CHARLESTON, W.Va. (WVDN) — With the first slate of youth hunting seasons set to open in September, the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources (WVDNR) today reminded hunters that the minimum age restriction for youth seasons has been removed.
“Hunting in West Virginia is a time-honored tradition that has been passed down for generations and we want to encourage parents, grandparents, aunts and uncles to share their love for hunting and the outdoors with their family this fall,” said WVDNR Director Brett McMillion. “West Virginia has several seasons dedicated to taking a young person hunting, but don’t limit their exposure to these dates only. The more you take your kids into the woods and expose them to hunting, the more they’ll want to carry on these traditions.”
West Virginia’s youth squirrel season will be open Sept. 6-7, and the first split of the state’s youth black bear season will be Sept. 13-14. A second youth black bear season will run concurrently with a youth season for white-tailed deer on Oct. 18-19. Youth waterfowl season dates are scheduled for Sept. 20 and Nov. 1. The youth spring turkey season will be April 18-19, 2026.
Youth Season Minimum Age Restriction Removed
Earlier in 2025, the Natural Resources Commission removed the minimum age restriction for youth seasons. Youth hunters under the age of 15 must still be accompanied by a licensed adult who is 18 years of age or older and must remain close enough to provide guidance and assistance. However, legislators also approved a change to make it clear that an adult assisting a youth hunter during any special youth season may handle the hunter’s firearm to provide safe handling advice and help. When assisting a youth hunter during a special youth season, the accompanying adult is still prohibited from carrying a firearm for the purpose of taking wildlife.
Youth hunters ages 15-17 must comply with all applicable state and federal licensing requirements and all youth hunters must check big game harvests using their own WVDNR account. Hunting licenses can be purchased and game checks can be completed online at WVhunt.com.
For complete details about youth hunting in West Virginia, see pages 29, 38 and 44 of the Hunting Regulations Summary, available to download at WVdnr.gov/hunting-regulations.
