October's special youth deer season turned into a big one for West Virginia's young hunters. Preliminary numbers from the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources show youth hunters brought home 2,764 deer over the two-day season, more than double the five-year average.
Counting youth, Class Q and Class XS hunters together, the special seasons on Oct. 17 and 18 produced 3,233 deer. The youth harvest split almost evenly: 1,383 antlered deer and 1,381 antlerless deer.
"We are very pleased with the opportunity that is available for the youth, Class Q and Class XS hunters to participate in this special season," WVDNR Director Brett McMillion said. "This is a great season for introducing youth to hunting, and the weather conditions were a wonderful bonus this year."
Why the numbers jumped
This was only the second year that all hunters under 18 could take part, and the first year youth and Class Q hunters were allowed to take one antlered deer during the special season. The DNR says those changes, along with a poorer mast crop and good weather, helped drive the bigger harvest.
By the numbers
- The total youth harvest was 111% above the five-year average.
- The youth antlerless harvest was up 9% over the five-year average and 111% over the 2025 youth antlerless harvest.
- The average buck taken by a young hunter carried 6.8 points.
- Class Q hunters' harvest rose 27% over the five-year average, and about 80% of their deer were antlerless. They took only 18 antlered bucks.
- The Class XS harvest was up 31% over the five-year average.
Another chance in December
If your young hunter missed out, there's a second shot. The second part of the special youth, Class Q and Class XS seasons runs Dec. 26 and 27. Details are on page 27 of the 2026-27 Hunting and Trapping Regulations Summary on the DNR's website, wvdnr.gov.
Hunters 15 and older need a valid West Virginia hunting license and a valid form of identification. Licenses are sold at agents across the state and online at WVhunt.com.
Did someone in your family get their first deer this fall? It's the kind of memory that sticks for a lifetime.