West Virginia Division of Natural Resources Announces 2023

The West Virginia Division of Natural Resources (WVDNR) has released its 2023-24 bird hunting season schedule and guidelines as migratory bird hunting regulations begin on September 1st. The Mallard duck daily bag limit has been increased to four mallards a day, with up to two hens. It is important for senior citizens, licensed migratory bird hunters, and lifetime license holders to register with the Migratory Bird Harvest Information Program (HIP) and carry proof of registration while hunting. HIP cards can be obtained for free on the WVDNR’s website, except for hunters 15 and under and senior citizens who turned 65 before 2012, who are exempt from needing a HIP card.

All waterfowl hunters who are 16 years or older must have a federal Migratory Bird Hunting and Conservation Stamp, commonly known as a Duck Stamp, signed by the hunter. In the event that hunters harvest any banded birds, it is important to report them online at reportband.gov.

The schedule for the 2023-24 migratory bird season in West Virginia is as follows:

– Mourning dove: September 1 to October 8, October 30 to November 12, and December 18 to January 24.

– Sora and Virginia rail: September 1 to November 9.

– Wilson’s snipe: September 1 to December 16.

– Early Canada goose: September 1 to September 10.

– Canada goose, white-fronted geese, snow, and blue goose: October 1 to October 21, November 6 to November 12, and December 11 to January 31.

– Duck, coots, and merganser: October 1 to October 14, November 6 to November 12, and December 24 to January 31.

– Scaup: October 1 to October 14, November 6 to November 12, December 24 to January 11, and January 12 to January 31.

– Gallinules: October 1 to October 14 and December 7 to January 31.

– Woodcock: October 14 to November 18 and November 27 to December 5.

– Brant: January 2 to January 31.

Hunters can find more detailed information on this year’s regulations and game bird seasons by referring to the 2023-24 West Virginia Migratory Bird Hunting Regulations summary.

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