It happens to me every year around this time.
It generally starts with a sports report about football training camps, practice reports or scrimmage games. Back-to-school ads typically follow the sports report, and suddenly, my summertime fishing mode of shorts and flip-flops begins to look forward to more boots and camo.
Growing up in West Virginia, I was accustomed to October being the opening month for squirrel and archery seasons, but that was a long, long time ago. Nowadays, we are fortunate to have hunting privileges opening in September, and even bear firearm season opening at the end of this month (in select counties).
Maybe I am the only one who admits that every year, hunting season openers sneak up on me, but just in case, I’ve got you. Well, I can at least gently remind you as best as an outdoor writer can in a column.
So, just like studying a playbook for football or receiving a syllabus at the beginning of the school year, it is time to grab a copy of the hunting regulations (for the younger generation, open your devices to WVDNR.gov and click "Regulations") and begin to get a plan for the opener of your choice.
You have options such as dove and Canada goose hunting, as well as archery for deer, bears and boar, and gun bear hunting (select counties). There are Youth Day opportunities as well for bears, squirrels and waterfowl.
Please check the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources Hunting and Trapping Regulations Summary for 2025-26 for opening dates, rules, regulations and all that pertinent information needed before you go afield.
As a reminder from our WVDNR, anyone born on or after Jan. 1, 1975, must complete a hunter education course before purchasing a hunting license.
The free, two-day course includes 10 hours of instruction on firearm safety, wildlife management, ethics, survival skills, first aid, game identification and other essentials.
After completing the class, students must pass a written exam and demonstrate safe firearm handling during a hands-on session under the supervision of a natural resources police officer or certified volunteer instructor.
And for those hunters looking for a place to hunt or simply something different and unique to put on their hunting calendar, State Park Lottery Hunts might fit that bill.
The WVDNR is accepting applications for controlled deer hunts at Beech Fork, Bluestone, Cacapon Resort, North Bend, Pipestem Resort and Twin Falls Resort state parks. There is a $15 application fee, and applications may include up to two hunters. Applications must be submitted online at WVhunt.com by midnight on Aug. 31.
Also from the WVDNR, hunters may now apply to hunt in 10 limited permit areas during the 2025 antlerless deer season. Applications must be submitted online at WVhunt.com by midnight on Sept. 5.
Each year, the WVDNR issues a limited number of Class N stamps to residents and Class NN stamps to nonresidents to hunt antlerless deer in designated counties and public lands where additional harvest is needed.
Sorry for the information dump in such a short column — but there are tremendous opportunities for hunters of all ages and experiences awaiting us in West Virginia, if you take the time to look. The month of August is the perfect time to start looking.
