How Much Does a West Virginia Hunting License Cost?

A West Virginia hunting license costs $19 a year for residents and $119 a year for non-residents, according to the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources (WVDNR). The base license covers small game only, so deer, bear, and turkey hunters need to add a Big Game Stamp on top of it, plus any weapon-specific stamps for the season they're hunting.

West Virginia runs its license on the calendar year, so every license expires December 31 regardless of when you bought it. Non-residents pay considerably more once big game stamps enter the picture, and a few products, like the bear-only license, exist specifically for hunters who aren't after anything else.

Once you add a Big Game Stamp, a Firearms Deer Stamp, or the fees needed for bear hunting, the total cost of a West Virginia season can add up quickly for out-of-state hunters. Here's what to know about hunting license costs in West Virginia.

How Much Does a West Virginia Hunting License Cost?

West Virginia keeps its resident license affordable, but non-residents choose from several license classes depending on exactly what they're after.

West Virginia sells a bear-only license (Class EE) for non-residents who have no interest in other game. It's priced higher than the standard annual license since it's a specialized product.

Non-residents visiting for a shorter trip can instead choose the 6-Day Small Game License, which skips big game access entirely.

Required Stamps and Permits

A West Virginia hunting license alone doesn't cover deer, bear, or turkey. You'll need to add the right stamp for whatever you're hunting, and non-residents pay two required stamps on top of their base license just to get started.

Every non-resident hunter needs the CS/LE stamp regardless of what they're hunting. Anyone hunting on National Forest land as a non-resident needs the additional Class I stamp.

Antlerless deer hunting requires its own separate stamp on top of the Big Game and Firearms Deer stamps.

Youth and Discounted Licenses

West Virginia offers a few ways to lower costs for younger hunters, seniors, and first-timers.

• Junior Sportsman License (ages 8–17, non-resident): Priced at $16 plus the $13 CS/LE stamp, covering one buck gun, one archery or crossbow, and one muzzleloader deer during traditional seasons.
• Lifetime Senior License (Class XS): Automatic and free for residents turning 65 on or after January 1, 2012, covering hunting, trapping, and fishing for life with no extra fee for most stamps.
• Apprentice License: Lets first-time hunters try the sport under a licensed adult's direct supervision without completing hunter education first, as long as they've never purchased a standard base license before.

These programs make it considerably easier for young hunters, longtime residents, and total beginners to get into the field.

What Is a West Virginia Hunting License?

A West Virginia hunting license is the base document WVDNR requires before you can pursue small game in the state. Deer, bear, and turkey each require a separate stamp on top of the base license, and additional stamps apply for specific weapons or seasons, such as antlerless deer or muzzleloader.

The license is separate from your Hunter Education Card. The card proves you completed a WVDNR-approved safety course, and once earned, it never expires. The license itself, by contrast, is only good through December 31 of the year you bought it.

Who Needs a West Virginia Hunting License?

West Virginia requires a hunting license for all residents and non-residents who hunt in the state, regardless of age, with no general youth exemption the way many other states offer. The specific license type is shaped by residency and age rather than a blanket cutoff.

For the full breakdown of license types and current fees, WVDNR's licensing FAQ lays out every option in detail.

What Are the Requirements to Get a Hunting License in West Virginia?

Before buying a license, most West Virginia hunters need to clear the state's hunter education requirement.

Anyone born on or after January 1, 1975, must show proof of an approved hunter education course before buying a base license, unless they use the Apprentice License instead.

The course covers:

• Firearm and archery safety
• Wildlife identification and conservation
• West Virginia-specific hunting laws and ethics

West Virginia is one of the few states where even the online course requires an in-person finish. Hunters complete the Hunter-Ed West Virginia course online, then register separately for a required Hands-On and Written Test, typically 4 to 6 hours, before receiving their permanent Hunter Education Card.

How to Get a West Virginia Hunting License

Getting licensed in West Virginia means budgeting time for the in-person testing component, whichever course format you choose.

1. Complete an approved hunter education course if you were born on or after January 1, 1975, and aren't using the Apprentice License.
2. Choose your license type: Class A resident, Class E non-resident, Class X Sportsman Combo, or Class EE if you only want to hunt bear.
3. Purchase your license through WVhunt, by mail, or through an authorized license agent.
4. Add a Big Game Stamp if you're hunting deer, bear, or turkey, plus any weapon-specific stamps you need.
5. Add the Conservation/Law Enforcement Stamp if you're a non-resident, or the Class I stamp if hunting National Forest land.
6. Carry your digital or printed license, plus your Hunter Education Card if required, any time you hunt.

Purchase your hunting license directly through WVhunt, WVDNR's official online licensing system, by mail, or in person through an authorized license agent statewide.

Why It's Important to Have a Hunting License

Buying a West Virginia hunting license does more than keep you legal in the field.

• Legal Compliance: Hunting without a required stamp or failing to tag game properly carries fines between $20 and $300, while more serious licensing violations are misdemeanors punishable by fines of $100 to $500 and up to 100 days in jail.
• Wildlife Conservation Funding: License and stamp revenue funds WVDNR's work managing deer, bear, and turkey populations statewide.
• Ethical Hunting: A license ties every hunt to a defined season and bag limit, keeping the sport fair and sustainable for everyone afield.
• Population Management: West Virginia's stamp system for antlerless deer and its point system for tracking violations give WVDNR the data needed to keep herds balanced across the state.
• Public Land Access: License and stamp revenue helps support West Virginia's Wildlife Management Areas and National Forest hunting access.

Costs and rules vary by species and county, so it's worth checking current season dates and bag limits before you finalize your plans.

Note: Hunting license costs and requirements vary widely by state. Be sure to confirm West Virginia's specific rules even if you've hunted elsewhere.

Ready to Hunt in West Virginia? Get Your Hunter Safety Certification and Hunting License

A West Virginia hunting license is affordable at the base level for residents, but the real cost climbs once big game stamps enter the picture, especially for non-residents chasing bear specifically. Whether you're budgeting for the $162 Class EE bear license or getting a young hunter started with the discounted Junior Sportsman License, knowing the full fee breakdown ahead of time means no surprises at checkout.

Complete your hunter education course if it applies to you, decide which license (or licenses) fit your plans, and you'll be ready for opening day.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q: Is the West Virginia hunting license fee a one-time payment?

A: No, a West Virginia hunting license expires every December 31. You must renew it annually to keep hunting, regardless of when you bought it. The hunter education course, however, is a one-time requirement, and certification never expires once earned.

Q: Are there discounts for West Virginia hunting licenses?

A: Yes, West Virginia offers an automatic, free Lifetime Senior License for residents turning 65 on or after January 1, 2012, and a $16 Junior Sportsman License for non-residents ages 8 to 17. First-time hunters of any age can also use the Apprentice License to hunt under supervision before completing hunter education.

Q: How much does a non-resident hunting license cost in West Virginia?

A: In West Virginia, a non-resident annual hunting license costs $119, while a non-resident bear-only license costs $162. Non-residents also need the $13 Conservation/Law Enforcement Stamp regardless of what they're hunting.

Q: Do I need a separate stamp to hunt deer, bear, or turkey in West Virginia?

A: Yes. The base hunting license covers small game only, so hunters need a $10 Big Game Stamp to pursue deer, bear, or turkey. Deer hunters also need a weapon-specific stamp, such as the $21 Firearms Deer Hunting Stamp or the $16 Muzzleloader Deer Hunting Stamp.

Q: Is a field day required for the online hunter safety course in West Virginia?

A: Yes, West Virginia's online hunter safety course requires a separate in-person Hands-On and Written Test after the online portion, unlike some neighboring states. The in-person session runs 4 to 6 hours and covers firearm handling, live-fire practice, and West Virginia-specific regulations.

Q: How much does the West Virginia hunter education course cost?

A: West Virginia's online hunter education course through Hunter-Ed costs $34.95, and the required in-person Hands-On and Written Test that follows it has no separate fee. Hunters who prefer a fully in-person path can instead take the free two-day classroom course, which runs about 10 to 12 hours total.