Western Virginia Hunters Harve 2,479 Black Bears in 2024 – My Buckhannon

The Natural Resources Division in West Virginia (WVDNR) has announced that hunters in West Virginia have collected 2 479 black bears during the combined seasons of archery in 2024, crossbow and firearms.

The preliminary harvest for the combined seasons of 2024 was a lower than 2830 bears taken in 2023, as provided by the mast study in 2024 and hunting perspectives, the harvest of archery/crossbow remains in accordance with the previous a year. However, the overall harvest of bear firearms was lower than in 2023, despite the higher harvest during the segments in September and October.

Click here to download the Black Bear 2024 harvest number.

During the first segment of the seasons of archery and crossbow shooting in 2024 (September 28 – November 24), hunters collected 899 bears. Of these harvests, 431 were taken with vertical bows and 468 were taken with crossbows. The five best harvesting counties for archery/crossbow were a file and preston (55 each), Webster (48), Boone (43), Nicholas (42) and Wyoming (40).

During the season of firearms, hunters collected 1580 bears. This included 611 bears taken during the seasons in September and October, 166 bears during the youth in September, Class Q, XS season, 20 bears during October youth, class Q, XS season, 57 bears during the simultaneous season of deer/bear and 368 and 368 during the three seasons of early firearms.

In addition, hunters collected 271 bears during the season of simultaneous bear and 697 bears during the traditional December season. A bear was assembled with a museum adaster during the season of mountain heritage. The five best breaths for firearms were Nicholas (167), Boone (153), Canava (115), Faith (109) and Logan (92).

For more information on hunting possibilities in West Virginia, hunters should consult the summary of the rules for hunting and capturing West Virginia in 2024-2025, available for downloading wvdnr.gov/hunting-regulations. Hunting licenses can be purchased online at Wvhunt.com.