Bear - Archery and Firearms Seasons
2011-2012 Hunting Regulations

Archery Season

Two bear may be taken with a bow during the bear archery season or one each in the archery and firearms seasons combined, provided at least one bear must be taken in Boone, Fayette, Kanawha, Logan, McDowell, Raleigh or Wyoming counties. Only one bear may be taken each day. No person may take more than two bears annually during the archery and firearms seasons combined.

The use of dogs while bow hunting for black bear is illegal during the bear archery season.

Firearms Season

May Hunt Bear with or without Dogs | May Not Hunt Bear with Dogs

Two bears may be taken during the bear firearms season provided that at least one bear must be taken in Boone, Fayette, Kanawha, Logan, McDowell, Raleigh or Wyoming counties. Only one bear may be taken per day. No person may take more than two bears annually in archery and firearms seasons combined.

A bow, but not a crossbow, may be substituted for a firearm during bear firearms season.

Special Seasons and Restrictions

*Nathaniel Mountain and Short Mountain WMAs

A special controlled Black Bear season will be open on Nathaniel Mountain and Short Mountain WMAs in Hampshire County. Hunters who use dogs must apply for a permit between October 1-31, 2011 (permit applications and instructions will be available on-line or at DNR District offices during this period) which will allow for one party of no more than four hunters and eight dogs to hunt on one of the WMAs for a selected two-day period. Hunters who hunt without dogs may participate in bear hunting on the WMAs during this season without having a special permit.

May Hunt Bear With or Without Dogs
Sept. 26-Oct. 1 and Dec. 5-31	Sept. 26-28 and Dec. 5-31	December 5-31
Boone Fayette Greenbrier Kanawha Logan McDowell Nicholas Preston Raleigh Webster Wyoming	Barbour (East of Route 92) Braxton (East of I-79) Clay (South of Elk River) Grant Hardy Pendleton Pocahontas Randolph Tucker	Mineral (West of New Creek) Mingo Monroe (East of Route 219) Upshur (East of Route 20)

Back to Top

May NOT Hunt Bear With Dogs
November 21 – December 3	December 5 - 31	November 21 – December 3 and December 5-31
Boone Fayette Kanawha Nicholas (private land) Raleigh	Barbour (West of Route 92) Berkeley Braxton (West of I-79) Brooke Cabell Calhoun Clay (North of Elk River) Doddridge Gilmer Hampshire (With dogs only on Nathaniel Mountain and Short Mountain WMAs by special limited permit)* Hancock Harrison Jackson Jefferson Lewis Lincoln Marion Marshall Mason Mercer Mineral (East of New Creek) Monroe (West of Route 219) Ohio Pleasants Putnam Ritchie Roane Summers Taylor Tyler Upshur (West of Route 20) Wayne Wetzel Wirt Wood	Monongalia Morgan

Back to Top