Your guide to hunting in West Virginia

West Virginia has rightfully earned the title of  “Wild and Wonderful.” With abundant wildlife, West Virginia is a haven for outdoorsmen of any kind. For hunters, West Virginia is an oasis containing an abundance of challenging game to hunt. Before you make your way into the woods of Almost Heaven for a hunt, make sure you know the best locations, regulations and dates throughout the year!

While world-class hunting can be found around the state, there are a few locations that many hunters seem to frequent. Lewis, Mason, Wood, Ritchie, Jackson, and Monroe counties are popular hunting regions, but the most ideal location can depend on the year. You can discover popular areas with the West Virginia Division of Natural Resource‘s annual Big Game Bulletin as well as the updated hunting regulations and dates each year!

Hunting Dates Hunting Regulations

While deer season is very popular in the Mountain State, there are plenty of other types of wildlife to hunt! Bear, quail, wild boar, raccoon, squirrel and several other animals have their own seasons throughout the year! One of the most exciting animals that has just recently been introduced in West Virginia is elk! Over the past year, more than 60 elk have been introduced in West Virginia, and now the population is surpassing 100. Before long, southern West Virginia will be a desirable destination for elk hunting. With so many options for hunting spanning across most of the year, West Virginia is the perfect place for your hunting getaway.

This post was last updated on March 17, 2022