West Virginia’s antlerless deer firearms season opens Oct. 20

SHADY SPRING, W.Va. — The first segment of West Virginia’s antlerless deer firearms season is set to open for four days on Oct. 20 in the state’s 51 counties open to deer firearms season.

West Virginia Division of Natural Resources Director Brett McMillion said the hunt should be particularly spectacular this year given the brilliance of the leaf change.

“With fall foliage peaking all round the state, the first segment of our antlerless deer firearms season is one of the best times to go hunting in West Virginia this year,” McMillion said. “And with favorable weather, hunters have a great opportunity this weekend to hunt from their tree stands.”

In addition to giving hunters more opportunities to take a deer, the antlerless season is designed to control the deer population and promote healthier and more productive deer herds.

For every antlerless deer harvested in the October season, there will be more food for the remaining deer during the winter months.

All antlerless deer taken during the season must be taken on a Class N or NN stamp or with a Class DT license. Landowners hunting on their own property do not have to purchase a Class N or NN stamp.

Only one antlerless deer may be taken on each stamp. For bag limits by county, hunters should consult the Hunting and Trapping Regulations Summary, available at WVdnr.gov/hunting-regulations.

The first segment of the antlerless deer firearms season will close Oct. 23. Hunters who can’t make it out for the first segment have a chance to participate in three additional segments, scheduled to take place Nov. 21 to Dec. 4, Dec. 8-11 and Dec. 28-31.

For more information about the antlerless deer firearms season, consult a copy of the West Virginia Hunting and Trapping Regulations Summary, available at license retailers around the state and online at WVdnr.gov/hunting-regulations.