The West Virginia Division of Natural Resources (WVDNR) today announced that the next segment of the state’s black bear firearms season will be open in select counties Sept. 20-26.

Additional black bear firearms season segments are scheduled for Oct. 4-10, Oct. 23-26, Nov. 24-Dec. 7, and Dec. 8-31. Archery and crossbow seasons for black bear starts Sept. 27. A special youth, Class XS and Class Q season will also be held Oct. 18-19.

“I want to encourage bear hunters to take advantage of the September seasons, which often coincide with the peak of acorn drop when bears are active and feeding heavily in oak stands,” said WVDNR Director Brett McMillion. “These seasons not only give hunters several chances to experience bear hunting in West Virginia but also play a vital role in managing a healthy population.”

Resident hunters must purchase a bear damage stamp in addition to their hunting license. Nonresidents must purchase both a bear hunting license and a bear damage stamp. Licenses and stamps are available at WVhunt.com.

Hunters who harvest a bear are required to submit a premolar tooth from each bear. Those who harvest a female black bear are also encouraged to save the reproductive tract or all the entrails and submit them to the WVDNR for a chance to receive a $20 gift card. Data collected from these submissions help biologists monitor the state’s black bear population. Bear tooth envelopes are available at WVDNR district offices and the Elkins Operation Center. Hunters who save reproductive tracts or entrails should keep them cool or frozen and contact their nearest district office to arrange pickup.

For more details on bear hunting regulations, see pages 37-42 in the Hunting Regulations Summary, available at WVdnr.gov/hunting-regulations.