Several important changes in the West Virgina fall hunting seasons for wild turkey and black bear, as well as the youth hunting season, are included in the new 2010-11 West Virginia Hunting and Trapping Regulations Summary brochure.

The publication is now available at all West Virginia hunting and fishing agents and can be found online at www.wvdnr.gov. Hunters and trappers are encouraged to carefully review these regulations due to the numerous changes in hunting seasons, especially turkey, bear, and deer hunting, which will be in place this Fall.

Major Changes for 2010-11

Black bear hunting seasons have been expanded this year with 10 counties open Sept. 27-29; nine counties open Sept. 27-Oct. 2; 10 counties open Nov. 22-Dec. 4 during the Buck firearms season; and all 55 counties open Dec. 6-31.

The daily bag limit is one bear and the season limit is two, provided at least one bear comes from Boone, Fayette, Kanawha, or Raleigh counties.

Fall Wild Turkey hunting season has been expanded this year with 13 counties open Oct. 23-30; 12 counties open Oct. 23-Nov. 22.

A statewide Youth Small Game Season will be held Oct. 2, open to all youth age 17 or younger for all small game species.

The participation age for the Youth Hunting Seasons (small game, antlerless deer and spring turkey) has been increased from less than 15 years of age to less than 18 years of age. All licensing requirements remain in effect for ages 15-17.