EARLY ANTLERLESS FIREARMS SEASON BENEFITS HUNTERS AND DEER POPULATION
CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Gov. Jim Justice and the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources (WVDNR) reminded hunters today about the state’s early antlerless deer firearms season, which will open Oct. 24–27. Hunters are encouraged to purchase their license and deer stamps at WVhunt.com before the season starts.
“As a lifelong hunter, there’s nothing more exciting than chasing a trophy buck, but taking a doe is just as important, if not more so,” said Gov. Justice. “Harvesting an antlerless deer helps keep our deer herds strong and healthy, so I encourage everyone to get out there and enjoy this wonderful season.”
The early antlerless season provides hunters several advantages, such as favorable weather conditions and an opportunity to meet harvest requirements for a second antlered buck in Berkeley, Greenbrier (south portion), Hampshire, Hardy, Jefferson, Mineral (east portion), Monroe, Morgan and Wood counties.
“In addition to giving hunters more opportunities to harvest deer, this season helps us control the state’s deer population,” said WVDNR Director Brett McMillion. “For every antlerless deer harvested in the October season, there will be more food for remaining deer during the winter months, which promotes a healthier, heavier and more productive deer herd and benefits other wildlife dependent on the woodland habitat.”
Additional segments of the deer firearms season are scheduled for Nov. 25 – Dec. 8, Dec. 12–15 and Dec. 28–31. Hunters in Logan, McDowell, Mingo and Wyoming counties and parts of Fayette, Raleigh and Wayne counties are reminded that the season is closed in these areas.
Hunters must wear at least 400 square inches of blaze orange in areas with an open deer firearms season. All hunters, including youth and those who are exempt from purchasing a license, are reminded to check their game at WVhunt.com by calling 1-844-WVCHECK or by visiting an authorized license agent.
Black Bear and Wild Boar Seasons
Firearms seasons for black bear and wild boar will also open in select counties in October. The black bear firearms season is Oct. 24–27 in areas open to antlerless deer hunting and the wild boar firearms season is open Oct. 26 – Nov. 2 in Boone, Logan, Raleigh and Wyoming counties.
Hunters 15 and older are required to have a valid West Virginia hunting license and form of identification while hunting. All antlerless deer must be taken on a Class N or NN stamp or Class DT license. Landowners hunting on their own property are exempt from purchasing these stamps.
For more information about the antlerless deer firearms season, consult pages 15–20 in the West Virginia Hunting Regulations Summary, at WVdnr.gov/hunting-regulations.
