West Virginia buck season opens Monday

Dunmore, W.Va. – West Virginia’s buck gun season begins on Monday, November 19. State officials are predicting a great deer season, due to the relatively early season, closer to the peak deer rut. Bucks are more active and more vulnerable closer to the rut.
Firearms hunters in Pocahontas County can take up to two bucks this season. The first antlered deer must be taken on a valid base license or license combination, free license, resident underage or by a resident landowner hunting on his own land. A second antlered deer can be taken with a Class RG or Class RRG permit or by a resident landowner hunting on his own land.

All deer must be field tagged and checked in within 72 hours of the time of kill or within 24 hours of the close of the season, whichever comes first. Additional deer may not be taken until all previously taken deer have been checked. Only one deer may be taken per day during the buck season.

Katie Workman, with Appalachian Sport, talks about this year’s Big Buck Contest.

“Our Big Buck Contest is in its 22nd year,” she said. “We actually have two separate contests. Our youth contest is in its 13th year and it’s open to youth ages 16 and under. Our adult contest is open to anyone age 17 and over.
“Our youth contest is really exciting. The best part is that there is no entry fee. All you have to do, if you are 16 or under, is bring in your buck to Appalachian Sport to be scored and we really enjoy getting to see kids learning to hunt and having success. Also, don’t forget, there are some really great prizes. Our youth grand prize is a Marlin .22 mag and there are also second and third place prizes.

“For our regular contest, anyone 17 or over can enter, but you must pre-register by Sunday, November 18. The grand prize for that is a Savage Axis bolt-action rifle in your choice of caliber and there’s also second and third place prizes, as well. All bucks must be killed in West Virginia and scored within 24 hours. The whole deer must be brought in to be scored. Scoring runs from Monday the 19th through Wednesday the 21st from five to eight p.m. After Wednesday, deer are scored by appointment. You can call Appalachian Sport at 304-799-4050 for more information.”

Hunters should avoid trespassing during hunting season.

It is unlawful to enter or remain on property, without permission, when the landowner notifies you not to come on the property or the property is posted, fenced or cultivated.

“Posted land” is land with “no trespassing” signs no more than five hundred feet apart along the property boundaries and at each corner of the land. The signs must display the words “no trespassing” in letters of not less than two inches in height and also must include the name of the owner, lessee or occupant of the land. The signs must be clearly noticeable from outside of the boundary line. It is not necessary to post signs on fenced or cultivated property or on a lot not exceeding five acres -on which there is a dwelling house. Property by its nature and use which is obviously private also does not need to be fenced.

“Cultivated land” is that land which has been cleared of its natural vegetation and is presently planted with a crop, orchard, grove, pasture or trees or is fallow land as part of a crop rotation.

“Fenced land” is that land which has been enclosed by a fence, at least three feet high, made of rails, logs, iron, steel, barbed wire, or other material.
Hunters should review and understand all current hunting regulations, available at any DNR office and online at wvdnr.gov.

AMR wishes all deer hunters good luck and reminds everyone to stay safe during deer season.