Resident deer tag or permit entry cost.
WV
Deer Hunting in West Virginia: Tags, Seasons & Regulations (2026)
Deer hunting in West Virginia starts with the current deer cost entries, season dates, bag limits, and CWD rules.
Resident Tag $10 Deer tag/permit
Non-Resident Tag $10 Non-resident deer tag
Primary Season Sep 27 – Dec 31 Archery/Crossbow
Draw Required? No (OTC) Over-the-counter tags
DEER QUICK ANSWER
West Virginia Deer Tag Cost, Season & Rules: Quick Answer
Start here for West Virginia deer tag cost, primary season timing, draw status, and CWD planning before using the full tables below.
Use this before adding the base license and trip permits.
Most hunters can start from the state license portal and available deer permits.
Archery/Crossbow; also check Buck Firearms.
For West Virginia deer hunting, use the listed resident and non-resident deer cost entries together with the note: Big Game Stamp is the base deer add-on; additional deer opportunities use separate stamps. Because this page lists over-the-counter access, the main risk is choosing the correct weapon season, zone, and add-on permit. CWD has been detected in West Virginia, so carcass movement and testing rules deserve an early check.
OVERVIEW
Deer Hunting in West Virginia
West Virginia deer access is stamp-based, not truly free. A base license is paired with the $10 Big Game Stamp for the foundational deer opportunity, and additional gun, archery, muzzleloader, or antlerless deer opportunities use separate stamps where county rules allow. Hunters in the CWD Containment Area need to check current baiting, feeding, testing, and carcass transport rules before moving deer parts. West Virginia offers free CWD testing for adult deer from the containment area, but the site should not describe testing as a universal mandatory submission rule.
Species present: White-tailed Deer
SEASONS
West Virginia Deer Season Dates (2026)
All archery, firearm, and muzzleloader season dates.
Multiple Seasons
West Virginia offers 5 distinct deer seasons. Check specific zone dates with the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources — dates and bag limits may vary by management unit.
COSTS
West Virginia Deer Tag Fees
Resident vs. non-resident tag and permit costs.
Resident
$10
Deer tag / permit
Non-Resident
$10
Over-the-counter tag available
Big Game Stamp is the base deer add-on; additional deer opportunities use separate stamps
PLAN YOUR NEXT STEP
Choose the right West Virginia deer planning path
Jump into the state hub, shortlist pages, and deer-planning tools before you work through every remaining section.
Check the full West Virginia license setup
Move back to the main state hub when you need the base license, non-resident options, or add-on permits outside deer tags.
Use deer-planning tools next
Shift from deer-tag detail into season timing, trip budgeting, and cross-state deer planning helpers.
Add a wider 2026 cost view
Check benchmark and non-resident premium reports before you commit to one deer state or trip budget.
REGULATIONS
CWD & Deer Hunting Regulations in West Virginia
Chronic Wasting Disease status, antler restrictions, and weapon rules.
CWD Status
Detected
CWD Containment Area: Berkeley, Grant, Hampshire, Hardy, Jefferson, Mineral, Morgan, and Pendleton counties
CWD Testing / Transport
CWD detected
Zones: CWD Containment Area: Berkeley, Grant, Hampshire, Hardy, Jefferson, Mineral, Morgan, and Pendleton counties
Strict carcass transport restrictions apply. Whole carcasses generally cannot leave CWD zones or be imported from positive states.
Bag Limit
Daily: 1 · Season: 1 buck + antlerless per stamps
Additional stamps allow more deer; archery stamp ($21) and muzzleloader stamp ($16) each add one deer
Allowed Weapons
Bow, rifle, shotgun, muzzleloader
Official Source
Always verify current regulations with the official source: West Virginia Division of Natural Resources . Season dates, bag limits, and CWD regulations may change annually.
FAQ
Deer Hunting in West Virginia — FAQ
Is CWD testing mandatory in West Virginia?
WVDNR offers free CWD testing for adult deer harvested in the containment area. The more important planning issue is carcass transport: high-risk parts cannot be moved out of the CWD Containment Area except as allowed by the current WVDNR regulations.
Do I have to shoot a doe before a buck in West Virginia?
In certain designated counties (like Hampshire, Hardy, and Monroe), you must harvest an antlerless deer before you are legally allowed to shoot your second antlered buck of the year.
Do I need a draw to hunt deer in West Virginia?
No, West Virginia offers over-the-counter (OTC) deer tags that can be purchased without a draw. Some special hunts or antlerless permits may require a separate lottery.
What deer species can I hunt in West Virginia?
West Virginia is home to White-tailed Deer. Allowed weapons include bow, rifle, shotgun, muzzleloader.
Can non-residents hunt deer in West Virginia?
Yes, non-residents can hunt deer in West Virginia. Plan on the non-resident base license plus the $10 Big Game Stamp for the foundational deer opportunity, with other stamps needed for additional deer seasons or antlerless harvest where county rules allow.