Hunting in West Virginia offers rewarding experiences and numerous benefits for outdoor enthusiasts and new residents relocating from big U.S. cities due to the remote-work revolution. With abundant forests, diverse wildlife, and well-managed public hunting lands, West Virginia provides hunters with opportunities to pursue deer, turkey, bear, and small game in breathtaking Appalachian settings. Hunting in the Mountain State promotes sustainable wildlife management, supports local traditions, and allows families to bond while spending time in nature. For remote workers seeking a balanced lifestyle and a deeper connection to the outdoors, hunting in West Virginia delivers fresh air, self-sufficiency, and a chance to enjoy the peaceful wilderness that makes living in this scenic state so rewarding. Be sure to visit our Hunting Travel Guide for more information about hunting and hunting areas in West Virginia.
Turkey hunters in West Virginia harvested 12,274 gobblers in spring 2018 — a 15-year high and a six-percent increase over 2017, according to preliminary data gathered by the state Division of Natural Resources. This harvest was also more than 10 percent above the 10-year average, according to Mike Peters, Game Bird and Small Game Project … Read more
Fifty elk will be released “softly” into the mountains of southern West Virginia this summer in an effort to reestablish the animal in its native range, and another 20 calves may be on their way as some of the cows are pregnant, state officials say. Transported from Arizona over the last year, the herd will … Read more
The West Virginia governor signed Senate Bill 451 Thursday to permit Sunday hunting on public lands following its overwhelming passage during the recent legislative session. Last year, the governor also signed a bill permitting Sunday hunting on private land with written permission of the landowner. The new bill will open more than 1.5 million acres … Read more
Fifty-one elk completed their journey from Arizona and were released into a holding facility in Logan County earlier this month, the W.Va. Division of Natural Resources announced today. The elk, which are part of West Virginia’s elk restoration project, were captured in late January and held near Flagstaff, Arizona for disease testing. The elk arrived … Read more
Hunters in West Virginia harvested 3,160 black bears during the combined 2017 archery and firearms seasons, which is the second highest recorded bear kill in state history. Due to more abundant mast production in 2017, the Division of Natural Resources expected a decrease in the archery harvest and an increase in the December firearms harvest … Read more
Preliminary counts indicate hunters harvested 108,160 white-tailed deer in West Virginia during the 2017 hunting seasons. The 2017 harvest was four percent below the 2016 harvest of 112,384 deer and 15 percent below the five-year average of 127,803, according to a report published today by the W.Va. Division of Natural Resources. A breakdown of the … Read more
The West Virginia Division of Natural Resources is requesting original color wildlife paintings for the 2019 edition of the award-winning West Virginia Wildlife Calendar. The deadline for submitting artwork is Feb. 19, 2018. Paintings may depict popular game and fish species, or feature the state’s other wildlife, such as snakes, frogs, turtles, salamanders, bats, songbirds, … Read more
West Virginia’s traditional buck firearms season will start Monday, Nov. 20, 2017, and run through Dec. 2. Hunters should see plenty of deer this year due to the season opening close to the “rut,” or, mating season. November firearms deer season traditionally opens the Monday before Thanksgiving, so the season can start as early as Nov. 19 and as late as Nov. … Read more
The West Virginia Division of Natural Resources is conducting a study of state residents’ opinions on and attitudes toward black bears and black bear management. According to Colin Carpenter, black bear project leader for the division, residents may receive a phone call from Responsive Management, a research firm contracted to conduct the study, asking them … Read more
Hunting and trapping seasons for small game in West Virginia will commence in mid-October, and wildlife biologists with the state Division of Natural Resources are predicting good opportunities for success this season. An increase in the availability of mast this year and a mild winter in 2016-2017 should contribute to a bountiful season, according to … Read more
