Summary of Changes
2011-2012 Hunting Regulations

1. The statewide archery deer season will open this year on October 1, 2011.
2. All private land in counties having a firearms antlerless deer season (Class N or NN) will be open November 21 – December 10 and December 28-31. All public lands having an antlerless deer season will be open November 23 – December 10 and December 28-31. Bag limits vary among counties but will be either one, two or four antlerless deer. See pages 12-16 and 18.
3. Fall wild turkey hunting season has been reduced in 2011 with 12 counties open October 22-29; seven counties open October 22 - November 5; and 14 counties open October 22 - November 19. See page 33.
4. Black bear hunting seasons in 2011 include nine counties open September 26-28; 11 counties open September 26 – October 1; seven counties open November 21 – December 3 during the Buck Season, and all 55 counties open December 5-31. The daily bag limit is one bear per day with a season bag limit of two bears, provided at least one bear comes from Boone, Fayette, Kanawha, Logan, McDowell, Raleigh or Wyoming counties. See pages 38-39.
5. There will be a special controlled black bear hunting season with dogs December 5-31, 2011, on Nathaniel Mountain and Short Mountain Wildlife Management Areas. Prior application is required. See page 39.
6. The West Virginia Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) Containment Area has been expanded to now include all of Hampshire County, that portion of Hardy County which lies north of Corridor H and W.V. Rt. 55 from Wardensville to the Virginia Stateline, and that portion of Morgan County which lies west of US Rt. 522. See pages 11 and 31.
7. It is illegal to bait or feed any wildlife on public land between September 1 and December 31 and during the spring gobbler seasons.
8. The statewide squirrel hunting season will open this year on September 10, 2011.
9. Green colored, as well as amber and red-colored, artificial lights are legal for hunting coyote at night from January 1 thru July 31.
10. An otter trapping season will open this year on November 5, 2011 and run through February 29, 2012 with an annual bag limit of one otter, which must be checked at an official game checking station. See page 4.
11. The Lifetime Senior Hunting/Trapping/Fishing License (Class XS) is required for resident hunters, trappers, and anglers who reach 65 years of age on or after January 1, 2012. See page 42.