West Virginia Hunting Seasons 2023-2024 New Dates & Regulations

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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

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
west Virginia hunting seasons

Deer Season

WV Deer SeasonHunting Start DateHunting End Date
Deer (Buck Firearms)20-Nov-233-Dec-23
Deer (Buck Firearms)31-Dec-23
Deer (Archery/Crossbow)30-Sep-2326-Oct-23
Deer (Archery/Crossbow)29-Oct-23
Deer (Antlerless)20-Nov-233-Dec-23
Split Season7-Dec-2310-Dec-23
Split Season28-Dec-2331-Dec-23
Deer (Muzzleloader)11-Dec-2317-Dec-23
Deer (Youth/Class Q/Class XS)22-Oct-2321-Oct-23
Split Season26-Dec-2327-Dec-23
Deer (Winter 2024 - Mountaineer Heritage)11-Jan-2314-Jan-23

Elk Season

SeasonSeason DatesBag LimitPossession Limit
Elk SeasonNo Open SeasonN/AN/A

Bear Season

WV Bear SeasonHunting Start DateHunting 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-2310-Sep-23
Bear (Gun) (Selected Counties)7-Oct-2313-Oct-23
29-Oct-2326-Oct-23
20-Nov-233-Dec-23
31-Dec-234-Dec-23
Bear (Youth/Class Q/Class XS)16-Sep-2317-Sep-23
Split Season22-Oct-2321-Oct-23

Wild Boar Season

Wild Boar Season/ MethodHunting Start DatesHunting End DatesBag Limit
Gun28-Oct4-Nov1
Split Season2-Feb4-Feb1
Archery and Crossbow30-Sep31-Dec1
Split Season4-Feb2-Feb1

Squirrel Season

SeasonSeason DatesBag LimitPossession Limit
Squirrel (Gray, Black, Albino and Fox)Feb-29 - 9-Sep624
Squirrel (Youth Season)2-Sep - 3-Sep624

Grouse Season

Grouse SeasonSeason DatesBag LimitPossession Limit
Ruffed Grouse14-Oct - Feb-29416

Rabbit Season

Rabbit SeasonSeason DatesBag LimitPossession Limit
Rabbit SeasonNov 4 - Feb-29520
Snowshoe / Varying HareNov 4 - Feb-2928

Pheasant Season

Pheasant SeasonSeason DatesBag LimitPossession LimitNotes
Ring-necked PheasantNov 4 - Jan 622Cock birds only
Hillcrest WMANov 11 - Dec 1211Cock birds only

Quail Season

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Quail SeasonSeason DatesBag LimitPossession LimitNote
Bobwhite QuailNovember 4 - January 639Closed on Tomblin WMA

Raccoon Season

Raccoon SeasonSeason DatesBag LimitPossession LimitNotes
Raccoon (Hunting) 14-Oct - 29-Feb4NoneBag limit of 4 is for the 24-hour period of 6 a.m. to 6 a.m.
Raccoon (Trapping)4-Nov - 29-FebNoneNone

Fox Season

Fox SeasonSeason DatesBag LimitPossession LimitNotes
Red Fox, Gray Fox 4-Nov - 29-FebNo LimitNo LimitHunting and Trapping
Red Fox, Gray Fox1-Jan - 29-FebNo LimitNo LimitHunting - night with artificial light/night vision technology

Bobcat Season

Bobcat SeasonSeason DatesBag LimitPossession Limit
Bobcat Hunting4-Nov - 29-Feb33
Bobcat Trapping4-Nov - 29-Feb33

Coyote Season

SeasonSeason DatesBag LimitPossession Limit
Coyote Season (Hunting)1-Jan - 31-DecNo LimitNo Limit
Coyote Season (Trapping)4-Nov - 29-FebNo LimitNo Limit

Mink Season

SeasonSeason DatesBag LimitPossession Limit
Mink Season (Trapping)4-Nov - 29-FebNo LimitNo Limit

Muskrat Season

SeasonSeason DatesBag LimitPossession Limit
Muskrat Season (Trapping)4-Nov - 29-FebNo LimitNo Limit

Fisher Season

SeasonSeason DatesBag LimitPossession Limit
Fisher Season (Trapping)4-Nov - 31-Jan11

Beaver Season

SeasonSeason DatesBag LimitPossession Limit
Beaver Season (Trapping)4-Nov - 31-MarNo LimitNo Limit

Otter Season

SeasonSeason DatesBag LimitPossession Limit
Otter Season (Trapping)4-Nov - 29-Feb11

Crow Season

SeasonSeason DatesBag LimitPossession Limit
Crow (Split Season)1-Oct - 18-NovNo LimitNo Limit
Crow (Split Season)1-Jan - 18-MarNo LimitNo Limit

Skunk Season

SeasonSeason DatesBag LimitPossession Limit
Skunk Season (Hunting)1-Jan - 31-DecNo LimitNo Limit
Skunk Season (Trapping)4-Nov - 29-FebNo LimitNo Limit

Opossum Season

SeasonSeason DatesBag LimitPossession Limit
Opossum Season (Hunting)1-Jan - 31-DecNo LimitNo Limit
Opossum Season (Trapping)4-Nov - 29-FebNo LimitNo Limit

Weasel Season

SeasonSeason DatesBag LimitPossession Limit
Weasel Season (Hunting)1-Jan - 31-DecNo LimitNo Limit
Weasel Season (Trapping)4-Nov - 29-FebNo LimitNo Limit

English Sparrow Season

SeasonSeason DatesBag LimitPossession Limit
English Sparrow1-Jan - 31-DecNo LimitNo Limit

European Starling Season

SeasonSeason DatesBag LimitPossession Limit
European Starling1-Jan - 31-DecNo LimitNo Limit

WV Migratory Birds Season

Dove Season

Dove SeasonHunting Start DatesHunting End DatesDaily LimitPossession Limit
Segment 11-Sep8-Oct1545
Segment 230-Oct12-Nov1545
Segment 318-Dec24-Jan1545

Ducks Season

SeasonHunting Start DatesHunting End DatesBag LimitPossession Limit
Ducks1-Oct14-Oct618
6-Nov12-Nov618
24-Dec31-Jan618

Scaup Season

SpeciesSeason Start DateSeason End DateDaily LimitPossession Limit
Scaup1-Oct14-Oct12
6-Nov12-Nov12
24-Dec11-Jan12
12-Jan31-Jan12

Brant Season

SpeciesSeason Start DateSeason End DateDaily LimitPossession Limit
Brant2-Jan31-Jan13

Coots Season

SeasonHunting Start DatesHunting End DatesBag LimitPossession Limit
Coots1-Oct14-Oct618
6-Nov12-Nov618
24-Dec31-Jan618

Mergansers Season

SeasonHunting Start DatesHunting End DatesBag LimitPossession Limit
Mergansers1-Oct14-Oct618
6-Nov12-Nov618
24-Dec31-Jan618

Goose Season

Goose SeasonHunting Start DatesHunting End DatesBag LimitPossession Limit
Early Canada Goose1-Sep10-Sep515
Canada Goose/ White-fronted geese1-Oct21-Oct515
Canada Goose/ White-fronted geese6-Nov12-Nov515
Canada Goose/ White-fronted geese11-Dec31-Jan515
Snow and Blue Goose1-Oct21-Oct515
Snow and Blue Goose6-Nov12-Nov515
Snow and Blue Goose11-Dec31-Jan515

Rails Season

SpeciesSeason Start DateSeason End DateDaily LimitPossession Limit
Sora and Virginia Rails1-Sep9-Nov1030

Snipe Season

SpeciesSeason Start DateSeason End DateDaily LimitPossession Limit
Wilson’s Snipe1-Sep16-Dec824

Woodcock Season

SpeciesSeason Start DateSeason End DateDaily LimitPossession Limit
Woodcock14-Oct18-Nov39
27-Nov5-Dec39

Gallinules Season

SpeciesSeason Start DateSeason End DateDaily LimitPossession Limit
Gallinules1-Oct14-Oct1545
7-Dec31-Jan1545

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.
  • 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

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.

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.

Dates & Regulations Source: West Virginia DNR

John Lewis

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