rabbit Season

WV Rabbit SeasonHunting Season Start DateHunting Season End Date
Snowshoe Hare or Varying HareSaturday-November 5, 2022Tuesday-February 28, 2023
CottontailSaturday-November 5, 2022Tuesday-February 28, 2023

WV Migratory Bird Hunting Seasons.

WV Migratory Bird SeasonsHunting Season-Start DateHunting Season-End Date
Mourning Dove-(3-way Split Season)Thursday, September 01, 2022Sunday, October 09, 2022
Tuesday, November 01, 2022Sunday, November 13, 2022
Tuesday, December 20, 2022Tuesday, January 24, 2023
Sora& Virginia RailsThursday, September 01, 2022Wednesday, November 09, 2022
Wilson’s-Snipe (Woodcock)Thursday, September 01, 2022Friday, December 16, 2022
Saturday, October 15, 2022Saturday, November 19, 2022
Monday, November 28, 2022Tuesday, December 06, 2022
Youth Waterfowl-(2 Single Days)Saturday, September 17, 2022Saturday, September 17, 2022
Saturday, November 05, 2022Saturday, November 05, 2022
Ducks-(3-way Split Season)Saturday, October 01, 2022Friday, October 14, 2022
Monday, November 07, 2022Saturday, November 12, 2022
Friday, December 23, 2022Tuesday, January 31, 2023
Scaup-(includes the daily bag limit for ducks)Saturday, October 01, 2022Friday, October 14, 2022
Monday, November 07, 2022Saturday, November 12, 2022
Friday, December 23, 2022Wednesday, January 11, 2023
Thursday, January 12, 2023Tuesday, January 31, 2023
(Coots)Same as DucksSame as Ducks
Gallinules - (2-way Split Season)Saturday, October 01, 2022Friday, October 14, 2022
Wednesday, December 07, 2022Tuesday, January 31, 2023
(Mergansers)Same as DucksSame as Ducks
Early Canada GooseThursday, September 01, 2022Sunday, September 11, 2022
Canada Goose/White-fronted geese-(3-way Split Season)Saturday, October 01, 2022Saturday, October 15, 2022
Monday, November 07, 2022Saturday, November 12, 2022
Sunday, December 04, 2022Tuesday, January 31, 2023
Snow and Blue Goose (3-way Split Season)Saturday, October 01, 2022Saturday, October 15, 2022
Monday, November 07, 2022Saturday, November 12, 2022
Sunday, December 04, 2022Tuesday, January 31, 2023
(Brant)Tuesday, December 13, 2022Tuesday, January 31, 2023
Closed-Seasons(Swans, King and Clapper Rails, Eiders, Whistling Ducks, Mottled Ducks, and Harlequin Ducks)(Swans, King and Clapper Rails, Eiders, Whistling Ducks, Mottled Ducks, and Harlequin Ducks)

WV Heritage Hunting 2023

The Mountaineer Heritage Hunting Season is a West Virginia annual event that permits hunters to use historic weaponry such as flintlock rifles and pistols, longbows and recurve bows, and percussion sidelock rifles and pistols. This four-day season, held over a weekend in January, is an extension of last year’s hunting season (e.g. 2022 was the extension of the 2021 hunting season) and permits hunters to pursue deer, turkeys, and bears. The season has grown in popularity in recent years, with more and more hunters participating each year.

Mountaineer Heritage Hunting Season focuses on historic firearms and practices. For others, the season’s nostalgia adds to its charm. The season has fewer participants than others, resulting in a relaxed, low-pressure surrounding. The hunt may seem more real and historical, with fewer people contending for the animals and affecting the ecosystem. The Mountaineer Heritage Hunting Season provides hunters with a more traditional and historic hunting experience, which many find appealing and pleasurable.

WV Mountaineer Heritage Season 2023 Latest Highlights!

  • West Virginia’s four-day Mountaineer Heritage Season announced and it Starts on the 12th and ends on the 15th of January 2023 for hunting deer, bear, and turkey.
  • Extra opportunities to hunt large game and protection of the outdoor traditions that have helped form the state’s identity are the goals of this season.
  • Hunting season is already underway in all 55 counties in West Virginia, albeit there are limitations on the types of firearms that may be used.
  • During the hunting season, each hunter is permitted to capture one deer, one bear, and one turkey, with limits on the number of antlered deer.
  • A valid West Virginia hunting license for the year 2023 is needed of all hunters 15 and older.
  • Except in counties that allow solely bowhunting, all hunting restrictions, including the necessity to wear blaze orange, remain in effect throughout this season.
  • Both the West Virginia Hunting and Trapping Regulations Summary and further information on the state’s hunting seasons are discussed in this post, so do not forget to read it. You may also visit WVhunt.gov for more details.

WV Heritage Hunting Guidelines

  • West Virginia has a special hunting season called “Mountaineer Heritage Hunting”.
  • It’s all about hunting using prehistoric weapons and skills.
  • From Thursday through Sunday, the season lasts four days in January.
  • Hunters may only use longbows, recurve bows, or old-style muzzleloading black powder rifles with a flintlock or percussion cap action throughout the season.
  • Scoped in-line rifles are not authorized.
  • The season’s goal is to enable hunters to rediscover the Mountaineer Heritage and hunt like it was done 150 years ago.
  • The experience of the hunt is more important than the result.
  • During the season, hunters may kill deer or bears.
  • In past years, the success rate for this season was quite low, with just one bear and a limited number of deer captured.
  • During this week, all hunters must wear at least 400 square inches of blazing orange when out in the field.
  • To increase the difficulty of the hunt, some hunters dress in buckskins and use a spot-and-stalk strategy.
  • During the season, tree stands are also permitted.

Heritage Hunting Requirements & Regulations

WV Mountaineer Heritage Hunting Requirements & RegulationsDetails
Hunting LicenseDuring the Mountaineer Heritage Season, a valid hunting license for the current year is necessary. You may get one through a licensing agent in your area, the DNR office in your region, or at www.wvhunt.com.
Season LimitThere is a 1 deer and 1 bear bag limit.
Legal Weapons for DeerLongbows, recurve bows, flintlock rifles, pistols, and rifles with percussion locks.
Legal Weapons for BearLong bow, recurve bow, flintlock rifle, pistol, or percussion side lock weapon. The yearly bag limit for bears will not be affected by the one-bear restriction per hunter each season.
Limit on Antlered DeerIn all, between ordinary and Mountaineer Heritage Seasons, you may only capture three antlered deer. During the combined Archery and Mountaineer Heritage Seasons, only one antlered deer may be taken in Logan, McDowell, Mingo, and Wyoming counties.
Legal Weapons StatewideLong bows, recurve bows,.38 caliber or bigger single-shot side lock or flintlock muzzleloading rifles, and.38 caliber or larger single-shot side lock or flintlock muzzleloading pistols. Firearms with telescopic sights are prohibited, as are inline muzzleloaders.

Schedule & Dates

For the latest update and schedule of the WV Mountaineer Heritage Hunting Season 2023, you may Call the WVDNR Office between Mon-Fri 8:30 am – 5:00 pm at Phone number 304-558-6200.

West Virginia Hunting Regulations

West Virginia Hunting RegulationsLinks
Deer Hunting RegulationsFind Here
Turkey Hunting RegulationsFind Here
Migratory Bird Hunting RegulationsFind Here
Licenses & FeesFind Here

Downloads

About the hunting seasons in West Virginia.

The Natural Resources Commission establishes hunting and fishing limitations in West Virginia, such as seasons, kinds of animals, age requirements, and bag limits (NRC). The NRC analyzes “exempt rules,” which are regulations that are not required to be passed by the West Virginia Legislature. Wildlife biologists and managers make yearly recommendations to the WVDNR director on these seasons. Members of the public are invited to give comments on draft rules in state-hosted public forums. During its spring (for big-game seasons) and summer (for small-game seasons) sessions, the NRC finally accepts or rejects these suggestions, as well as bag restrictions, public comments from rules public hearings, and other items.

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