West Virginia


During the West Virginia Muzzleloader Hunting Season, only single shot muzzleloaders, including in-lines of .38 caliber or larger are legal. Telescopic sights are legal. A firearm that has been converted into a muzzleloader by use of a plug, or a double-barreled or swivel barreled muzzleloader is illegal for deer hunting during the muzzleloader season.

West Virginia Muzzleloader Hunting Season 2023-2024

SeasonDates
MuzzleloaderDec 11 – Dec 18
Hunting Season Updated for 2023-2024

West Virginia Muzzleloader Hunting Season Regulation

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When being transported in or on a vehicle, muzzleloaders will be considered unloaded: when uncapped; when the priming charge is removed from the pan; or if they have an electronic ignition, the battery must be removed.

Two deer may be taken with a muzzleloader during the muzzleloader season. One may be taken on one of the following valid base licenses or license combinations: resident license (Class X, Class XJ, Class AHJ, Class AB-L, Class A-L, Class XS, Classes A+CS+BG or Classes AH+CS+BG); or a free license (Military, Disabled Veteran, former POW, Class DT or Senior Citizen); or nonresident license (Classes E+CS/LE+VV, Classes

AAH+CS/LE+VV, Classes XXJ+CS/LE, Classes AAHJ+CS/LE or Class DT). Underage residents and resident landowners hunting on their own land (see page 10) may take a muzzleloader deer without a license. An additional muzzleloader deer may only be taken with a Class RM or RRM stamp, a Class DT license or by a resident landowner hunting on his/her own land. Class DT license holders must be accompanied by a parent, guardian, or with written consent of the parent or guardian, or any other competent licensed adult 21 years of age or older.

Muzzleloader hunting for antlered deer is legal in all counties open to buck season. A deer of either sex may be taken with muzzleloaders in all counties or parts thereof open to the Class N season. One additional deer may be taken on a Class RM or RRM stamp or a Class DT license in all counties having the muzzleloader season (see pages 13-15 and 31).

In the muzzleloader season, only single-shot muzzleloaders, including “in-lines” of .38 caliber or larger are legal. Telescopic sights are legal. A firearm that has been converted into a muzzleloader by use of a plug, or a double-barreled or swivel- barreled muzzleloader is illegal for deer hunting during the West Virginia Muzzleloader Hunting Season.

When being transported in or on a vehicle, muzzleloaders will be considered unloaded: when uncapped; when the priming charge is removed from the pan; or if they have an electronic ignition with the battery removed.

A hunter may take no more than three antlered deer per calendar year in all archery and firearms seasons combined.

A hunter may harvest two deer per day, but only one antlered deer may be harvested per day. The first deer does not have to be legally checked by a Natural Resources Police officer or at an official checking station prior to harvesting the second deer in the same day. However, all deer legally harvested must be checked by a Natural Resources Police officer or at an official checking station for retagging prior to hunting during a subsequent day.

This information is subject to change, for more information visit: http://www.wvdnr.gov/


Additional Links

2023-2024 SEASON DATES
2023-2024 REGULATIONS
HUNTING MAPS

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