Wednesday, October 8, 2025
63.5 F
Beckley
More

    Seasons set for dove, snipe, sora, woodcock, Virginia rails

    The West Virginia Division of Natural Resources announced 2021-'22 hunting season dates and bag limits for mourning dove, snipe, sora, woodcock, and Virginia rails. The seasons are set within the annual guidelines established by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

    Advertisement

    The dove season is split into three segments with this first segment running from Sept. 1 to Oct. 10. Shooting hours on Sept. 1 are noon to sunset. For the remainder of the season, it is a half-hour before sunrise to sunset. The daily bag limit is 15 birds.

    The South Branch Wildlife Management Area has a special controlled mourning dove hunting area with designated hunting stations. Hunters wanting to hunt the control area Sept. 1-2 need to obtain a permit. To apply for a permit, call the District 2 office at 304-822-3551.

    The woodcock season is split into two segments. Both the snipe and rail seasons are a single segment. Shooting hours for woodcock, snipe, and rails are a half-hour before sunrise to sunset.

    Advertisement

    All licensed migratory bird hunters, including lifetime license holders and senior citizens, must have a valid Migratory Bird Harvest Information Program (HIP) registration card. HIP cards are available online at  and at license agents throughout the state.

    An overview of each season is listed below. All season details can be found in West Virginia’s 2021-22 Migratory Bird Hunting Regulations brochure, available online at , at license agents, and WVDNR offices.


    Mourning Dove (3-way split):

    • Dates
      • Sept. 1 - Oct. 10
      • Nov. 1 - Nov. 14
      • Dec. 20 - Jan. 24
    • Daily Limit
      • 15
    • Possession Limit
      • 45

    Woodcock (2-way split):

    Advertisement
    Advertisement
    Advertisement
    Advertisement
    • Dates
      • Oct. 16 - Nov. 20
      • Nov. 29 - Dec. 7
    • Daily Limit
      • 3
    • Possession Limit
      • 9

    Snipe:

    • Dates
      • Sept. 1 - Dec. 16
    • Daily Limit
      • 8
    • Possession Limit
      • 24

    Sora & Virginia Rails:

    • Dates
      • Sept. 1 - Nov. 9
    • Daily Limit
      • 10
    • Possession Limit
      • 30

    Sign up to receive a FREE copy of West Virginia Explorer Magazine in your email weekly. Sign me up!
    David Sibray
    David Sibray
    Historian, real estate agent, and proponent of inventive economic development in West Virginia, David Sibray is the founder and publisher of West Virginia Explorer Magazine. For more information, he may be reached at 304-575-7390.

    LEAVE A REPLY

    Please enter your comment!
    Please enter your name here

    Hot this week

    Swing into autumn with West Virginia’s three new Almost Heaven swings

    CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Officials at the W.Va. Department of...

    Mysterious Wetzel County worm invasion wreaked havoc in West Virginia in 1918

    LITTLETON, W.Va. — In the summer of 1918, a...

    Exclusive dinner series at Pipestem Resort State Park showcases new menu

    PIPESTEM, W.Va. — Tickets are now available for a...

    Risk of West Virginia wildfires increases in 2025 amid dry autumn conditions

    MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — The crackle of autumn leaves underfoot...

    Polemic Run, West Virginia: A roadside journey hidden off the expressway

    BIRCH RIVER, W.Va. — Each day, more than 10,000...

    Topics

    Swing into autumn with West Virginia’s three new Almost Heaven swings

    CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Officials at the W.Va. Department of...

    Exclusive dinner series at Pipestem Resort State Park showcases new menu

    PIPESTEM, W.Va. — Tickets are now available for a...

    Risk of West Virginia wildfires increases in 2025 amid dry autumn conditions

    MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — The crackle of autumn leaves underfoot...

    Polemic Run, West Virginia: A roadside journey hidden off the expressway

    BIRCH RIVER, W.Va. — Each day, more than 10,000...

    Investigator: West Virginia ground-zero for UFO research, ET encounters

    GREEN BANK, W.Va. — A renowned paranormal investigator says...

    Duck, goose, waterfowl hunting season in West Virginia open October 4

    CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Several migratory bird hunting seasons will...

    Autumn colors continue to unfold across 'Almost Heaven,' West Virginia

    CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Autumn is sweeping across 'Almost Heaven,'...

    Related Articles

    Popular Categories