Antlerless deer season for youth, Class Q/QQ, senior Class XS hunters available Oct. 15-16, Dec. 26-27

News Release
October 13, 2022

SOUTH CHARLESTON, W.Va. — The first segment of West Virginia’s antlerless deer season for youth hunters, persons with disabilities and senior lifetime license holders will be open Oct. 15-16.

“This special season provides an excellent opportunity for adults to pass on hunting traditions and teach kids about hunting safety,” said WVDNR Director Brett McMillion. “This season also allows our youth, disabled and senior lifetime license holders a good chance to pursue antlerless deer at a time when hunting pressure is significantly lower compared to other antlerless seasons.”

During this season, youth hunters, those with a Class Q/QQ permit and Class XS license holders may hunt on private and public lands in all counties where hunting deer with a firearm is permitted. This excludes Logan, McDowell, Mingo and Wyoming counties. A second two-day segment is scheduled for Dec. 26-27.

The season is open to youth hunters 8-17, but hunters 8-14 must be accompanied by a licensed adult who may not hunt or possess a weapon. Hunters 15-17 must follow all licensing requirements and hunting regulations. Hunting licenses may be purchased online at WVhunt.com.

Senior citizens 65 years and older who have a senior lifetime hunting, trapping and fishing license (Class XS) may also hunt during this season. Hunters participating in this season, accompanying adults and all other hunters afield during these season dates must wear at least 400 square inches of blaze orange.

The daily bag limit is one antlerless deer per day and only four antlerless deer may be harvested during this season. Class N/NN stamps are not required and deer harvested during this season do not count toward the hunter’s annual deer season bag limit.

Hunters must field tag and electronically check each harvested deer within 24 hours of the close of each segment of this split season and before pursuing additional deer. Deer may be checked online at WVdnr.gov, by calling 844-WVCHECK or by going to a WVDNR license agent.

For more information about this season and other hunting opportunities, check the 2022-23 West Virginia Hunting and Trapping Regulations Summary, available at WVDNR district offices, license retailers and online at WVdnr.gov.