Community Bulletin
Women's health care is available close to home at four central West Virginia clinics through Vandalia Health — the not-for-profit founded by the Davis family more than a century ago, whose Foundation still funds local scholarships and programs. Read more →
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West Virginia bowhunters who want a shot at two extra deer this fall need to buy a Class RB or RRB stamp before archery and crossbow seasons open Saturday, Sept. 26.
The seasons open that day for white-tailed deer, black bear and wild boar, the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources announced Friday. Licenses and stamps are sold at WVhunt.com, and the agency is urging hunters to get theirs ahead of opening day.
“Archery and crossbow seasons are a great opportunity to introduce new hunters to the sport. As early big game seasons, they are highly anticipated and a great opportunity to reconnect with other hunters and enjoy the outdoors,” DNR Director Brett McMillion said.
Anyone 15 or older needs a valid West Virginia hunting license unless they are hunting under resident landowner privileges, and hunters must carry valid identification.
The DNR also pointed to several rules for the season:
- Every big game animal has to be field tagged and checked electronically at WVhunt.com. A prompt check keeps harvest reporting accurate and helps the agency track wildlife populations.
- A drone may be used to find a deer, bear or boar that has been mortally wounded. Hunters tracking wounded game are limited to one dog, which must be on a leash.
- Grant County is under deer carcass transportation restrictions, and Pendleton County has baiting and feeding restrictions.
- Bowhunters who hunted last year’s archery and crossbow deer season are asked to fill out the agency’s annual bowhunter survey. Its results help guide wildlife management and future hunting opportunities, according to the DNR.
Season dates, bag limits and county-by-county rules are in the West Virginia Hunting Regulations Summary, available at WVdnr.gov/hunting-regulations. My Buckhannon reported in June that the DNR had released the summary for the 2026-2027 seasons.
