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Natural Resources Commission adopts 2026–27 hunting and fishing regulations, including limited youth antler privilege
Summary
The West Virginia Natural Resources Commission approved a package of 2026–27 hunting and fishing regulations at its April 30 meeting, including a new provision allowing youth hunters and class Q permit holders to take one antlered buck during a special split youth season; commissioners approved multiple season tables and method changes by voice vote.
The West Virginia Natural Resources Commission on April 30 approved a set of 2026–27 hunting and fishing regulations presented by the Division of Natural Resources.
The commission voted to adopt the proposed black bear and antlerless deer seasons, permit percussion sidelock or flintlock rifles/pistols for select hunts in Logan, McDowell, Mingo and Wyoming counties during the mountaineer heritage season, and adopt other big-game tables as presented. The commission also approved proposed state park deer control hunts and accepted fishing regulation recommendations for later action.
Why it matters: the adopted package sets season dates, bag and slot limits, and allowable methods that affect hunters and managers statewide. The agenda item that drew the most debate was a proposal permitting youth hunters (under 18) and class Q permit holders to take one antlered buck during a special split youth season; the commission approved that change after discussion and unsuccessful amendment efforts to shift the allowance to different youth-season dates.
During debate, Assistant Chief Steve Ralph and staff described the biological and harvest context they relied on. "We feel that biologically there's not going to be biological impact with this proposal," Ralph said, adding that DNR will "monitor those numbers annually" to track harvest outcomes. Commissioner James Bailey said of the youth provision, "Anything that encourages youth participation is a good thing," while other commissioners raised concerns about timing and competitive pressure if antlered deer are permitted during youth segments.
Key approvals (as presented in packet and approved by voice vote): - 2026 black bear seasons (motion moved and carried) - 2026 antlerless deer seasons (motion moved and carried) - Percussion sidelock/flintlock allowance for specified counties during mountaineer heritage season (motion moved and carried) - Adoption of remaining 2026–27 big game hunting regulations as shown in the attached tables (motion moved and carried) - Proposal permitting youth hunters and class Q permit holders to take one antlered buck during the special split youth season (motion moved and carried) - 2026 state park deer hunts (motions moved and carried)
How the votes were taken: the transcript records motions, seconds and voice votes; the meeting minutes packet and tabbed tables were the basis for the actions. No roll-call vote tallies were recorded in the public transcript excerpt.
Context and process notes: DNR staff and the commission discussed prior legislative activity related to youth seasons. Deputy Director Wendy Green explained that the Legislature had previously considered measures that would have embedded season privileges in statute in ways the agency and commission found problematic; lawmakers amended language this year so the commission retains authority to set season and bag limits in rule, avoiding an automatic expansion of privileges to other license classes.
Next procedural step: several fishing and trapping proposals were presented for review and will come to the commission for a formal vote at the next quarterly meeting, tentatively scheduled for July 30, 2026.
(Reporting based on the West Virginia Natural Resources Commission meeting, April 30, 2026; motions and outcomes are described as recorded in the meeting packet and voice votes in the public transcript.)
