2026 NCTC Deer Hunt

NOTICE: The NCTC Deer Hunt Registration is temporarily unavailable, please check back soon.

Registration for the 2026 NCTC Deer Hunt

The National Conservation Training Center (NCTC) welcomes you to the 2026 Deer Hunt!

Hunters interested in participating in our deer hunts will need to register by 30 September (link to be re-posted soon). Once registered, a hunter simply shows up on the date and time in which they wish to hunt and sign in during the 30-minute hunt sign-in period. A pre-hunt draw will occur prior to each hunt in the parking lot outside the NCTC Hunt Office. Once drawn, a hunter will proceed to the NCTC Hunt Office to pick a hunt stand from the list of hunting locations available.

New for the 2026 hunt:

Five additional archery only hunting locations have been added this year, bringing the total number of available hunting locations to thirty-three.
Two archery only “Open Hunting Zones” have been designated. Hunters selecting these two zones may hunt anywhere within the designated zone. NCTC has provided one hunting blind in these zones, which may not be moved from its location. Hunter may use personal portable tree stands and ground blinds are permitted in these zones. Removal of limbs to create shooting lanes is not permitted in the zones. Hunters selecting the zones will have the zone all day and not be subject to the afternoon draw.
A georeferenced PDF map of all NCTC hunting locations will be available for download and use in the Avenza mobile app. Hunters will be able to drop pins and track routes on the georeferenced map. The map will be available for download by the end of September. Directions to upload the georeferenced PDF map into Avenza will be provided when the map is completed and added to the NCTC Deer Hunt website.

To download the free Avenza App on your Android or iPhone, click here: https://www.avenza.com/avenza-maps/#tab1

Please contact NCTC_deerhunt@fws.gov with any questions.

NCTC reserves the right to cancel any hunt at any time due to NCTC mission obligations or severe weather conditions.
Hunters must register for NCTC Deer Hunt before the 30 September deadline.
Registered hunters must present a Real ID compliant identification to enter NCTC.
Hunters must comply with all NCTC hunting regulations and West Virginia state hunting laws and regulations.
Hunters must harvest an antlerless deer each season to be buck eligible. Buck eligibility does not carry over to the next year.
Ground blinds contain one NCTC provided tripod hunting stool.
Several elevated hunting stands do not contain padded seats or rails.
There will be a random drawing prior to each hunt to fill all hunting locations.

NCTC 2026 Deer Hunt Dates and Times

Morning Hunts

Registration begins at 5:15 am
Hunt draw at 5:45 am
Hunt begins ½ hour before sunrise
Hunt ends at 11:30 am
Check out by 12:00 pm

Date	Registration	Morning Draw	Hunt Starts	Sunrise	Hunt Ends	Check-Out By
10/17	5:15a	5:45a	6:53a	7:23a	11:30a	Noon
10/31	5:15a	5:45a	7:08a	7:38a	11:30a	Noon
11/07	5:15a	5:45a	6:16a	6:46a	11:30a	Noon
11/21	5:15a	5:45a	6:32a	7:02a	11:30a	Noon
11/28	5:15a	5:45a	6:39a	7:09a	11:30a	Noon
12/05	5:15a	5:45a	6:46a	7:16a	11:30a	Noon
12/12	5:15a	5:45a	6:52a	7:22a	11:30a	Noon
12/19	5:15a	5:45a	6:57a	7:27a	11:30a	Noon

Afternoon Hunts

Registration begins at 12:30 pm
Hunt draw at 1:00 pm
Hunt begins at 1:30 pm
Hunt ends ½ hour after sunset
Check out – 7:00 pm for October hunt; 6:00 pm for November and December hunts.

Date	Registration	Afternoon Draw	Hunt Starts	Sunset	Hunt Ends	Check-Out By
10/17	12:30p	1:00p	1:30p	6:29p	6:59p	7:30p
10/31	12:30p	1:00p	1:30p	6:11p	6:41p	7:30p
11/07	12:30p	1:00p	1:30p	5:03p	5:33p	6:00p
11/21	12:30p	1:00p	1:30p	4:52p	5:22p	6:00p
11/28	12:30p	1:00p	1:30p	4:49p	5:19p	6:00p
12/05	12:30p	1:00p	1:30p	4:47p	5:17p	6:00p
12/12	12:30p	1:00p	1:30p	4:48p	5:18p	6:00p
12/19	12:30p	1:00p	1:30p	4:50p	5:20p	6:00p

All Hunters MUST report to the NCTC Deer Hunt Check Station for check-in and check-out.

Contact Information

NCTC Deer Hunt Website:https://www.fws.gov/nctc/visit-us/activities/hunting

NCTC Deer Hunt Email: nctc_deerhunt@fws.gov

NCTC Deer Check Station Phone: 304-876-7782; only answered on hunt days

Report Accidents: NCTC Check Station in person or to Security (304-876-7911) as soon as possible.

Mailing Address: National Conservation Training Center, 698 Conservation Way Shepherdstown,WV25443

2026 Important Hunting Season Dates

October 3: Scouting Day 9:00 am – 12:00 pm

October 17: Special Early Hunt – Firearms and Archery Hunt

October 31: Archery Only Hunt

November 7: Military Preference Hunt – Archery Only Hunt (Hunters showing proof of current or former military service will draw for hunt locations first. All other hunters will be drawn for any remaining hunt locations after the Military Preference draw.)

November 21: Archery Only Hunt

November 28: Firearms& Archery Hunt

December 5: Firearms & Archery Hunt

December 12: Firearms (Antlerless only) & Archery Hunt

December 19: Muzzleloader & Archery Hunt

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is committed to providing access to this activity for all participants. Please direct all requests for sign language interpreting services, close captioning, or other accommodation needs to email nctc_deerhunt@fws.gov, or TTY 800-877-8339.