Hunting in West Virginia

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A trophy fan taken in southern West Virginia

A hunter's paradise unmatched in the eastern U.S., West Virginia was long a native hunting ground shared by many native Americans. Its mountains and valleys continue to attract  hundreds of thousands of hunters annually. According to the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources,  more than 350,000 hunters annually take to West Virginia woods, and the majority of West Virginia families have at least one member who hunts regularly.

Public Hunting Areas

Public hunting is accommodated in all or parts of most state forests and wildlife management areas in West Virginia. For information on regulations, please refer to each specific article. The sport is also permitted in parts of most national forest areas and in some national park areas.

Hunting Regulations

West Virginia hunting and trapping regulations are continually updated by the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources. For on hunting in West Virginia, please refer to their site.

Further hunting information

Information on hunting, trapping, and related sports in West Virginia will be featured here and on our quarterly guide, West Virginia Hunter Magazine.

Help build our guide to hunting in West Virginia.

Hunting is one of the most popular forms of recreation accommodated in West Virginia, and it's hard to keep up with the constant change. If you’ve noted inaccuracies in our content or would like to contribute as a correspondent, please contact a member of our editorial staff.

West Virginia Hunting News

Hunting in West Virginia forest

December deer, bear hunting seasons underway in West Virginia

SOUTH CHARLESTON, W.Va. — December hunting season for deer and bear in West Virginia is underway, according to officials at the W.Va. Division of...
Otter in West Virginia

W.Va. reminds hunters about furbearer seasons, river otter project

SOUTH CHARLESTON, W.Va. — With the raccoon hunting season underway, the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources is reminding hunters and trappers that the...
A mallard is photographer in flight in West Virginia.

W.Va. sets important 2023-'24 migratory game bird season dates

FARMINGTON, W.Va. — The West Virginia Division of Natural Resources announced that new hunting regulations for migratory game birds will go into effect on...
A hunter addresses his dogs during an autumn hunt. (Photo courtesy Seth Schulte)

W.Va. asks hunters to review new 2023-'24 hunting, trapping laws

SOUTH CHARLESTON, W.Va. —  Officials at the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources are reminding hunters to review several essential changes to hunting seasons...
Anterless Deer in West Virginia

Applications available for limited-permit area antlerless deer hunts

SOUTH CHARLESTON, W.VA. — Applications to hunt in 12 limited-permit areas in West Virginia during the 2023 antlerless deer season are now available, according...