Decreased harvest of 33,775 antlered deer reflects impact of abundant mast statewide and EHD in western counties
Charleston, W.Va. — The West Virginia Division of Natural Resources (WVDNR) today announced that hunters harvested 33,775 antlered deer during the state’s two-week buck firearm season, which ran from Nov. 24 to Dec. 7.
According to preliminary data collected through the WVDNR’s electronic game check system, hunters in Greenbrier harvested the most bucks (1,730), followed by Preston (1,349), Randolph (1,198), Hardy (1,165), Pendleton (1,135), Pocahontas (1,089), Monroe (1,057), Grant (1,039), Fayette (991) and Hampshire (923).
The 2025 harvest was 18.5 percent below the 2024 harvest of 41,435 bucks. All WVDNR districts registered a decrease in harvests, with the exception of District 4 which experienced a 7.5 percent increase compared to last year.
This year’s decreased harvest was caused by an increase in hard mast production, which often results in decreased harvests due to the difficulty of tracking and targeting game species spread out over a landscape. Several counties also experienced an outbreak of hemorrhagic disease, which likely impacted hunter success, especially in the western part of the state.
Hunters who harvested a buck during a 2025 deer hunting season are also reminded to submit their photos for a chance to win prizes in the state’s fifth annual Big Buck Photo Contest. To learn more about contest prizes, rules and how to enter, visit WVdnr.gov/photocontest.
Additional Deer Hunting Opportunities
Several deer hunting opportunities remain for 2025. The state’s archery and crossbow season runs through Dec. 31, the traditional Class N/NN antlerless deer season will be open in select areas on public and private land Dec. 11-14 and Dec. 28-31, the muzzleloader deer season will be open Dec. 15-21 and the youth, Class Q and Class XS season for antlerless deer will be open Dec. 26-27 in any county with a firearms deer season.
To learn more, hunters are encouraged to consult the Hunting Regulations Summary, available to download at WVdnr.gov/hunting-regulations.
