For generations, hunters have returned to Canaan Valley to pursue the abundant and varied game in an area known for its beautiful scenery. Canaan Valley National Wildlife Refuge is committed to continuing that long and varied hunting tradition. Located in the highest-elevation valley east of the Rockies and the largest wetland complex in West Virginia, the refuge offers a huge expanse of land for hunters to pursue white-tailed deer, bear, turkey, squirrel, grouse, waterfowl, woodcock, fox, raccoon, bobcat, cottontail and snowshoe hare. The hunting season follows state schedules from September through the end of February (with a spring turkey season). The October archery deer hunt is most popular, but perhaps the best hunting on the refuge is for woodcock. The refuge is big enough that hunters don't feel crowded.
To Obtain a Hunt Permit:
The hunt permit/brochure is available at all kiosk locations throughout the refuge and the Visitor Center during open hours. You may also download a copy of the 2025-2026 Hunt Permit/Brochure here.
Canaan Valley NWR hunt map is included within the hunt brochure.
Obtain a hunt permit/brochure and be sure to sign the hunt permit/brochure, stating that you have read the refuge regulations.
Carry the hunt permit/brochure on your person at all times while hunting.
Kiosk locations:
- Refuge Visitor Center (Wed-Sat, 10AM-4PM)
- Parking lot at upper end of Idleman's Run Trail
- Parking lot at Beall Trails
- Parking lot at Camp 70 Loop/Brown Mountain Trail
- A-Frame Road at Overlook
- A-Frame Road at Middle Valley Trail
- Parking lot at A-Frame Road termination
Hunters must obtain and carry a signed CVNWR hunt permit/brochure, the appropriate West Virginia State Hunting License, and a photo ID while hunting on CVNWR. Hunting on the refuge is permitted in accordance with state and refuge regulations from September 1 through February 28 and also for turkey during the spring turkey season.
West Virginia state hunting rules and regulations
Filing Out a Harvest Report
It is important that, when you check your game with the State of West Virginia Electronic Game Checking System at www.wvhunt.com or by phone, you be sure to indicate that the game was taken on the Canaan Valley National Wildlife Refuge.
Hunting with Lead-Free Ammunition:
Lead-Free Hunting Ammunition Incentive Program
Through a collaborative public and private partnership effort, guided by the Hunting and Wildlife Conservation Council federal advisory group, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) is embarking on an initiative to educate and empower hunters in their choice of hunting ammunition. Lead ammunition loses weight as small pieces strip from the front of the bullet or shot as it passes through an animal. Remains from field-dressed animals provide a food source for scavenging wildlife such as bald and golden eagles. But lead in these remains can be harmful or fatal to scavengers.
To encourage voluntary use of lead-free ammunition across the refuge, the Service is implementing an ammunition incentive program that enables you to try lead-free hunting ammunition for free. By submitting proof of purchase of lead-free ammunition, you may receive a gift card for up to $50 per box of lead-free hunting ammunition ($25/box for shotgun or muzzleloader and $50/box for rifle). There is a two-box limit per hunter for the program.
Hunters who reload their own ammunition are also eligible for the incentive program for their reloading components and are limited up to $100 for components to reload two boxes of lead-free rifle ammunition and $50 for components to reload two boxes of lead-free shotgun ammunition.
Please use the following link to take part in the incentive program: www.fws.gov/lead-free-ammunition-incentive. Be prepared to submit pictures of your box(es) of lead-free ammunition, your purchase receipt(s) and your refuge hunting permit. Please note that ammunition purchased before July 1st, 2025, is not eligible for the incentive program.
To learn more about the lead-free initiative, please use the following link: https://www.fws.gov/initiative/lead-free.
Big Cove Unit and Lead-free Hunting Ammunition
The Service has announced the finalized ruling posted November 2024 (50 CFR Part 32) that opened the Big Cove Unit, the northernmost unit on the refuge, to all forms of hunting on its 2,412 acres. In addition, it requires lead-free ammunition for all hunting involving firearms on the new acreage. Hunting with lead ammunition is still permitted on other units within the refuge. Thank you for helping us protect wildlife by choosing lead-free ammunition this hunting season.
To Reserve an Accessible Hunt Blind
There are four accessible hunt blinds on the refuge available to hunters who have a Class Q or QQ hunting license. To reserve a hunt blind, download the Hunt Blind Permit here and email it to Canaanvalley@fws.gov along with a copy of your Q/QQ license. The refuge will start taking reservations for the hunt blinds starting September 2nd, 2025. You may also stop by the refuge's visitor center and fill out the permit there. Here are some general conditions that apply to reserve a hunt blind:
- It is first come first serve.
- The refuge will not be taking reservations on Sunday or Monday due to the lack of staff.
- Reservations can be made for back to back days but no more than twice a month. Only one reservation per week.
- Hunters may have an assistant with them but that person is not allowed to hunt.
- No more than one vehicle is allowed at the hunt blind.
- Lead-free ammunition is required if you are using the hunt blind in the Big Cove Unit off A-Frame Road.
Those hunters with permanent and irreversible respiratory, cardiovascular, and/or lower extremity use limitations may be eligible for a Class Q/QQ special use permit through the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources. Applications must be certified by a licensed physician to be considered for approval by the agency. Application forms for the Class Q/QQ permit are available at all WVDNR offices or on the online WVDNR licensing and game check system.
To find your nearest Class Q/QQ hunting opportunity, contact your local WVDNR district office by telephone or use the DNR’s onlinehunting map tool. Designated Class Q/QQ roads on public lands are shown in purple on the map.
Hunter Participation Survey Fall/Winter 2025-26
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is conducting a survey of hunters to learn more about their experiences to improve management and enhance hunting opportunities on Canaan Valley National Wildlife Refuge. We are interested in hearing about your experiences during the fall 2025/winter 2026 hunting season. Even if you did not harvest an animal, we still want to hear from you. This survey should take approximately 10 minutes to complete, and your participation is voluntary. Please use the following link to complete the survey:
OMB Control No. 1018-0195
Expires 11/30/2026
FWS Form 3-2558 (Rev. 04/2023)
U.S. Department of Interior
PAPERWORK REDUCTION ACT STATEMENT In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act (44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.), the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service collects information related to inform future hunt plan development, identify safety concerns that need attention, and better understand hunter preference in order to improve visitor experience, and to respond to requests made under the Freedom of Information Act and the Privacy Act of 1974. Information requested in this form is purely voluntary. According to the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, an agency may not conduct or sponsor and a person is not required to respond to a collection of information unless it displays a currently valid OMB control number. OMB has approved this collection of information and assigned Control No. 1018-0195. ESTIMATED BURDEN STATEMENT We estimate public reporting for this collection of information to average 10 minutes, including time for reviewing instructions, gathering and maintaining data and completing and reviewing the form. Direct comments regarding the burden estimate or any other aspect of the form to the Service Information Clearance Officer, Fish and Wildlife Service, U.S. Department of the Interior, 5275 Leesburg Pike, MS: PRB (JAO/3W), Falls Church, VA 22041-3803, or via email at Info_Coll@fws.gov. Please do not send your completed survey to this address.
