WVDNR game biologists share top game species to target during fall hunting seasons

There comes a point in every hunter’s life when they want to further hone their hunting skills. If that’s you, fall is the perfect time to expand your horizons and challenge yourself by targeting game species you don’t normally pursue. With the help of our game biologists, we have compiled a few details about four game species you can target this fall.

Eastern Wild Turkey

Eastern wild turkeys can be found in all 55 West Virginia counties. Not only are they the largest game bird in North America, but they also offer a unique and rewarding hunting experience. Their keen senses and elusive nature make them a challenging target, perfect for hunters looking to refine their skills. Turkeys are highly intelligent and have an exceptional ability to detect danger, which means patience and strategic planning are key to a successful hunt.

The fall season provides a prime opportunity for hunting these birds as they are more dispersed and less vocal compared to the spring season. Click here to read our guide to West Virginia’s fall turkey season.

West Virginia’s fall turkey season is open October 12–20 in all 55 counties. Select counties are open for one additional week October 28 – November 3 and three additional weeks October 28 – November 17. Hunters may harvest one turkey of either sex during the fall season. For more information about wild turkey hunting in West Virginia, check pages 43–44 in the Hunting Regulations Summary.

White-tailed Deer

White-tailed deer are a staple of West Virginia’s hunting tradition, popular with both seasoned hunters and newcomers alike. White-tails are common across the West Virginia landscape, but counties in WVDNR District 3 are a great place to hunt deer. The remote mountainous reaches of the Monongahela National Forest also provide opportunities for hunters who want to backpack into an area and enjoy a deer hunting and camping adventure.

In District 3 counties, high deer densities mean that you have a good chance of filling your tags. If your home freezer is stocked with venison for the year, consider donating deer meat from your harvest to our Hunters Helping the Hungry program. 

Scouting before the season begins allows hunters to familiarize themselves with deer patterns, including food sources and travel routes, which increases the chances of a successful hunt. This pre-season preparation can make a significant difference, helping you to better anticipate deer movements and improve your overall hunting strategy. Click here to read our guide to West Virginia’s antlerless deer season.

West Virginia has several archery/crossbow and firearms seasons for white-tailed deer. Daily bag, possession and season limits vary by season and location. For more information about deer hunting in West Virginia, check pages 11–34 in the Hunting Regulations Summary.

Black Bear 

West Virginia provides numerous opportunities to hunt black bears — boasting the most liberal bear hunting seasons in the lower 48 states. With the flexibility to hunt with archery equipment, firearms and hounds, hunters have a variety of methods at their disposal to pursue black bears. 

While there are plenty of advantages for hunters in West Virginia, the challenge of hunting black bears lies in their vast home ranges and the difficulty of patterning their movements. However, focusing on areas with abundant food sources, such as mast-producing trees, can significantly improve your chances. Bears are active throughout the day, so extending your time in the woods increases your likelihood of encountering one. Black bears’ adaptability and varied activity times mean that hunters must be persistent and adaptable, making each successful harvest a testament to their skill and dedication.

While black bears have been harvested in 53 of West Virginia’s 55 counties in recent years, Boone, Fayette, Kanawha, Logan, McDowell, Mingo, Nicholas, Raleigh and Wyoming counties are great places to target bears due to their two-bear bag limit. 

West Virginia has several archery/crossbow and firearms seasons for black bear. Daily bag, possession and season limits vary by season and location. For more information about black bear hunting in West Virginia, check pages 37–42 in the Hunting Regulations Summary.

Cottontail Rabbit

If you’re used to hunting big game, eastern cottontail rabbits are a great small game to target. Their widespread distribution across West Virginia means they are accessible to many hunters. As an early successional species, cottontail are most abundant in areas with dense shrubby cover, brush piles, weeds and grasses.

Hunting cottontail rabbits during early morning and late evening can be particularly effective, as rabbits tend to be more active during these cooler times of day. During these periods, cottontail will sit along the edge of escape cover, where ample feeding opportunities exist. For those using hunting dogs, fall and winter offer ideal conditions, especially with a light snow cover that enhances tracking and makes for a fun and engaging hunt.

West Virginia’s 2024–2025 cottontail rabbit season is open November 2 to February 28, which allows hunters plenty of time to extend their hunting adventures well after big game seasons have ended. With no season limit and generous bag limits, cottontail rabbit hunting offers a satisfying experience that complements the larger game hunts of the fall season.

For more information about cottontail rabbit hunting in West Virginia, check the table on page 2 in the Hunting Regulations Summary.

Buy your hunting license and plan your fall hunting adventures today!

As you plan your fall hunting adventures, remember that all hunters 15 years and older are required to have a West Virginia hunting license. Depending on the type of license you get, you may also need to purchase stamps. Licenses and stamps can be purchased online at WVhunt.com.

While you’re at it, elevate your hunting experience by opting to purchase a durable license card. This collectible card not only looks good but serves as a memento of your commitment to the sport and the conservation efforts that keep it thriving. Buy your license today!