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West Virginia Bear Seasons
These dates represent the “general” season dates. Check the individual hunting unit regulations for the most accurate season dates and regulations.
Firearms Season August/september Early
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Rifle
Late August/early September bear firearms season available in select counties (Logan, McDowell, Mingo, Wyoming). May hunt with or without dogs. These counties also have the December 8-31 season.
Gun Season Split 1 Selected Counties
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Rifle
Must be electronically registered (checked). Selected counties only. See pages 37-42.
Urban / Archery/crossbow Split Season First Segment
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Class Q/class Xs Season Split 1
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Youth hunters
Must be electronically registered (checked). See page 38.
Special Split Class Q And Class Xs Season First Segment
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Youth and senior hunters
Open to youth less than 18 years old, Class Q holders and Class XS holders. Open on private and public lands in all or parts of 26 counties open to bear hunting with or without dogs (see page 42). Bears may be hunted with or without dogs during this segment.
Firearms Season Early September
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A bow or crossbow may be substituted for a firearm during bear firearms season. Two bears may be taken during the bear firearms season provided that at least one bear must be taken in Boone, Fayette, Kanawha, Logan, McDowell, Mingo, Raleigh or Wyoming counties. No person may take more than two bears annually in archery, crossbow and firearms seasons combined. May hunt bear without dogs (see page 8 for exception for tracking mortally wounded bear).
Gun Season Split 2 Selected Counties
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Rifle
Must be electronically registered (checked). Selected counties only. See pages 37-42.
Archery And Crossbow
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Firearms Season October Early
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Rifle
Early October bear firearms season available in select counties (Boone, Fayette, Kanawha, Raleigh). May hunt with or without dogs. These counties also have the December 8-31 season.
Gun Season Split 3 Selected Counties
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Rifle
Must be electronically registered (checked). Selected counties only. See pages 37-42.
Class Q/class Xs Season Split 2
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Youth hunters
Must be electronically registered (checked). See page 38.
Special Split Class Q And Class Xs Season Second Segment
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Youth and senior hunters
Open to youth less than 18 years old, Class Q holders and Class XS holders. Open on private and public lands in 51 counties open to a firearms deer hunting season. The use of dogs is prohibited during this segment.
Firearms Season October
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Public and Private Land, portions of counties open to antlerless deer hunting. A bow or crossbow may be substituted for a firearm. Two bears may be taken during the bear firearms season provided that at least one bear must be taken in Boone, Fayette, Kanawha, Logan, McDowell, Mingo, Raleigh or Wyoming counties. No person may take more than two bears annually in archery, crossbow and firearms seasons combined.
Gun Season Split 4 Selected Counties
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Rifle
Must be electronically registered (checked). Selected counties only.
Firearms Season Late Season Standard
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Applies to select counties: Boone, Fayette, Gilmer, Kanawha, Raleigh, Ritchie. A bow or crossbow may be substituted for a firearm. Two bears may be taken during the bear firearms season provided that at least one bear must be taken in Boone, Fayette, Kanawha, Logan, McDowell, Mingo, Raleigh or Wyoming counties.
Gun Season Split 5 Selected Counties
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Rifle
Must be electronically registered (checked). Selected counties only.
Firearms Season Late Season Extended
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A bow or crossbow may be substituted for a firearm. Two bears may be taken during the bear firearms season provided that at least one bear must be taken in Boone, Fayette, Kanawha, Logan, McDowell, Mingo, Raleigh or Wyoming counties. No person may take more than two bears annually in archery, crossbow and firearms seasons combined.
Firearms Season December
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Rifle
Bear firearms season. May hunt bear with or without dogs. Applies to multiple counties across West Virginia with varying additional early season dates depending on county.
Gun Season Split 6 Selected Counties
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Rifle
Must be electronically registered (checked). Selected counties only.
Mountaineer Heritage
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Muzzleloader
Urban / Archery/crossbow Split Season Second Segment
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Mountaineer Heritage
Dates vary by unit
Specific dates not listed on this page. Requires a 2026 hunting license to hunt during the Mountaineer Heritage Season in 2026. See other pages for field tagging, checking, transporting, CWD containment area regulations, and special season restrictions.
West Virginia Bear Licenses
Nonresident Licenses
| License | Availability | Eligibility | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nonresident Bear Hunting License (Class EE) | OTC | — | $162.00 |
| Nonresident Lifetime Bear Hunting and Bear Damage Stamp - Child Age 10-14 (Class EE-L) | OTC | Ages 10–14 | $3,829.50 |
Child pricing for age 10 to under 15. Conservation Stamp (Class CS/LE) is included. | |||
| Nonresident Lifetime Bear Hunting and Bear Damage Stamp - Child Age 1-4 (Class EE-L) | OTC | Ages 1–4 | $2,340.25 |
Child pricing for age 1 to under 5. Conservation Stamp (Class CS/LE) is included. | |||
| Nonresident Lifetime Bear Hunting and Bear Damage Stamp - Child Age 5-9 (Class EE-L) | OTC | Ages 5–9 | $3,191.25 |
Child pricing for age 5 to under 10. Conservation Stamp (Class CS/LE) is included. | |||
| Nonresident Lifetime Bear Hunting and Bear Damage Stamp - Child Under 1 (Class EE-L) | OTC | 0 | $1,702.00 |
Child pricing for under age 1. Conservation Stamp (Class CS/LE) is included. | |||
| Nonresident Lifetime Bear Hunting and Bear Damage Stamp (Class EE-L) | OTC | — | $4,255.00 |
Conservation Stamp (Class CS/LE) is included. | |||
Other Licenses
| License | Availability | Eligibility | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bear Damage Stamp (Class DS) | OTC | — | $10.00 |
Required to hunt or chase bear. Must be accompanied by Class A+BG, AH+BG, AHJ, A-L, AB-L, EE, X, X3, XP, XP3, XJ or C license. Available to both residents and nonresidents. | |||
