To effectively manage wildlife populations and offer hunters numerous recreational opportunities in the long run, the state set up specific hunting seasons and regulations. Rather than looking through dozens of files to learn about the schedules and rules, we have collected the necessary information for the West Virginia hunting season for you.
West Virginia, known as the “Mountain State,” provides exceptional hunting chances in more than 100 wildlife management areas and forests. It offers a wide range of game animals, from large animals like deer, bear, and turkey to smaller animals such as squirrel and rabbit, making it an ideal destination for hunters.
Turkey hunting is a popular outdoor recreational activity in West Virginia that allows hunters to harvest wild turkeys during specific seasons throughout the year. Understanding when turkey season occurs is key for hunters looking to bag these wary gamebirds. In this article, we’ll break down the dates and details around West Virginia’s annual turkey hunting seasons.
Overview of Turkey Hunting Seasons
There are two main turkey hunting seasons in West Virginia each year
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Spring Turkey Season – This is the primary season focused on hunting bearded turkeys of either sex. It typically begins in late April and runs through May.
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Fall Turkey Season – A secondary season allowing hunters to take turkeys of either sex. This occurs in the fall, usually October through November.
The West Virginia Division of Natural Resources (WVDNR) sets the specific opening and closing dates annually. Season dates, bag limits, and other regulations are published each year in the WVDNR Hunting and Trapping Regulations Summary available online
When is Spring Turkey Season?
The spring turkey season is by far the most popular hunt for West Virginia turkey hunters. During this season, hunters can harvest bearded turkeys only.
For 2025, the spring turkey season dates are:
- Youth Season – April 19-20, 2025
- Regular Season – April 21 – May 25, 2025
The youth season allows youth hunters under the age of 18 to hunt prior to the main season. All other spring season rules and regulations apply.
During the regular spring turkey season, hunting is permitted statewide. The daily limit is one bearded turkey, with a season limit of two bearded turkeys.
When is the Fall Turkey Season?
West Virginia also provides fall turkey hunting opportunities in select counties. The fall season focuses on either-sex turkeys.
For 2024, the fall turkey dates are:
- October 12-20 – Open in most counties
- October 28 – November 3 – Open in fewer counties
- November 3-17 – Open in 14 counties
Consult the hunting regulations summary for exact counties and season details. Fall season bag limits are one turkey per day, with a total season limit of two turkeys.
Turkey Hunting Regulations
Turkey hunters must abide by all general hunting license and permit requirements. Special regulations for turkey hunting include:
- Hunters must purchase a spring or fall turkey stamp.
- Turkeys must be electronically registered within 72 hours of harvest.
- Only shotguns and archery equipment allowed. No centerfire or rimfire rifles.
- Turkeys must have a visible beard to be harvested in spring. Either sex turkeys allowed in fall.
- Use of electronic calls is permitted.
- All hunters must wear 400 square inches of blaze orange when moving between hunting sites.
Additionally, there are specific rules around baiting turkeys and hunting hours. Consult the WVDNR hunting regulations for full details.
Apply for a Spring Turkey Permit
To hunt during spring turkey season, hunters must apply in advance for a spring turkey permit through the WVDNR electronic licensing system. The application period usually opens in mid-January each year, with a deadline in mid-February. Permit fees apply.
No special permit is needed for the fall turkey season.
Best Practices for Hunting Spring Turkeys
Some tips for having a successful spring turkey hunt include:
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Scout – Locate flocks and identify roosting areas before the season.
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Use decoys and calls – Set up hen decoys and use turkey calls to draw in toms during the breeding season.
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Be patient – Calling takes patience. Avoid overcalling which can scare off wise toms.
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Be camouflaged – Conceal yourself in a blind and wear camo clothing from head to toe. Turkeys have sharp eyesight.
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Be safe – Never stalk turkeys. Set up in a safe location and let the birds come to you.
Enjoy the Hunt!
Spring and fall turkey hunting provides awesome opportunities to be in the outdoors pursuing these challenging birds. Just be sure to plan around the seasons, know the regulations, and apply for required permits. With preparation and persistence, you’ll increase your odds of bagging a tom or hen and enjoying some wild turkey for the dinner table! Consult West Virginia’s hunting regulations each year and good luck on your turkey hunts.
West Virginia Bear Season
Bear Archery and Crossbow Season
- September 28 – December 31, 2024
Bear GunSeason
- August 31 – September 8, 2024
- September 21 – September 27, 2024
- October 5- October 11, 2024
- October 24 – October 27, 2024
- November 25 – December 8, 2024
- December 9 – December 31, 2024
Bear (Youth/Class Q/Class XS) Split Season
- September 14 – September 15, 2024
- October 19 – October 20, 2024
The bag limit for bear season is 2 black bears in total and no more than 1 per day.
West Virginia Deer Season
The first and the most popular season is deer hunting season. The deer season lasts for 3 and a half months this year.
In West Virginia, the most common deer species you can hunt is white-tailed deer. Surprisingly, there are more than 200,000 hunters engaged in deer hunting in this state.
If you plan to be one of them, check out the details of the deer season as follows:
Buck Firearms
- November 25 – December 8, 2024
Deer Archery and Crossbow
- September 28 – December 31, 2024
Antlerless Deer Split Season
- October 24 – October 27, 2024
- November 25 – December 8, 2024
- December 12 – December 15, 2024
- December 28 – December 31, 2024
Deer Muzzleloader
- December 16 – December 22, 2024
Deer (Youth/Class Q/Class XS) Split Season
- October 19 – October 20, 2024
- December 26 – December 27, 2024
Deer Winter Mountaineer Heritage
- January 9 -January 12, 2025
The maximum number of deer you can hunt is three and no more than 2 antlered deer. The bag limit for each deer season varies in different counties. It is better to check with the 2024–25 WV hunting seasons pdf and follow the rules.
West Virginia spring gobbler season set to open
FAQ
What day does turkey season start in WV?
WILD TURKEY – SPRING SEASONS/REGULATIONS
Statewide spring gobbler season from April 21 – May 25, 2025. The youth spring gobbler season is April 19–20, 2025 for hunters ages 8–17.
How many turkeys can you shoot in West Virginia?
9.4. Wild Turkey. — The bag and possession limit is three turkeys per calendar year, only one of which may be taken during the fall wild turkey season.Jan 3, 2025
Is turkey hunting good in West Virginia?
The southern and eastern panhandle regions had the best production in 2021. West Virginia has good public land opportunities, too, with 500,000 state-owned acres and another million under U.S. Forest Service supervision. Go here for more Realtree turkey hunting.
Can you turkey hunt on Sundays in West Virginia?
(b) Notwithstanding any ballot measure relating to Sunday hunting, it is lawful to hunt throughout the State of West Virginia on private lands on Sundays with the written consent of the private landowner pursuant to §20-2-7 of this code, and it is lawful to hunt throughout the State of West Virginia on federal land …
When is fall turkey season in WV?
14 counties are open to a split four-week fall turkey season (Oct. 12–20 and Oct. 28 – Nov. 17, 2024). Fall wild turkey season now includes Sunday closing days. For more information, consult the 2024–2025 Hunting and Trapping Regulations Summary. Q. Is the baiting for turkeys legal in WV during the spring or fall turkey season?
When does turkey hunting start in West Virginia?
Turkey season for all 55 counties in W.Va. begins Oct. 12. PARKERSBURG, W.Va. (WTAP) – Turkey hunting for West Virginia opens next weekend. Governor Jim Justice and the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources announced that turkey hunting will return to the Mountain State on Oct. 12.
Can you hunt a Turkey in West Virginia?
Only shotguns, bows, or crossbows are legal implements of hunting during the youth Spring Gobbler Season. For a complete summary of West Virginia’s turkey hunting regulations, check pages 43–44 in the Hunting and Trapping Regulations Summary.
How many turkeys did West Virginia hunters take in 2022?
In the 2022 West Virginia turkey hunting season, 9,366 turkeys were taken by hunters in the spring. This was a 7.6 percent decrease from the 2021 harvest. Remember, safety first when you participate in the 2023 West Virginia turkey season.
Is baiting for turkeys legal in WV?
Q. Is the baiting for turkeys legal in WV during the spring or fall turkey season? No. Baiting for turkeys in both the spring and fall hunting seasons is prohibited. Statewide spring gobbler season from April 21 – May 25, 2025. The youth spring gobbler season is April 19–20, 2025 for hunters ages 8–17.
How do I get a turkey hunting license in West Virginia?
To obtain a turkey hunting license in West Virginia, visit the WV DNR website at www.WVHunt.com to purchase your license before you go. The 2024 WV Turkey Season begins on April 17. Make sure you are up to date with the regulations before planning your turkey hunting trip.