WVDNR reminds hunters about concurrent black bear gun season

West Virginia (WOAY) – The West Virginia Division of Natural Resources (WVDNR) reminds hunters of the concurrent bear season.

The season is in effect across 42 counties open to buck firearms hunting starting November 25 until December 8.

According to the WVDNR’s hunting outlook and mast survey, harvests for the black bear firearms seasons should be slightly higher than last year due to an increase in oak mast.

The increase in oak mast prolongs bears entering dens into December.  

The concurrent bear season is without dogs. 

Hunting is legal on both designated public lands and private property.  

All youth and adult hunters are required to check their game on their account and must wear at least 400 square inches of blaze orange when hunting in a county or area with an open firearms season.   

Successful hunters must submit a first premolar tooth from each bear. 

The WVDNR encourages hunters who harvest a female bear to save the reproductive tract.

Hunters can preserve them by keeping them cool or frozen.

The WVDNR uses data obtained from tooth samples and reproductive tracts to monitor the black bear population.  

You can contact your nearest district office to arrange a drop-off and the wvdnr will offer hunters who provide a complete reproductive tract a 20-dollar gift card for their efforts. 

For more information, visit wvdnr.gov.