West Virginia’s southern counties continue to produce the bruiser bucks, as do the state’s national forests. The four archery-only counties-Logan, McDowell, Mingo and Wyoming-are big-buck havens. Overall the deer herd is stable. Northern and northwestern counties will hold high numbers of deer. Hunters will have an additional week in December to hunt antlerless deer. Also, hunters will be able to purchase one extra antlerless tag; with 40 counties offering very liberal bag limits, bowhunters can take up to three deer. Check specific dates and rules.
Contact: WVRD (304-558-2771; www.dnr.state.wv.us).