West Virginia’s fall wild-turkey season opens Oct. 13

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West Virginia’s fall wild-turkey season opens Oct. 13
A wild turkey puffs up while strutting through the West Virginia forest. Photo courtesy W.Va. Dept. of Commerce.

West Virginia’s fall wild-turkey season opens Oct.13 — the third year that all 55 counties will have at least a one-week fall season and the first fall turkey season during which Sunday hunting is permitted on both private and public lands.

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“Fall seasons are based on county-specific spring gobbler season harvest, excluding the 14 traditional fall season counties,” said Mike Peters, an upland game bird biologist with the division.

“This year’s spring gobbler harvest was the highest in the past 15 years and is reflected in the increased number of counties that have a two-week season.

Twenty-two counties have a one-week season, 19 counties have a split two-week season, and 14 counties have a split four-week season.

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During the fall season, only one bird of either sex can be harvested using a bow, crossbow, or gun. Hunting hours are from a half-hour before sunrise to a half-hour after sunset. The use of electronic calls and bait is prohibited.

Refer to the 2018-19 West Virginia Hunting and Trapping Regulations Summary available at DNR offices and license agents and online at for details.

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