When Does Rifle Season Start in West Virginia?

ByBuffalo Rifles Blog

When Does Rifle Season Start in WV?

The rifle season in West Virginia is a time-honored tradition for many hunters. It’s a chance to get out in the woods and enjoy the great outdoors, while also trying to bag a big game animal. But when does rifle season start in WV?

The answer to that question depends on the type of animal you’re hunting. For deer, the rifle season typically starts in early November and runs through the end of January. For elk, the season starts in late September and runs through the end of November. And for bear, the season starts in early May and runs through the end of June.

Of course, these are just general guidelines. The specific dates of the rifle season may vary from year to year, so it’s always a good idea to check the regulations before you head out hunting.

But no matter when the rifle season starts, it’s always a good time to get out in the woods and enjoy the beauty of West Virginia. So grab your rifle and your hunting license, and get ready for some exciting action!

Species Start Date End Date
Deer October 1 December 31
Elk November 1 December 31
Bear October 1 March 31

Rifle Season Dates in West Virginia

The West Virginia Division of Natural Resources (WVDNR) regulates the hunting seasons for big game animals in the state. Rifle season is one of the most popular hunting seasons in West Virginia, and it offers hunters the opportunity to harvest a variety of species, including deer, elk, and bear.

The rifle season dates vary depending on the species and the region of the state. The general rifle season for deer runs from November 15 to December 11, while the antlerless only rifle season runs from December 12 to January 3. The elk rifle season runs from November 15 to December 11 in the Monongahela National Forest and from December 12 to January 3 in the rest of the state. The black bear rifle season runs from November 15 to December 11.

General Rifle Season

The general rifle season for deer is the longest and most popular rifle season in West Virginia. It runs from November 15 to December 11, and hunters can harvest a buck or doe with any legal rifle. The bag limit is two deer per hunter, and one of those deer must be a buck.

The general rifle season is open in all of West Virginia, except for the Monongahela National Forest, which has its own separate rifle season. The forest is divided into two zones, and the rifle season dates vary depending on the zone. The eastern zone has a rifle season from November 15 to December 11, while the western zone has a rifle season from December 12 to January 3.

Antlerless Only Rifle Season

The antlerless only rifle season for deer runs from December 12 to January 3. During this season, hunters can only harvest antlerless deer. The bag limit is two deer per hunter, and both deer must be antlerless.

The antlerless only rifle season is open in all of West Virginia, except for the Monongahela National Forest. The forest is divided into two zones, and the antlerless only rifle season dates vary depending on the zone. The eastern zone has an antlerless only rifle season from December 12 to January 3, while the western zone has an antlerless only rifle season from January 4 to January 17.

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Muzzleloader Season

The muzzleloader season for deer runs from December 12 to January 3. During this season, hunters can only use muzzleloading rifles to harvest deer. The bag limit is two deer per hunter, and one of those deer must be a buck.

The muzzleloader season is open in all of West Virginia, except for the Monongahela National Forest. The forest is divided into two zones, and the muzzleloader season dates vary depending on the zone. The eastern zone has a muzzleloader season from December 12 to January 3, while the western zone has a muzzleloader season from January 4 to January 17.

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Black Bear Season

The black bear rifle season runs from November 15 to December 11. During this season, hunters can harvest a black bear with any legal rifle. The bag limit is one bear per hunter.

The black bear rifle season is open in all of West Virginia, except for the Monongahela National Forest. The forest is divided into two zones, and the black bear rifle season dates vary depending on the zone. The eastern zone has a black bear rifle season from November 15 to December 11, while the western zone has a black bear rifle season from December 12 to January 3.

Species Available During Rifle Season

In addition to deer, elk, and bear, hunters can also harvest a variety of other species during rifle season in West Virginia. These species include:

  • Elk: The elk rifle season runs from November 15 to December 11 in the Monongahela National Forest and from December 12 to January 3 in the rest of the state. The bag limit is one elk per hunter.
  • Bear: The black bear rifle season runs from November 15 to December 11. The bag limit is one bear per hunter.
  • Antelope: The antelope rifle season runs from October 1 to October 31. The bag limit is one antelope per hunter.
  • Moose: The moose rifle season runs from September 1 to September 30. The bag limit is one moose per hunter.
  • Mountain Goat: The mountain goat rifle

When Does Rifle Season Start in WV?

Rifle season in West Virginia typically runs from November 15 to January 31. However, the specific dates may vary depending on the species you are hunting. For example, the season for deer opens on November 15, while the season for bear opens on December 1.

You can find the specific dates for rifle season in West Virginia by visiting the West Virginia Department of Natural Resources website.

Regulations for Rifle Season

There are a number of regulations that you need to be aware of when hunting rifle season in West Virginia. These regulations cover everything from licenses and permits to hunting methods and bag limits.

Licenses and Permits

You will need a valid hunting license to hunt rifle season in West Virginia. You can purchase a license online or at any West Virginia Department of Natural Resources office.

In addition to a hunting license, you may also need a permit to hunt certain species. For example, you need a bear permit to hunt bear in West Virginia.

You can find more information about licenses and permits on the West Virginia Department of Natural Resources website.

Hunting Methods

There are a number of different hunting methods that you can use during rifle season in West Virginia. These methods include:

  • Spot and stalk: This is a hunting method where you walk through the woods looking for deer. When you see a deer, you try to get as close as possible before taking the shot.
  • Tree stand: This is a hunting method where you sit in a tree stand and wait for deer to come by.
  • Blind: This is a hunting method where you sit in a blind, which is a camouflaged structure, and wait for deer to come by.
  • Drive: This is a hunting method where a group of hunters walk through the woods in a line, driving deer towards other hunters who are waiting in ambush.

Bag Limits

There are bag limits for each species of game that you can hunt during rifle season in West Virginia. The bag limit is the maximum number of animals that you can take in a single day.

You can find the bag limits for each species of game on the West Virginia Department of Natural Resources website.

Other Regulations

In addition to the regulations listed above, there are a number of other regulations that you need to be aware of when hunting rifle season in West Virginia. These regulations cover everything from the use of bait to the disposal of game meat.

You can find more information about these regulations on the West Virginia Department of Natural Resources website.

Tips for Hunting Rifle Season in West Virginia

If you are planning on hunting rifle season in West Virginia, there are a few things you can do to increase your chances of success.

Scouting

The first step to successful hunting is scouting. This means spending time in the woods before the season starts, looking for deer sign. Deer sign includes things like tracks, rubs, and scat.

Scouting will help you to find areas where deer are likely to be, which will give you a better chance of seeing a deer and taking a shot.

Preparation

Once you have found a good spot to hunt, it is important to be prepared. This means making sure that you have all of the necessary gear, including a rifle, a scope, a hunting license, and a permit.

You should also make sure that you are familiar with the hunting regulations in West Virginia.

Safety

Hunting is a dangerous activity, so it is important to take safety precautions. This means wearing the proper clothing, using the proper equipment, and following the safety rules.

You should also be aware of the weather conditions and the terrain.

Other Tips

Here are a few other tips for hunting rifle season in West Virginia:

  • Hunt early in the morning or late in the evening. This is when deer are most active.
  • Use a scent-free soap and lotion. This will help you to avoid spooking deer.
  • Be patient. Hunting can be a waiting game.
  • Have fun! Hunting is a great way to get outdoors and enjoy nature.

Rifle season in West Virginia is a great time to get outdoors and enjoy the great hunting opportunities that the state has to offer. By following the tips in this article, you can increase your chances of success.

When Does Rifle Season Start in WV?

Rifle season for deer in West Virginia begins on November 15th and ends on January 31st. The specific dates for each hunting unit may vary, so be sure to check the West Virginia Department of Natural Resources website for more information.

What are the bag limits for deer in WV?

The bag limit for deer in West Virginia is one antlered buck and two antlerless deer. However, there are some exceptions to this rule, so be sure to check the West Virginia Department of Natural Resources website for more information.

What are the legal hunting hours for deer in WV?

Legal hunting hours for deer in West Virginia are from 30 minutes before sunrise to 30 minutes after sunset. However, there are some exceptions to this rule, so be sure to check the West Virginia Department of Natural Resources website for more information.

What are the safety precautions I should take when hunting deer in WV?

When hunting deer in West Virginia, it is important to take the following safety precautions:

  • Wear bright orange clothing so that other hunters can see you.
  • Be aware of your surroundings and the potential for other hunters in the area.
  • Use caution when handling firearms.
  • Never shoot at a deer that is swimming or running.
  • Be sure to clean and properly dispose of your game meat.

Where can I find more information about hunting deer in WV?

For more information about hunting deer in West Virginia, you can visit the following resources:

  • [West Virginia Department of Natural Resources website](https://www.wvdnr.gov/)
  • [West Virginia Hunting and Trapping Guide](https://www.wvdnr.gov/publications/huntingtrapping/Hunting_and_Trapping_Guide.pdf)
  • [West Virginia Deer Hunting Regulations](https://www.wvdnr.gov/publications/huntingtrapping/Deer_Hunting_Regulations.pdf)

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rifle season in West Virginia starts on November 1st and ends on January 31st. The season is divided into two parts: early season (November 1st-15th) and late season (November 16th-January 31st). During early season, hunters are only allowed to use rifles with a barrel length of at least 16 inches. During late season, hunters are allowed to use any type of rifle. The most popular game animals hunted during rifle season in West Virginia are deer, bear, and elk.

To be successful during rifle season in West Virginia, it is important to do your research and learn about the different game animals that are available to hunt. You should also practice shooting your rifle regularly and make sure that you are familiar with the hunting regulations. By following these tips, you can increase your chances of having a successful hunting season in West Virginia.

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