FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

NONRESIDENT

1. Is the buck season a hunter’s choice season?
   
   A. No. Hunters must possess a valid Class NN stamp to hunt antlerless deer. The 2007 antlerless deer season will be open on private land only during the Buck Season November 19-December 1 in 43 counties or parts thereof. This is not a hunter’s choice season in the counties where the antlerless deer season is open at the same time as the Buck Season. Hunters may take only one deer per day; therefore, a buck and an antlerless deer may not be taken on the same day.
   
   
2. I’m a nonresident and I am coming to WV to hunt deer. Does my 14 year old son need a license?
   
   A. 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 January 1, 1975 must show proof of completing a certified hunter education course prior to purchasing a license. Nonresident hunters between the ages of 8 and 17 may purchase a nonresident Junior license (XXJ) for $15 along with a CS/LE stamp for $12 to take one buck gun, one archery and one muzzleloader deer. Additional licenses are required to hunt antlerless deer and to take additional archery and firearm deer.
   
   
3. I live in Ohio and I own property in Hampshire County. Can I doe hunt without a license on my own property?
   
   A. 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.
   
   
4. 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 for a gun during a regular gun season?
   
   A. No. Except that a bow may not be substituted for a gun during the muzzleloader season.
   
   
5. I purchased an X license in January and moved to PA in June. Can I still hunt as a WV resident in November?
   
   A. 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.
   
   
6. I am a nonresident and only want to hunt bear, what licenses do I need?
   
   A. Nonresidents who plan to hunt only bear must purchase a nonresident bear hunting license Class EE ($150), a Bear Damage Stamp DS ($10), a Conservation / Law Enforcement Stamp ($12). A Class I ($2) stamp is needed for hunting on a National Forest. To hunt other species a nonresident must have a Class E ($110) license
   and appropriate stamps.
   
   
7. What is the CS/LE Stamp?
   
   A. 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 (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.
   
   
8. I am a handicapped nonresident hunter. Can I participate in the special Class Q hunts for deer in WV?
   
   A. Yes, provided you qualify for and obtain a Class Q hunting permit from the state of WV and purchase the appropriate licenses (Class E and Class CS/LE).

RESIDENT LANDOWNER

1. How many deer can I kill on my own property?
   
   A. 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.
   
   
2. I bought a Class X Hunting and Fishing license. I also own property in Brooke County. Can I kill my first deer as a licensed hunter and then kill my additional deer as a landowner?
   
   A. Yes. However, the additional deer must be killed on your own land.
   
   
3. I bought a Class X Hunting and Fishing license. I also own property in Brooke County. Can I kill my first deer as a landowner and then kill an additional deer on a Class X license?
   
   A. No. The hunter may kill his first deer as a landowner; however, if he does not possess a valid Class RG stamp he cannot kill a second deer on land he or his resident parents do not own.
   
   
4. I am a West Virginia resident, can I hunt without a license on my resident parents’ property?
   
   A. 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.
   
   
5. I am a corporate landowner with over 1,000 acres, can I kill a second doe without a Class N stamp?
   
   A. Yes, as long as you are a bona fide resident stockholder of a resident corporation which is formed for the primary purpose of hunting or fishing and they own no less than 1,000 acres of land that is located in one of the additional N or NN counties open to antlerless deer hunting.
   
   
6. I am a corporate landowner. Can I kill a second buck without an RG stamp?
   
   A. No. The corporate resident landowner exemption law applies only to the Class N Antlerless Deer Season.
   
   
7. Does a second antlered deer checked in by a resident landowner have to be checked in on a RG stamp or landowner?
   
   A. If a second deer is killed on the resident landowner’s property, the resident landowner may check the deer on either a RG stamp or as a landowner. If the deer was killed on someone else’s property, the hunter must check the deer on an RG stamp. In either case the deer is recorded on the game checking tag as additional deer (RG) and the RG stamp is no longer valid.
   
   
8. Are landowners exempt from field tagging game?
   
   A. 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 an official game checking tag.
   
   
9. 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?
   
   A. Yes. Unless the person under the age of 15 actually owns the land (See Pages 6, 26-27 & 29 of the 2007-2008 Hunting & Trapping Regulations).

CLASS N ANTLERLESS DEER SEASON

1. Do I need a Class N/NN stamp to hunt antlerless deer during the Buck Season?
   
   A. Yes. Unless you are exempt (See resident landowner privileges pages. 9 & 18 in the 2007-2008 Hunting and Trapping Regulations).
   
   
2. Are all 12 days of Buck Deer Season an “either sex” or “hunter’s choice”?
   
   A. No. Hunters must possess a valid Class N/NN stamp to hunt antlerless deer. The 2007 antlerless deer season will be open on private land only during the Buck Season in 43 counties or parts thereof for residents and 38 counties or parts thereof for nonresidents.
   
   
3. Can I purchase more than one Class N/NN stamp and do I have to purchase it before the antlerless season?
   
   A. A hunter may purchase more than one Class N/NN stamp (See Page 17 in the 2007-2008 Hunting and Trapping Regulations for counties open) for the season and counties open to antlerless deer hunting. Only one deer may be taken per Class N/NN stamp. Class N/NN stamps may be purchased anytime.
   
   
4. Do I need to specify in what county I plan to use my Class N/NN stamp?
   
   A. No. Class N/NN stamps are no longer county specific; however, lifetime license holders desiring to hunt in one of the limited counties must have been selected and issued an eligibility card in addition to the Class N stamp.
   
   
5. If a hunter buys two Class N/NN stamps at the same time, does the agent need to fill out 2 forms?
   
   A. No. The license agent only needs to complete one form and charge one issuing fee.

CLASS RG-RRG & CLASS RB-RRB STAMPS

1. How many Class RB or RRB stamps can I purchase and how many deer can I kill?
   
   A. Archery deer hunters may purchase two (2) Class RB or Class RRB stamps and take 2 additional deer. See Page 20 of the 2007-2008 Hunting and Trapping Regulations for additional information.
   
   
2. How many deer can be taken in the four archery-only counties (Logan, McDowell, Mingo & Wyoming)?
   
   A. Hunters may take two (2) deer [one on the base license and one 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 deer taken must be an antlerless deer .
   
   
3. I hunt in Lewis County, which is open to antlerless deer hunting, how many deer can I take during the archery season and are there any specific requirements?
   
   A. Since Lewis County is open to antlerless deer hunting, with the appropriate stamps (2 RB or 2 RRB stamps or as a landowner) bowhunters can take up to three (3) deer during the archery season. The first deer must be taken on the base license or as a landowner and may be either sex. However, one of the two additional deer taken on the RB or RRB stamps or as a landowner using those privileges must be an antlerless deer.
   
   
4. I have taken two deer as a landowner in Boone County during the bow season, can I still use my unfilled RB stamp in Boone County?
   
   A. No. Only two (2) deer may be taken in counties not having an antlerless deer season.
   
   
5. If I kill a buck on the first day of the buck season in one of the 43 counties open to antlerless deer hunting, can I use my RG or RRG to take an antlerless deer on the second day?
   
   A. No. The Class RG or RRG stamp is only valid for a second buck after checking in the first buck. The Class RG or RRG would only be valid for taking a buck on the second day. A Class N/NN stamp is required for taking an antlerless deer during the antlerless season.
   
   
6. Can an RG or RRG stamp be used in any county with an antlerless deer season for an additional antlerless deer?
   
   A. No. The RG and RRG stamp is only valid during the buck season for an additional antlered deer. (See Page 22 in the 2007-2008 Hunting and Trapping Regulations).

SPECIAL ANTLERLESS DEER SEASON OCTOBER 26-27 – HAMPSHIRE COUNTY

1. If I buy a Class N/NN stamp, can I hunt in Hampshire County during the special October 26th -27th season?
   
   A. Yes. Resident landowners are not required to have a Class N stamp to hunt on their own property. (See Page 19 in the 2007-2008 Hunting and Trapping Regulations)
   
   
2. What is a containment area and where is it located in Hampshire County?
   
   A. A “containment area” is an area designated by the Director of the Division of Natural Resources where deer have been found to be infected with chronic wasting disease. The purpose of a containment area is to manage, control, eradicate and/or prevent the spread of the disease. The containment area is the area North of US Route 50 in Hampshire County (See Page 11 in the 2007-2008 Hunting and Trapping Regulations).
   
   
3. Can I bait for deer outside the containment area?
   
   A. Yes. However baiting is prohibited inside the containment area (North of US Route 50 in Hampshire County). ee Page 11 in the 2007-2008 Hunting and Trapping Regulations

SPECIAL MUZZLELOADER SEASON - WILSON COVE STUDY AREA & HILLCREST WMAs

1. After taking a buck with a muzzleloader on the Hillcrest WMA during muzzleloader season (November 19-December 1, 2007) can I harvest an additional deer with my muzzleloader on a RG/RRG stamp?
   
   A. No. The RG/RRG stamp is no longer valid for taking a deer during the muzzleloader season. Hillcrest WMA and Wilson Cove Study Area have an antlered deer bag limit of one. The only manner in which two muzzleloader deer could be take on Hillcrest WMA is if the first deer taken with a muzzleloader was an antlerless deer, then an RM/RRM stamp could be used to take an antlered deer.
   
   
2. Are scopes allowed on muzzleloaders during the muzzleloader season?
   
   A. Yes.
   
   
3. Where is the Wilson Cove special muzzleloader area?
   
   A. Wilson Cove Study Area is located in Hardy County on the George Washington National Forest, Wardensville Wildlife Management Area. It is located at the head of Waites Run, approximately 6 miles South of Wardensville following State Route 5/1. This 5,000 acre tract of land will be closed to conventional firearm buck hunting November 19 through December 1, 2007. Hunters may hunt bucks in the Wilson Cove Study Area during the early muzzleloader (November 19-December 1, 2007) season using a muzzleloader. The bag limit of antlered deer is one for all seasons combined.
   
   
4. Can I hunt antlerless deer during the antlerless deer season on the Wilson Cove Study Area using a conventional rifle?
   
   A. Yes. You must have a valid Class N/NN stamp.
   
   
5. After taking a buck with a muzzleloader in the Wilson Cove Study Area during the muzzleloader season (November 19-December 1, 2007) can I take part in the late muzzleloader season for deer of either sex?
   
   A. Yes, provided you do not hunt on Wilson Cove Study Area, hunt in an area where either sex hunting is permitted on the RM/RRM stamp and have an unfilled RM/RRM stamp.
   
   
6. 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 Study Area?
   
   A. Yes.
   
   
7. Is there a special bucks-only muzzleloader deer season on Hillcrest WMA in lieu of the traditional bucks-only firearm deer season?
   
   A. Yes. The traditional buck firearms hunting season on Hillcrest WMA is closed. Instead, there will be a special buck muzzleloader season November 19 - December 1, 2007. The bag limit for antlered deer is one for all seasons combined.

LIFETIME LICENSE

1. I now reside in Ohio and possess a West Virginia lifetime license, do I need a Waterfowl Stamp?
   
   A. No. Lifetime license holders retain the privilege of an equivalent resident annual license for the remainder of his/her life and the privilege to hunt waterfowl is now included in the lifetime license.
   
   
2. 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?
   
   A. 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 counties, you must have been selected and issued an eligibility card in addition to the
   Class N stamp.

MILITARY LICENSE

1. What licenses does a nonresident military person have to purchase?
   
   A. All licenses that a nonresident has to obtain.
   
   
2. 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?
   
   A. No.
   
   
3. 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?
   
   A. 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. An active military ID card must be carried in lieu of a hunting license.

GENERAL

1. Is the special buck harvest restriction on McClintic WMA still in effect for 2007?
   
   A. Yes. All antlered deer taken during the archery, buck and muzzleloader seasons on McClintic WMA must have a minimum outside antler spread of 14 inches. The bag limit for antlered deer is one for all seasons combined.
   
   
2. Are there any other wildlife management areas with special buck harvest restrictions?
   
   A. Yes. Beech Fork Lake, Burnsville Lake and Bluestone Lake wildlife management areas as well as Coopers Rock State Forest require all antlered deer taken during the archery, buck and muzzleloader seasons have a minimum outside antler spread of 14 inches. The bag limit on all these areas for antlered deer is one for all seasons combined.
   
   
3. Is baiting or feeding for deer and other wildlife on McClintic, Burnsville, Bluestone, Beech Fork WMAs and Coopers Rock State Forest permitted?
   
   A. No. Baiting or feeding for deer and other wildlife on the four WMAs and State Forest is prohibited.
   
   
4. Is a person who holds a Class Q permit exempt from buying other licenses?
   
   A. No. The Class Q permittee is required to purchase all pertinent resident or nonresident licenses required for the hunting they wish to do.
   
   
5. Can a hunter during deer firearms season substitute a bow for a firearm without holding an archery license?
   
   A. Yes. A bow can be substituted for a gun during any firearms season except the muzzleloading deer season. Bow hunters during any firearm deer season must wear 400 sq. in. of blaze orange clothing.
   
   
6. Is baiting for deer legal?
   
   A. Yes. Except baiting is prohibited in the CWD containment area (area North of US Route 50) in Hampshire County and on McClintic, Beech Fork, Bluestone, Burnsville WMAs and Coopers Rock State Forest.

BEAR SEASON

1. As a WV resident do I need any licenses to bear hunt on my own property?
   
   A. No. But if you decide to hunt on your neighbor’s property (private or public), you need the appropriate hunting licenses.
   
   
2. Is bear hunting legal during the antlerless deer season?
   
   A. Yes. As long as the hunter has the proper license to hunt bear.
   
   
3. Is baiting for bear, boar or turkey legal?
   
   A. No.
   
   
4. Can I archery hunt for bear and gun hunt with dogs for bear in the Cranberry Closed Area?
   
   A. Bear hunting is now legal in all of Pocahontas, Greenbrier and Webster counties. The Cranberry Closed Area no longer exists.

COYOTE HUNTING

1. Can I hunt coyotes at night with an artificial light?
   
   A. Coyote hunting with a red or amber colored artificial light is permitted between January 1, 2008 and July 31, 2008. Firearms are restricted to rimfire rifles or pistols of .22 caliber or smaller and shotguns with No. 4 or smaller shot.