FRENCH CREEK, W.Va. – The three-day special antlerless deer season for youth hunters, persons with disabilities (Class Q/QQ permit), and senior citizens (holders of a Class XS license) is soon to be underway, according to the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources (DNR). The first segment of the season is one day, Oct. 15, 2016, and the second segment is two days, Dec. 26- 27, 2016. This season is open on private and public lands in counties having a firearms deer hunting season.
Youth hunters ages 8–17 may participate in this special antlerless deer season. Hunters ages 8–14 must be accompanied by a licensed adult who may not hunt or possess implements for the taking of wildlife. Hunters ages 15–17 must comply with all licensing requirements. Senior citizens, 65 years and older, who have purchased a lifetime senior citizen hunting/trapping/fishing license (Class XS) also may participate in this special antlerless deer season. Hunters participating in this season, as well as accompanying adults, must wear at least 400 square inches of blaze orange.
The daily bag limit for this special season is one antlerless deer per day, for a total of three antlerless deer that may be harvested during this season. These harvested deer will not count toward the hunter’s annual deer season bag limit, and Class N/NN stamps are not required for this antlerless deer season.
Each harvested deer must be field tagged and electronically registered within 24 hours of the close of each segment of the split season and before the pursuit of an additional deer. Deer can be checked in on the Electronic Licensing System (www.wvhunt.com), by calling 1-844-WVCHECK (1-844-982-4325), or by going to a license agent.
“Special antlerless seasons provide an excellent opportunity for parents and mentoring adults to pass on the skills, safe habits and traditions of hunting to youth hunters,” said Tyler Evans, wildlife biologist in DNR District 3. “These seasons also provide excellent opportunities for our seniors and other eligible hunters to take to the woods at a time when hunting pressure is at a reduced level.”
Please refer to the 2016-2017 West Virginia Hunting and Trapping Regulations Summary for additional details on the special antlerless deer split season for Youth, Class Q/QQ and Class XS hunters. Hunters may also direct questions to any of the six DNR district offices.