West Virginia 2023–2024 Hunting Season Dates

See Regulations Summary for Bag, Possession and Season Limits

Species Opening Date Closing Date
*Wild Boar (Gun) October 28 November 4
Split Season February 2 February 4
*Wild Boar (Archery and Crossbow) September 30 December 31
Split Season February 2 February 4
*Deer (Buck Firearms) November 20 December 3
*Deer (Archery and Crossbow) September 30 December 31
*Deer (Antlerless)
Split Season (Selected Counties)		 October 26 October 29
November 20 December 3
December 7 December 10
December 28 December 31
*Deer (Muzzleloader) December 11 December 17
*Deer (Youth/Class Q/Class XS)
Split Season (see page 32)		 October 21 October 22
December 26 December 27
*Deer, Bear and Turkey (Winter 2024 – Mountaineer Heritage – see page 34) January 11 January 14
*Bear (Archery and Crossbow) September 30 December 31
*Bear (Gun) (Selected Counties) September 2 September 10
October 7 October 13
October 26 October 29
November 20 December 3
December 4 December 31
*Bear (Youth/Class Q/Class XS – see page 36)
Split Season		 September 16 September 17
October 21 October 22
*Turkey, Fall
Split Season (Selected Counties – see page 42)		 October 14 October 22
October 30 November 5
October 30 November 19
*Turkey (Spring 2024 – Bearded Only) April 15 May 19
*Turkey (2024 Youth Season – see page 42) April 13 April 14
Squirrel (Gray, Black, Albino and Fox) September 9 February 29
Squirrel (Youth Season – see page 32) September 2 September 3
Ruffed Grouse October 14 February 29
Bobwhite Quail (Bobwhite quail hunting closed on Tomblin WMA) November 4 January 6
Cottontail Rabbit November 4 February 29
Snowshoe or Varying Hare November 4 February 29
Ring-necked Pheasant (cock birds only) November 4 January 6
Hillcrest WMA (cock birds only) November 11 December 2
Raccoon (Hunting) The bag limit of 4 is for the 24-hour period of 6 a.m. to 6 a.m. October 14 February 29
Raccoon (Trapping) November 4 February 29
Red Fox, Gray Fox (Hunting and Trapping) November 4 February 29
Red Fox, Gray Fox (Hunting – night with artificial light/night vision technology, see page 3) January 1 February 29
*Bobcat (Hunting and Trapping) November 4 February 29
Mink, Muskrat (Trapping) November 4 February 29
*Fisher (Trapping) November 4 January 31
*Beaver (Trapping) November 4 March 31
*Otter (Trapping) November 4 February 29
Crow – Split Season Nuisance Crows: crows committing depredations upon ornamental or shade trees, agricultural crops, home gardens, livestock, or wildlife, or when concentrated so as to constitute a health hazard and or other nuisance may be killed at any time. October 1 November 18
January 1 March 2
Coyote (Hunting)** Year-round
Skunk, Opossum, Woodchuck, Weasel, English Sparrow, European Starling and Pigeon (Hunting) Year-round
Skunk, Opossum, Coyote, and Weasel (Trapping) November 4 February 29
Elk, Song and Insectivorous Birds, Owls, Hawks, Falcons and Eagles
Geese, Ducks, Mourning Doves, Gallinules, Rails, Woodcock and Common Snipe Harvest Information Program (HIP) registration required. See WVDNR Migratory Bird Hunting Regulations available in August.