West Virginia’s regular squirrel season will open statewide Sept. 12, offering new and experienced hunters an opportunity to refine their hunting skills. The season runs through Feb. 28, 2027.

"Squirrel hunting is a long-standing tradition in West Virginia and is how many hunters are introduced to the sport," said Brett McMillion, director of the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources. "We encourage folks to give squirrel hunting a try or use it as practice for an upcoming season. It’s a great time to be outdoors in West Virginia."

Beyond recreational benefits, squirrel hunting plays a role in wildlife management. By managing squirrel populations, hunters help maintain ecosystem balance to ensure adequate resources remain available for other wildlife.

Hunters should review current hunting regulations and safety guidelines before heading out. Regulations are available for download at WVdnr.gov/hunting-regulations.

Key season rules include:

• Daily bag limit: 6 squirrels
• Possession limit: 24 squirrels
• Season limit: None

All general state hunting regulations and licensing requirements apply.

The WVDNR offers durable physical license cards, which hunters can purchase as an upgrade to an existing license or add during renewal. Hunting licenses can be purchased online at WVhunt.com.