Hunting Seasons and Dates
When Can I Hunt in West Virginia?
Wondering when deer season begins in West Virginia? Whether you’re after big game or smaller species, knowing the season dates is the first step to planning a successful year of hunting.
The information provided here reflects the latest updates from the West Virginia Department of Natural Resources (WVDNR). We’ll continue to update this page as new dates and details become available.
For the most accurate and up-to-date information, be sure to check the official WVDNR website for current season dates, bag limits, and regulations before heading out.
Deer
- Buck Firearms: November 24 – December 7, 2025
- Archery and Crossbow: September 27 – December 31, 2025
- Antlerless (Split Season, Select Counties):
- October 23 – 26, 2025
- November 24 – December 7, 2025
- December 11 – 14, 2025
- December 28 – 31, 2025
- Muzzleloader: December 15 – 21, 2025
- Youth Hunt (Split Season): October 18 – 19, 2025 and December 26 – 27, 2025
The latest Hunting and Trapping Guide will have details about split seasons, counties, and bag limits.
Turkey
- Spring 2025: April 21 – May 25, 2025
- Youth Turkey Hunt: April 19 – 20, 2025
- Fall 2025 (Split Season):
- October 11 – 19, 2025
- October 27 – November 2, 2025
- October 27 – November 16, 2025
See the Hunting and Trapping Guide for details about counties for the split season.
Wild Boar
- Gun (Split Season): October 25 – November 1, 2025 and February 6 – 8, 2026
- Archery and Crossbow (Split Season): September 27 – December 31, 2025 and February 6 – 8, 2026
Black Bear
- Archery and Crossbow: September 27 – December 31, 2025
- Gun (Selected Counties):
- August 30 – September 7, 2025
- September 20 – 26, 2025
- October 4 – 10, 2025
- October 23 – 26, 2025
- November 24 – December 7, 2025
- December 8 – 31, 2025
- Youth Hunt (Split Seasons): September 13 – 14, 2025 and October 18 – 19, 2025
Small Game
- Squirrel (Gray, Black, Albino, Fox): September 13, 2025 – February 28, 2026
- Youth Squirrel: September 6 – 7, 2025
- Ruffed Grouse: October 18, 2025 – February 28, 2026
- Bobwhite Quail: November 1, 2025 – January 3, 2026
- Cottontail Rabbit: November 1, 2025 – February 28, 2026
- Snowshoe or Varying Hare: November 1, 2025 – February 28, 2026
- Ring-necked Pheasant:
- November 8 – January 3, 2026
- Hillcrest WMA: November 8 – December 6, 2025
- Bobcat: November 1, 2025 – February 28, 2026
Migratory Birds
- Mourning Dove (3-Way Split Season): September 1 – October 12, 2025, November 3 – 16, 2025, and December 8, 2025 – January 10, 2026
- Sora and Virginia Rails: September 1 – November 9, 2025
- Snipe: September 1 – December 16, 2025
- Woodcock: October 18 – November 22, 2025 and December 1 – 9, 2025
- Ducks, Coots, Mergansers (3-Way Split Season): October 4 – 12, 2025, November 8 – 16, 2025, and December 21, 2025 – January 31, 2026
- Scaup: October 4 – 12, 2025, November 8 – 16, 2025, December 21 – January 11, 2026, and January 12 – 31, 2026
- Gallinules (2-Way Split Season): October 4 – 12, 2025 and December 2, 2025 – January 31, 2026
- Early Canada Goose: September 1 – 14, 2025
- Canada Goose & White-fronted Geese (3-Way Split Season): October 14– 19, 2025, November 8 – 16, 2025, and December 8, 2025 – January 31, 2026
- Snow and Blue Geese: October 4 – 19, 2025, November 8 – 16, 2025, and December 8, 2025 – January 31, 2026
- Brant: January 2 – 31, 2026
Youth Waterfowl Hunts: September 20, 2025 and November 1, 2025
Coyote
Open year-round
Winter 2026 Mountaineer Heritage Hunt
Deer, Bear, and Turkey: January 8 – 11, 2026
