West Virginia Fish and Game Laws
- Hunters and fishermen are advised to check the latest published regulations for open hunting and fishing seasons in West Virginia.no hunting image by Inhumane Productions from Fotolia.com
According to the West Virginia Department of Natural Resources, a majority of families in the state have at least one member who hunts on a regular basis, and over 350,000 hunters take to the woods of West Virginia each year. Fishing and hunting have long traditions in the state, and laws and regulations have been established to ensure that these traditions continue. Laws are meant to protect endangered species, conserve sustainable numbers of game animals and ensure safety and ethical standards. - Fishing and hunting in West Virginia require the appropriate license. A statewide fishing license for the 2010 season is $19 for residents and $37 for non-residents; lifetime fishing licenses are also available for both residents and non-residents. An annual hunting and trapping license for the 2010 season is $19 for residents and $119 for non-residents. A combination sportsman license is available for residents for $35, and includes hunting, trapping and fishing licenses. Additional hunting and fishing stamps may be required to hunt different game, and to use particular weapons or fishing tackle.
- Fishing in West Virginia can be done with either a hook and line or rod and reel. You are permitted to use a hand net to land fish. No fish may be sold except under special permits. It is illegal to use any explosive or other dangerous substance to destroy fish, fish spawn and fish habitats, and it is illegal to deposit trash in state waters or along their banks. It is unlawful to remove the head or tail of a fish so as to make them unidentifiable. Daily bag limits and minimum size restrictions must be obeyed.
- If not stated under special regulations, general daily bag limits for black bass are six fish, and the total possession limit is 12. You may catch four striped bass and white bass per day, and the possession limit is eight of each. The daily limit for trout is six, and the total possession limit is 12. You can keep two pike or muskellunge a day, but both pike must be longer than 28 inches, and the two muskellunge must be longer than 30 inches. Two blue catfish and four channel catfish are allowed to be caught per day, and eight walleye and sauger may be caught per day on lakes; on rivers, you can catch 10 walleye and sauger per day. There are no bag or possession limits for any other fish.
- Most hunting seasons open in early October and run to the end of December; specific times and dates are particular to the region of West Virginia you are hunting and the weapon you are using. Generally speaking, hunting hours during open seasons are ½ hour before sunrise to ½ hour after sunset. Dogs may be used to hunt wild birds and other game unless special restrictions prohibit this. Dogs may only be trained for hunting during the hunting season. Special restrictions may apply to specific firearm use in some counties; no shotguns larger than 10 gauge may be used, and all barrels must be at least 18 inches long. Hunters may be required to wear blaze orange hats or upper body clothing during particular hunting seasons. It is illegal to injure or cripple an animal without making a reasonable effort to keep it in your possession.
- Bag limits for deer with antlers and antlerless deer are specific to the place and time you are hunting; they range from one to four deer per season. You may harvest one bear over 100 pounds per license; females with cubs may not be harvested. There are particular restrictions on the use of dogs while hunting bear and deer, and hunters are requested to check for updated regulations before they hunt. One wild boar may be harvested each season. One bearded turkey may be harvested in the fall season, and two may be harvested in the spring season. Bag limits and restrictions for waterfowl, fox, bobcat and other game animals are available on the West Virginia Department of Natural Resources website.
