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!
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 Season | Hunting Season Start Date | Hunting Season End Date | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Archery & Crossbow | Saturday-September 24, 2022 | Saturday-December 31, 2022 | More information may be found in the rules. |
| Youth-1 | Saturday-October 15, 2022 | Sunday-October 16, 2022 | Only antlerless. More information may be found in the rules. |
| Antlerless-1 | Thursday-October 20, 2022 | Sunday-October 23, 2022 | Only certain counties are eligible. For further information, see the rules. |
| Antlerless-2 | Monday-November 21, 2022 | Sunday-December 4, 2022 | Only certain counties are eligible. For further information, see the rules. |
| Firearm Buck | Monday-November 21, 2022 | Sunday-December 4, 2022 | More information may be found in the rules. |
| Antlerless-3 | Thursday-December 8, 2022 | Sunday-December 11, 2022 | Only certain counties are eligible. For further information, see the rules. |
| Muzzleloader | Monday-December 12, 2022 | Sunday-December 18, 2022 | More information may be found in the rules. |
| Youth-2 | Monday-December 26, 2022 | Tuesday-December 27, 2022 | Only antlerless. More information may be found in the rules. |
| Antlerless-4 | Wednesday-December 28, 2022 | Saturday-December 31, 2022 | Only certain counties are eligible. For further information, see the rules. |
| Winter | Thursday-January 12, 2023 | Sunday-January 15, 2023 | Details 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 Season | Hunting Season Start Date | Hunting Season End Date |
|---|---|---|
| Firearms With Or Without Dogs | Saturday-September 3, 2022 | Sunday-September 11, 2022 |
| Archery & Crossbow | Saturday-September 24, 2022 | Saturday-December 31, 2022 |
| Firearms With Or Without Dogs | Saturday-October 1, 2022 | Friday-October 7, 2022 |
| Youth | Saturday-October 15, 2022 | Sunday-October 16, 2022 |
| Firearm Without Dogs | Thursday-October 20, 2022 | Sunday-October 23, 2022 |
| Firearms Without Dogs | Monday-November 21, 2022 | Saturday-December 31, 2022 |
| Firearms Without Dogs | Monday-November 21, 2022 | Sunday-December 4, 2022 |
| Firearms With Or Without Dogs | Monday-December 5, 2022 | Saturday-December 31, 2022 |
| Firearms With Or Without Dogs | Monday-December 5, 2022 | Saturday-December 31, 2022 |
| Firearms With Or Without Dogs | Monday-December 5, 2022 | Saturday-December 31, 2022 |
| Mountaineer Winter Heritage | Thursday-January 12, 2023 | Sunday-January 15, 2023 |
Bobcat, Coyote & Fox Season
| Bobcat, Coyote & Fox Season | Hunting Season Start Date | Hunting Season End Date | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bobcat | Saturday-November 5, 2022 | Tuesday-February 28, 2023 | Trapping and hunting More information may be found in the rules. |
| Coyote – Night Hunting | Saturday-January 1, 2022 | Wednesday-August 31, 2022 | Artificial light/night vision technology is used at night. There is no limit. |
| Coyote | Saturday-January 1, 2022 | Saturday-December 31, 2022 | There is no limit. |
| Fox – Red and Gray Fox | Saturday-November 5, 2022 | Tuesday-February 28, 2023 | Trapping and hunting |
| Fox – Night Hunting | Sunday-January 1, 2023 | Tuesday-February 28, 2023 | Foxes 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 Date | Hunting Season End Date |
|---|---|---|
| Early Archery & Crossbow | Saturday-September 24, 2022 | Saturday-December 31, 2022 |
| Early Gun | Saturday-October 22, 2022 | Saturday-October 29, 2022 |
| Late Archery & Crossbow | Friday-February 3, 2023 | Sunday-February 5, 2023 |
| Late Gun | Friday-February 3, 2023 | Sunday-February 5, 2023 |
Dove Season
| WV Dove Season | Hunting Season Start Date | Hunting Season End Date |
|---|---|---|
| Dove (Early) | Thursday-September 1, 2022 | Sunday-October 9, 2022 |
| Dove (Middle) | Monday-October 31, 2022 | Sunday-November 13, 2022 |
| Dove(Late) | Monday-December 19, 2022 | Tuesday-January 24, 2023 |
Duck Season
| WV Duck Season | Hunting Season Start Date | Hunting Season End Date |
|---|---|---|
| Duck (Youth-1) | Saturday-September 17, 2022 | Saturday-September 17, 2022 |
| Duck (Early) | Saturday-October 1, 2022 | Friday-October 14, 2022 |
| Duck (Youth-2) | Saturday-November 5, 2022 | Saturday-November 5, 2022 |
| Duck (Middle) | Monday-November 7, 2022 | Saturday-November 12, 2022 |
Goose Season
| WV Goose Season | Hunting Season Start Date | Hunting Season End Date | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Canada Goose (Early) | Thursday-September 1, 2022 | Sunday-September 11, 2022 | More information may be found in the rules. |
| Youth-1 | Saturday-September 17, 2022 | Saturday-September 17, 2022 | More information may be found in the rules. |
| Goose -Canada and White-fronted (Early) | Saturday-October 1, 2022 | Saturday-October 15, 2022 | More information may be found in the rules. |
| Light Goose (Early) | Saturday-October 1, 2022 | Sunday-October 16, 2022 | Blue and white geese More information may be found in the rules. |
| Youth-2 | Saturday-November 5, 2022 | Saturday-November 5, 2022 | More information may be found in the rules. |
| Light Goose (Middle) | Monday-November 7, 2022 | Saturday-November 12, 2022 | Blue and white geese More information may be found in the rules. |
| Canada & White-fronted (Middle) | Monday-November 7, 2022 | Saturday-November 12, 2022 | More information may be found in the rules. |
| Light Goose (Late) | Sunday-December 4, 2022 | Tuesday-January 31, 2023 | Snow and blue geese More information may be found in the rules. |
| Canada & White-fronted (Late) | Sunday-December 4, 2022 | Tuesday-January 31, 2023 | More information may be found in the rules. |
| Brant | Tuesday-December 13, 2022 | Tuesday-January 31, 2023 | More information may be found in the rules. |
Grouse, Pheasant and Quail Season
| WV Grouse, Pheasant and Quail Season | Hunting Season Start Date | Hunting Season End Date | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ruffed Grouse | Saturday-October 15, 2022 | Tuesday-February 28, 2023 | |
| Pheasant – Regular | Saturday-November 5, 2022 | Saturday-January 7, 2023 | Roosters only. |
| Pheasant – Hillcrest WMA | Saturday-November 12, 2022 | Saturday-December 3, 2022 | Roosters only. |
| Bobwhite Quail | Saturday-November 5, 2022 | Saturday-January 7, 2023 | Closed to hunting on Tomblin WMA. |
WV Turkey Hunting Seasons.
| WV Turkey Season | Hunting Season Start Date | Hunting Season End Date | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Turkey (Fall-1) | Saturday-October 8, 2022 | Sunday-October 16, 2022 | limited to a few counties. View the rules. |
| Turkey (Fall-3) | Monday-October 24, 2022 | Sunday-November 13, 2022 | Split 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, 2022 | Sunday-October 30, 2022 | limited to a few counties. View the rules. |
| Turkey (Spring Youth) | Saturday-April 15, 2023 | Sunday-April 16, 2023 | For information, see the rules. |
| Turkey (Spring) | Monday-April 17, 2023 | Sunday-May 21, 2023 | only 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 Season | Hunting Season Start Date | Hunting Season End Date |
|---|---|---|
| Snowshoe Hare or Varying Hare | Saturday-November 5, 2022 | Tuesday-February 28, 2023 |
| Cottontail | Saturday-November 5, 2022 | Tuesday-February 28, 2023 |
WV Migratory Bird Hunting Seasons.
| WV Migratory Bird Seasons | Hunting Season-Start Date | Hunting Season-End Date |
|---|---|---|
| Mourning Dove-(3-way Split Season) | Thursday, September 01, 2022 | Sunday, October 09, 2022 |
| Tuesday, November 01, 2022 | Sunday, November 13, 2022 | |
| Tuesday, December 20, 2022 | Tuesday, January 24, 2023 | |
| Sora& Virginia Rails | Thursday, September 01, 2022 | Wednesday, November 09, 2022 |
| Wilson’s-Snipe (Woodcock) | Thursday, September 01, 2022 | Friday, December 16, 2022 |
| Saturday, October 15, 2022 | Saturday, November 19, 2022 | |
| Monday, November 28, 2022 | Tuesday, December 06, 2022 | |
| Youth Waterfowl-(2 Single Days) | Saturday, September 17, 2022 | Saturday, September 17, 2022 |
| Saturday, November 05, 2022 | Saturday, November 05, 2022 | |
| Ducks-(3-way Split Season) | Saturday, October 01, 2022 | Friday, October 14, 2022 |
| Monday, November 07, 2022 | Saturday, November 12, 2022 | |
| Friday, December 23, 2022 | Tuesday, January 31, 2023 | |
| Scaup-(includes the daily bag limit for ducks) | Saturday, October 01, 2022 | Friday, October 14, 2022 |
| Monday, November 07, 2022 | Saturday, November 12, 2022 | |
| Friday, December 23, 2022 | Wednesday, January 11, 2023 | |
| Thursday, January 12, 2023 | Tuesday, January 31, 2023 | |
| (Coots) | Same as Ducks | Same as Ducks |
| Gallinules - (2-way Split Season) | Saturday, October 01, 2022 | Friday, October 14, 2022 |
| Wednesday, December 07, 2022 | Tuesday, January 31, 2023 | |
| (Mergansers) | Same as Ducks | Same as Ducks |
| Early Canada Goose | Thursday, September 01, 2022 | Sunday, September 11, 2022 |
| Canada Goose/White-fronted geese-(3-way Split Season) | Saturday, October 01, 2022 | Saturday, October 15, 2022 |
| Monday, November 07, 2022 | Saturday, November 12, 2022 | |
| Sunday, December 04, 2022 | Tuesday, January 31, 2023 | |
| Snow and Blue Goose (3-way Split Season) | Saturday, October 01, 2022 | Saturday, October 15, 2022 |
| Monday, November 07, 2022 | Saturday, November 12, 2022 | |
| Sunday, December 04, 2022 | Tuesday, January 31, 2023 | |
| (Brant) | Tuesday, December 13, 2022 | Tuesday, 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 & Regulations | Details |
|---|---|
| Hunting License | 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.
West Virginia Hunting Regulations
| West Virginia Hunting Regulations | Links |
|---|---|
| Deer Hunting Regulations | Find Here |
| Turkey Hunting Regulations | Find Here |
| Migratory Bird Hunting Regulations | Find Here |
| Licenses & Fees | Find 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.