West Virginia Hunting Seasons 2023-2024 offers exciting opportunities for hunters in the state. This comprehensive reference offers important details on the hunting seasons, regulations and bag limits, required permits, and helpful connections to improve your hunting experience. Whether you’re an experienced hunter or new to the sport, this guide will be a valuable resource for helping you organize your hunts while ensuring you follow the regulations. For the next hunting season, be ready to experience West Virginia’s various landscapes and abundant animals.
West Virginia Hunting Seasons
Content Highlights
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. Find below the complete WV Hunting Seasons schedule and details:
west Virginia hunting seasons
Deer Season
WV Deer Season
Hunting Start Date
Hunting End Date
Deer (Buck Firearms)
20-Nov-23
3-Dec-23
Deer (Buck Firearms)
31-Dec-23
Deer (Archery/Crossbow)
30-Sep-23
26-Oct-23
Deer (Archery/Crossbow)
29-Oct-23
Deer (Antlerless)
20-Nov-23
3-Dec-23
Split Season
7-Dec-23
10-Dec-23
Split Season
28-Dec-23
31-Dec-23
Deer (Muzzleloader)
11-Dec-23
17-Dec-23
Deer (Youth/Class Q/Class XS)
22-Oct-23
21-Oct-23
Split Season
26-Dec-23
27-Dec-23
Deer (Winter 2024 - Mountaineer Heritage)
11-Jan-23
14-Jan-23
Elk Season
Season
Season Dates
Bag Limit
Possession Limit
Elk Season
No Open Season
N/A
N/A
Bear Season
WV Bear Season
Hunting Start Date
Hunting End Date
Bear (Winter 2024 - Mountaineer Heritage see page 34)
11-Jan-23
January 14
31-Dec-23
Bear (Archery/Crossbow)
30-Sep-23
2-Sep-23
10-Sep-23
Bear (Gun) (Selected Counties)
7-Oct-23
13-Oct-23
29-Oct-23
26-Oct-23
20-Nov-23
3-Dec-23
31-Dec-23
4-Dec-23
Bear (Youth/Class Q/Class XS)
16-Sep-23
17-Sep-23
Split Season
22-Oct-23
21-Oct-23
Wild Boar Season
Wild Boar Season/ Method
Hunting Start Dates
Hunting End Dates
Bag Limit
Gun
28-Oct
4-Nov
1
Split Season
2-Feb
4-Feb
1
Archery and Crossbow
30-Sep
31-Dec
1
Split Season
4-Feb
2-Feb
1
Squirrel Season
Season
Season Dates
Bag Limit
Possession Limit
Squirrel (Gray, Black, Albino and Fox)
Feb-29 - 9-Sep
6
24
Squirrel (Youth Season)
2-Sep - 3-Sep
6
24
Grouse Season
Grouse Season
Season Dates
Bag Limit
Possession Limit
Ruffed Grouse
14-Oct - Feb-29
4
16
Rabbit Season
Rabbit Season
Season Dates
Bag Limit
Possession Limit
Rabbit Season
Nov 4 - Feb-29
5
20
Snowshoe / Varying Hare
Nov 4 - Feb-29
2
8
Pheasant Season
Pheasant Season
Season Dates
Bag Limit
Possession Limit
Notes
Ring-necked Pheasant
Nov 4 - Jan 6
2
2
Cock birds only
Hillcrest WMA
Nov 11 - Dec 12
1
1
Cock birds only
Quail Season
a
Quail Season
Season Dates
Bag Limit
Possession Limit
Note
Bobwhite Quail
November 4 - January 6
3
9
Closed on Tomblin WMA
Raccoon Season
Raccoon Season
Season Dates
Bag Limit
Possession Limit
Notes
Raccoon (Hunting)
14-Oct - 29-Feb
4
None
Bag limit of 4 is for the 24-hour period of 6 a.m. to 6 a.m.
Raccoon (Trapping)
4-Nov - 29-Feb
None
None
Fox Season
Fox Season
Season Dates
Bag Limit
Possession Limit
Notes
Red Fox, Gray Fox
4-Nov - 29-Feb
No Limit
No Limit
Hunting and Trapping
Red Fox, Gray Fox
1-Jan - 29-Feb
No Limit
No Limit
Hunting - night with artificial light/night vision technology
Bobcat Season
Bobcat Season
Season Dates
Bag Limit
Possession Limit
Bobcat Hunting
4-Nov - 29-Feb
3
3
Bobcat Trapping
4-Nov - 29-Feb
3
3
Coyote Season
Season
Season Dates
Bag Limit
Possession Limit
Coyote Season (Hunting)
1-Jan - 31-Dec
No Limit
No Limit
Coyote Season (Trapping)
4-Nov - 29-Feb
No Limit
No Limit
Mink Season
Season
Season Dates
Bag Limit
Possession Limit
Mink Season (Trapping)
4-Nov - 29-Feb
No Limit
No Limit
Muskrat Season
Season
Season Dates
Bag Limit
Possession Limit
Muskrat Season (Trapping)
4-Nov - 29-Feb
No Limit
No Limit
Fisher Season
Season
Season Dates
Bag Limit
Possession Limit
Fisher Season (Trapping)
4-Nov - 31-Jan
1
1
Beaver Season
Season
Season Dates
Bag Limit
Possession Limit
Beaver Season (Trapping)
4-Nov - 31-Mar
No Limit
No Limit
Otter Season
Season
Season Dates
Bag Limit
Possession Limit
Otter Season (Trapping)
4-Nov - 29-Feb
1
1
Crow Season
Season
Season Dates
Bag Limit
Possession Limit
Crow (Split Season)
1-Oct - 18-Nov
No Limit
No Limit
Crow (Split Season)
1-Jan - 18-Mar
No Limit
No Limit
Skunk Season
Season
Season Dates
Bag Limit
Possession Limit
Skunk Season (Hunting)
1-Jan - 31-Dec
No Limit
No Limit
Skunk Season (Trapping)
4-Nov - 29-Feb
No Limit
No Limit
Opossum Season
Season
Season Dates
Bag Limit
Possession Limit
Opossum Season (Hunting)
1-Jan - 31-Dec
No Limit
No Limit
Opossum Season (Trapping)
4-Nov - 29-Feb
No Limit
No Limit
Weasel Season
Season
Season Dates
Bag Limit
Possession Limit
Weasel Season (Hunting)
1-Jan - 31-Dec
No Limit
No Limit
Weasel Season (Trapping)
4-Nov - 29-Feb
No Limit
No Limit
English Sparrow Season
Season
Season Dates
Bag Limit
Possession Limit
English Sparrow
1-Jan - 31-Dec
No Limit
No Limit
European Starling Season
Season
Season Dates
Bag Limit
Possession Limit
European Starling
1-Jan - 31-Dec
No Limit
No Limit
WV Migratory Birds Season
Dove Season
Dove Season
Hunting Start Dates
Hunting End Dates
Daily Limit
Possession Limit
Segment 1
1-Sep
8-Oct
15
45
Segment 2
30-Oct
12-Nov
15
45
Segment 3
18-Dec
24-Jan
15
45
Ducks Season
Season
Hunting Start Dates
Hunting End Dates
Bag Limit
Possession Limit
Ducks
1-Oct
14-Oct
6
18
6-Nov
12-Nov
6
18
24-Dec
31-Jan
6
18
Scaup Season
Species
Season Start Date
Season End Date
Daily Limit
Possession Limit
Scaup
1-Oct
14-Oct
1
2
6-Nov
12-Nov
1
2
24-Dec
11-Jan
1
2
12-Jan
31-Jan
1
2
Brant Season
Species
Season Start Date
Season End Date
Daily Limit
Possession Limit
Brant
2-Jan
31-Jan
1
3
Coots Season
Season
Hunting Start Dates
Hunting End Dates
Bag Limit
Possession Limit
Coots
1-Oct
14-Oct
6
18
6-Nov
12-Nov
6
18
24-Dec
31-Jan
6
18
Mergansers Season
Season
Hunting Start Dates
Hunting End Dates
Bag Limit
Possession Limit
Mergansers
1-Oct
14-Oct
6
18
6-Nov
12-Nov
6
18
24-Dec
31-Jan
6
18
Goose Season
Goose Season
Hunting Start Dates
Hunting End Dates
Bag Limit
Possession Limit
Early Canada Goose
1-Sep
10-Sep
5
15
Canada Goose/ White-fronted geese
1-Oct
21-Oct
5
15
Canada Goose/ White-fronted geese
6-Nov
12-Nov
5
15
Canada Goose/ White-fronted geese
11-Dec
31-Jan
5
15
Snow and Blue Goose
1-Oct
21-Oct
5
15
Snow and Blue Goose
6-Nov
12-Nov
5
15
Snow and Blue Goose
11-Dec
31-Jan
5
15
Rails Season
Species
Season Start Date
Season End Date
Daily Limit
Possession Limit
Sora and Virginia Rails
1-Sep
9-Nov
10
30
Snipe Season
Species
Season Start Date
Season End Date
Daily Limit
Possession Limit
Wilson’s Snipe
1-Sep
16-Dec
8
24
Woodcock Season
Species
Season Start Date
Season End Date
Daily Limit
Possession Limit
Woodcock
14-Oct
18-Nov
3
9
27-Nov
5-Dec
3
9
Gallinules Season
Species
Season Start Date
Season End Date
Daily Limit
Possession Limit
Gallinules
1-Oct
14-Oct
15
45
7-Dec
31-Jan
15
45
WV Heritage Hunting2023
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.
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.
During 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 Limit
There is a 1 deer and 1 bear bag limit.
Legal Weapons for Deer
Longbows, recurve bows, flintlock rifles, pistols, and rifles with percussion locks.
Legal Weapons for Bear
Long 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 Deer
In 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 Statewide
Long 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.
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.
Frequently Asked Questions
When does the hunting season in West Virginia start and end?
The 2023-2024 West Virginia hunting season runs from September through March. Species hunting dates differ. Deer hunting comprises archery, crossbow, rifle, muzzleloader, and youth seasons. Duck and geese hunting is from September to January, while turkey hunting is from April to May. These are just a few examples; hunters should consult official sources like the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources website for exact dates and details for each hunting season.
Do I need a license to hunt in West Virginia?
West Virginia hunters need licenses. Your residence status, age, and game type determine your hunting license. Online or in-person licensing agents sell hunting licenses to residents and nonresidents. The West Virginia Resident Base License and Nonresident Base License are examples. Hunting may need the Deer Stamp and Turkey Stamp. To comply with state restrictions, visit the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources website for complete hunting license information.
Does West Virginia have youth hunting seasons or mentoring programs?
West Virginia has youth hunting seasons and mentoring programs for 2023-2024. These programs teach young hunters safe and responsible hunting. The Youth Deer Season lets 8-14-year-olds hunt with an unarmed, licensed adult. Archery, crossbow, rifle, muzzleloader, and youth hunting seasons are included. The Youth Turkey Season gives 8-16-year-olds autumn and spring hunting chances with an unarmed, licensed adult. Mentored Youth Hunts are provided for 12-17-year-old hunters. A certified adult mentor must complete the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources Mentored Youth Hunt Training Course. These initiatives encourage young hunters to hunt responsibly and ethically.
Can I hunt on public lands in West Virginia?
West Virginia allows hunting on public grounds, but there are rules. Public hunting requires a license and stamps. West Virginia Division of Natural Resources hunting laws must be followed, including shooting hours and bag restrictions. Each public land region may have restrictions, such as weapons or hunting seasons. Before hunting on public grounds, check with the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources to confirm compliance with all laws.
John Lewis, the passionate founder of HuntingSeasons.org, is committed to promoting responsible hunting and a profound love for the wilderness. With years of expertise, his platform serves as a reliable guide for hunting enthusiasts, advocating ethical practices and nature preservation.
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