It's an ideal place to hunt white-tail deer, wild boar, turkey, black bear, and more!
What information do you need to plan your West Virginia hunting seasons? Keep reading for an overview of season dates, bag limits, hunting license information, and more to help you plan your hunting year.
Updated March 31, 2026
When Can I Hunt in West Virginia?
When is deer season in West Virginia? Whether you're after big game or smaller creatures this year, let's start planning your hunts.
Note that the season information we provide here is the latest available from the West Virginia Department of National Resources (WVDNR). We'll continue updating this page with the latest information and dates as it becomes available.
We also recommend checking the state's official resources for the latest season dates, bag limits, and other details to keep up with current regulations.
West Virginia Hunting Season Dates | |
|---|---|
West Virginia Deer Hunting Season
| Turkey Season West Virginia
See the Hunting and Trapping Guide for details about counties for the split season. |
Wild Boar
| Black Bear
|
Small Game
| Migratory Birds
Youth Waterfowl Hunts: September 20, 2025 and November 1, 2025 |
CoyoteOpen year-round | Winter 2026 Mountaineer Heritage HuntDeer, Bear, and Turkey: January 8 – 11, 2026 |
There are no open seasons for owls, hawks, falcons, eagles, song and insectivorous birds, or elk.
What are the Bag Limits in West Virginia?
How many deer, turkeys, or wild boar can you bring home this year? To comply with the West Virginia hunting season regulations, make sure you know the bag limits for any wild game you plan to hunt!
West Virginia Hunting Season Bag Limits | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Deer | 1 per day, 4 possession/season limit (youth hunt); see the Hunting and Trapping Guide for regular season details | Turkey | 1 per day, 2 possession/season limit (bearded only, spring), 1 turkey |
| Wild Boar | 1 per season | Mourning Dove | 15 per day (45 in possession) |
| Black Bear | 1 per day (2 possession/season limit) | Rails | 10 per day (45 in possession) |
| Squirrel (Gray, Black, Albino, Fox) | 6 per day (24 in possession), 6 (youth) | Snipe | 8 per day (24 in possession) |
| Ruffed Grouse | 4 per day (16 in possession) | Woodcock | 3 per day (9 in possession) |
| Bobwhite Quail | 3 per day (9 in possession) | Ducks | 6 per day in aggregate (18 in possession in aggregate) |
| Cottontail Rabbit | 5 per day (20 in possession) | Scaup | 1 per day in aggregate (all dates except January 12 – 31 when the limit is 2 per day) |
| Snowshoe or Varying Hare | 2 per day (8 in possession) | Coots | 15 per day in aggregate (45 in possession in aggregate) |
| Ring-necked Pheasant | 2 per day (2 in possession, cock birds only) 1 per day, 1 in possession (Hillcrest WMA, cock birds only) | Mergansers | 5 per day in aggregate (15 in possession in aggregate) |
| Bobcat | 3 per season | Early Canada Goos | 5 per day in aggregate (15 in possession in aggregate) |
| Coyote | No limits | Canada Goose & White-fronted Geese | 5 per day in aggregate (15 per day in aggregate) |
| Brant | 1 per day (3 in possession) | Snow and Blue Geese | 5 per day in aggregate (15 per day in aggregate) |
| Gallinules | 15 per day (45 in possession) | Winter Mountaineer Heritage Season | 1 deer, 1 bear, 1 turkey |
What Do I Need to Know About Regulations for Hunting in West Virginia?
All hunters born after January 1, 1975, must have proof of passing a hunter education course before getting a West Virginia hunting license.
Then, you can purchase the licenses you'll need for the game you plan to hunt through the state's online system. Choose from the licenses that fit you best, including youth, senior, resident, non-resident, disabled veteran, and lifetime.
Why Do Hunters Hunt in West Virginia?
Hunting in West Virginia is a deep tradition, often involving generations of family members teaching and enjoying going after wild game year after year.
Hunters hunt in the Mountain State for the excellent variety of big game, with white-tailed deer being the most sought-after species in the state. The season spans about four months, so hunters have plenty of opportunity to tag out.
The growth of the turkey population makes turkey hunting another big draw in West Virginia. The state offers plenty of opportunities to tag out with a big bird.
You'll also find some of the country's most liberal hunting opportunities for black bears in West Virginia. From August through early January, you can track and hunt a bear to add to your hunting trophies.
If you're new to hunting or have young hunters getting involved with the sport, there's also plenty of small game and waterfowl to keep you busy throughout the year.
Where Should I Hunt?
There's plenty of public land to hunt in West Virginia! The state owns or manages public access lands, including National Wildlife Refuges, National Forests, State Forests, National Park Service Lands, and Wildlife Management Areas (WMAs).
You'll also enjoy getting out into the state's beautiful landscape, including mountains and forests, in pursuit of wild game. It's a true outdoorsman's paradise!
Remember: no matter when, where, or what you hunt, HuntWise helps you scout land to find the best hunt areas for your day in the field. The HuntWise hunting app gives you land boundary lines and multiple map layers (including 3-D views) to help you visualize the terrain before you head out for a hunt.
What Else Do I Need to Hunt?
Whether you're excited about the West Virginia deer hunting season or planning your first black bear hunt this year, you need the right gear!
Make sure you have the right stuff for an early season or a cold-weather hunt, including good binoculars, a sharp hunting knife, and your trusty rifle or bow. Don't Forget: HuntWise Pro and Elite subscribers can save up to 40% on the best gear for successful hunts! Use exclusive gear discounts from our partners to save.
Bring Home More Game During the West Virginia Hunting Seasons with HuntWise
We hope this resource helps bring home everything you hunt during the West Virginia hunting seasons this year! Make sure you also confirm season dates, bag limits, and regulations with official state resources before heading out.
Then, start planning your hunts with the HuntWise hunting app! Use our 3-D views, map layers, and forecasting features for animal movement and weather to gain an advantage over other hunters and increase your chances of tagging out.
Try a Pro or Elite subscription for access to more app tools, including up to 15 days of weather forecasting and animal activity.
Content most recently reviewed and updated for the latest season dates March 31, 2026.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
We have answers to your questions about the West Virginia Hunting seasons!
Q: Can I hunt on my own land without a license in WV?
A: Yes, you can hunt your own land without a license in WV, but there are limits. A resident landowner may hunt on their own land without buying a license, but must follow all season and bag limits just like a licensed hunter. Nonresidents cannot hunt on land they own in WV without buying a valid hunting license.
Q: Can you rifle hunt on Sundays in WV?
A: Yes, you can rifle hunt on Sundays in WV with landowner permission. Sunday hunting is legal on private lands if you have the written consent of the landowner.
Q: How long is the running season for deer?
A: In West Virginia, deer "running season," or the rut (mating season), typically lasts about a month, with peak activity (chasing and breeding) generally occurring from late October to mid-November in many areas. However, the dates can vary regionally, with phases like pre-rut, peak rut, and post-rut stretching from October through December or even into January in the south.
Q: Can you bait deer in West Virginia on private property?
A: Generally, yes, you can bait deer in West Virginia on private land. West Virginia prohibits baiting/feeding wildlife on public land and in certain Chronic Wasting Disease containment areas, but baiting on private property is not banned statewide. (Regulations are occasionally updated, so double-check current rules before you hunt.)
Q: Can you hunt with an AR-15 in WV?
A: Yes, you can hunt with an AR-15 in WV if it meets legal caliber requirements. During deer firearms seasons, centerfire rifles are legal for deer hunting. That means many AR-style rifles chambered in legal calibers (e.g., .243, .350 Legend, etc.) can be used. Fully automatic rifles are not allowed.
Q: Can you shoot two deer in one day in WV?
A: Yes, you can shoot two deer in one day in WV with proper tags and privileges. Hunters may harvest two deer in one day if they have the appropriate licenses/stamps and the season allows it, but only one antlered deer per day.
