2009-2010 HUNTING AND TRAPPING REGULATIONS
SUMMARY

(Note: Changes in Hunting Regulations for 2009-2010 Seasons are in italic/bold type)

DEER SEASONS – ARCHERY

• 55 counties are open to the statewide traditional archery season (October 17 - December 31, 2009).
• 36 counties are open to the Early September Antlerless Archery Season (September 14-19, 2009).

Special Antlerless Archery Season – September 14-19, 2009 in select counties on private land only (regs: pages 17, 24).  Season bag limit of one antlerless deer which must be taken on a RB or RRB stamp or by landowner privilege.  For the early antlerless archery season, RB/RRB stamps can be purchased prior to or during the 6 day season.  RB/RRB stamps which are not filled during this season can be utilized during the traditional statewide archery season to take a deer during that season.  However, the traditional archery deer season bag limit does not change.

Beginning in 2009 – deer taken on a base license, license stamp combination or Class RB/RRB stamp during the traditional statewide archery season (October 17-December 31, 2009) may be checked in any order.  Therefore, if a hunter desires he may check his first deer on a RB/RRB stamp if he prefers.  (regs: page 22).

Q.  How many deer can be taken in the four archery-only counties (Logan, McDowell, Mingo & Wyoming)? 

Hunters may take two (2) deer [one on the base license and one on an RB or RRB stamp or two (2) on RB or RRB stamps if the first deer was taken in a county open to buck firearms season.; however,  in any case one (1) of the two deer taken must be an antlerless deer.

Q.  How many Class RB/RRB stamps can I purchase and how many deer can I kill?

Archery deer hunters may purchase three (3) Class RB/RRB stamps and take 3 deer on these tags.  Two of these deer may be taken during the traditional statewide archery season and a deer may be taken in those counties open to the special antlerless archery season in September.

Q.  I have taken two deer as a landowner in Boone County during the bow season; can I still use my unfilled RB stamp in Boone County? 

No.  Only two (2) deer may be taken in counties not having an antlerless deer season.

Q.  I hunt in Lewis County, which is open to antlerless deer hunting, how many deer  can I take during the statewide archery season and are there any specific requirements? 

Since Lewis County is open to antlerless deer hunting, with the appropriate stamps (2 RB/RRB stamps or under landowner privilege) bowhunters can take up to three (3) deer during the archery season.  One deer may be taken on the base license or as a landowner and may be either sex and 2 deer may be taken on RB/RRB stamps.  At least one of the two deer taken on the RB or RRB stamps or as a landowner using those privileges must be an antlerless deer.

DEER SEASONS – MUZZLELOADER

• 36 counties are open to the Early September Antlerless Muzzleloader Season (September 21 – 26, 2009).
• 13 counties or parts thereof, Wallback WMA, and Potts Creek WMA in Monroe County are open to 6 days antlered deer only muzzleloader hunting on both the base license and the RM/RRM stamps.
• 36 counties or part thereof are open to 6 days of either sex muzzleloader hunting during the Dec. 14-19 season on both the base license and the RM/RRM stamps.
• 9 counties or parts thereof are open to 6 days of either sex muzzleloader hunting on the base license and antlered deer only hunting on the RM/RRM stamps.

Special Antlerless Muzzleloader Season – September 21-26, 2009 in select counties on private land only (regs: page 17, 29).  Season bag limit of one antlerless deer which must be taken on a RM or RRM stamp or by landowner privilege.  For the special antlerless muzzleloader season, RM/RRM stamps can be purchased prior to or during the 6 day season.  RM/RRM stamps which are not filled during this season can be utilized during the traditional December muzzleloader season to take a deer during that season.  However, the traditional muzzleloader deer season bag limit does not change.

Beginning in 2009 – deer taken on a base license, license stamp combination or Class RM/RRM stamp during the December muzzleloader season may be checked in any order.  Therefore, if a hunter desires he may check his first deer on a RM/RRM stamp if he prefers.  (regs: page 27).

Q. After taking a buck with a muzzleloader on the Hillcrest WMA during muzzleloader season (November 23 - December 5, 2009) can I harvest an additional deer with my muzzleloader on an RG/RRG stamp? 

No.  The RG/RRG stamp is not valid for taking a deer during the muzzleloader season.  Hillcrest WMA and Wilson Cove Study Area have an antlered deer bag limit of one. 

Q.  Are scopes allowed on muzzleloaders during the muzzleloader season? 

Yes.

Q.  Does a nonresident hunter, possessing a Class E license, need a muzzleloader deer hunting stamp (Class VV) in order to participate during the muzzleloader season for bucks in the Wilson Cove SA or Hillcrest WMA? 

Yes.

Q.  Where is the Wilson Cove special muzzleloader area? 

Wilson Cove Study Area is located in Hardy County on the George Washington National Forest, Wardensville Wildlife Management Area.  It is located at the head of Waites Run, approximately 6 miles South of Wardensville following State Route 5/1.

Q.  Can I hunt antlerless deer during the antlerless deer season on the Wilson Cove SA or Hillcrest WMA using a conventional rifle? 

Yes, except for early muzzleloader season (Nov. 23 - Dec. 5) when deer may only be hunted with a muzzleloader. You must have a valid Class N/NN stamp.

Q.  After taking a buck with a muzzleloader in the Wilson Cove SA or Hillcrest WMA during the muzzleloader season (November 23-December 5, 2009) can I take part in the late muzzleloader season for deer of either sex? 

Yes, provided you do not hunt antlered deer [The bag limit for antlered deer is one for all seasons combined].  You must hunt in an area where either sex hunting is permitted on the RM/RRM stamp and have an unfilled RM/RRM stamp.

Q.  Is there a special bucks-only muzzleloader deer season on Hillcrest WMA and Wilson Cove SA in lieu of the traditional bucks-only firearm deer season? 

Yes.  The traditional buck firearms hunting season on these areas is closed.  Instead, there will be a special buck muzzleloader season November 23 - December 5, 2009.  The bag limit for antlered deer is one for all seasons combined.

DEER SEASONS – ANTLERLESS

• 45 counties or parts thereof are open to antlerless deer hunting Nov. 23-24 on private land only and Nov. 25-Dec. 5 and  Dec. 7-12 and Dec. 29-31 on private and public lands.  Three (3) of these counties or parts thereof & Six (6) WMAs are closed to nonresident antlerless hunting.
• 27 counties or parts thereof are open to antlerless hunting in which four antlerless deer may be taken on Class N/NN licenses.  A Class N/NN license is required for each deer taken.
• 9 counties or parts thereof are open to antlerless hunting in which two antlerless deer may be taken on Class N/NN licenses.  A Class N/NN license is required for each deer taken.
• 9 counties or parts thereof are open to antlerless hunting in which one antlerless deer may be taken on Class N/NN licenses (Three of these counties are open to residents only by limited permits).  A Class N/NN license is required for each deer taken.
• 6 wildlife management areas are open to antlerless deer hunting in which one antlerless deer may be taken on a Class N license.  These WMAs are open to residents only (limited permits).

Antlerless Deer Season - will be open on private land only Nov. 23-24 and on private and public land (Nov. 25 thru Dec. 5 ,  Dec. 7-12  and Dec. 29-31) in 45 counties or portions thereof.   Resident hunters will need to apply for a limited number of antlerless Class N permits for three (3) counties or parts thereof and six (6) wildlife management areas.  Hunters hunting on a wildlife management area or a county with limited permits must have been selected and issued an eligibility card in addition to the Class N stamp to hunt on the wildlife management area or county specified on the eligibility card (regs: page 20).  This is not a hunter’s choice season in the counties where the Antlerless Deer Season and the Bucks-Only Season are open at the same time. To hunt antlerless deer a valid Class N/NN stamp is required for all hunters regardless of age except for resident tenants (residing on the property), resident landowners and their resident children hunting on their own land or land of their resident parents and resident parents hunting antlerless deer on their resident children’s land.  Hunters may take only one deer per day during the Nov. 23 thru Dec. 5 deer season and during the Dec. 29-31 antlerless deer season. Hunters may take two antlerless deer per day on private land only during the Dec. 7-12 antlerless deer season in selected counties; however, the first antlerless deer taken must be checked before pursuing or taking the second antlerless deer.

Class N/NN Antlerless Deer Stamps – These stamps are no longer county specific.

Q.  Hampshire County Special Antlerless Deer Season?

Hampshire County will have a two-day unlimited resident and nonresident antlerless deer season on October 30-31 2009.  

Q.  If I buy a Class N/NN stamp, can I hunt in Hampshire County during the special October 30-31, 2009 season?

Yes.   Resident landowners are not required to have a Class N stamp to hunt on their own property.

Q.  What is a containment area and where is it located in Hampshire County?

A “containment area” is an area designated by the Director of the Division of Natural Resources where deer have been found to be infected with chronic wasting disease.  The purpose of a containment area is to manage, control, eradicate and/or prevent the spread of the disease.  The containment area is the area North of US Route 50 in Hampshire County

Q.  Can I bait for deer outside the containment area? 

Yes.  However baiting is prohibited inside the containment area {North of US Route 50 in Hampshire County}.

Q.  Do I need a Class N/NN stamp to hunt antlerless deer during the Buck Firearms Season? 

Yes.  Unless you are exempt (regs: page 6).

Q.  Can I purchase more than one Class N/NN stamp and do I have to purchase it before the antlerless deer season? 

A hunter may purchase more than one Class N/NN stamp (regs: page 20) for the season and counties open to antlerless deer hunting. Only one deer may be taken per Class N/NN stamp.  Class N/NN stamps may be purchased anytime.

Q. Can a hunter (age 7) hunt antlerless deer during the regular antlerless deer season? 

All hunters participating in the antlerless deer season regardless of age (with the exception of landowner privilege) are required to purchase a class N license.  As a result, hunters under the age of 8, who cannot obtain hunter education training certification until their 8th birthday, subsequently can not participate during the antlerless deer season.

DEER SEASONS – BUCK FIREARMS

• 51 counties are open to buck firearms season.  Logan, Mingo, McDowell and Wyoming counties are closed.

Class RG/RRG Stamps  -  The Class RG/RRG stamps can only be used to take an additional antlered deer in Buck Firearms Season.  Beginning in 2009 – bucks taken on a base license, license stamp combination or Class RG/RRG stamp may be checked in any order.  Therefore, if a hunter desires he may check his first buck on a RG/RRG stamp if he prefers.  (regs: page 25).

Q.  Can a hunter during buck firearms season substitute a bow for a firearm without holding an archery license?

Yes.  A bow can be substituted for a gun during any firearms season except the muzzleloader deer season.  Bow hunters during any firearm deer season must wear 400 sq. in. of blaze orange clothing.

Q.  If I kill a buck on the first day of the buck season on private land in one of the 45 counties open to antlerless deer hunting, can I use my RG or RRG to take an antlerless deer on the second day? 

No.  The Class RG or RRG stamp is only valid for taking a buck during the buck firearms season.  A Class N/NN stamp is required for taking an antlerless deer during the antlerless season.

Q.  Can a RG/RRG stamp be used in any county with an antlerless deer season for an additional antlerless deer?

No.  The RG/RRG stamps are only valid during the buck firearms season for the taking of antlered deer.

Q.  Are all Buck Firearm Season days “either sex” or “hunter’s choice”? 

No.  Hunters must possess a valid Class N/NN stamp to hunt antlerless deer.

GENERAL DEER INFORMATION

Older-Aged Deer Management Areas – Beech Fork Lake, Burnsville Lake, Bluestone Lake and McClintic Wildlife Management Areas, and Calvin Price and Coopers Rock State Forests have been designated older aged deer management areas and feeding and baiting for deer and other wildlife is prohibited.  All antlered deer taken must have a minimum outside antler spread of 14 inches.  The annual antlered deer bag limit is one for archery and firearms seasons combined (regs: pages 15, 16, 23, 26, 28).

Antlered Deer Annual Bag Limit – No more than 3 antlered deer (bucks) may be taken during the year in all seasons combined with appropriate licenses.

Q.  Is baiting for deer legal? 

Yes. Except baiting is prohibited in the CWD containment area (area North of US Route 50) in Hampshire County and on McClintic, Beech Fork, Bluestone, Burnsville WMAs and Calvin Price and Coopers Rock State Forests.

Q.  Can a crossbow be substituted for a gun during the deer firearms, muzzleloader or antlerless deer season? 

A holder of a Class Y/YY permit along with the appropriate licenses can substitute a crossbow for a bow during the archery deer seasons only.

BLACK BEAR SEASONS/REGULATIONS

Black Bear Seasons – Significant changes have been made to the Black Bear firearms seasons and bag limits for 2009 (regs: pages 35-38).  In addition, a special controlled black bear season will be held on Nathaniel Mountain WMA (regs: page 38) –  parties interested in hunting with dogs must apply for a permit by Oct. 31, 2009.  For additional details interested parties should contact the District II DNR Office at 822-3551.

Q.  As a WV resident do I need any licenses to bear hunt on my own property? 

No. But  if you decide to hunt on your neighbor’s property (private or public), you need the appropriate hunting licenses.

Q.  Is bear hunting legal during the antlerless deer season? 

Yes.  As long as the hunter has the proper license to hunt bear.

Q.  Is baiting for bear legal in WV? 

No.

Q.  If I want to bear hunt without dogs during the special black bear season on Nathaniel Mountain WMA am I required to apply for a permit? 

No, only those hunters utilizing dogs are required to apply for a permit.

WILD TURKEY – FALL SEASON/REGULATIONS

• 9 counties are open to a 1 week fall turkey season (October 24 -31, 2009)
• 1 county is open to a 2 week fall turkey season (October 24 – November 7, 2009).
• 14 counties are open to a 4 week fall turkey season (October 24 – November 21, 2009).

Q.  Is the baiting for turkeys legal in WV during the spring or fall turkey season? 

No.

WILD TURKEY - SPRING SEASONS/REGULATIONS

• Statewide spring gobbler season from April 26 – May 22, 2010.
• One day (April 24, 2010) statewide spring gobbler season for youth between ages of 8 and 14.

GENERAL HUNTING INFORMATION

Counties Open to Sunday Hunting - As of August 1, 2009, private land in the following 14 counties is open to Sunday Hunting: Boone, Brooke, Clay, Hancock, Jefferson, Lincoln, Logan, Marshall, McDowell, Mingo, Ohio, Wayne, Wetzel and Wyoming counties.

OTHER FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

NONRESIDENT HUNTERS

Q.  Is the buck season a hunter’s choice season?  

No.  Hunters must possess a valid Class NN stamp to hunt antlerless deer. The 2009 antlerless deer season will be open to nonresidents on private land only Nov. 23-24 and on private and public land  Nov. 25-Dec. 5 in 42 counties or parts thereof.   This is not a hunter’s choice season in the counties where the antlerless deer season is open at the same time as the Buck Season.  Hunters may take only one deer per day; therefore, a buck and an antlerless deer may not be taken on the same day.

Q.  I’m a nonresident and I am coming to WV to hunt deer.  Does my 14 year old son need a license? 

Yes.  All nonresidents (except those who have a WV lifetime license) regardless of age, are required to possess a nonresident license. Both resident and nonresident hunters born on or after January 1, 1975 must show proof of completing a certified hunter education course prior to purchasing a license. Nonresident hunters between the ages of 8 and 17 may purchase a nonresident junior license (XXJ) for $15 along with a CS/LE stamp for $12 to take one buck gun, one archery  and one muzzleloader deer (during the traditional seasons).  Additional licenses are required to hunt antlerless deer and to take additional archery and firearm deer.

Q.  I live in Ohio and I own property in Hampshire County.  Can I hunt without a license on my own property? 

No.  Nonresidents, even though they own and pay taxes on property in WV, cannot hunt on the property they own in WV without first obtaining a nonresident license.

Q.  I am a nonresident and possess Class E, CS/LE stamps. Am I required to purchase a Class UU stamp if I substitute my bow for a gun during a regular gun season? 

No.  Except that a bow may not be substituted for a gun during the muzzleloader season.

Q.  I purchased a Class X license in January and moved to PA in June.  Can I still hunt as a WV resident in November? 

Yes.  A resident who purchased a license during the year and holds a valid resident license when he moves out of the state, may continue to use the resident license for the rest of the calendar year.  Only senior citizens over 65, Class Q and veterans surrender their hunting privileges when leaving the state.

Q.  I am a nonresident and only want to hunt bear, what licenses do I need? 

Nonresidents who plan to hunt only bear must purchase a nonresident bear hunting license Class EE ($150), a Bear Damage Stamp DS ($10), and a Conservation / Law Enforcement Stamp ($12).  A Class I ($2) stamp is needed for hunting on a National Forest.  To hunt other species a nonresident must have a Class E ($110) license and appropriate stamps.

Q.  What is the CS/LE Stamp? 

The Conservation/Law Enforcement Stamp (CS/LE) is required of all nonresident hunters, anglers and trappers along with a base license that applies to the type of hunting (Class E, EE, or H). Funds derived from the sale will pay for expenses relating to general enforcement of state laws pertaining to the conservation of fish, wildlife and/or law enforcement education programs.

Q.  I am a handicapped nonresident hunter.  Can I participate in the special Class Q hunts for deer in WV? 

Yes, provided you qualify for and obtain a Class Q hunting permit from the state of WV and purchase the appropriate licenses (Class E and Class CS/LE).

RESIDENT LANDOWNER

Q.  How many deer can I kill on my own property? 

A resident landowner on his own property can kill the same number of deer as a licensed hunter and no more.  A hunter (licensee or landowner) cannot exceed the number of deer allowed in the respective season.

Q.  I bought a Class X Hunting and Fishing license and own property in Brooke County.  Can  I kill my first deer as a licensed hunter and then kill my additional deer as a landowner? 

Yes.  However, the additional deer must be killed on your own land.

Q.  I bought a Class X Hunting and Fishing license and own property in Brooke County.  Can I kill my first buck during the buck-firearms season as a landowner and then kill an additional deer on a Class X license on my buddy’s property? 

Yes.  The hunter may kill his first deer as a landowner (fulfilling his RG privilege) and his additional deer on his Class X license – this is permitted beginning in 2009 since there is no order to how the deer are required to be checked.

Q.  I am a West Virginia resident, can I hunt without a license on my resident parents’ property? 

Yes. WV resident children may hunt on their resident parents’ property without a license.  Resident parents may hunt on their resident children’s property without a license.

Q.  Are landowners exempt from field tagging game? 

No.  A landowner or hunter must complete a field tag before moving the animal from where it was killed, but now has the option of attaching the tag to the deer or staying with the animal and keeping the completed field tag on their person.  Immediately upon arriving at their residence, camp, hunting lodge, vehicle or vessel the field tag must be attached to the carcass and remain there until the animal    is retagged with an official  game checking tag.

Q.  Does a resident under the age of 15 have to be accompanied by a licensed hunter or equivalent when hunting on his resident parents’ property? 

Yes.  Unless the person under the age of 15 actually owns the land.

LIFETIME LICENSE

Q.  I now reside in Ohio and possess a West Virginia lifetime license, do I need a Waterfowl Stamp? 

A federal migratory waterfowl stamp is required.

Q.  I now reside in Ohio and possess a West Virginia lifetime license and want to antlerless deer hunt.  What stamp do I buy and can I hunt in counties that are only open to residents? 

You buy a resident Class N stamp and you can hunt in counties open to residents or nonresidents; however, to hunt in one of the limited wildlife management areas or limited counties, you must have been selected and issued an eligibility card in addition to the Class N stamp.

MILITARY LICENSE

Q.  What licenses does a nonresident military person have to purchase? 

All licenses that a nonresident has to obtain.

Q.  I’m on military leave and when I joined the military, I was a resident of PA.  Can I hunt in WV without a license?

No.

Q.  I’m on military leave and when I joined the military, I was a resident of West Virginia.  Can I hunt in WV without a license? 

Yes, however, he/she must purchase the additional resident stamps (i.e. A1, N, RG, RM and RB) that are not included with free license privileges.  An active military ID card must be carried in lieu of a hunting license.

GENERAL

Q.  Is a person who holds a Class Q permit exempt from buying other licenses? 

No.  The Class Q permittee is required to purchase all pertinent resident or nonresident licenses required for the hunting they wish to do.

Q.  Can a hunter which possesses a concealed weapons permit carry a concealed weapon while hunting?

Individuals who possess a valid concealed carrying permit may carry a concealed handgun while afield while hunting for the purposes of self defense only.

COYOTE HUNTING

Q.  Can I hunt coyotes at night with an artificial light? 

Coyote hunting with a red or amber colored artificial light is permitted between January 1, 2010 and July 31, 2010.  Firearms are restricted to rimfire rifles or pistols of .22 caliber or smaller and shotguns with No. 4 or smaller shot.

WATERFOWL HUNTING

Q.  If I want to waterfowl hunt on my own property, am I required to buy a federal migratory waterfowl stamp?  

All hunters 16 years of age or older, whether they are hunting on their own land or on lands of another party are required to purchase a federal migratory waterfowl stamp.

Q.  Are senior citizens or underage hunters required to purchase a federal migratory waterfowl stamp?  

All hunters 16 years of age or older are required to purchase a federal migratory waterfowl stamp.