Archery License

West Virginia Archery
License 2026

Complete guide to archery hunting in West Virginia - stamp and license requirements, crossbow rules, draw weight and broadhead specifications, and archery deer and elk season dates. West Virginia offers a long archery deer season from early October through December. Crossbows are legal for all hunters during archery season. No separate archery stamp required.

Crossbow Allowed Min. Draw Weight: 35 lbs

2026 Archery License Quick Facts Verified 2026

Resident Fee

$19.00

License fee

Nonresident Fee

$75.00

NR license fee

Min. Draw Weight

35 lbs

Minimum for legal archery hunting

Crossbow

Allowed

Crossbows are legal for all hunters throughout the archery season with no additional permit required.

License & Stamp Details

West Virginia Archery License Requirements

Review all archery license and stamp requirements before your hunt. Regulations change annually.

Requirement	Details
Archery Stamp Required	No - included with hunting license
Resident License Fee	$19.00
Nonresident License Fee	$75.00
Standalone Archery License	Requires base hunting license
Sunday Hunting	Allowed

Equipment Rules

West Virginia Archery Equipment Specifications

Legal archery equipment requirements in West Virginia. Using non-compliant equipment during archery season can result in citation and license revocation.

Draw Weight

35 lbs min.

Minimum draw weight required for big game archery hunting in West Virginia.

Arrow Length

No minimum arrow length specified. Standard hunting arrows (26"–32") are typical.

Broadhead Requirement

Broadheads are required for big game hunting. Both fixed-blade and mechanical broadheads are generally accepted.

Other Equipment Rules

Lighted nocks: Allowed
Rangefinder: Allowed
Minimum 35 lb draw weight. Broadheads required. Lighted nocks permitted.

Crossbow Regulations

West Virginia Crossbow Rules for Archery Season

Crossbows are permitted during archery season in West Virginia. Crossbows are legal for all hunters throughout the archery season with no additional permit required.

Season Dates

West Virginia Archery Season Dates

Approximate archery season dates for 2026. Season dates may vary by zone or wildlife management unit - always confirm with West Virginia Division of Natural Resources.

Archery Deer Season

Oct 1

Through Dec 31

Important Notes

West Virginia-Specific Archery Rules

West Virginia has rugged terrain that makes archery hunting challenging but rewarding. The Monongahela National Forest provides extensive public land access. Elk hunting was reintroduced — limited archery elk permits may be available by draw.

Source: West Virginia Division of Natural Resources (wvdnr.gov). Requirements verified 2026. Always confirm current license fees, equipment specs, and season dates directly with the agency before hunting.

West Virginia