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We set out to create the most simplified guide to West Virginia hunting seasons for 2023.
Want to find out season dates, learn about regulations and bag limits, understand license requirements, and get access helpful links?
Then you’ll love the info outlined in today’s guide. Let’s dive right in.
The Mountain State offers several big game hunting seasons through the beautiful Appalachian mountains. It is one of the most time honored traditions and each year more than 350,000 hunters take to West Virginia's woods in search of a game.
Right now West Virginia harvested a record of 3,541 black bears in 2020, as well as 38,776 bucks during the firearm season. There also seems to be an improvement for the lottery announcements that have been made, with as many great winners as there are as well!
This is the Mountain State so be sure to enjoy a variety of wild and wonderful hunting, trapping and fishing that awaits here in this high elevation land. With so much to do and so much wildlife, there's just no limit to all that you'll be able to find here.
Archery & Crossbow: September 25, 2021 - December 31, 2021
Antlerless: October 21, 2023 - October 24, 2023, November 22, 2023 - November 25, 2023, December 9. 2023 - December 12, 2023, December 28, 2023 - December 31, 2023.
Firearm Buck: November 22, 2023 - December 5, 2023
Muzzleloader: December 13, 2023 - December 19, 2023
Youth: October 16, 2023 - October 17, 2023, December 26, 2023 - December 27, 2023
Fall Turkey: October 9, 2023 - October 17, 2023, October 25, 2023 - November 14, 2023 (varies by zones)
Spring Turkey: April 18, 2024 - May 22, 2024
Spring Youth Turkey: April 16, 2024 - April 17, 2024
See the map below for a breakdown of WV's hunting zones:
Bag limits vary by animal, sex, location and weapon so please check the official guide.
Purchase your West Virginia Hunting License at https://www.wvhunt.com/
Yes all hunters, including bowhunters, have to wear at least 400 square inches of orange.
You can hunt on Sundays in WV.
Official State Site: https://wvdnr.gov/hunting/
Yes, you are now allowed to hunt with a crossbow during archery season in WV.
Archery deer hunting season opens September 25, 2023 in WV.
Youth Deer Hunting Day is October 16, 2023 - October 17, 2023 and December 26, 2023 - December 27, 2023.
