In Season Now

Red Fox, Gray Fox (Hunting-night with artificial light/night vision technology)

Jan. 1 – Feb. 29

Crow (Nuisance Crows)

Jan. 1 – March 2

Squirrel (Gray, Black, Albino, and Fox)
Sept. 9 – Feb. 29

Ruffed Grouse
Oct. 14 – Feb. 29

Cottontail Rabbit
Nov. 4 – Feb. 29

Snowshoe or Varying Hare
Nov. 4 – Feb. 29

Raccoon (Hunting)
Oct. 14 – Feb. 29

Raccoon (Trapping)
Nov. 4 – Feb. 29.

Regulated hunting is the most important tool for managing game mammals and birds. Hunting seasons are established, (i.e., season lengths, bag limits, sex of bird/mammal legal for harvest) based on sound scientific research and biology of the game species and to maximize recreational opportunities for hunters. Additionally, sociological parameters like nuisance bear complaints, deer damage and other issues are evaluated for managing many game species as they relate to establishing hunting seasons.

In West Virginia, the Natural Resources Commission (NRC) is responsible for setting open seasons, season lengths, sex and bag limits, which are called exempt rules because they do not require passage by the West Virginia Legislature. Season changes and recommendations from the wildlife biologists and wildlife managers are presented to the WVDNR director annually for approval and are presented to the public for comments during the regulations public meetings held across the state. The annual season frameworks, bag limits, the public’s input from the regulations public meetings and other issues are presented to the NRC at their spring meeting (big-game seasons) and summer meeting (small-game seasons for the next year) to be approved or rejected. 

For specific hunting season dates, bag limits other information, go the current Hunting and Trapping Regulations Summary.

West Virginia 2023 – 2024 Hunting Season Dates

See Regulations Summary for Bag, Possession and Season Limits

SpeciesOpening DateClosing Date
*Wild Boar (Gun)October 28November 4
Split SeasonFebruary 2February 4
*Wild Boar (Archery and Crossbow)September 30December 31
Split SeasonFebruary 2February 4
*Deer (Buck Firearms)November 20December 3
*Deer (Archery and Crossbow)September 30December 31
*Deer (Antlerless)
Split Season (Selected Counties)
October 26October 29
November 20December 3
December 7December 10
December 28December 31
*Deer (Muzzleloader)December 11December 17
*Deer (Youth/Class Q/Class XS)
Split Season (see page 32)
October 21October 22
December 26December 27
*Deer, Bear and Turkey (Winter 2024 – Mountaineer Heritage – see page 34)January 11January 14
*Bear (Archery and Crossbow)September 30December 31
*Bear (Gun) (Selected Counties)September 2September 10
October 7October 13
October 26October 29
November 20December 3
December 4December 31
*Bear (Youth/Class Q/Class XS – see page 36)
Split Season
September 16September 17
October 21October 22
*Turkey, Fall
Split Season (Selected Counties – see page 42)
October 14October 22
October 30November 5
October 30November 19
*Turkey (Spring 2024 – Bearded Only)April 15May 19
*Turkey (2024 Youth Season – see page 42)April 13April 14
Squirrel (Gray, Black, Albino and Fox)September 9February 29
Squirrel (Youth Season – see page 32)September 2September 3
Ruffed GrouseOctober 14February 29
Bobwhite Quail (Bobwhite quail hunting closed on Tomblin WMA)November 4January 6
Cottontail RabbitNovember 4February 29
Snowshoe or Varying HareNovember 4February 29
Ring-necked Pheasant (cock birds only)November 4January 6
Hillcrest WMA (cock birds only)November 11December 2
Raccoon (Hunting) The bag limit of 4 is for the 24-hour period of 6 a.m. to 6 a.m.October 14February 29
Raccoon (Trapping)November 4February 29
Red Fox, Gray Fox (Hunting and Trapping)November 4February 29
Red Fox, Gray Fox (Hunting – night with artificial light/night vision technology, see page 3)January 1February 29
*Bobcat (Hunting and Trapping)November 4February 29
Mink, Muskrat (Trapping)November 4February 29
*Fisher (Trapping)November 4January 31
*Beaver (Trapping)November 4March 31
*Otter (Trapping)November 4February 29
Crow – Split Season Nuisance Crows: crows committing depredations upon ornamental or shade trees, agricultural crops, home gardens, livestock, or wildlife, or when concentrated so as to constitute a health hazard and or other nuisance may be killed at any time.October 1November 18
January 1March 2
Coyote (Hunting)**Year-round
Skunk, Opossum, Woodchuck, Weasel, English Sparrow, European Starling and Pigeon (Hunting)Year-round
Skunk, Opossum, Coyote, and Weasel (Trapping)November 4February 29
Elk, Song and Insectivorous Birds, Owls, Hawks, Falcons and Eagles
Geese, Ducks, Mourning Doves, Gallinules, Rails, Woodcock and Common SnipeHarvest Information Program (HIP) registration required. See WVDNR Migratory Bird Hunting Regulations available in August.