West Virginia Hunting Guide 2026
Complete West Virginia hunting guide for 2026: seasons, license costs, draw odds, GMU boundaries, bag limits, and regulations. Compare every game species at a glance.
Wildlife Agency
West Virginia Division of Natural Resources
Hunter safety course required for first-time buyers
West Virginia Hunting Seasons
Whitetail Deer
| Season Type | Opens | Closes |
|---|---|---|
| Archery | Sep 30 | Dec 31 |
| Rifle | Nov 20 | Dec 3 |
| Muzzleloader | Dec 11 | Dec 24 |
Typical season windows, not 2026 dates — this table carries no year and has not been verified against the agency for the current season. Confirm with West Virginia Division of Natural Resources before you plan around them.
Bag limits: daily: 1, season: 3+ depending on stamp purchases
One antlered buck per weapon season. Additional antlerless with stamps. Excellent deer hunting with mostly public mountain land.
Turkey
| Season Type | Opens | Closes |
|---|---|---|
| Shotgun | Apr 15 | May 20 |
| Archery | Oct 14 | Nov 17 |
Typical season windows, not 2026 dates — this table carries no year and has not been verified against the agency for the current season. Confirm with West Virginia Division of Natural Resources before you plan around them.
Bag limits: daily: 1, season: 2 (spring), 1 (fall)
Spring bearded turkey. Fall gobbler season. Strong Eastern turkey populations. Excellent public land in National Forests.
Bear
| Season Type | Opens | Closes |
|---|---|---|
| Rifle | Dec 4 | Dec 10 |
| Archery | Sep 30 | Dec 31 |
Typical season windows, not 2026 dates — this table carries no year and has not been verified against the agency for the current season. Confirm with West Virginia Division of Natural Resources before you plan around them.
Bag limits: daily: 1, season: 1
Bear damage stamp required. Growing black bear population in the Allegheny Mountains. Dog hunting allowed.
Quail
| Season Type | Opens | Closes |
|---|---|---|
| Shotgun | Oct 14 | Feb 28 |
Typical season windows, not 2026 dates — this table carries no year and has not been verified against the agency for the current season. Confirm with West Virginia Division of Natural Resources before you plan around them.
Bag limits: daily: 4, season: No limit
Bobwhite quail. Populations declining statewide. Conservation efforts underway.
Planning Tools
- Tag-to-Trail Planner — interactive map: public land, harvest records, water, burns
- Hunt Cost Calculator — budget your full hunt cost
- Application Timeline — never miss an application deadline
- Preference Point Tracker — track points across all your states
