Dates, regulations and hunting tips for a successful antlerless deer season
Whether you’re a seasoned hunter or planning your first trip into the woods, understanding West Virginia’s antlerless deer season is crucial for a successful hunt. With specific regulations and season dates in place, this guide will help you stay informed and ready for the upcoming season. From identifying which deer you can legally harvest to knowing where and when to hunt, we’ve got you covered. Get ready to make the most of West Virginia’s antlerless deer season and enjoy the many benefits it offers.
What Deer Can I Legally Harvest During the Antlerless Season?
An antlerless deer is any deer without antlers. That part might be obvious, but additionally any deer with antlers that are not longer than three inches above the hairline are also considered antlerless deer. When in doubt, don’t shoot anything with visible antlers.
When hunting antlerless deer, focus on areas with high deer activity, such as the edge of fields and trails as well as areas of high acorn abundance. Pay attention to wind direction to avoid being detected by a deer’s keen sense of smell, and set up in a location that gives you a clear, ethical shot. Early mornings and late afternoons are prime times to hunt, as deer are most active during these hours. Remember to stay patient and wait for the right opportunity to ensure a successful and responsible harvest.
When Are West Virginia’s Antlerless Deer Seasons?
West Virginia’s antlerless deer season is a split season, which means the hunting dates are divided into separate time periods throughout the fall and winter. This structure allows hunters multiple opportunities to hunt antlerless deer during different phases of the season, accommodating various schedules and hunting conditions. The split seasons also help manage deer populations by spreading out the harvest over several weeks, reducing pressure on the herd and allowing for more sustainable hunting practices.
Antlerless deer season dates to remember:
- October 24–27
- November 25 – December 8
- December 12–15
- December 28–31
For more information about antlerless season dates, bag limits and special regulations for each county where the season is open, consult pages 15–20 in the Hunting Regulations Summary.
Where Can I Hunt During West Virginia’s Antlerless Deer Season?
The antlerless deer firearms season will be open on public and private land in all or portions of the state’s 51 counties that are open to deer firearms hunting. This gives hunters a wide range of environments to choose from, including state forests, wildlife management areas and private lands with written landowner permission. No matter what property type you plan to hunt, be sure to scout your area in advance to understand the terrain and locate deer activity.
The antlerless deer firearms season is closed in Logan, McDowell, Mingo and Wyoming counties, as well as portions of Fayette, Raleigh and Wayne counties, due to local deer population management strategies. Hunters in these regions should be aware of these restrictions and plan their hunts in counties where the season is open. Always check for any special regulations or additional restrictions in the specific area where you plan to hunt, as they can vary by county and land type.
West Virginia Antlerless Deer Season Regulations to Remember
Staying up-to-date on hunting regulations is more than just a legal requirement—it’s a commitment to safety and wildlife conservation. During West Virginia’s antlerless deer season, specific rules ensure that hunters can safely enjoy the outdoors while helping to maintain a healthy deer population. Here’s what you need to know to hunt responsibly and stay within the law:
Blaze Orange
Since West Virginia’s antlerless season is a firearms season, all hunters must wear a blaze orange outer garment of at least 400 square inches.
Field Tagging and Checking Game
Before you can transport a deer you harvest, you must attach to it a completed field tag with your name, address, hunting license number (if required) and the date, time and county of your harvest. This tag must remain on the deer until it is tagged with a WVDNR-issued 13-digit game check confirmation number.
Game check confirmation numbers can be acquired online at WVhunt.com, by calling 1-844-WVCHECK or by visiting an authorized license agent. Each deer must be electronically checked and tagged with your 13-digit game check number, name and address within 72 hours of harvest or within 24 hours of the season’s close, whichever comes first. This tag must remain on the deer until it is dressed for consumption.
By recording your harvests, you play an integral part in helping the WVDNR track deer herd trends, monitor doe harvest impacts and manage the deer population of West Virginia.
License and Stamp Requirements
All antlerless deer must be taken on a Class N or NN stamp or with a Class DT license. Resident landowners hunting on their own property (or their resident children, resident parents or resident tenants) do not have to purchase a Class N or NN stamp. Only one antlerless deer may be taken on each stamp.
All hunters 15 and older are required to have a valid West Virginia hunting license, unless they are hunting under resident landowner privileges, and must carry a valid form of identification while hunting. A West Virginia hunting license can be purchased at WVhunt.com.
Benefits of Hunting Antlerless Deer in West Virginia
An early antlerless deer firearms season provides several advantages for hunters, such as favorable weather conditions for tree-stand hunting and the ability to meet the harvest requirement some counties have for taking a second antlered buck in November. Counties that require hunters to harvest an antlerless deer before taking a second antlered buck include Berkeley, Greenbrier (south portion), Hampshire, Hardy, Jefferson, Mineral (east portion), Monroe, Morgan and Wood.
In addition to giving hunters more opportunities to harvest deer, West Virginia’s early antlerless season is designed to control the state’s deer population and promote healthier, heavier and more productive deer herds. For every antlerless deer harvested in the October season, there will be more food for remaining deer during the winter months, which benefits not only the state’s deer herd but other wildlife.
Buy Your License and Stamps and Plan Your Hunting Adventures Today
West Virginia’s antlerless deer hunting season will be here before you know it. Get your license and stamps and start planning your hunting adventures today. And while you’re at it, elevate your hunting experience by opting to purchase one of our new durable license cards. Get your license today at WVhunt.com.