Annual hunt is scheduled for Sept. 1-2
SOUTH CHARLESTON, W.Va. — The West Virginia Division of Natural Resources (WVDNR) today announced that applications are now available for a controlled mourning dove hunt at the South Branch Wildlife Management Area on Sept. 1-2.
Hunters may apply at WVhunt.com, register in person at the WVDNR District 2 headquarters in Romney or request an application by calling the Wildlife Resources Section at 304-822-3551. Hunters who wish to participate must apply by midnight on July 1.
“West Virginia’s annual controlled mourning dove hunt unofficially marks the start of West Virginia’s fall hunting seasons and presents an exciting opportunity for hunters to target one of the most popular migratory game birds in the country,” said WVDNR Director Brett McMillion.
Hunters will be selected by random drawing and notified with their hunting day and shooting station assignments by Aug. 1. Each hunter may bring two guests. A valid West Virginia hunting license and a free Harvest Information Program registration card are required to hunt doves.
Mourning doves are small songbirds related to pigeons and classified as migratory game birds, which may be hunted in accordance with state and federal regulations. Permits are required to hunt mourning doves during the first two days of West Virginia’s season, which is anticipated to open on Sept. 1. No permits are necessary to hunt mourning doves after Sept. 2. Additional information about this season and other migratory game birds hunting opportunities will be available in the 2025-2026 West Virginia Migratory Bird Hunting Regulations, which will be available by the end of August at WVdnr.gov/hunting-regulations.
South Branch WMA is located at the upper end of what is known as the “trough section” of the South Branch River in Hardy County. To learn more about West Virginia’s WMAs, visit WVdnr.gov/wildlife-management-areas.