West Virginia offers exciting opportunities for hunters in the state. This comprehensive reference offers important details on the game regulations and bag limits, required permits, and helpful connections to improve your game 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.
The beautiful Appalachian Mountains of West Virginia host a number of annual big games. The “Mountain State,” as West Virginia is often called, provides excellent opportunities for 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 outdoor area.
Deer
Buck Firearms
20-Nov – 3-Dec
Buck Firearms
31-Dec
Archery/Crossbow
30-Sep – 26-Oct
Archery/Crossbow
29-Oct
Antlerless
20-Nov – 3-Dec
Split Season
7-Dec – 10-Dec
Split Season
28-Dec – 31-Dec
Muzzleloader
11-Dec – 17-Dec
Youth/Class Q/Class XS
22-Oct – 21-Oct
Split Season
26-Dec – 27-Dec
Winter 2024 – Mountaineer Heritage
11-Jan – 14-Jan
Elk
No Open Season
Bear
Bear (Winter 2024 – Mountaineer Heritage)
11-Jan
31-Dec
Bear (Archery/Crossbow)
30-Sep
2-Sep – 10-Sep
Bear (Gun) (Selected Counties)
7-Oct – 13-Oct
29-Oct – 26-Oct
20-Nov – 3-Dec
31-Dec – 4-Dec
Bear (Youth/Class Q/Class XS)
16-Sep – 17-Sep
Split
22-Oct – 21-Oct
Wild Boar
Gun
28-Oct – 4-Nov
Split
2-Feb – 4-Feb
Archery and Crossbow
30-Sep – 31-Dec
Split
4-Feb – 2-Feb
Upland Birds
Grouse
Ruffed Grouse
14-Oct – Feb-29
Bag of 4 and possession of 16
Pheasant
Dates
Daily Bag
Possession
Ring-necked Pheasant
Nov 4 – Jan 6
2
2
Hillcrest WMA
Nov 11 – Dec 12
1
1
Quail
Bag Limit
Possession Limit
Note
November 4 – January 6
3
9
Closed on Tomblin WMA
English Sparrow
1-Jan – 31-Dec
Migratory Birds & Waterfowl
European Starling
1-Jan – 31-Dec
Crow
1-Oct – 18-Nov
1-Jan – 18-Mar
Dove
Segment
1
1-Sep – 8-Oct
2
30-Oct – 12-Nov
3
18-Dec – 24-Jan
Pigeon
1-Jan – 31-Dec
Rails
Sora and Virginia Rails
1-Sep – 9-Nov
Snipe
1-Sep – 16-Dec
Woodcock
14-Oct – 18-Nov
27-Nov – 5-Dec
Gallinules
1-Oct – 14-Oct
7-Dec – 31-Jan
Ducks
1-Oct – 14-Oct
6-Nov – 12-Nov
24-Dec – 31-Jan
Scaup
1-Oct – 14-Oct
6-Nov – 12-Nov
24-Dec – 11-Jan
12-Jan – 31-Jan
Brant
2-Jan – 31-Jan
Coots
1-Oct – 14-Oct
6-Nov – 12-Nov
24-Dec – 31-Jan
Mergansers
1-Oct – 14-Oct
6-Nov – 12-Nov
24-Dec – 31-Jan
Goose
Early Canada
1-Sep – 10-Sep
Canada / White-fronted
1-Oct – 21-Oct
6-Nov – 12-Nov
11-Dec – 31-Jan
Snow and Blue
1-Oct – 21-Oct
6-Nov –
11-Dec – 31-Jan
Furbearer
Squirrel
Squirrel (Gray, Black, Albino and Fox)
Feb-29 – 9-Sep
Bag of 6 and possession of 24
Squirrel (Youth)
2-Sep – 3-Sep
Rabbit
Bags
Possession
Rabbit
Nov 4 – Feb-29
5
20
Snowshoe / Varying Hare
Nov 4 – Feb-29
2
8
Raccoon
Hunt
14-Oct – 29-Feb
Trap
4-Nov – 29-Feb
Fox
4-Nov – 29-Feb
1-Jan – 29-Feb
Bobcat
4-Nov – 29-Feb
Coyote
a
Hunting
1-Jan – 31-Dec
Trapping
4-Nov – 29-Feb
Mink
4-Nov – 29-Feb
Muskrat
4-Nov – 29-Feb
Fisher
4-Nov – 31-Jan
Beaver
4-Nov – 31-Mar (Trap)
Otter
4-Nov – 29-Feb
Skunk
Opossum
Hunt
1-Jan – 31-Dec
Trap
4-Nov – 29-Feb
Weasel
1-Jan – 31-Dec & trapping- 4-Nov – 29-Feb
Bullfrog
November 4 – January 6
Bag of 3 and 9 as possession
Closed on Tomblin WMA
WV Heritage Hunting
The Mountaineer Heritage Hunting Season is a West Virginia annual event that permits individuals 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 (e.g. 2022 was the extension of the 2021) and permits to pursue deer, turkeys, and bears. The season has grown in popularity in recent years, with more and more participating each year.
MHHS focuses on historic firearms and practices. For others, the 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 MHHS provides a more traditional and historic hunting experience, which many find appealing and pleasurable.
WV Mountaineer Heritage Season Latest Highlights!
Four-day Mountaineer Heritage announced and it Starts on the 12th and ends on the 15th of January for deer, bear, and turkey.
Is already underway in all 55 counties in West Virginia, albeit there are limitations on the types of firearms that may be used.
You are permitted to capture one deer, one bear, and one turkey, with limits on the number of antlered deer.
A valid state license for the year 2024 is needed of all hunters 15 and older.
Except in counties that allow solely bowhunting, all game restrictions, including the necessity to wear blaze orange, remain in effect throughout this.
WV Heritage Hunting Guidelines
It’s all about hunting using prehistoric weapons and skills.
From Thursday through Sunday, the season lasts four days in January.
May only use longbows, recurve bows, or old-style muzzleloading black powder rifles with a flintlock or percussion cap action throughout.
Scoped in-line rifles are not authorized.
The 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.
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 pursuers 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, you may Call the WVDNR Office between Mon-Fri 8:30 am – 5:00 pm at Phone number 304-558-6200.
When does the hunting in West Virginia start and end?
It runs from September through March. Deer comprises archery, crossbow, rifle, muzzleloader, and youth seasons. Duck and geese is from September to January, while turkey is from April to May.
Do I need a license to hunt in West Virginia?
Yes hunters need licenses. Your residence status, age, and game type determine your license. Online or in-person licensing agents sell licenses to residents and nonresidents. The West Virginia Resident Base License and Nonresident Base License are examples. May need the Deer Stamp and Turkey Stamp.
Does West Virginia have youth hunting or mentoring programs?
Yes, the state has Youth and mentoring programs. The Youth Deer lets 8-14-year-olds hunt with an unarmed, licensed adult. Archery, crossbow, rifle, muzzleloader, and youth games are included. The Youth Turkey Season gives 8-16-year-olds fall and spring 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?
Yes, WV allows hunting on public grounds and requires a license and stamps. WVDNR laws must be followed, including shooting hours and bag restrictions. Each public land region may have restrictions, such as weapons or hunting seasons.
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.
