The West Virginia Division of Natural Resources (WVDNR) announced today that hunters in West Virginia harvested 2,479 black bears during the combined 2024 archery, crossbow and firearms seasons. A total of 62 were taken in Braxton County. Little known for its’ bear population Braxton ranked a remarkable 15th highest producing county in the state.
The preliminary harvest for the combined 2024 seasons was lower than the 2,830 bears taken in 2023. As predicted by the 2024 Mast Survey and Hunting Outlook, the archery/crossbow harvest remained consistent with the previous year. However, the overall bear firearms harvest was lower than in 2023, despite a higher harvest during the September and October season segments.
Of the 62-bear killed in Braxton County, 7 were harvested during archery season either by traditional bow and arrow or crossbow. Hunters took 6 animals during September/October gun only deer/bear season, and 24 during December firearm season which is traditionally muzzleloaders.
During the first segment of the 2024 archery and crossbow seasons (Sept. 28 – Nov. 24), hunters harvested 899 bears. Of these harvests, 431 were taken with vertical bows and 468 were taken with crossbows. The top five counties for archery/crossbow harvests were Fayette and Preston (55 each), Webster (48), Boone (43), Nicholas (42) and Wyoming (40).
Braxton fell behind neighboring counties Nicholas with 209 and Webster with 112, but exceeded Gilmer’s 8, Lewis’ 36 and Clay’s 49.
During the firearms season, hunters harvested 1,580 bears. This included 611 bears taken during the September and October seasons, 166 bears during the September youth, Class Q, XS season, 20 bears during the October youth, Class Q, XS season, 57 bears during the concurrent antlerless deer/bear season and 368 during the three early firearms seasons.
Additionally, hunters harvested 271 bears during the concurrent buck-gun bear season and 697 bears during the traditional December season. One bear was harvested with a muzzleloader during the Mountaineer Heritage Season. The top five counties for firearms harvests were Nicholas (167), Boone (153), Kanawha (115), Fayette (109), and Logan (92).
For more information about hunting opportunities in West Virginia, hunters should consult the 2024–2025 West Virginia Hunting and Trapping Regulations Summary, available to download at WVdnr.gov/hunting-regulations.
Devoted to Braxton County, West Virginia