12,579 acres of central WV hunting - deer, turkey, grouse, and small game.
Burnsville Lake Wildlife Management Area wraps around a 968-acre Corps of Engineers lake in the heart of Braxton County. Old farm fields growing into young forest, mature hardwood ridges, and Little Kanawha River bottomlands. The kind of terrain that holds deer, turkeys, grouse, and small game year-round. 25 minutes from WV Wild Outdoors.
Archery: Sept 27 - Dec 31 | Buck Firearms: Nov 24 - Dec 7 | Muzzleloader: Dec 15-21
One antlered buck per year with minimum 14-inch outside antler spread requirement. Old farm fields and early successional forest make prime habitat. Bucks bed in thick young growth during rifle season and move to field edges at dawn and dusk.
Bag Limit:
1 antlered buck per year; must have minimum 14-inch outside antler spreadSpring: April 20 - May 24 | Fall: Oct 11-19 statewide; additional segments in selected counties
Little Kanawha bottomlands hold roosting birds. Ridge tops for strutting zones. Position on the same contour elevation and call aggressively to pull birds across the drainage.
Bag Limit:
Spring: 2 beardedOctober 18 - February 28
Young forest equals grouse. Target regenerating timber cuts 5-15 years old with dense stems. Trail edges with young growth. Population declining statewide but huntable here.
Bag Limit:
Daily limit: 4November 2 - February 28
Field edges and briar patches. Good for training young dogs. Thick cover throughout the WMA.
Bag Limit:
Daily limit: 5September 10 - February 28
Oak-hickory ridges with mast production. Youth season Sept 6-7 gets kids into the woods early. October mornings on the ridge tops are prime.
Bag Limit:
Daily limit: 6Fall (check county dates)
Present but uncommon in this WMA. Requires Class BG and Class DS stamps. Check current season dates with WVDNR.
October 15 - February 28
Night hunting with hounds popular in forested terrain. Forested ridges and bottomlands.
Bag Limit:
Daily limit: 4Access: I-79 Exit 67, Route 19 North 13 miles
Terrain: Old farm fields, bottomlands, Civil War battlefield
Confederate Overlook access point. Bulltown Historic Area nearby. Gentler terrain - good for hunters of any ability level.
Target Species:
Access: I-79 Exit 79, Old Route 5 East 3 miles
Terrain: Steep ridges, mature hardwoods, river corridor
Closer to dam. Steeper terrain. 60-site campground nearby.
Target Species:
Access: 57+ miles of trails from multiple parking areas
Terrain: 1,600 ft elevation change, oak-hickory forest, young regeneration
No cell coverage. Download offline maps. Class Q vehicle access available for qualifying disabled hunters.
Target Species:
204 sites (134 full hookup with water/electric/sewer, 70 electric-only). 30/50 amp service. Showers, dump station, boat ramp, playground. Waterfront sites have boat mooring posts. Adjacent to Bulltown Historic Area (Civil War battlefield). Season: April-November. Fees: $20-40/night.
60 sites (54 full hookup, 6 primitive tent sites). Near dam side of lake. Restrooms, dump station, boat ramp nearby. ADA-accessible fishing pier. Lower prices than Bulltown. Season: April-November. Fees: $12-28/night (primitive $12, full hookup $28).
Multiple lots at Bulltown, Riffle Run, Confederate Overlook, dam area, and trail access points.
At campgrounds and day-use areas. Accessible facilities available.
ADA compliant restrooms at main facilities
One of 14 WV WMAs with expanded vehicle access for disabled hunters. Apply through District 3 Office.
Target:
Deer (archery, firearms), Grouse, Squirrel
Tips:
Peak rut Nov 10-18. Hunt ridges overlooking old fields. Fog clears from ridges 30-60 min before valleys. SW-W winds prevail.
Target:
Turkey (gobblers), Small game
Tips:
Set up near Little Kanawha bottomlands before dawn. Gobblers roost in big timber along water. Listen for 6:15 AM sound-off.
Target:
Late deer, Small game, Rabbit
Tips:
Less pressure. Hunt thick cover. January-February best for grouse. Cold but productive.
WV hunting license required. Class BG stamp for deer/turkey/bear. Bear Damage Stamp required for bear hunting.
Required within 24 hours via WVhunt.com or 1-844-WVCHECK. Bulltown Campground has WiFi.
One antlered buck per year with minimum 14-inch outside antler spread requirement. Antler spread measured from outside edge to outside edge.
400+ square inches during firearms deer season. Required for safety.
Portable stands only - must be non-bark penetrating and removed after each hunt.
No target shooting or sighting-in on WMA land. Sight in at home before you come.
No ATVs except where posted or Class Q access approved.
Corps of Engineers 600-ft safety zones around dam, spillway, and developed facilities.
Make sure you have everything you need for a successful hunt!
Get your hunting license, stock up on ammo, and we'll point you to the best spots on the WMA.
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