Deer - Archery Season
2007-2008 Hunting Regulations

Additional Deer Archery Stamps | Special Seasons and Restrictions | Concurrent Hunting during Deer Archery Season

Three deer may be taken with a bow during the archery season - the first deer must be taken on one of the following valid base licenses or license combinations: resident (Class X, Class XJ, Class AB-L, Class A-L, Classes A+CS+BG); or a free license: Military, Disabled Veteran, former POW, or Senior Citizen; or nonresident (Classes XXJ+CS/LE or Classes E+CS/LE+UU). Underage residents and resident landowners hunting on their own land (see definition of resident landowner privileges) may take a first archery deer without a license. Up to two additional deer may be taken with Class RB or Class RRB stamps (one per stamp) or by resident landowners hunting on their own property. If two deer are taken on Class RB or RRB stamps or by a resident landowner using those privileges one of the two must be an antlerless deer taken in a county open to Class N antlerless hunting.

A hunter may take no more than three antlered deer per calendar year in all archery and firearms seasons combined.

Deer of either sex may be hunted statewide with a bow during the archery season. A bow, but not a crossbow, may be substituted for a firearm during any deer firearms season except muzzleloader season.

It is illegal:

• to be afield with both gun and bow, or with a gun and any arrows, except that persons who have a concealed weapon permit may carry a concealed handgun for self-defense only.
• to hunt with a crossbow and/or have a crossbow afield except for the holder of a Class Y permit during designated archery seasons.
  Crossbows must have:
  • a draw weight of at least 125 pounds.
  • a working safety.
  • bolts at least 18 inches long.
  • broadheads with at least two cutting edges at least ¾-inch in width.
• to hunt deer with arrows having less than two sharp cutting edges, measuring less than ¾ of an inch in width.
• to use a bow-locking device, except with a modified bow permit issued by the Director.
• to use an arrow with an explosive, drug-laced or poisoned head or shaft.
• to use an electronic call to hunt deer.

Additional Deer Archery Stamps

Class RB and Class RRB

During a calendar year a resident may purchase only two Class RB stamps and a nonresident may purchase only two Class RRB stamps. The Class RB or Class RRB archery stamps must be purchased before October 13, 2007, prior to the opening of archery season.

Only one deer may be taken with each Class RB or RRB stamp. Hunting on the Class RB or Class RRB stamps can begin on the day after legally checking the first deer.

Class RB or RRB stamps cannot be used for taking deer with a firearm.

Two additional deer may be taken with Class RB or Class RRB stamps or by a resident landowner hunting on their own land during the archery season. If two deer are taken on Class RB or Class RRB stamps or by a landowner using Class RB stamp privileges, one of the two must be an antlerless deer taken in a county open to Class N antlerless hunting.

The annual limit for the four-county area of Logan, McDowell, Mingo and Wyoming counties is two archery deer, one of which must be antlerless. One Class RB or RRB stamp is valid in these counties, except if the first archery deer was taken in a county open to firearms deer hunting, then two deer (one must be antlerless) may be taken on Class RB or RRB stamps in these counties. The taking of archery antlerless deer during the buck season is legal in these counties.

To take additional archery deer, all residents except resident landowners (see definition of resident landowner privileges) hunting on their own land are required to purchase Class RB stamps. All nonresidents are required to purchase Class RRB archery stamps to take additional archery deer. (See license requirements for deer hunting).

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Special Seasons and Restrictions

Urban Deer Archery Season

A special archery deer hunting season is available between September 29 − December 31, 2007 to incorporated cities, towns, villages and incorporated homeowner associations. To implement the hunt, homeowner associations must submit a written request to the Director by March 1 of the hunt year. During this special season two deer may be taken which shall not apply to the hunters regular archery season bag limit. For information regarding this special archery deer hunt contact your local municipal government, homeowner association or the appropriate DNR office.

Older-Aged Deer Management Areas

All antlered deer taken during archery season on Beech Fork Lake, Bluestone Lake, Burnsville Lake, and McClintic WMAs and Coopers Rock State Forest must have a minimum outside antler spread of 14 inches (ear tip to ear tip). The annual bag limit for antlered deer on these areas is one for all seasons combined. It is illegal to bait or feed wildlife on these areas.

Hampshire County CWD Containment Area

See special regulations regarding deer carcass transport and baiting and feeding of wildlife within this designated portion of Hampshire County.

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Concurrent Hunting during Deer Archery Season

A bow hunter may take small game at any time the small game season is open, except the first three days of buck season in counties having a buck season. Archery hunting is legal during muzzleloader deer season but must be done under archery deer hunting regulations.

Archery hunters must wear a blaze orange outer garment of at least 400 square inches during any deer firearms seasons.

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