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INFORMATION SUMMARY & FAQ 2020-2021 HUNTING AND TRAPPING (Note: Changes in Hunting/Trapping Regulations for 2020-2021 Seasons DEER SEASONS – ARCHERY AND CROSSBOW
Q. How many deer can be taken in the four archery-only counties (Logan, McDowell, Mingo & Wyoming)? Hunters may take two (2) deer - one (1) on the base license except Class A and one (1) on an RB or RRB stamp or two (2) on RB or RRB stamps if the first deer was taken in a county open to buck firearms season; however, in any case one (1) of the two (2) deer taken must be an antlerless deer. ONLY one buck may be taken in these counties per year!
Q. How many Class RB/RRB stamps can I purchase and how many deer can I kill? Archery and crossbow deer hunters may purchase two (2) Class RB/RRB stamps and take two (2) deer on these tags. In 11 select counties or parts thereof (consult the 2020-2021 Hunting and Trapping Regulations Summary), an antlerless deer must be taken prior to harvesting a second antlered deer.
Q. I hunt in Calhoun County, which is open to antlerless deer hunting. How many deer can I take during the 2020 archery and crossbow seasons and are there any specific requirements? Because Calhoun County is open to antlerless deer hunting, with the appropriate stamps (2) RB/RRB stamps or under landowner privilege, bowhunters and crossbow hunters can take up to three (3) deer during the archery and/or crossbowdeer season. One (1) deer may be taken on the base license except Class A or as a landowner and may be either sex and two (2) deer may be taken on RB/RRB stamps. Before you can take your second buck on the RB or RRB stamps or as a landowner using those privileges, you must kill and check in an antlerless deer from Calhoun County.
Q. Can a hunter substitute a crossbow for a bow during the deer archery season? Technically no; however, the archery and crossbow seasons run concurrently and license requirements are the same for both seasons. Deer of either sex may be hunted statewide with a bow or crossbow during the archery and crossbow seasons, except that crossbows are not permitted in Logan, McDowell, Mingo and Wyoming counties, except by the holders of Class Y/YY permits.
Q. Can I use a bow or crossbow to hunt on the Bright McCausland Homestead Wildlife Management Area? No, this area is closed to Archery and Crossbow hunting of ANY kind.
DEER SEASONS – MUZZLELOADER
Q. Are scopes allowed on muzzleloaders during the muzzleloader season? Yes, but not during the Mountaineer Heritage Season.
Q. Is there a special bucks-only muzzleloader deer season on Hillcrest WMA and Wilson Cove Area in lieu of the traditional buck firearm deer season? Yes. The traditional buck firearms hunting season on these areas is closed. Instead, there will be a special buck muzzleloader season Nov. 23 - Dec. 6, 2020. The bag limit for antlered deer is one (1) for all seasons combined. Q. After taking a buck with a muzzleloader on the Hillcrest WMA during muzzleloader season (Nov. 23 - Dec. 6, 2020) can I harvest an additional deer with my muzzleloader on an RG/RRG stamp? No. The RG/RRG stamp is not valid for taking a deer during the muzzleloader season. Hillcrest WMA and Wilson Cove Area have an antlered deer bag limit of one (1).
Q. Does a nonresident hunter, possessing a Class E license need a muzzleloader deer hunting stamp (Class VV) in order to participate during the muzzleloader season for bucks in the Wilson Cove SA or Hillcrest WMA? Yes. Q. Where is the Wilson Cove special muzzleloader area? Wilson Cove Area is located in Hardy County on the George Washington National Forest, Wardensville WMA. It is located at the head of Waites Run, approximately 6 miles South of Wardensville following State Route 5/1.
Q. Can I hunt antlerless deer during the antlerless deer season on the Wilson Cove SA or Hillcrest WMA using a conventional rifle? Yes, except for the early special muzzleloader season (Nov. 23 - Dec. 6, 2020) when deer may only be hunted with a muzzleloader or crossbow. You must have a valid Class N/NN stamp. Hillcrest WMA is limited antlerless season permits and requires prior application. Q. After taking a buck with a muzzleloader in the Wilson Cove SA or Hillcrest WMA during the muzzleloader season (Nov. 23 - Dec. 6, 2020), can I take part in the late muzzleloader season for deer of either sex? Yes, provided you do not hunt antlered deer (The bag limit for antlered deer is one (1) for all seasons combined). You must hunt in an area where either sex hunting is permitted on the RM/RRM stamp and have an unfilled RM/RRM stamp.
DEER SEASONS – ANTLERLESS
Antlerless Deer Season will be open on private and public land (Oct. 22-25, Nov. 23 – Dec. 6, Dec. 10-13 and Dec. 28-31, 2020) in 51 counties or portions thereof. Resident and non-resident hunters will need to apply for a limited number of antlerless Class N/NN permits for seven (7) counties or parts thereof, one (1) wildlife management area and five (5) state forests. Hunters hunting on a wildlife management area, state forest or county with limited permits must have been selected and issued an eligibility card in addition to the Class N stamp to hunt on the wildlife management area, state forest or county specified on the eligibility card. This is not a hunter’s choice season in the counties where the antlerless deer season and the buck firearms season are open at the same time. To hunt antlerless deer a valid Class N/NN stamp is required for all hunters regardless of age except for resident tenants (residing on the property), resident landowners and their resident children hunting on their own land or land of their resident parents and resident parents hunting antlerless deer on their resident children’s land; and holders of a Class DT license. Class N/NN Antlerless Deer Stamps – These stamps are not county specific. Q. Do I need a Class N/NN stamp to hunt antlerless deer during the buck firearms season? Yes. Unless you are exempt from having to purchase one (i.e., resident landowner). Q. Can I purchase more than one Class N/NN stamp and do I have to purchase it before the antlerless deer season? A hunter may purchase more than one (1) Class N/NN stamp for the season and counties open to antlerless deer hunting. Only one (1) deer may be taken per Class N/NN stamp. Class N/NN stamps may be purchased anytime. Q. Can a nine-year-old hunter hunt antlerless deer during the regular antlerless deer season? All hunters participating in the antlerless deer season regardless of age (with the exception of landowner privilege) are required to purchase a Class N stamp. However, a youth hunter can now purchase a Class N/NN stamp (which is not a base license) without having to fulfill the hunter education requirement (i.e. law was changed in 2012 which states that no base hunting license [e.g. Class X, XJ, E, etc.] may be issued to a person born on or after Jan. 1, 1975, without taking a hunter education course).
DEER SEASONS – BUCK FIREARMS
Q. During buck firearms season can a hunter substitute a bow or a crossbow for a firearm without holding an archery license? Yes. A bow or a crossbow can be substituted for a gun during any firearms season except only a crossbow, not a bow, can be substituted during the muzzleloader deer season. Bow and crossbow hunters during any firearm deer season must wear 400 sq. in. of blaze orange clothing. Q. If a hunter harvests a buck on the first day of the buck firearms season on private land in one of the 51 counties or parts thereof open to antlerless deer hunting, can I use my RG or RRG to take an antlerless deer on the second day? No. The Class RG or RRG stamp is only valid for taking a buck during the buck firearms season. A Class N/NN stamp is required for taking an antlerless deer during the antlerless season.
DEER SEASONS – YOUTH/CLASS Q/CLASS XS ANTLERLESS DEER SEASON
DEER SEASONS – URBAN ARCHERY/CROSSBOW DEER SEASON
Q. Can a hunter be participating in the urban archery/crossbow deer season harvest two (2) deer per day? Yes, unless the hunt regulations developed by the municipality prohibit the taking of two (2) deer per day. Hunters should consult the municipality regulations for additional information. Q. Are crossbows permitted for use in the urban archery/crossbow deer season? During the May, 2015 Natural Resources Commission meeting, the Commission approved crossbows for use during this special season. However, hunters participating in this special season should consult the municipality regulations for additional information to make sure they are permitted by the regulations developed by the city governing body.
SPECIAL DEER HUNTS
GENERAL DEER INFORMATION Older-Aged Deer Management Areas – Beech Fork Lake, Bluestone Lake, Burnsville Lake, McClintic and Little Kanawha River Wildlife Management Areas, and Calvin Priceand Coopers Rock State Forests have been designated older aged deer management areas and feeding and baiting for deer and other wildlife is prohibited. All antlered deer taken must have a minimum outside antler spread of 14 inches. The annual antlered deer bag limit is one (1) for archery, crossbow and firearms seasons combined. Antlered Deer Annual Bag Limit – No more than three (3) antlered deer (bucks) may be taken during the year in all seasons combined with appropriate licenses. Q. What is the daily bag limit for deer? The daily bag limit for deer was increased in 2013, and up to two (2) deer may be taken per day (not to exceed the season bag limit), but only one (1) antlered deer may be taken in a day. Q. If a hunter harvests two deer in a day, does the first deer have to be electronically registered prior to pursuing the second deer? No. The first deer does not have to be electronically registered prior to harvesting the second deer. However, all deer legally taken must be electronically registered and legally tagged prior to hunting during a subsequent day. Q. What is a CWD Containment Area and where is it located? A “CWD Containment Area” is an area designated by the Director of the Division of Natural Resources where deer have been found, or are near, to animals being infected with chronic wasting disease (CWD). The purpose of a containment area is to manage, control, eradicate and/or prevent the spread of the disease. The CWD Containment Area includes all of Berkeley, Hampshire, Hardy, Mineral and Morgan (carcass transport & baiting and feeding restrictions) and Grant, Jefferson counties (baiting and feeding restriction only).
Q. Is baiting for deer legal? Yes, with the following exceptions: baiting is prohibited in the CWD Containment Area; and it is illegal to bait or feed any wildlife at any time on public lands.
Q. Can a crossbow be substituted for a gun during the buck firearms, muzzleloader or antlerless deer seasons? Yes, however, crossbows are not permitted during the Mountaineer Heritage Season.
Q. Which deer hunting stamps are required to be purchased prior to the season opening date? The RB and RRB stamps are required to be purchased no later than September 25, 2020. RG and RRG stamps are required to be purchased no later than Nov. 22, 2020; and RM and RRM stamps are required to be purchased no later than Dec. 13, 2020). Antlerless deer stamps (Class N or NN) may be purchased at any time. DEER AND BLACK BEAR MOUNTAINEER HERITAGE SEASONS/REGULATIONS
Q. Can I use a muzzleloader during the Mountaineer Heritage season with a telescopic sight? No, telescopic sights are not legal for use during this season. Q. Can I kill a buck or doe during the Mountaineer Heritage Season if I have already killed three bucks during the regular deer seasons? In this case, would only be able to kill an antlerless deer during the Mountaineer Heritage Season. A hunter may take no more than three antlered deer during the regular deer seasons and the following Mountaineer Heritage Season. Q. Can I use a dog to bear hunt during the Mountaineer Heritage Season? No, the use of dogs is not permitted to bear hunt during the Mountaineer Heritage Season, except for the use of a leashed dog to track a mortally wounded deer or bear (see page 7 of the 2020-2021 Hunting and Trapping Regulations Summary).
BLACK BEAR SEASONS/REGULATIONS
Q. As a WV resident, do I need any licenses to bear hunt on my own property? No. But if you decide to hunt on your neighbor’s property (private or public), you need the appropriate hunting licenses.
Q. Is bear hunting legal during the antlerless and muzzleloader deer seasons in December? This depends on the county you want to hunt in, please check pages 38-39. Q. If I want to bear hunt on Nathaniel Mountain or Short Mountain WMAs, am I required to apply for a permit? No, the special permit season for bear dog hunters was discontinued in 2016. Q. What is the bag and season limits on black bears? The daily bag limit is one (1) bear per day with a season bag limit of two (2) bears, provided at least one (1) bear comes from Boone, Fayette, Kanawha, Logan, McDowell, Mingo, Nicholas, Preston, Raleigh, or Wyoming counties. Q. Is it legal to hunt bears during the buck firearms season? Yes, all 51 counties that are open to buck firearm hunting will have a bear season on both public and private land where prior application for a permit is not required. All bear hunters must possess a Bear Damage Stamp (DS) to hunt bears, except hunters exempt from having to purchase one, i.e., resident landowners. BEAR SEASONS – YOUTH/CLASS Q/CLASS XS BEAR SEASON
WILD TURKEY – FALL SEASON/REGULATIONS
Q. Is the baiting for turkeys legal in WV during the spring or fall turkey season? No. Baiting for turkeys in both the spring and fall hunting seasons is prohibited.
WILD TURKEY - SPRING SEASONS/REGULATIONS
Q. Can rifles be used during the youth spring gobbler season? No, only shotguns, bows (arrows must have a point with at least two sharp-cutting edges measuring in excess of ¾ inch wide) or crossbows are permitted. Shot size restrictions have been removed. Q. Can XS license holders participate in the youth spring gobbler season? No. Class XS license holders are only permitted to hunt in the youth antlerless deer season, the Class XS license privilege does not apply to other youth seasons (e.g. youth spring gobbler season, youth small game season). GENERAL HUNTING/TRAPPING INFORMATION – New in 2020 A special Youth/Class Q/Class XS bear season will be open October 17 and 18 on public and private lands in the 51 counties open to a firearms deer hunting season. The use of dogs is prohibited during this season. See page 36 of the 2020-2021 Hunting and Trapping Regulations Summary. Season dates and open counties for antlerless deer, fall turkey and black bear hunting seasons have changed, including Sunday closing days for Buck Firearms, Antlerless, Bear Firearms and Fall Wild Turkey seasons. The youth squirrel season has been extended to include Sunday, Sept. 6, 2020. In addition to shotguns and crossbows, the use of bows with arrows equipped with a point having at least two sharp-cutting edges measuring in excess of ¾ inch wide are now legatl during the Youth Spring Gobbler Season. The Spring Gobbler Season is extended an additional 8 days and will close on Sunday, May 23, 2021. The limitation on the number of apprentice hunting and trapping licenses a person may purchase of been removed. It is illegal to bait or feed wildlife on public lands at any time. Leashed dogs may now be used to track and locate mortally wounded deer or bear (see page 7 of the 2020-2021 Hunting and Trapping Regulations Summary). A West Virginia resident child under 12 years of age and that has been legally adopted is eligible for a infant lifetime license provided that the license is purchased within two years of the adoption order or decree. Bolts and arrows at least 16 inches long, including the insert and the nock, are legal for use with a crossbow. Please consult the 2020-2021 Hunting and Trapping Regulations Summary for additional details. A Lifetime Senior/Hunting/Trapping/Fishing License (Class XS) is required of all resident hunters, trappers and anglers who reach 65 years of age on or after Jan. 1, 2012 (with the exception of landowners and lifetime license holders). Resident and Non-resident Apprentice Hunting/Trapping/Fishing licenses are available as of Jan. 1, 2013. These licenses will allow a person who wants to try hunting without taking a hunter education course to do so. However, stipulations apply, including that an individual must be accompanied by a licensed adult hunter and must not have purchased a base hunting license in previous years. See hunting and trapping regulation summary for additional details. Law relating to the discharging of firearms in the vicinity of dwellings was modified in 2013 - It is illegal to shoot a firearm within 500 feet of a school, church or dwelling, or on or near a park or other place where persons are gathered for pleasure; provided, a resident or guest of a dwelling may shoot a firearm within 500 feet of the dwelling where the person lives, if all residents of the dwelling consent and no other dwellings are within 500 feet. It is illegal to shoot, hunt or trap upon the fenced, enclosed, purple paint marked or posted lands of another person without having on possession written permission from the landowner. For the purposes of the purple paint posting law: boundaries must be marked with a clearly visible purple paint marking, consisting of 1 vertical line no less than 8 inches in length and 2 inches in width, and the bottom of the mark not less than 3 nor more than 6 feet from the ground or normal water surface. Such marks must be affixed to immovable, permanent objects that are no more than 100 feet apart and readily visible to any person approaching the property. Signs shall be posted at all roads, driveways or gates of entry onto the posted land so as to be clearly noticeable from outside the boundary line.
OTHER FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS NONRESIDENT HUNTERS Q. Is the buck season a hunter’s choice season? No. Hunters must possess a valid Class NN stamp to hunt antlerless deer. Hunters may take two (2) deer per day (if they have the appropriate licenses and/or permits); however, only one (1) antlered deer may be taken on any given day. Q. I’m a nonresident and I am coming to WV to hunt deer. Does my 14 year old son need a license? Yes. All nonresidents (except those who have a WV lifetime license), regardless of age, are required to possess a nonresident license. Both resident and nonresident hunters born on or after Jan. 1, 1975, must show proof of completing a certified hunter education course prior to purchasing a base license. Nonresident hunters between the ages of 8 and 17 may purchase a nonresident junior sportsman license (XXJ) for $16 along with a CS/LE stamp for $13 to take one (1) buck gun, one (1) archery or crossbow, and one (1) muzzleloader deer (during the traditional seasons). Additional licenses are required to hunt antlerless deer and to take additional archery and firearm deer. Q. I live in Ohio and I own property in Marion County. Can I hunt without a license on my own property? No. Nonresidents, even though they own and pay taxes on property in WV, cannot hunt on the property they own in WV without first obtaining a nonresident license.
Q. I am a nonresident and possess Class E, CS/LE stamps. Am I required to purchase a Class UU stamp if I substitute my bow or crossbow for a gun during a regular gun season? No. Except that a bow may not be substituted for a gun during the muzzleloader season.
Q. I purchased a Class X license in January and moved to PA in June. Can I still hunt as a WV resident in November? Yes. A resident, who purchased a license during the year and holds a valid resident license when he moves out of the state, may continue to use the resident license for the rest of the calendar year. Only senior citizens over 65, Class Q and veterans surrender their hunting privileges when leaving the state.
Q. I am a nonresident and only want to hunt bear, what licenses do I need? Nonresidents who plan to hunt only bear must purchase a nonresident bear hunting license Class EE ($162), a Bear Damage Stamp DS ($10), and a Conservation/Law Enforcement Stamp ($13), unless they hold a Class DT license. A Class I ($2) stamp is needed for hunting on a National Forest. To hunt other species, a nonresident must have a Class E ($119) license and appropriate stamps.
Q. What is the CS/LE Stamp? The Conservation/Law Enforcement Stamp (CS/LE) is required of all nonresident hunters, anglers and trappers along with a base license that applies to the type of hunting (i.e., Class E, EE, or H). Funds derived from the sale will pay for expenses relating to general enforcement of state laws pertaining to the conservation of fish, wildlife and/or law enforcement education programs.
Q. I am a handicapped nonresident hunter. Can I participate in the special Class Q hunts for deer in WV? Yes, provided you qualify for and obtain a Class Q hunting permit from the state of WV and purchase the appropriate licenses (i.e., Class E and Class CS/LE).
RESIDENT LANDOWNER
Q. How many deer can I kill on my own property? A resident landowner on his own property can kill the same number of deer as a licensed hunter and no more. A hunter (licensee or landowner) cannot exceed the number of deer allowed in the respective season.
Q. I bought a Class X Hunting and Fishing license and own property in Brooke County. Can I kill my first deer as a licensed hunter and then kill my additional deer as a landowner? Yes. However, the additional deer must be killed on your own land.
Q. I bought a Class X Hunting and Fishing license and own property in Brooke County. Can I kill my first buck during the buck-firearms season as a landowner and then kill an additional deer on a Class X license on my buddy’s property? Yes. The hunter may kill his first deer as a landowner (fulfilling his RG privilege) and his additional deer on his Class X license.
Q. I am a West Virginia resident; can I hunt without a license on my resident parents’ property? Yes. WV resident children may hunt on their resident parents’ property without a license. Resident parents may hunt on their resident children’s property without a license.
Q. Are landowners exempt from field tagging game? No. A landowner or hunter must complete a field tag before moving the animal from where it was killed, but now has the option of attaching the tag to the deer or staying with the animal and keeping the completed field tag on their person. Immediately upon arriving at their residence, camp, hunting lodge, vehicle or vessel the field tag must be attached to the carcass and remain there until the animal is retagged with a DNR-issued game tag number. Q. Does a resident under the age of 15 have to be accompanied by a licensed hunter or equivalent when hunting on his resident parents’ property? Yes, unless the person under the age of 15 actually owns the land.
LIFETIME LICENSE Q. I now reside in Ohio and possess a West Virginia lifetime license; do I need a Waterfowl Stamp? Yes, a federal migratory waterfowl stamp and a harvest information program (HIP) card are required.
Q. I now reside in Ohio and possess a West Virginia lifetime license and want to antlerless deer hunt. What stamp do I buy, and can I hunt in counties that are only open to residents? You buy a resident Class N stamp and you can hunt in counties open to residents or nonresidents; however, to hunt in one of the limited wildlife management areas, state forests or counties, you must have been selected and issued an eligibility card in addition to the Class N stamp.
MILITARY LICENSE Q. What licenses does a nonresident military person have to purchase? All licenses that a nonresident has to obtain. Q. I’m on military leave and when I joined the military, I was a resident of PA. Can I hunt in WV without a license? No.
Q. I’m on military leave, and when I joined the military, I was a resident of West Virginia. Can I hunt in WV without a license? Yes. However, he/she must purchase the additional resident stamps (i.e., A1, N, RG, RM and RB) that are not included with free license privileges. Active military leave or furlough papers must be carried in lieu of a hunting license.
GENERAL
Q. Is a person who holds a Class Q permit exempt from buying other licenses? No. The Class Q permittee is required to purchase all pertinent resident or nonresident licenses required for the hunting they wish to do.
Q. Can a hunter who possesses a concealed weapons permit carry a concealed weapon while hunting? Individuals who possess a valid concealed carrying permit may carry a concealed handgun while hunting for the purposes of self defense only. Q. Can my 16 year old son participate in the youth spring turkey season?Yes. Youth hunters (ages 8 to 17) may participate in this season. However, all licensing requirements remain in effect for ages 15-17. Q. Can I hunt coyotes and foxes at night with an artificial light? Coyote hunting with any color artificial lightis permitted from Jan. 1 - July 31, 2020. Beginning in 2021, coyote hunting with any color artificial light will be permitted Jan.1 – Aug. 31, 2021. Firearms are restricted to rifles and pistols of .22 centerfire caliber or smaller and shotguns with No. 2 or smaller shot. In addition, fox are permitted to be hunted with artificial lights from Jan. 1 - Feb. 28, 2021.
WATERFOWL HUNTING Q. If I want to waterfowl hunt on my own property, am I required to buy a federal migratory waterfowl stamp? Yes. All hunters 16 years of age or older, whether they are hunting on their own land or on lands of another party, are required to purchase a federal migratory waterfowl stamp. However, if you are hunting on you own property (landowner privilege and no license required) a harvest information program (HIP) card is not needed. Only licensed hunters need to obtain a harvest information program (HIP) card.
Q. Are senior citizens or underage hunters required to purchase a federal migratory waterfowl stamp? All hunters 16 years of age or older are required to purchase a federal migratory waterfowl stamp and all licensed hunters (those not exempt from purchasing a hunting license) must obtain a harvest information program (HIP) card. Youths 15 and under and senior citizens who turned 65 prior to 2012 do not need a HIP card.
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