Will ReedyWill Reedy

Will Reedy is a West Virginia writer and contributor to West Virginia Explorer Magazine whose work focuses on hunting, fishing, and the outdoors. Through essays and feature writing, he explores the landscapes, communities, and traditions that define West Virginia, bringing a thoughtful perspective to stories about heritage, travel, and everyday Appalachian life.
Deer hunting is a tradition in West Virginia passed down through generations.

Deer season for youth, senior, class Q/QQ hunters opens Dec. 26

SOUTH CHARLESTON, W.Va. — The final segment of West Virginia’s special antlerless deer hunting season for youth and senior hunters and Class Q/QQ permit holders will open Monday, Dec. 26. During the two-day season, hunting is permitted on private and public lands in the 51 counties with a firearms deer hunting season, according to Brett … Read more

Hunters harvested 49,662 bucks during the state’s two week buck firearms season.

W.Va. buck firearms season harvest up 18 percent in 2022

The buck firearms season harvest in West Virginia was up 18 percent in 2022 compared to 2021, thanks to the weather and food availability, according to the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources. The division reports that hunters harvested 49,662 bucks during the two-week buck firearms season, from Nov. 21 to Dec 4. During last … Read more

A wild tom turkey appears on the edge of a field in West Virginia.

2022 fall turkey harvest increased by almost 46 percent

FARMINGTON, W.Va. — West Virginia’s 2022 fall turkey harvest increased by almost 46 percent over last year’s harvest, according to preliminary results released by the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources. Fall turkey hunters harvested 1,012 birds this past season compared to 694 birds last year. The fall 2022 harvest was just 0.24 percent below … Read more

A white-tailed deer walks gingerly through a snowy West Virginia woodland. (Photo courtesy W.Va. Dept. of Commerce)

Muzzleloader deer hunting season 2022 opens Dec. 12

West Virginia’s 2022 muzzleloader deer-hunting season will be open Dec. 12-18, and hunters who want to harvest an additional deer are reminded to buy appropriate stamps before the season starts. Holly Morris, an assistant district wildlife biologist for the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources, lauded the benefits of the muzzleloader season. “The muzzleloader season … Read more

Hunters are reminded to wear at least 400 square inches of blaze orange when hunting.

December deer, bear hunting seasons in W.Va. to begin

SUTTON, W.Va. — Beginning this week, hunters will have several opportunities to target deer and bear in December 2022. The next segments of West Virginia’s antlerless deer and bear firearms seasons are set to open early in the month. The next segment of West Virginia’s antlerless deer firearms season will be open Dec. 8–11 in … Read more

Hunters and anglers who purchase an annual 2023 hunting, trapping or fishing license in December will be eligible.

W.Va. hunters, anglers again eligible for lifetime licenses

CHARLESTON, W.Va. — West Virginia Gov. Jim Justice announced today that the West Virginia Division of Natural Resource’s lifetime license giveaway is back for the fourth year. Hunters and anglers who purchase an annual 2023 hunting, trapping or fishing license in December will automatically be entered into the drawing, according to Justice. “There’s a lot … Read more

A black bear pauses to investigate a photographer in West Virginia.

West Virginia bear firearms season to open Nov. 21

CHARLESTON, W.Va. — The next segment of West Virginia’s 2022 firearms season for hunting black bears opens Nov. 21 in 36 counties and parts of six other counties. The season runs concurrently with the buck firearms and antlerless deer seasons through Dec. 4. Only bear hunting without dogs is permitted during the season, according to … Read more

Deer hunt lottery in West Virginia for antlerless deer

W.Va. hunters must buy stamps for buck firearms season by Sunday

SOUTH CHARLESTON, W.Va. — West Virginia’s two-week buck firearms season will open Nov. 21, 2022, and hunters who want a chance to harvest an extra buck must purchase their specialized stamps before the season starts. Resident hunters must purchase their Class RG, and non-resident hunters must purchase their Class RRG stamp by 11:59 p.m. on … Read more

A West Virginia youth learns the operation of the bow-and-arrow. Photo courtesy W.Va. Dept. of Commerce.

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 … Read more