Bear Hunting Season in West Virginia: Dates, Licenses, and Regulations You Need to Know

West Virginia is one of the premier black bear hunting destinations on the entire East Coast, and for good reason. The Mountain State’s rugged Appalachian terrain — characterized by steep ridges, narrow hollows, and dense hardwood forests — creates some of the most challenging and rewarding hunting in the eastern United States, with annual black bear harvests consistently ranking among the highest in the East.

Whether you’re planning your first bear hunt or returning for another season in the mountains, understanding the rules before you head into the field is the most important step you can take. Hunting seasons are established based on sound scientific research and the biology of the game species, and are designed to maximize recreational opportunities for hunters. This guide walks you through everything you need to know about bear hunting season in West Virginia, from species and season dates to licenses, legal weapons, bag limits, and hunting zones.

Pro Tip: Always download the current WVDNR Hunting and Trapping Regulations Summary before your hunt. Dates, open counties, and rules change annually, and the official document is your definitive reference.

Bear Species You Can Hunt in West Virginia

West Virginia is home to one huntable bear species: the American black bear (Ursus americanus). The Mountain State is particularly renowned for its black bear hunting, with annual harvests consistently ranking among the highest in the East. Black bears in West Virginia inhabit a wide range of elevations and forest types, from the dense hollows of the southern coalfields to the high ridges of the Allegheny Mountains.

The species was not always so abundant here. The combination of uncontrolled hunting, land clearing for crops, and the expansion of human civilization once led to bears being found only in remote mountain areas. Decades of regulated hunting and habitat management by the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources (WVDNR) have since rebuilt the population into a thriving, huntable resource.

You may also encounter wild boar in some parts of West Virginia, which has its own separate season and regulations. Black bear is the only bear species with an open hunting season in the state. If you want to learn more about when these animals are active throughout the year, check out this overview of when bears come out of hibernation in West Virginia.

Bear Hunting Season Dates in West Virginia

West Virginia runs multiple bear seasons across different weapon types and time periods, with dates that vary by county. The 2025–2026 season structure, as published by the WVDNR, is outlined below. Always verify your specific county’s open dates in the official regulations summary, as these can shift year to year.

Season Type	2025–2026 Dates	Notes
Archery and Crossbow	Sept. 27 – Dec. 31, 2025	Statewide in open counties; runs alongside deer archery season
Special September/October Firearms	Various dates, Sept.–Oct. 2025	County-specific; check WVDNR regulations for your area
Concurrent Antlerless Deer and Bear Season	Oct. 23–26, 2025	Public and private land in 41 counties or parts thereof
Bear Firearms (concurrent with deer firearms)	Varies by county	No permit-only counties for firearms bear in 2025
Urban Archery/Crossbow (Split)	Sept. 6 – Dec. 31, 2025 and Jan. 12–31, 2026	Approved HOAs, incorporated cities, towns, and villages only

Black bear archery and crossbow season runs September 27 through December 31, 2025. A special September and October bear firearms season and a bear firearms season running concurrent with the deer firearms season are both in place for 2025, with no permit-only counties for any bear firearms season.

A concurrent antlerless deer and bear season takes place on private and public land in 41 counties, or parts thereof, from October 23–26, 2025. Black bear gun season includes Sunday closing days. Plan your hunt days accordingly so you do not accidentally field a firearm on a closed Sunday.

Approved homeowner’s associations, incorporated cities, towns, and villages may participate in the split urban deer/bear archery/crossbow season, which runs from September 6 through December 31, 2025, and January 12 through January 31, 2026, with a season bag limit of one bear.

Important Note: The 2026–2027 season dates had not yet been finalized as of the publication of this article. The dates above reflect the 2025–2026 season as published by the WVDNR. Check wvdnr.gov for updated 2026–2027 information once it becomes available.

For comparison with other hunting seasons in the state, see our guides to deer hunting season in West Virginia and turkey hunting season in West Virginia, both of which overlap with portions of bear season.

Bear Hunting Licenses and Tags in West Virginia

Before you can legally hunt black bear in West Virginia, you need to make sure your license stack is complete. Missing even one required stamp can result in a violation, so build your license checklist before opening day.

Every hunter in West Virginia needs the right license before heading afield. A resident base hunting and trapping license (Class A) costs $19 per year for ages 15 through 64, while nonresidents pay $119 for a statewide license (Class E). On top of the base license, species-specific stamps and permits are often required.

Hunters pursuing black bear need a $10 Bear Damage Stamp (Class DS). All bear hunters must possess a Bear Damage Stamp (Class DS) to hunt bears, except hunters exempt from having to purchase one — specifically, resident landowners hunting on their own land.

Nonresidents face a different fee structure. Nonresidents who plan to hunt only bear must purchase a nonresident bear hunting license (Class EE) for $162, a Bear Damage Stamp DS ($10), and a Conservation/Law Enforcement Stamp ($13), unless they hold a Class DT license. A Class I stamp ($2) is also needed for hunting on National Forest land.

• Resident base license (Class A): $19 (ages 15–64)
• Bear Damage Stamp (Class DS): $10 (residents and nonresidents)
• Nonresident bear-only license (Class EE): $162
• Conservation/Law Enforcement Stamp: $13 (nonresidents)
• National Forest Stamp (Class I): $2 (required for hunting on National Forest land)

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 base license. Licenses are valid from July 1, 2025 through June 30, 2026, and can be purchased online at wvhunt.com.

For a broader look at hunting laws and license requirements in the region, our guide to hunting laws in Virginia provides a useful comparison for hunters who operate near the state line.

Legal Methods and Weapons for Bear Hunting in West Virginia

West Virginia permits several weapon types for bear hunting, each with specific legal requirements. The weapon you use must match the season type you are hunting under, so confirm which season is open in your county before selecting your method.

Archery and Crossbow

During the archery and crossbow season, you may use traditional bows, compound bows, longbows, recurve bows, and crossbows. Crossbows must have a draw weight of at least 125 pounds and a working safety. Bolts must be at least 18 inches long, and broadheads are required to have at least two sharp cutting edges at least 3/4 inch in width.

Crossbows are legal during all designated archery timeframes in West Virginia, with no special permit required.

Firearms

Legal firearms include rifles larger than .25 caliber, revolvers, or pistols using a straight-walled case with at least a .357 Magnum cartridge or a bottlenecked case with a minimum .24 caliber. Shotguns using ammunition loaded with more than one solid ball are illegal.

Muzzleloaders and Primitive Weapons

Primitive weapons permitted for bear include flintlock or single-shot sidelock muzzleloading rifles of .38 caliber or larger, as well as longbows and recurve bows.

Tracking and Recovery Rules

Two notable updates to West Virginia’s hunting regulations affect how you can recover a wounded bear. An unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) can now be used for tracking and locating mortally wounded deer, bear, wild turkey, or wild boar. However, only one leashed dog can be used for tracking and locating mortally wounded deer, bear, wild turkey, or wild boar.

Key Insight: The Small Arms Hunting Stamp (Class A1) was eliminated for hunting with a handgun as of the 2025–2026 season, simplifying the license requirements for pistol hunters.

Bag Limits and Harvest Reporting Requirements in West Virginia

West Virginia’s bear bag limits are among the more generous in the eastern United States, but they come with strict reporting requirements that every hunter must follow to the letter.

Bag Limits

The daily bag limit is one bear per day, with a season bag limit of two bears — provided at least one bear comes from Boone, Fayette, Kanawha, Logan, McDowell, Mingo, Raleigh, or Wyoming counties. This county requirement for the second bear is an important rule that catches some hunters off guard, so read it carefully before pursuing a second animal.

For the urban archery/crossbow split season, the season bag limit is one bear.

Field Tagging

A landowner or hunter must complete a field tag before moving the animal from where it was killed. 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 a WVDNR-issued game tag number.

Electronic Check-In

Within 24 hours of the kill, hunters must electronically register the bear at WVhunt.com to receive a DNR-issued game tag number. That tag must remain attached to the bear if traveling more than 75 miles from the harvest location until the skin is mounted or tanned.

Tooth Submission

All successful bear hunters must submit a first premolar tooth to the WVDNR by January 31 of the year following the harvest. This biological sample allows WVDNR biologists to assess the age structure of the bear population and make informed management decisions for future seasons. The WVDNR also encourages hunters who have harvested a female bear to remove the whole and intact reproductive organs for additional biological data collection.

Common Mistake: Forgetting to submit the first premolar tooth by the January 31 deadline is a violation. Collect the tooth at the time of harvest and keep it in a labeled envelope so it does not get lost before you mail it in.

For a broader look at how West Virginia handles wildlife-related laws and reporting, see our article on roadkill laws in West Virginia.

Bear Hunting Zones and Units in West Virginia

Unlike many western states that divide bear hunting into formal numbered zones or units, West Virginia takes a different approach. West Virginia does not section the bear hunt into “zones” or “units.” Instead, the hunt is divided statewide by hunting style, counties, and dates.

This means your hunting county determines which seasons are open to you, what methods are permitted, and whether dogs may be used. You absolutely must check whether your county allows “Dog” or “No Dog” hunting and when. The special permit season for bear dog hunters was discontinued in 2016.

Key Hunting Areas

Bear hunters should focus on the Monongahela National Forest’s Gauley District in Webster and Nicholas counties during the October archery season, when bears concentrate on soft mast along mid-elevation ridges.

Several counties are known for outstanding bear hunting opportunities:

• Randolph County: Top-notch bear hunting, especially in the Monongahela National Forest.
• Tucker County: Enormous wild spots intensely favored by bear hunters.
• Pocahontas County: More than deer country — black bears reside here in strong numbers.
• Webster and Nicholas Counties: Prime archery bear habitat in the Monongahela National Forest.

Public Land Access

Public lands available for bear hunting include state Wildlife Management Areas, National Forests, and certain state parks. The Monongahela National Forest spans over 900,000 acres across multiple counties and provides excellent bear, deer, turkey, and small game hunting.

State forests also offer quality bear habitat with less hunting pressure. Seneca State Forest offers a remote location with less pressure and good bear country, while Kumbrabow State Forest features mountain terrain, challenging hunting, and diverse wildlife.

If you hunt near state forest or WMA boundaries, be sure to review area-specific regulations. For related public land rules, our article on leash laws in West Virginia covers relevant rules about animals on public lands.

Tips for a Successful Bear Hunt in West Virginia

West Virginia’s terrain is beautiful, but it demands preparation. Steep ridges, dense laurel thickets, and unpredictable mountain weather can turn a poorly planned hunt into a frustrating experience. These practical tips will help you make the most of your time in the field.

Scout Before the Season Opens

Season timing takes advantage of bear behavior — especially pre-hibernation feeding that makes bears more active and predictable. Get into your hunting area before the season opens to locate fresh sign: tracks, scat, claw marks on beech trees, and torn-apart logs where bears have been feeding on insects. Focus your scouting on soft mast sources like berry patches and hard mast areas like oak and beech stands.

Hunt Concurrent Seasons Together

West Virginia runs both archery and firearms bear seasons, structured to provide opportunity while keeping harvest sustainable. Bear seasons usually overlap with deer seasons, so you can hunt both species on the same trip. This overlap is one of West Virginia’s great advantages — you can cover more ground and make the most of every day in the woods. See our guide to deer hunting season in West Virginia to plan a combined hunt.

Understand County-Specific Rules Before You Go

Sociological parameters like nuisance bear complaints and other issues are evaluated for managing game species when establishing hunting seasons. This means county-level rules can shift from year to year based on local bear activity and population data. Always download the current regulations and check the county-specific pages before heading out.

Use Elevation to Your Advantage

In early season, bears tend to feed at mid to upper elevations where mast crops are heaviest. As temperatures drop and mast becomes scarce, they move lower in search of food. Plan your stand locations to intercept these elevation shifts throughout the season. Saddles, benches, and ridge points connecting feeding areas to bedding cover are consistently productive spots.

Prepare for Rugged Recovery

A black bear is a large, heavy animal in difficult terrain. Before you shoot, have a recovery plan. Know how you will get the bear out of the woods, whether that means packing it out on foot, using a cart, or arranging for help. Remember that a UAV can now be used for tracking and locating mortally wounded bears, which can be especially helpful in thick cover where tracking is difficult.

Stay Legal on Every Detail

Lower-level infractions like failing to properly tag game or hunting without a required stamp carry fines between $20 and $300. More serious violations such as exceeding bag limits or hunting out of season bring steeper fines and can lead to multi-year license suspensions. Double-check your license stack, field tag your bear immediately after the kill, and register it electronically within 24 hours.

Pro Tip: Purchase your Bear Damage Stamp and any required stamps well before opening day. Popular stamps can sell out at local agents near peak season, and you cannot legally hunt without them in hand.

For hunters who spend significant time in West Virginia’s woods, it is also worth reviewing our guide on tick season in West Virginia — the same dense habitats that hold bears also harbor ticks throughout the fall hunting season. You may also find our articles on dove hunting season in West Virginia and trout fishing season in West Virginia useful for planning a complete outdoor calendar around your bear hunt.

In West Virginia, the Natural Resources Commission is responsible for setting open seasons, season lengths, and bag limits. Season changes and recommendations from wildlife biologists are presented to the public for comment during regulations meetings held across the state each year. Staying engaged with that process — and checking wvdnr.gov for the latest updates — is the best way to stay legal and make the most of every bear hunting season in the Mountain State.