Hunting

Choose from the following to find a site: An old timey phonto of a man bird hunting with his dog.

Hunting on Monongahela National Forest

Hunting is allowed on Monongahela National Forest with appropriate West Virginia hunting licenses. Seasons, bag limits and license requirements are determined by the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources (WV DNR).

Considerations When Hunting on Monongahela National Forest

Discharging a firearm or any other implement capable of taking human life, causing injury, or damaging property on is prohibited:

In or within 150 yards of a residence, building, campsite, developed recreation site or occupied area.
Across or on a National Forest System road or a body of water or in any manner or place whereby any person or property is exposed to injury or damage as a result in such discharge.
Into or within any cave.

Private land is often interspersed with public land within Monongahela National Forest.

Be sure to:

Obtain written permission from private landowners to hunt on their property.
Use caution to ensure you don’t inadvertently stray off public land onto private ownership.

Park in designated trailheads or parking areas, if available.

Where these are not available:

Do not block roads or gates with your vehicle.
Leave room for passing traffic.
Avoid parking in blind spots.

Additional Prohibitions

It is prohibited to possess or operate a motor vehicle on any Monongahela National Forest trails or for cross county travel. This includes using any kind of motorized vehicle off road to retrieve game.

It is illegal to bait or feed wildlife on public land at any time.

Only portable tree stands and/or ground blinds may be used on public land.

Chronic Wasting Disease

Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) is a neurological (brain and nervous system) disease of the deer family known to occur in limited geographical locations in North America and Europe. In West Virginia, CWD has been found in white-tailed deer harvested from several counties, all outside of Monongahela National Forest. For more information, visit WV DNR CWD webpage.

Class Q/QQ Special Hunting Permits

A Class Q/QQ Special Hunting Permit entitles hunters with certain disabilities to hunt all legal species of game during the designated hunting seasons from a motor vehicle. A WV DNR application must be signed by your health care provider and submitted to the WV DNR to receive a Class Q/QQ permit.

Holders of Class Q/QQ permits may request authorization to drive a motor vehicle on designated Class Q Forest Service roads to hunt.