West Virginia hunting
Public hunting land in West Virginia
Caliber maps 109 public hunting areas in West Virginia, with West Virginia Division of Natural Resources's license fees, hunter education rules and official links in one place. Find the closest land to you on a list or a map, free.
West Virginia · 109 areas
Monongahela National Forest
National forest · 922,098 acres
George Washington National Forest
National forest · 106,771 acres
Neola Wildlife Management Area
State wildlife area · 105,694 acres
Cheat Wildlife Management Area
State wildlife area · 79,571 acres
Rimel Wildlife Management Area
State wildlife area · 68,056 acres
Largest areas shown. Caliber sorts all 109 by distance from you.
- 104
- State wildlife areas
- 3
- National forests
- 2
- National wildlife refuges
West Virginia hunting licenses and rules
- Wildlife agency
- West Virginia Division of Natural Resources
- Phone
- 304-558-6200
- Resident license
- $19 — Resident Hunting and Trapping license (Class A), calendar year; $5 Conservation Stamp also required
- Nonresident license
- $119 — Nonresident Statewide Hunting/Trapping license (Class E); $13 CS/LE stamp also required
- Hunter education
- Required for anyone born on or after Jan 1, 1975 before buying a base license; apprentice license defers it.
- Good to know
- Licenses are valid for the calendar year and must be repurchased each January.
Fees and rules as published by West Virginia Division of Natural Resources, checked Oct 31, 2026. They change, so confirm on the agency's site. This isn't legal advice.
Official links
- Hunting licenses
- Season dates
- Regulations
- Public hunting lands
- West Virginia Division of Natural Resources website
Practicing for hunter ed?
Caliber has unofficial hunter education practice questions with explanations.
Try sample questions →Largest public hunting areas in West Virginia
The 12 biggest of 109 areas. Caliber has every one, with a map, and sorts them by distance from you.
| Area | Type | Acres | Access |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monongahela National Forest | National forest | 922,098 | Open |
| George Washington National Forest | National forest | 106,771 | Open |
| Neola Wildlife Management Area | State wildlife area | 105,694 | Restricted: permit, reservation or special rules |
| Cheat Wildlife Management Area | State wildlife area | 79,571 | Restricted: permit, reservation or special rules |
| Rimel Wildlife Management Area | State wildlife area | 68,056 | Restricted: permit, reservation or special rules |
| Blackwater Wildlife Management Area | State wildlife area | 61,316 | Restricted: permit, reservation or special rules |
| Wardensville Wildlife Management Area | State wildlife area | 54,942 | Restricted: permit, reservation or special rules |
| Shenandoah Wildlife Management Area | State wildlife area | 50,719 | Restricted: permit, reservation or special rules |
| Beaver Dam Wildlife Management Area | State wildlife area | 40,641 | Restricted: permit, reservation or special rules |
| Canaan Valley National Wildlife Refuge | Wildlife refuge | 33,946 | Restricted: permit, reservation or special rules |
| Tomblin Wildlife Management Area | State wildlife area | 25,225 | Open |
| Sleepy Creek Wildlife Management Area | State wildlife area | 22,232 | Open |
State wildlife areas · 104
Run for wildlife and, usually, hunting. Many need a state license plus a land-use permit or have their own season dates, draw hunts or weapon limits.
National forests · 3
Hunting is generally allowed under state hunting laws, except near developed sites and where posted. Some areas close for fire or wildlife.
National wildlife refuges · 2
Refuges allow hunting only where and when each refuge opens it, often with its own permit and rules. Check the refuge's hunt page before you go.
West Virginia hunting FAQ
Where can I find public hunting land in West Virginia?
Caliber lists 109 public hunting areas in West Virginia: 104 state wildlife areas, 3 national forests, 2 national wildlife refuges. Open Caliber, enter your ZIP and see the closest areas on a list or a map. West Virginia Division of Natural Resources also publishes its own public hunting land information on its website.
How much is a hunting license in West Virginia?
As published by West Virginia Division of Natural Resources (checked Oct 31, 2026): resident, $19 — Resident Hunting and Trapping license (Class A), calendar year; $5 Conservation Stamp also required; nonresident, $119 — Nonresident Statewide Hunting/Trapping license (Class E); $13 CS/LE stamp also required. Fees change, so confirm on the agency's licensing page before you buy.
Do I need hunter education to hunt in West Virginia?
Required for anyone born on or after Jan 1, 1975 before buying a base license; apprentice license defers it. Check West Virginia Division of Natural Resources for exemptions and current rules.
When is hunting season in West Virginia?
Seasons vary by species, zone and year, so Caliber links to West Virginia Division of Natural Resources's official season-date page instead of listing dates. Always check current regulations before you hunt.
Find West Virginia hunting land near you
All 109 West Virginia areas on a list or a map, sorted by distance, plus a free bullet drop calculator and DOPE book. Free on iPhone.
Free download · Optional Caliber Pro upgrade · iPhone and iPad
Public hunting land in other states
- Alabama
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- California
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- Illinois
- Indiana
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- Ohio
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Area data: USGS Protected Areas Database of the United States (PAD-US) 4.1, public domain. Access as recorded in PAD-US. Always check current regulations, seasons and access rules with West Virginia Division of Natural Resources and the managing agency before you hunt.
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