West Virginia Hunting Laws

What makes land legally posted in West Virginia?

Posted land must have signs no more than 500 feet apart along the boundary and at each corner, with 'no trespassing' in letters at least 2 inches tall, plus signs at all roads, driveways and gates of entry. Fenced and cultivated land counts as posted without signs. Hunting fenced, enclosed or posted land requires written permission.

Enclosed land of 5 acres or less with a dwelling needs no posting.

Source: W. Va. Code §§ 61-3B-1, 20-2-8 · official source

Does West Virginia have a purple paint law?

Yes. Purple marks must be vertical lines at least 8 inches long and 2 inches wide, with the bottom 3 to 6 feet above the ground or normal water surface, on permanent objects no more than 100 feet apart. Signs are still required at all roads, driveways and gates of entry.

Source: W. Va. Code § 61-3B-1(4)(B) · official source

Do you need written permission to hunt private land in West Virginia?

Yes. You may not shoot, hunt or trap on the fenced, enclosed, purple-paint-marked or posted lands of another person without written permission from the owner, tenant or agent in your possession. Sunday hunting on private land also requires the landowner's written consent.

DNR also requires written permission on all private land inside national forest WMAs.

Source: W. Va. Code § 20-2-7(a) · official source

Can you retrieve a deer or a hunting dog from posted land in West Virginia?

A hunter whose dog, without the hunter's direction, runs onto fenced or posted land chasing game is not criminally liable or subject to arrest, as long as no game is taken there and no damage is done. A hunter who believes he mortally wounded a deer, elk, turkey, boar or bear may track it with one leashed dog or a drone, but tracking counts as hunting and all hunting laws, including permission, still apply.

The statute does not authorize entering posted land without permission to recover wounded game.

Source: W. Va. Code §§ 20-2-7(e), 20-2-5j · official source

What is the penalty for hunting trespass in West Virginia?

Hunting on posted or private land without permission is a misdemeanor: $100-$500 fine and/or 10-100 days in jail for a first offense, $500-$1,000 for a second, and $1,000-$1,500 for a third. The trespasser is also liable for damage and restitution, and the landowner may arrest the trespasser.

General trespass on posted land (§ 61-3B-3) carries escalating fines from $100 to $1,500.

Source: W. Va. Code §§ 20-2-7, 20-7-9 · official source

How close to a house can you hunt in West Virginia?

It is unlawful to shoot or discharge a firearm within 500 feet of any dwelling house, school or church. A resident of the dwelling and their authorized guest may shoot within 500 feet of their own house if all residents consent and no other dwelling is within 500 feet.

Misdemeanor: $50-$500 fine and/or up to 100 days in jail. DNR's digest notes air rifles may be discharged within 500 feet of a dwelling.

Source: W. Va. Code § 20-2-58 · official source

Can you hunt from or near a road in West Virginia?

It is unlawful to shoot a firearm across or in any public road, or to shoot an arrow across a public highway. You also may not get out of a vehicle along a public road and shoot unless you are at least 25 yards from the vehicle, and hunting from a vehicle is prohibited.

Source: W. Va. Code §§ 20-2-58, 20-2-5(a); WVDNR Regulations · official source

What are legal shooting hours in West Virginia?

Deer may be hunted from one-half hour before sunrise until one-half hour after sunset. It is illegal to hunt deer, bear or boar outside those hours.

Source: WVDNR Hunting and Trapping Regulations 2026-27 · official source

What are the blaze orange requirements in West Virginia?

Anyone hunting deer on public land or another person's land during firearms or muzzleloader deer season must wear a blaze orange outer garment of at least 400 square inches. DNR applies this to all hunters in counties where a deer firearms or muzzleloader season is open, including youth/Class Q/XS antlerless seasons.

Exempt: waterfowl hunters and people engaged in farming on their own land. Fine $5-$50.

Source: W. Va. Code § 20-2-60 · official source

Is night hunting legal in West Virginia?

Using any artificial light or night-vision technology (including thermal) to hunt or locate wildlife is illegal, with an exception: coyote, fox, raccoon, opossum and skunk may be hunted with lights or night vision. Violations carry a $100-$500 fine and 10-100 days in jail.

Source: W. Va. Code § 20-2-5(a)(3) · official source

Do you need a hunting license to hunt your own land in West Virginia?

Bona fide resident landowners, their resident children or parents, and bona fide resident tenants may hunt, trap and fish on their own land during open season without a license, unless the land is a designated refuge or preserve.

Nonresident landowners are not covered.

Source: W. Va. Code § 20-2-28(a) · official source

Who needs hunter education in West Virginia?

Anyone born on or after January 1, 1975 must show a hunter education certificate before buying a base hunting license. Apprentice hunting and trapping licenses (Classes AH, AHJ, AAH, AAHJ) are exempt from the training requirement.

Applies to residents and nonresidents.

Source: W. Va. Code § 20-2-30a · official source

Is Sunday hunting legal in West Virginia?

Yes. Sunday hunting is legal statewide on private land with the landowner's written consent, and on federal land open to hunting, state forests, and state wildlife lands.

Source: W. Va. Code § 20-2-5(b) · official source

Is it legal to bait deer in West Virginia?

Baiting or feeding any wildlife on public land is illegal at any time, and baiting or feeding bears is illegal everywhere. Baiting or feeding deer and other wildlife is also illegal in any CWD Containment Area designated by the Director. Outside those areas, baiting deer on private land is not prohibited.

Check the current regulations for which counties are in the CWD Containment Area. A site stays baited for 10 days after bait is removed.

Source: WVDNR Hunting and Trapping Regulations 2026-27 · official source

Can you use a crossbow during archery season in West Virginia?

Yes. West Virginia has a combined archery and crossbow season for deer and bear, and anyone lawfully entitled to hunt may also use a crossbow during big-game firearms season. Crossbows need at least a 125-pound draw, a working safety, and 16-inch or longer bolts with broadheads at least 3/4 inch wide.

Source: W. Va. Code § 20-2-5g; WVDNR Regulations · official source

Can you use a drone to scout or recover game in West Virginia?

It is illegal to hunt, take, harass, drive or herd wildlife with a drone. The one exception: a legal hunter who believes he mortally wounded a deer, elk, turkey, boar or bear may use a drone to locate it. A paid drone tracker must be a licensed outfitter or guide, and an operator flying over land they do not own or lease needs an FAA Part 107 license.

Source: W. Va. Code §§ 20-2-5(a)(4)-(5), 20-2-5j · official source

Is a landowner liable if someone gets hurt hunting on their land in West Virginia?

A landowner owes no duty to keep land safe for, or to warn, people using it for recreation or hunting, and letting people on without charge does not make them invitees or make the owner liable for their acts.

Exceptions are in § 19-25-4 (e.g., deliberate, willful or malicious infliction of injury).

Source: W. Va. Code § 19-25-2 · official source