The Guide to the West Virginia Hunting Seasons 2025

It's an ideal place to hunt white-tail deer, wild boar, turkey, black bear, and more!

What information do you need to plan your West Virginia hunting seasons? Keep reading for an overview of season dates, bag limits, hunting license information, and more to help you plan your hunting year.

Why Do Hunters Hunt in West Virginia?

Hunting in West Virginia is a deep tradition, often involving generations of family members teaching and enjoying going after wild game year after year.

Hunters hunt in the Mountain State for the excellent variety of big game, with white-tailed deer being the most sought-after species in the state. The season spans about four months, so hunters have plenty of opportunity to tag out.

The growth of the turkey population makes turkey hunting another big draw in West Virginia. The state offers plenty of opportunities to tag out with a big bird.

You'll also find some of the country's most liberal hunting opportunities for black bears in West Virginia. From August through early January, you can track and hunt a bear to add to your hunting trophies.  

If you're new to hunting or have young hunters getting involved with the sport, there's also plenty of small game and waterfowl to keep you busy throughout the year.

Where Should I Hunt?

There's plenty of public land to hunt in West Virginia! The state owns or manages public access lands, including National Wildlife Refuges, National Forests, State Forests, National Park Service Lands, and Wildlife Management Areas (WMAs).

You'll also enjoy getting out into the state's beautiful landscape, including mountains and forests, in pursuit of wild game. It's a true outdoorsman's paradise!

Remember: no matter when, where, or what you hunt, HuntWise helps you scout land to find the best hunt areas for your day in the field. The HuntWise hunting app gives you land boundary lines and multiple map layers (including 3-D views) to help you visualize the terrain before you head out for a hunt.

When Can I Hunt?

When is deer season in West Virginia? Whether you're after big game or smaller creatures this year, let's start planning your hunts.

Note that the season information we provide here is the latest available from the West Virginia Department of National Resources (WVDNR). We'll continue updating this page with the latest information and dates as it becomes available.

We also recommend checking the state's official resources for the latest season dates, bag limits, and other details to keep up with current regulations.

There are no open seasons for owls, hawks, falcons, eagles, song and insectivorous birds, or elk. 

What Do I Need to Know About Regulations for Hunting in West Virginia?

All hunters born after January 1, 1975, must have proof of passing a hunter education course before getting a West Virginia hunting license.

Then, you can purchase the licenses you'll need for the game you plan to hunt through the state's online system. Choose from the licenses that fit you best, including youth, senior, resident, non-resident, disabled veteran, and lifetime.

What are the Bag Limits?

How many deer, turkeys, or wild boar can you bring home this year? To comply with the West Virginia hunting season regulations, make sure you know the bag limits any wild game you plan to hunt!

What Else Do I Need to Hunt?

Whether you're excited about the West Virginia deer hunting season or planning your first black bear hunt this year, you need the right gear!

Make sure you have the right stuff for an early season or a cold-weather hunt, including good binoculars, a sharp hunting knife, and your trusty rifle or bow.

Don't Forget: HuntWise Pro and Elite subscribers can save up to 40% on the best gear for successful hunts! Use exclusive gear discounts from our partners to save.

Bring Home More Game During the West Virginia Hunting Seasons with HuntWise

We hope this resource helps bring home everything you hunt during the West Virginia hunting seasons this year! Make sure you also confirm season dates, bag limits, and regulations with official state resources before heading out.

Then, start planning your hunts with the HuntWise hunting app! Use our 3-D views, map layers, and forecasting features for animal movement and weather to gain an advantage over other hunters and increase your chances of tagging out.

Try a Pro or Elite subscription for access to more app tools, including up to 15 days of weather forecasting and animal activity.

Start planning your hunts now! Download the app and start your free trial.