Dates for West Virginia’s 2025-2026 hunting seasons released

SOUTH CHARLESTON, W.Va. (WBOY) — Dates and open counties have been updated for West Virginia’s upcoming hunting seasons.

The new seasons and regulations will go into effect on July 1, according to a press release from the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources (WVDNR). A few changes hunters can expect to see include the removal of the minimum age restrictions for youth seasons, removal of maximum caliber restriction for hunting coyotes at night, and added allowance for using drones (UAVs) and one leashed dog to track certain mortally wounded animals.

The highly anticipated buck firearm season and archery/crossbow seasons are about the same as last year, but with one added day in the archery season.

• Buck firearm – Nov. 24-Dec. 7
• Archery and crossbow (deer) – Sept. 27-Dec. 31

Antlerless deer seasons are also very similar, although the carcass transportation and baiting regulations have changed in a few counties.

The rest of the hunting and trapping seasons are also mostly unchanged, other than the dates being updated. The only notable date change is that racoon trapping season will start a few days later than it did last year.

“These changes reflect our ongoing commitment to responsible wildlife management while supporting West Virginia’s strong hunting traditions,” WVDNR Director Brett McMillion said in a press release.

You can read the full updated hunting and trapping guidelines and a full list of the hunting seasons online here.