A hunter's paradise unmatched in the eastern U.S., West Virginia was long a native hunting ground shared by many native Americans. Its mountains and valleys continue to attract hundreds of thousands of hunters annually. According to the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources, more than 350,000 hunters annually take to West Virginia woods, and the majority of West Virginia families have at least one member who hunts regularly.
Public Hunting Areas
Public hunting is accommodated in all or parts of most state forests and wildlife management areas in West Virginia. For information on regulations, please refer to each specific article. The sport is also permitted in parts of most national forest areas and in some national park areas.
- State Forests
- National Parks & Forests
- Wildlife Management Areas
Hunting Regulations
West Virginia hunting and trapping regulations are continually updated by the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources. For official information on hunting in West Virginia, please refer to their site.
Further hunting information
Information on hunting, trapping, and related sports in West Virginia will be featured here and on our quarterly guide, West Virginia Hunter Magazine.
Help build our guide to hunting in West Virginia.
Hunting is one of the most popular forms of recreation accommodated in West Virginia, and it's hard to keep up with the constant change. If you’ve noted inaccuracies in our content or would like to contribute as a correspondent, please contact a member of our editorial staff.
West Virginia Hunting News
2025 archery and crossbow hunting seasons open September 27 in West Virginia
First section of autumn 2025 black bear firearms season opens in West Virginia
West Virginia releases its 2025 hunting outlook and mast survey report
West Virginia shifts future meeting time for natural resources to boost public access
