West Virginia

The Mountain State is rich in natural resources and is home to a strong sportsmen’s community. Intrenched in the Appalachian Mountains, West Virginia has the highest average elevation of any state east of the Mississippi River. West Virginia is renowned for its natural beauty including the Monongahela National Forest, the New River, and the Cranberry Glades. For anglers, there are thousands of miles of trout streams located throughout the state that offer quality rainbow, brown, and brook trout fishing opportunities. Iconic species pursued by hunting in the Mountain State include white-tailed deer, black bears, wild turkeys, wild boar, and ruffed grouse.

For more information on the elected officials protecting and promoting the sportsmen’s traditions in West Virginia, please contact: Kaleigh Leager

Congressional Sportsmen's Caucus

Senator Shelley Moore Capito Senator Jim Justice Representative Carol Miller Representative Alex Mooney Representative Riley Moore

West Virginia Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus Leadership

Delegate Mark Dean Senator Bill Hamilton

West Virginia Policy Highlights

Caucus leadership sponsored legislation (SB 263) was signed into law in 2021 authorizing raffles to be conducted online to allow sporting conservation organizations to expand their fundraising efforts to support fish and wildlife habitat improvement
projects, R3 programs, and other conservation initiatives.

The Caucus was instrumental in the passage of legislation (HB 4514) in 2020 that removed the limitation on the number of hunting and trapping apprentice licenses that a person may purchase to support hunter recruitment efforts.

Caucus leadership sponsored legislation (SB 451) was signed into law in 2018 removing the prohibition against Sunday hunting on public lands which opened up 1.6 million acres of public to seven-day hunting.

Paid Hunting License Holders

Paid Angling License Holders

.7 M

Generated for Wildlife Conservation

Straight-Walled Rifle Cartridges

Over the past decade, several states have introduced regulations allowing these cartridges, which provide effective, safe hunting options in densely populated zones. Straight-walled cartridges are… Read more.

Considering Recreational Angling Access in Transportation Projects

Opportunities to expand angling access throughout the country have become increasingly limited in recent years due to increases in private ownership along waterways and attendant… Read more.

Federal Land Hunting & Angling Access

Many sportsmen and women depend on federal lands managed by agencies such as the U.S. Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management and U.S. Fish and… Read more.

Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD)

Chronic wasting disease (CWD) is a progressive, fatal, degenerative neurological disease occurring in farmed and free-ranging deer, elk, caribou, and moose. The disease was first… Read more.

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March 2, 2026

West Virginia Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus Lights the Way for More Prescribed Burning

Why It Matters: By reducing barriers limiting prescribed burning on private property in a state that is more than 83% privately owned, Senate Bill 886 will have a significant impact on wildlife habitat in West Virginia. Whether burning to reduce wildfire risk or to enhance habitat diversity, popular game species, including wild turkey, White-tailed deer, and black bear, as well as nongame species that […]

November 10, 2025

Fall Hunting Seasons are in Full Swing in the Mid-Atlantic Region: Have You Checked Your State’s Regulations?

Why It Matters: Each year, legislatures and state fish and wildlife agencies make changes to states’ hunting rules and regulations. This is why it is vital that you check your state’s hunting regulations prior to going afield to ensure you are not violating the law and potentially finding yourself with a citation from a game…

September 29, 2025

Legislative Sessions in the Mid-Atlantic States: What to Expect in 2026

Why It Matters: It is no secret that the Mid-Atlantic region (DE, MD, PA, VA, WV) can be challenging when it comes to protecting and promoting our sporting heritage. IIn 2025 the region saw just about an equal number of pro-sportsmen’s bills (15.6%) and anti-sportsmen’s bills (16.8%). The Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation continues to work with…

May 27, 2025

Making a Difference in The Mountain State: West Virginia’s 2025 Legislative Session Recap

Why It Matters: The 2025 West Virginia legislative session was a productive one with Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation engaging early and often on many issues of concern for West Virginia’s sporting community. During legislative sessions, policies that are formed in state’s capitols impact what we do on the water and afield and, fortunately for the sportsmen…

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West Virginia: American System of Conservation Funding Fact Sheet

2013 Sportsmen’s Economic Impact Report – West Virginia

2006 Economic Impact Report — West Virginia

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Impact You Can See

Firearm retailers in AZ, CA, NM, and WV were protected against unfair and discriminatory requirements.

Legislatures in AL, AR, DE, GA, IL, KY, LA, MS, NH, NV, NY, OK, PA, RI, SC, TN, UT, VT, and WV celebrated the 75th anniversary of the Sportfish Restoration Program and formally recognized the crucial role that sportsmen and women play in funding conservation efforts through the “user pays, public benefits” structure of the American System of Conservation Funding.