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West Virginia Hunting Season Dates 2026–27

Season openers, closers, and tag requirements by species. Always confirm against WV Dept of Natural Resources (WVDNR) before you hunt. Dates can change.

License: resident $19 · nonresident $119. Species tags and permits are extra. See each section below.

White-tailed Deer Season Dates

SeasonOpensClosesTag
Archery and CrossbowSep 26, 2026Dec 31, 2026Base License (+ Class RB/RRB stamps for additional deer)
Archery - Logan, McDowell, Mingo and Wyoming (crossbow closed): Logan, McDowell, Mingo and Wyoming countiesSep 26, 2026Dec 31, 2026Base License (+ Class RB/RRB stamps)
Buck FirearmsNov 23, 2026Dec 6, 2026Base License (+ Class RG/RRG stamp for a second buck)
Antlerless Firearms (first segment)Oct 22, 2026Oct 25, 2026Class N or NN Stamp / Class DT License
Antlerless Firearms (second segment, concurrent with buck firearms)Nov 23, 2026Dec 6, 2026Class N or NN Stamp / Class DT License
Antlerless Firearms (third segment)Dec 10, 2026Dec 13, 2026Class N or NN Stamp / Class DT License
Antlerless Firearms (fourth segment)Dec 28, 2026Dec 31, 2026Class N or NN Stamp / Class DT License
MuzzleloaderDec 14, 2026Dec 20, 2026Class RM or RRM Stamp
Youth / Class Q / Class XS Antlerless (first segment)Oct 17, 2026Oct 18, 2026Youth, Class Q or Class XS (no Class N/NN stamp required)
Youth / Class Q / Class XS Antlerless (second segment)Dec 26, 2026Dec 27, 2026Youth, Class Q or Class XS (no Class N/NN stamp required)
Mountaineer Heritage Season (traditional weapons)Jan 14, 2027Jan 17, 2027Base License + Mountaineer Heritage requirements
Urban Deer Archery/Crossbow (first segment) - antlerless first: Urban deer/bear archery areaSep 5, 2026Dec 31, 2026Base License
Urban Deer Archery/Crossbow (second segment): Urban deer/bear archery areaJan 11, 2027Jan 31, 2027Base License

Wild Turkey Season Dates

SeasonOpensClosesTag
Fall (first segment)Oct 10, 2026Oct 18, 2026Base License + Big Game Stamp
Fall (second segment) - one additional week: Fall turkey - one additional weekOct 26, 2026Nov 1, 2026Base License + Big Game Stamp
Fall (second segment) - three additional weeks: Fall turkey - three additional weeksOct 26, 2026Nov 15, 2026Base License + Big Game Stamp
Spring Gobbler (bearded birds only)Apr 19, 2027May 23, 2027Base License + Big Game Stamp
Spring Youth SeasonApr 17, 2027Apr 18, 2027Youth License
Mountaineer Heritage SeasonJan 14, 2027Jan 17, 2027Base License + Mountaineer Heritage requirements

Black Bear Season Dates

SeasonOpensClosesTag
Archery and CrossbowSep 26, 2026Dec 31, 2026Base License + Bear Damage (DS) Stamp
Firearms (first segment, early) - selected counties: Bear gun - selected countiesAug 29, 2026Sep 7, 2026Base License + Bear Damage (DS) Stamp
Firearms (second segment) - selected counties: Bear gun - selected countiesSep 19, 2026Sep 25, 2026Base License + Bear Damage (DS) Stamp
Firearms (third segment) - selected counties: Bear gun - selected countiesOct 3, 2026Oct 9, 2026Base License + Bear Damage (DS) Stamp
Firearms (fourth segment, concurrent with early antlerless deer) - selected counties: Bear gun - selected countiesOct 22, 2026Oct 25, 2026Base License + Bear Damage (DS) Stamp
Firearms (fifth segment, concurrent with buck firearms) - selected counties: Bear gun - selected countiesNov 23, 2026Dec 6, 2026Base License + Bear Damage (DS) Stamp
Firearms (sixth segment, December) - selected counties: Bear gun - selected countiesDec 7, 2026Dec 31, 2026Base License + Bear Damage (DS) Stamp
Youth / Class Q / Class XS (first segment, dogs permitted)Sep 12, 2026Sep 13, 2026Youth, Class Q or Class XS
Youth / Class Q / Class XS (second segment, no dogs)Oct 17, 2026Oct 18, 2026Youth, Class Q or Class XS
Mountaineer Heritage SeasonJan 14, 2027Jan 17, 2027Base License + Mountaineer Heritage requirements
Urban Bear Archery/Crossbow (first segment): Urban deer/bear archery areaSep 5, 2026Dec 31, 2026Base License + Bear Damage (DS) Stamp
Urban Bear Archery/Crossbow (second segment): Urban deer/bear archery areaJan 11, 2027Jan 31, 2027Base License + Bear Damage (DS) Stamp

Beaver Season Dates

SeasonOpensClosesTag
TrappingNov 7, 2026Mar 31, 2027Trapping License

Bobcat Season Dates

SeasonOpensClosesTag
Hunting and TrappingNov 7, 2026Feb 28, 2027Base License / Trapping License

Coyote Season Dates

SeasonOpensClosesTag
Hunting - year-round (license year)Jul 1, 2026Jun 30, 2027Base License
TrappingNov 7, 2026Feb 28, 2027Trapping License

Crow Season Dates

SeasonOpensClosesTag
Regular (first segment)Oct 1, 2026Nov 21, 2026Base License
Regular (second segment)Jan 1, 2027Mar 6, 2027Base License

Mourning Dove Season Dates

SeasonOpensClosesTag
Regular (first segment)Sep 1, 2026Oct 11, 2026Base License + HIP Registration
Regular (second segment)Nov 2, 2026Nov 15, 2026Base License + HIP Registration
Regular (third segment)Dec 7, 2026Jan 10, 2027Base License + HIP Registration

Fisher Season Dates

SeasonOpensClosesTag
TrappingNov 7, 2026Jan 31, 2027Trapping License

Fox (Red and Gray) Season Dates

SeasonOpensClosesTag
Hunting and TrappingNov 7, 2026Feb 28, 2027Base License / Trapping License
Night hunting with artificial light or night-vision technologyJan 1, 2027Feb 28, 2027Base License

Ruffed Grouse Season Dates

SeasonOpensClosesTag
RegularOct 17, 2026Feb 28, 2027Base License

Wild Boar Season Dates

SeasonOpensClosesTag
Gun (first segment): Wild boar open countiesOct 24, 2026Oct 31, 2026Base License + Boar Stamp
Gun (second segment): Wild boar open countiesFeb 5, 2027Feb 7, 2027Base License + Boar Stamp
Archery and Crossbow (first segment): Wild boar open countiesSep 26, 2026Dec 31, 2026Base License + Boar Stamp
Archery and Crossbow (second segment): Wild boar open countiesFeb 5, 2027Feb 7, 2027Base License + Boar Stamp

Mink Season Dates

SeasonOpensClosesTag
TrappingNov 7, 2026Feb 28, 2027Trapping License

Muskrat Season Dates

SeasonOpensClosesTag
TrappingNov 7, 2026Feb 28, 2027Trapping License

Opossum Season Dates

SeasonOpensClosesTag
Hunting - year-round (license year)Jul 1, 2026Jun 30, 2027Base License
TrappingNov 7, 2026Feb 28, 2027Trapping License

River Otter Season Dates

SeasonOpensClosesTag
TrappingNov 7, 2026Feb 28, 2027Trapping License

Ring-necked Pheasant (cock birds only) Season Dates

SeasonOpensClosesTag
RegularNov 7, 2026Jan 2, 2027Base License
Hillcrest WMANov 14, 2026Dec 5, 2026Base License

Bobwhite Quail Season Dates

SeasonOpensClosesTag
RegularNov 7, 2026Jan 2, 2027Base License

Rabbit & Hare Season Dates

SeasonOpensClosesTag
RegularNov 7, 2026Feb 28, 2027Base License
Snowshoe (Varying) Hare: RegularNov 7, 2026Feb 28, 2027Base License

Raccoon Season Dates

SeasonOpensClosesTag
HuntingOct 17, 2026Feb 28, 2027Base License
TrappingNov 7, 2026Feb 28, 2027Trapping License

Sora and Virginia Rails Season Dates

SeasonOpensClosesTag
RegularSep 1, 2026Nov 9, 2026Base License + HIP Registration

Skunk Season Dates

SeasonOpensClosesTag
Hunting - year-round (license year)Jul 1, 2026Jun 30, 2027Base License
TrappingNov 7, 2026Feb 28, 2027Trapping License

Wilson's Snipe Season Dates

SeasonOpensClosesTag
RegularSep 1, 2026Dec 16, 2026Base License + HIP Registration

Squirrel (Gray, Black, Albino and Fox) Season Dates

SeasonOpensClosesTag
RegularSep 12, 2026Feb 28, 2027Base License
Youth SeasonSep 5, 2026Sep 6, 2026Youth License

English Sparrow, European Starling and Pigeon Season Dates

SeasonOpensClosesTag
Hunting - year-round (license year)Jul 1, 2026Jun 30, 2027Base License

Waterfowl (ducks, geese, brant, coots, gallinules, mergansers) Season Dates

SeasonOpensClosesTag
Ducks (first segment)Oct 3, 2026Oct 11, 2026Base License + HIP + Federal Duck Stamp
Ducks (second segment)Nov 7, 2026Nov 15, 2026Base License + HIP + Federal Duck Stamp
Ducks (third segment)Dec 21, 2026Jan 31, 2027Base License + HIP + Federal Duck Stamp
Mergansers (first segment)Oct 3, 2026Oct 11, 2026Base License + HIP + Federal Duck Stamp
Mergansers (second segment)Nov 7, 2026Nov 15, 2026Base License + HIP + Federal Duck Stamp
Mergansers (third segment)Dec 21, 2026Jan 31, 2027Base License + HIP + Federal Duck Stamp
Coots (first segment)Oct 3, 2026Oct 11, 2026Base License + HIP + Federal Duck Stamp
Coots (second segment)Nov 7, 2026Nov 15, 2026Base License + HIP + Federal Duck Stamp
Coots (third segment)Dec 21, 2026Jan 31, 2027Base License + HIP + Federal Duck Stamp
Gallinules (first segment)Oct 3, 2026Oct 11, 2026Base License + HIP + Federal Duck Stamp
Gallinules (second segment)Dec 2, 2026Jan 31, 2027Base License + HIP + Federal Duck Stamp
Early Canada GeeseSep 1, 2026Sep 13, 2026Base License + HIP + Federal Duck Stamp
Canada and white-fronted geese (first segment)Oct 3, 2026Oct 18, 2026Base License + HIP + Federal Duck Stamp
Canada and white-fronted geese (second segment)Nov 7, 2026Nov 15, 2026Base License + HIP + Federal Duck Stamp
Canada and white-fronted geese (third segment)Dec 8, 2026Jan 31, 2027Base License + HIP + Federal Duck Stamp
Snow and blue geese (first segment)Oct 3, 2026Oct 18, 2026Base License + HIP + Federal Duck Stamp
Snow and blue geese (second segment)Nov 7, 2026Nov 15, 2026Base License + HIP + Federal Duck Stamp
Snow and blue geese (third segment)Dec 8, 2026Jan 31, 2027Base License + HIP + Federal Duck Stamp
BrantJan 2, 2027Jan 31, 2027Base License + HIP + Federal Duck Stamp
Youth Waterfowl Day (first)Sep 19, 2026Sep 19, 2026Youth (under 18) + HIP
Youth Waterfowl Day (second)Oct 31, 2026Oct 31, 2026Youth (under 18) + HIP

Weasel Season Dates

SeasonOpensClosesTag
Hunting - year-round (license year)Jul 1, 2026Jun 30, 2027Base License
TrappingNov 7, 2026Feb 28, 2027Trapping License

Woodchuck (Groundhog) Season Dates

SeasonOpensClosesTag
Hunting - year-round (license year)Jul 1, 2026Jun 30, 2027Base License

American Woodcock Season Dates

SeasonOpensClosesTag
Regular (first segment)Oct 17, 2026Nov 21, 2026Base License + HIP Registration
Regular (second segment)Nov 30, 2026Dec 8, 2026Base License + HIP Registration
Verify before you hunt. These dates are compiled for planning and can change between when they're published and when the season opens, and many states vary dates by unit, zone, or WMU. Always confirm with WV Dept of Natural Resources (WVDNR) before heading out. Nothing here is legal advice.
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