West Virginia Hunting

West Virginia

Mountain State ruggedness, Monongahela National Forest, steep ridge whitetail deer, and historic black bear hound hunting.

Public Access & WMAs

Public Lands to Hunt in West Virginia

Official Regulatory Authority

West Virginia Division of Natural Resources (WVDNR)

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The West Virginia Division of Natural Resources (WVDNR) manages more than 1.4 million acres of public land across 96 Wildlife Management Areas (WMAs), 9 State Forests, and the magnificent 919,000-acre Monongahela National Forest. Characterized by steep, rugged mountains, deep hardwood hollows, and high-altitude red spruce plateaus, the Mountain State provides true backcountry hunting freedom with no quota permits needed for general public seasons.
Monongahela National Forest
Allegheny Mountain Highlands | 919,000 Acres

Monongahela National Forest

Spanning 10 counties in the high Allegheny Mountains of eastern West Virginia. Features rugged summits over 4,800 feet, cranberry bogs, and mature oak-cherry-maple timber. Exceptional backcountry hunting for black bear, mountain whitetail deer, wild turkey, and ruffed grouse.

Sleepy Creek Wildlife Management Area
Eastern Panhandle Ridge & Valley | 22,928 Acres

Sleepy Creek Wildlife Management Area

Located in Berkeley and Morgan counties across Sleepy Creek Mountain and Third Hill Mountain. Heavily forested ridges of oak, pine, and hickory surround a 205-acre lake, providing excellent hunting for whitetail deer, wild turkey, and squirrels.

McClintic Wildlife Management Area
Ohio River Ponds & Marsh | 3,655 Acres

McClintic Wildlife Management Area

Situated near Point Pleasant in Mason County. Features 31 managed wetlands and ponds, farmlands, and brushy hardwoods. Renowned as West Virginia's premier waterfowl hunting area, with high densities of whitetail deer and mourning dove.

Cranberry & Otter Creek Wilderness Areas
High Allegheny Roadless Wilderness | 55,000+ Acres

Cranberry & Otter Creek Wilderness Areas

Federal roadless wilderness tracts within the Monongahela National Forest. Massive moss-covered boulders, roaring mountain streams, and virgin spruce-hemlock forest offer the most remote, physically demanding backpack hunting in the eastern United States for black bear and trophy whitetails.

Stumptown & Burnsville Lake Wildlife Management Areas
Central Hardwood Hills | 14,000+ Acres Combined

Stumptown & Burnsville Lake Wildlife Management Areas

Located in Braxton, Gilmer, and Calhoun counties. Steep oak-hickory hollows, coves, and lake embayments provide outstanding public archery and rifle hunting for whitetail deer, wild turkey, and small game.