This West Virginia Wild Boar Season Guide for 2026 covers the rest of the 2026–27 season: dates, limits, licenses, where you can legally hunt, and how to find access and gear. The rules come from the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources (WVDNR), and Hunting Locator can help with land access and planning. Non-residents can’t hunt boar here, so this article also points to what a non-resident license does cover.
Ahead:
- Season dates, splits, and the 1-boar-per-year limit
- Licenses, the resident-only rule, and the electronic game check
- Where to hunt, plus how to get the right gear for West Virginia boar
Quick Overview: West Virginia Wild Boar Season Guide for 2026 at a Glance
West Virginia’s 2026–27 wild boar seasons run September 26–December 31, 2026 for archery and crossbow, October 24–31, 2026 for gun, and February 5–7, 2027 for both methods. The limit is one boar per year, and only residents may hunt boar in Boone, Logan, Raleigh, and Wyoming counties. Every harvest must be registered electronically within 24 hours.
The WVDNR archery and crossbow guide confirms that boar hunting is legal only in those four counties, with one boar per year across all seasons.
| Season/Method | Dates | Bag Limit | Key Regulations | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Archery & Crossbow (fall split) | Sep 26 – Dec 31, 2026 | 1 per year (daily 1, possession 1) | Residents only; 4 counties; e-check within 24 hrs | Longest window; overlaps deer and bear |
| Gun (fall split) | Oct 24 – Oct 31, 2026 | Same single annual limit | Same; no dogs; no electronic calls | Closes in two days |
| Gun + Archery/Crossbow (February split) | Feb 5 – Feb 7, 2027 | Same single annual limit | Same | Three-day second chance if your tag is unfilled |
Wild boar hunting in West Virginia is limited to state residents. The West Virginia wild boar regulations spell this out. Non-residents can skip to the Licenses section to see what their license covers.
Before you hunt, you need:
- A valid resident hunting license purchased through WVhunt.com
- Hunter education per WVDNR requirements
- A field tag and a mandatory electronic game check within 24 hours of harvest
- A hunt in Boone, Logan, Raleigh, or Wyoming County only
- Legal hours only: no hunting from ½ hour after sunset to ½ hour before sunrise
- No dogs and no electronic calls
“Wild boar” and “feral hog” are often used interchangeably, but West Virginia regulates boar under its own seasons in specific counties, so follow the WVDNR season structure above. Regulations can change, so confirm with the current WVDNR regulations summary before you go.
West Virginia Wild Boar Hunting Seasons
The season is a long fall window plus a three-day February second chance. The single annual limit applies across every method and split, so if you fill your tag in October, you’re done until next season.
Archery & Crossbow Season (Sep 26 – Dec 31, 2026)
This is the longest opportunity and the one still open now. Deer and bear seasons run during the same window, so a single sit can put you in range of more than one species. See our West Virginia deer season dates to plan around the overlap.
Boar are hard to pattern, so extra days afield help. Use this window to scout, learn travel routes, and wait for the right shot.
Gun Season (Oct 24 – Oct 31, 2026)
The gun split is eight days and closes October 31. If you already have a plan for the final weekend, use it; otherwise, switch to archery or the February split. Bear season overlaps, so check our West Virginia bear season guide if you carry a bear tag too.
During the Mountaineer Heritage Season, bear and turkey may be taken with any legal weapon in Logan, McDowell, Mingo, and Wyoming counties. That applies to bear and turkey only, not boar.
Dogs and electronic calls are prohibited. For blaze orange requirements, check the current WVDNR regulations summary.
February Split: Gun, Archery & Crossbow (Feb 5 – Feb 7, 2027)
There is a February boar season: three days, Friday through Sunday, open to both methods, but only if your annual tag is still unfilled. Plan for it rather than treating it as an afterthought.
Line up access and scouting in January, and look for fresh sign once the fall pressure has settled.
West Virginia Wild Boar Licenses and Permits
Licenses are sold through WVhunt.com. As noted above, wild boar hunting is limited to West Virginia residents.
West Virginia Hunting Licenses
| License | Cost | Valid for Boar? | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Resident hunting license (base) | $19 | Yes, in the 4 open counties | Add required stamps per WVDNR |
| Non-resident annual hunting license | Starts around $119 | No | Valid for deer, bear, turkey, and small game per WVDNR rules |
| Conservation/Law Enforcement stamp | $13 (non-resident) | Required add-on | Resident amount: see WVhunt.com |
A non-resident license still covers a good deal of West Virginia hunting. See our guides to West Virginia small game seasons and the predator and furbearer hunting guide. The deer and bear guides linked above are also worth a look.
Private high-fence preserves operate under separate arrangements. Confirm eligibility with the preserve and WVDNR, and see the Guided Hunts section below. A non-resident license does not give you a boar tag.
West Virginia Hunting Permits
Check WVhunt.com for any additional permits that apply to your hunt. After a successful hunt, the most important step is the electronic game check:
- Field-tag the boar immediately per WVDNR rules.
- Log in at WVhunt.com (or the official app or phone option WVDNR lists).
- Register the boar electronically within 24 hours of harvest.
- Record and keep your confirmation number with the carcass.
- Remember your limit. This fills your one boar for the year across all splits.
Common mistakes:
- Waiting past the 24-hour window to register
- Losing your confirmation number
- Assuming the February split grants a second tag
West Virginia Wild Boar: Where to Hunt
Boar hunting is legal only in four southern counties, on public tracts or on private land with permission. For private access, browse West Virginia hunting leases to start your search.
Best Public Lands
Use the WVDNR hunting map and WMA area regulations to find public tracts inside the open counties, and verify any area-specific rules before you scout.
Start county by county:
- Boone County: Check the WVDNR map for public tracts and verify area rules before you go
- Logan County: Look for public tracts on the WVDNR map and scout for fresh rooting
- Raleigh County: Confirm which tracts fall inside the county, and review any WMA-specific regulations
- Wyoming County: Use the WVDNR map to identify public access and look for thick cover near food
Expect pressure during the overlapping deer and bear seasons. Public land is open to everyone, and it gets crowded.
Private Land Hunting with Hunting Locator
Private access means less pressure and more time to pattern a hard-to-pattern animal. You can lease land or buy it.
Leasing. Leases come as day, seasonal, or annual arrangements, and hunting clubs split costs across members. One Fayette County listing, for example, covers 2,600 acres with 12 members at $1,000 each per year, and a 324-acre property is listed in the $1,000–$5,000 range. Pricing varies with property size and quality, so compare several listings.
Many current listings sit outside the four boar counties. Those properties still offer deer, bear, and turkey hunting (see our West Virginia turkey season guide). Boar is an option only where a listing falls inside an open county.
Before you sign, run through this checklist:
- Confirm which county the property is in
- Walk it for rooting, wallows, and rubs
- Look for thick cover near mast and food
- Ask the landowner about recent sightings
- Clarify terms, liability, and guest rules in writing
Buying. Owning land is a long-term investment in low-pressure access. It takes more upfront commitment, but you control the property, the pressure, and the seasons you hunt it.
Hunting Locator connects hunters directly with landowners who lease or sell hunting land, which cuts out the cold calls. Search by state, species, or acreage and reach out when a property fits your plans. Browse West Virginia leases and land on Hunting Locator.
Guided Hunts
A guide makes sense if you have limited time to scout, are new to boar hunting, or lack private access. Ask any outfitter these questions before you book:
- Which county is the hunt in?
- Is it compliant with WVDNR boar rules, including the residency requirement?
- Is it a free-range or high-fence hunt?
- What’s included in the hunt?
- How is the electronic check handled?
Mountain Meadow Hunting Preserve in Greenville offers boar among other big game, as noted in our West Virginia hunting guide. It’s described as a high-fenced Greenville hunting preserve. Confirm rules, eligibility, and pricing directly with the preserve and WVDNR before you plan a trip.
Wild Boar Hunting Tips
WVDNR notes that wild boar are tough to pattern, so focus on fresh sign and thick cover near food.
- Scout for fresh rooting and wallows. Fresh sign shows the area is active now, not last month.
- Play the wind. Boar rely heavily on their noses, so set up downwind of likely travel routes.
- Hunt thick cover near mast and food. Look where heavy cover meets a food source, and expect boar to use that edge.
- Place shots tight behind the shoulder. Boar carry a tough shoulder shield, so shot placement matters more than raw power.
- Bring adequate caliber and broadheads. Use enough gun, or a sturdy, sharp broadhead built for tough game, and shop wild boar hunting gear before the season runs out.
- Track carefully. Give a hit animal time before you follow up, and mark the blood trail as you go.
- Cook pork thoroughly. Handle and cook wild pork to safe temperatures following food-safety guidance.
- Stack your tags. Carry deer and bear tags during the overlap, where legal.
For gear, think in categories: optics, broadheads, scent control, packs, and game bags. All of them are in the Hunting Locator store.
More Resources from Hunting Locator
Use these pages to plan your access, gear up, and explore other West Virginia seasons.
Plan your access:
- Hunting Locator home: Search leases, outfitters, and public land nationwide
- West Virginia hunting leases: Browse current private land listings across the state
Gear up:
- Hunting Locator store: Find the right gear for your West Virginia hunt
Other West Virginia species guides:
- West Virginia hunting hub: Statewide overview of seasons and opportunities
- Deer: Season dates and planning for whitetail
- Bear: Black bear seasons and regulations
- Turkey: Spring and fall turkey guidance
- Small game: Squirrel, rabbit, grouse, and more
- Predator & furbearer: Coyote, fox, and trapping seasons
- Wild boar season page: Bookmark this guide for quick reference all season
FAQ
Can non-residents hunt wild boar in West Virginia?
No. Wild boar hunting in West Virginia is limited to residents, per WVDNR. A non-resident license is still valid for other species, including deer, bear, turkey, and small game. Check our species guides to plan a trip around those seasons. Rules can change, so confirm with WVDNR.
Which counties allow wild boar hunting in West Virginia?
Wild boar hunting is legal only in Boone, Logan, Raleigh, and Wyoming counties, according to WVDNR. All four are in southern West Virginia, and hunting outside them is not permitted.
What are the 2026–27 wild boar season dates?
Archery and crossbow run September 26–December 31, 2026. Gun runs October 24–31, 2026. Both methods reopen February 5–7, 2027. All three windows fall under the same single annual limit.
What is the wild boar bag limit?
The daily limit is 1, the possession limit is 1, and the season limit is 1 boar per year across all seasons and methods. Once you tag a boar, you’re done until next season.
How do I check a wild boar electronically?
Register your boar at WVhunt.com within 24 hours of harvest, and keep your confirmation number with the carcass. Field-tag the animal first, per WVDNR rules.
Can I use dogs or electronic calls to hunt boar?
No. Both are prohibited under WVDNR regulations, so plan your hunt around scouting, patience, and wind.
What are legal shooting hours for wild boar?
No hunting is allowed from ½ hour after sunset to ½ hour before sunrise. Be in position well before first light and stay until legal light fades.
Is there a February wild boar season?
Yes. The second split runs February 5–7, 2027, and is open to both gun and archery/crossbow hunters. It applies only if your annual tag is still unfilled.
Can I lease land for wild boar hunting in West Virginia?
Yes, if the property sits in one of the four open counties and you’re a resident. Many listings fall outside those counties, so confirm the county before you sign. Browse West Virginia hunting leases to compare properties.
The Final Shot
Boar hunting in West Virginia is limited to residents in four counties, with one boar per year. Archery and crossbow run through December 31, gun season closes October 31, and a three-day February window offers one more chance. Any harvest must be registered electronically within 24 hours.
Before you go, confirm the rules with WVDNR, line up access, scout for fresh sign, and gear up. Hunting Locator can help with access: browse West Virginia leases to find a property, and use our West Virginia deer, bear, and turkey guides to get more from your days in the field. The season is still open.
