FRENCH CREEK, W.Va. – The four-day special split antlerless deer season for youth hunters, persons with a Class Q/QQ permit, and senior citizens with a Class XS license soon will be underway.

The first segment of the season is Oct. 19–20. The second segment is Dec. 26–27. Hunting is permitted on private and public lands in counties that have a firearms deer hunting season.

Youth hunters ages 8–17 may participate in this special antlerless deer season. Hunters ages 8–14 must be accompanied by a licensed adult who may not hunt or possess implements for the taking of wildlife. Hunters ages 15–17 must comply with all licensing requirements. Senior hunters who have a resident Class XS lifetime hunting/trapping/fishing license may also participate in this special antlerless deer season.

“This is an excellent opportunity to pass on the tradition and safe practices of hunting to youth hunters,” said Tyler Evans, wildlife biologist with the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources (DNR). “This season also provides a tremendous opportunity for seniors and hunters with a Class Q/QQ permit to enjoy this unique hunting experience at a time when there is not as much hunting pressure.”

All hunters participating in this season, as well as accompanying adults, must wear at least 400 square inches of blaze orange.

Nonresident youth hunters must be properly licensed (Class XXJ License + CS/LE Stamp, Class AAHJ License + CS/LE Stamp, or a Class DT License), and all accompanying nonresident adults must also be properly licensed (Class E License + CS/LE Stamp).

The daily bag limit for this special antlerless deer season is one antlerless deer per day, for a total of four antlerless deer that may be harvested during this season.

NOTE: The chart on Page 2 of the 2019–2020 Hunting and Trapping Regulations incorrectly states that the possession and season bag limits are three instead of four. The correct season bag limit of four reflects one antlerless deer per day as stated above.

Deer harvested during the special split antlerless season will not count toward a hunter’s annual deer season bag limit. Class N/NN stamps are not required for this special season.

Each deer must be field tagged and electronically registered within 24 hours of the close of each segment of the split season, and before pursuit of any additional deer. Deer can be checked online at wvhunt.com, by calling 1-844-WVCHECK, or by visiting a license agent.

Please refer to the 2019–2020 West Virginia Hunting and Trapping Regulations Summary for additional details about this special antlerless season. Hunters may also direct their questions to any of the six DNR district offices.