West Virginia has an estimated half a million whitetail deer and between 12,000 and 14,000 black bears, so many that licenses are available over the counter, and the bear season runs from September to December 31st. Equally abundant as the big game numbers is the extensive amount of public land open to hunting, including the Monongahela National Forest, which spans 921,000 acres and contains 10 Wildlife Management Areas.
Tall and Uncut
They call it “The Mountain State” for a reason, and you will find expansive amounts of open forests and big woods habitat that favor deer growing to maturity and black bears that survive in remote regions. West Virginia’s opening day corresponds most years with the acorn drop, so if you find a stand of oaks, you are bound to find a great gathering point for deer and black bears.
A Saddle Hunter’s Dream
Most saddle hunters search for fresh deer or bear sign, find a nearby tree, and begin the hunt. Without the constraints of a heavy traditional tree stand to carry, you can scout and hunt as far as your legs will take you. Most public lands have fire roads that can be hiked by hunters, where motorized vehicles and other non-hiking traffic are prohibited. Combined with today’s mapping apps, such as OnX, you can quickly explore and identify the best topographic locations.
Campgrounds Galore
West Virginia boasts a thriving summer tourism industry, with lodges, hotels, and campgrounds filling up with visitors eager to experience the mountain atmosphere. However, by late September, children are back in school, and many of those same tourism accommodations are drastically underbooked, resulting in reduced prices and unlimited availability. An Airbnb is a great way to take the family on a long weekend adventure and bag a buck or a bear in the process.
License Online-
You can buy a West Virginia hunting license and tags online at WVDNR.gov.