West Virginia’s 2009 hunting season dates and bag limits for mourning dove, woodcock, common snipe and sora and Virginia rails have been set according to the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources (WVDNR), Wildlife Resources Section. These seasons are set within guidelines established annually by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
|
Species Dates |
Daily Limit |
Possession Limit |
|
Mourning Dove
(3-way split)
Sept. 1 – Oct. 10
Oct. 26 – Nov. 11
Dec. 21 – Jan. 2 |
15 |
30 |
|
Woodcock Oct. 23 – Nov. 21 |
3 |
6 |
|
Common Snipe Sept. 1 – Dec. 12 |
8 |
16 |
|
Sora & Virginia Rails Sept. 1 – Nov. 7 |
25 |
25 |
Shooting hours for dove are from noon to sunset on Sept. 1, the opening day of the first segment, and from one-half hour before sunrise until sunset, prevailing time, for the remainder of the season. Shooting hours for rails, woodcock and snipe are from one-half hour before sunrise until sunset.
All licensed migratory bird hunters, including lifetime license holders and senior citizens, also must have a valid Migratory Bird Harvest Information Program (HIP) registration card. HIP registration is available free at all license outlets.
Banded birds should be reported by calling 1-800-327-2263 or online at www.reportband.gov.
West Virginia’s 2009-2010 Migratory Bird Hunting Regulations brochure should be available from license agents and DNR offices in late August.