CHARLESTON, W.Va. — One of West Virginia’s longest fall hunting seasons opens Saturday, as archery and crossbow hunters head into the woods for white-tailed deer, black bear and wild boar.
The statewide seasons open Sept. 26, beginning more than three months of bow hunting for deer and bear. Both seasons continue through Dec. 31, according to officials at the W.Va. Division of Natural Resources in Charleston.
The wild boar archery and crossbow season also opens Sept. 26 and runs through Dec. 31, with another short season scheduled Feb. 5–7, 2027.
Brett McMillion, director of the division, said the archery and crossbow seasons are ideal gateways to archery hunting.
“Archery and crossbow seasons are a great opportunity to introduce new hunters to the sport,” McMillion said. “As early big game seasons, they are highly anticipated and offer a great opportunity to reconnect with other hunters and enjoy the outdoors.”
The opening marks the start of the state’s major fall big-game seasons. West Virginia’s traditional buck firearms season follows on Nov. 23 and continues through Dec. 6, while muzzleloader, antlerless, and other special deer seasons are scheduled later in the year.
Unlike the shorter firearms seasons later in the year, archery and crossbow hunting give hunters access to much of the fall season, from the first weeks of changing leaves through early winter. Conditions can change substantially during that period as temperatures fall, foliage disappears, and deer behavior shifts toward the November breeding season.
The long season also overlaps with some of the busiest weeks for hiking, camping, and other outdoor recreation in West Virginia. People using public lands during hunting seasons are encouraged to stay aware of hunters, while hunters should check the rules governing the state, federal, or private property they plan to use.
Hunters should check regulations before heading afield
Division officials are reminding hunters to check licenses, stamps, and county-specific regulations before the seasons begin. Hunters who want to take additional deer during archery and crossbow season must purchase an additional archery deer stamp before the season opens. The stamps are designated Class RB for residents and Class RRB for nonresidents.
Hunters should also note new restrictions in parts of the state: deer carcass transportation restrictions are now in effect in Grant County, while baiting and feeding restrictions apply in Pendleton County. These restrictions are among several changes in West Virginia’s 2026–27 hunting regulations, so hunters should check current rules rather than rely on previous seasons’ regulations.
The state also allows hunters to use an unmanned aerial vehicle to track and locate mortally wounded deer, bear and wild boar. Hunters may also use one leashed dog to recover wounded game.
Wildlife officials are separately monitoring reports of hemorrhagic disease in deer as hunting season begins. As of Sept. 21, the state had confirmed the disease in Ohio County, where 15 dead deer had been reported, while samples from other areas were being tested.
Biting midges transmit hemorrhagic disease, which typically occurs in late summer and early fall, though officials say localized outbreaks generally do not substantially affect the state’s overall deer population.
Hunters age 15 and older generally must have a valid West Virginia hunting license unless they qualify to hunt under resident landowner privileges. Hunters must also carry valid identification.
You can get licenses and required stamps through WVHunt.com. Season dates, bag limits, open counties, and other requirements are included in the state’s 2026–27 Hunting and Trapping Regulations Summary.