When is bear hunting season in virginia

The deer bag limit on private lands west of the blue ridge mountains is now two deer per day. West virginia hunters harvest 3,099 black bears in 2019. Countless wild berry patches attract bear from miles around. Legal methods and restrictions special restrictions apply to specific firearms use during this season. When hunting during the archery or muzzleloading bear seasons, except in certain counties during the youthapprentice bear hunting weekend. The 16day season, open in four counties in the states southwestern region, will begin.

Official site of the west virginia division of natural resources, wv state parks, and wv hunting and fishing license. Find virginia hunting seasons, information on deer, elk, bear, turkey, small game and special hunt dates. Bears may be harvested using any lawful weapon within the incorporated limits of any city or town that allows bear hunting from october 5 to january 4. We have great bear hunting seasons at 3 rivers guide service. Albemarle, amherst, bedford, frederick and nelson counties have been added to the three day early open season. The age of your harvested bear will be available online 9 to 10 months after the hunting season ends at. Bears have been hunted since prehistoric times for their meat and fur. Hunting is only allowed in designated areas around the blue ridge mountain range. Specific laws and regulations are found in the code of virginia or the dgif fisheries, wildlife, and boating regulations.

There was a slight increase in harvested female bears during the 20192020. Virginia hunting seasons take place throughout the year in the beautiful appalachian mountains. Longs hunting and fishing outfittersguide service run an honest hunt, following the game regulations and a good code of sportsmanship. Dnr knows what to expect for wvs next early bearhunting. There are also small game species such as rabbit, squirrel, crow, grouse and many others. To hunt bears, residents and nonresidents must purchase a bear license in. The best guide for virginia hunting seasons know it all. Hunters reported a record harvest of 3,540 bears during the 20192020 bear hunting season in virginia. The seasons in which you can hunt game are different for each species, and, even within a species, there are different periods to hunt with different weapons and different times in different. It is unlawful to chase with dogs or hunt with dogs or to attempt to chase or hunt with dogs any wild animal from a baited site or to train dogs on any wild animal. Call or email to reserve the dates of your hunt today. Virginia hunting seasons, 20192020 hunting season hq.

If youre looking for hunting seasons in the united states, youve come to the right place. Aptly named the mountain state, west virginia gives hunters the opportunity to hunt in majestic solitude while pursuing deer, bear, turkey and small game. It is unlawful to use dogs when hunting any species with archery tackle during any archery season, except bear hounds may be used during the youthapprentice bear hunting weekend. For answers to specific questions about hunting and trapping, please contact the virginia department of game and inland fisheries. Update headline here west virginia division of natural. Perhaps the best testimony to west virginia s bear management plan and continuing research is the current population estimated at between 8,000 and 10,000 animals, present hunting opportunities and recent harvest figures. Bear hunting firearms seasons virginia hunting seasons. Hunters are reminded to purchase their bear damage stamp as well as an appropriate hunting license. These firearms seasons were expanded to achieve black bear population. We are all fully trained in the best hunting techniques and hunting areas, and have the utmost respect for wildlife. From midseptember to lateoctober you may hunt black bear with hounds.

Virginia has the perfect combination of beautiful scenery, american history, and southern charm to compliment an exciting hunting season. General regulations bear july 2016 june 2017 regulations summary35 daily bag limit. Virginia offers a list of larger sized animals for hunters such as deer, elk, bear and turkey, as well as small game like squirrel and quail. Two black bear may be taken during the archery season or firearms season, or one each in the archery and firearms seasons combined provided that at least one bear must be taken in boone, fayette, kanawha, logan, mcdowell, mingo, nicholas, raleigh or wyoming counties. The preliminary harvest for the combined 2019 seasons is 19% above the 2,606 bears killed in 2018. Hunters who take part in west virginia s earliest bear season can expect the woods to still be green. Allowed see general hunting information for details. Latest on the list, added just this year, will be a fourday firearm season that will begin on oct. Virginia bear hunting is not as popular as virginia deer hunting but as the black bear population increases in virginia more and more virginia hunters will keep a closer eye on virginia bear. It grew out of the western virginia sportsmens association which had done similar work, and put the organization on a statewide basis. Details concerning bear hunting seasons can be found on pages 3540 of the 20192020 hunting and.

When the season opens, bear, deer, and turkey hunters from virginia and from states all over the country flock to this area to hunt. Bear hunting has a vast history throughout europe and north america, and hunting practices have varied based on location and type of bear. On cavalier wma dogs may only be used during the bear hound training season from august 17 through 31. Blue ridge outfitters located in page county, virginia. It appears virginia bear hunters may now be able to stake the same claim. We place our sportsmans safety and enjoyment above all. Harvest records show more bear are taken in this area compared to any other area of virginia. General regulations bear west virginia division of. Early black bear hunting season opening in west virginia. Everything you need to plan your west virginia hunting trips for 2020. However, virginia experienced mild fall and winter weather during the 201920 season, which may have contributed to increased bear movements, later denning, and favorable hunting opportunities later in the season. Our featured va hunting guides will know the hunting method used, typically spot and stalk, as well as the correct seasons and bag limits.

The list of west virginia s black bear hunting seasons keeps on growing. When hunting during the archery or muzzleloading bear seasons, except in certain counties during the youthapprentice bear hunting weekend see bear hunting regulations. Hunting for hunting season regulations in virginia hunters have to be well organized in virginia, since the state sets not one hunting season, but dozens. Bear hunters completed the 20192020 season with 3,540 bears. A muzzleloading license is required in addition to the hunting license if hunting with a muzzleloading firearm during a designated muzzleloader deer or bear season. Virginia black bear hunting matching articles outdoor life. Known forgreat opportunities for deer and black bear hunting.

Wild boar gun october 26 november 2 1 split season february 7 february 9. West virginia hunting seasons, 20192020 west virginia offers several big game hunting seasons through the beautiful appalachian mountains. West virginia particulars destinations bear hunting. A bear license, deer turkey license, national forest permit, state forest use permit, or bonus deer permits may also be required. Virginia 20192020 black bear harvest virginia dgif. In modern times they have been favoured by big game hunters due to their size and ferocity. Firearms bear hunting season has been lengthened in all areas that had fewer than 6 weeks of open season. Virginia continues to provide diverse opportunities for a successful bear hunt. Resident and nonresident licenses are valid for one year from the date of purchase except the bear license, deerturkey license, and the virginia migratory waterfowl conservation stamp which are valid july 1june 30 only, the apprentice hunting license valid for.

You need to know about the state youre hunting in, in this case, the state of virginia offers many big game species such as bear, elk, deer, turkey. Huntingseasonhq is the source for all 20192020 information. This season will not supersede local ordinances with respect to hunting or use of weapon. Deer hunters in west virginia are being reminded that a concurrent bear season without dogs will run from nov. If you cancel your trip with more than 90 days notice before the. Virginia has the perfect combination of beautiful scenery, american history. This does not apply to waterfowl hunters and persons engaged in farming activities on their own land. Double spur outfitters hunts in northwest virginia, close to west virginia and maryland.

So this year, the garden state opened its first bear hunting season in five years. Buckingham county bear hunt, great group of guys and a wild hunt. The bear harvest increased 30% from the previous year and was 38% higher than the previous 5year average see figure below. Deer and bear winter 2020 mountaineer heritage see page 34. Everything you need to plan your hunting trips, from maps to regulations and beyond. Resident and nonresident bear hunting license privileges. Wvdnr hunting regulations bear archery and firearms seasons. A significant minority of the bears killed in virginia are taken by deer hunters, because deer and bear seasons overlap. Filmed a bear about 300 lbs, while deer hunting in upshur county west virginia. Double spur outfitters is conveniently located 2 hours west of washington, dc, and 1 12 hours from dulles international airport. Unleashed in west virginia bear horizon season 2 by bear hunting magazine we travel to west virginia to hunt with curtis and jamie walker and their famous west virginia plotts. The untamed crew hunts the mountains of southern west virginia during the september early bear season.

The virginia bear hunters association was organized in 1967 when bear hunters had been campaigning each year to have bear hunting season separated from deer season. Resident bear hunting license privileges to hunt black bear in west virginia, residents must have a valid class a, ab, x, xj, q, lifetime class al or abl license accompanied by a bear damage stamp class ds. Best of all, its easy to come and hunt, with access from all of the major interstates, i66 and i81. Species opening date closing date daily bag limit possession limit season limit. Outfitter guided hunting trips for deer, bear, turkey and predators on private property.

If hunting in an area with no open deer firearms season this weekend, blaze color. Infrequently have i seen anything in the hunting and fishing world to match the increasing interest that many virginia outdoorsmen are showing about black bears. Harvest records show more bear are taken in this area compared to any other area of virginia most years. To hunt black bear in west virginia, residents must have a valid class a, ab, x, xj, q, lifetime class al or abl license accompanied by a bear damage stamp class ds. Bear hunters are required to wear at least 400 square inches of blaze orange over his or her outer clothing while hunting in a county or part thereof open during a deer firearms season. Generally, archery season runs from early october through midnovember. Known for great opportunities for deer and black bear hunting. As this is written hunting seasons for 2014 have yet to be finalized but few changes are expected from 20. Virginia bear hunters association double u hunting supply. As part of our comprehensive guide to us hunting seasons by state on this page you will find out when is hunting season for west virginia. There is also general information on the different hunting seasons for a wide range of wild game species. Our guides are highly skilled sportsman who know the environment where they live.

Blue ridge outfitters stanley, va outfitters hunting trips. Wild boar archery and crossbow september 28 december 31 split season february 7 february 9. You can hunt bear in virginia by archery or firearms, and the seasons differ around the state. For example, west virginia wildlife officials appreciate how consistently bear hunters in the states highmountain counties have participated in the states early firearm season for black bears. West virginia hunting seasons, 20192020 hunting season hq.