18,396 acres of central WV hunting - deer, turkey, bear, grouse, and small game.
Elk River Wildlife Management Area spans nearly 19,000 acres of mature hardwood forest in the heart of Braxton County. Steep hills, ridges, and benches dominated by oak-hickory forest with old-growth timber interspersed throughout. Two major rivers - the Elk and Holly - flow through, with Sutton Lake at the heart. One of West Virginia's oldest and most accessible WMAs. About an hour from WV Wild Outdoors.
Archery: Sept 27 - Dec 31 | Buck Firearms: Nov 24 - Dec 7 | Muzzleloader: Dec 15-21
Abundant population in mature hardwood forest. Hunt ridge tops overlooking old fields and stream bottoms. Bucks bed in thick young growth during rifle season. Peak rut activity mid-November.
Bag Limit:
1 antlered buck per year; must have minimum 14-inch outside antler spreadSpring: April 20 - May 24 | Fall: Oct 11-19 statewide
Holly River and Elk River bottomlands hold roosting birds. Ridge tops make excellent strutting zones. Position on the same contour elevation and call aggressively. Dawn sound-off around 6:15 AM.
Bag Limit:
Spring: 2 beardedArchery: Sept 27 - Dec 31 | Firearms: Sept-Oct (check county dates)
Common and expanding population. Requires Class BG and Class DS stamps. Check current season dates with WVDNR District 3. Maintain 100+ yards distance from any bear.
Bag Limit:
Check current WVDNR regulationsOctober 18 - February 28
Target regenerating timber cuts 5-15 years old with dense stems. Trail edges with young growth are productive. Population declining statewide but huntable here.
Bag Limit:
Daily limit: 4September 10 - February 28
Oak-hickory ridges with good mast production. Youth season Sept 6-7 gets kids into the woods early. October mornings on the ridge tops are prime time.
Bag Limit:
Daily limit: 6November 2 - February 28
Field edges and briar patches throughout the WMA. Good for training young dogs. Thick cover in regeneration areas.
Bag Limit:
Daily limit: 5October 15 - February 28
Night hunting with hounds popular in forested terrain. Forested ridges and bottomlands along both rivers.
Bag Limit:
Daily limit: 4Access: From I-79 Exit 67 (Flatwoods), WV Route 19/40 south, turn onto Route 15
Terrain: Mature hardwood ridges, river bottomlands, steep hills
Primary access point for most hunters. Multiple WVDNR parking areas. Bee Run Day Use Area provides good staging. Vault toilets available.
Target Species:
Access: From I-79 Exit 67 (Flatwoods), WV Route 4/19 south to Route 15 east
Terrain: Stream corridors, young regeneration, mixed hardwoods
Less pressure than Elk River section. Stream access for wading and fishing. WVDNR parking pull-offs.
Target Species:
Access: 30+ miles of trails from multiple parking areas
Terrain: 1,000-3,400 ft elevation, steep ridge/valley terrain, old-growth interspersed
No cell coverage in most areas. Download offline maps before heading out. Class Q vehicle access available for qualifying disabled hunters.
Target Species:
100-yard and 175-yard ranges available for sighting in. One of 14 WV WMAs with expanded vehicle access for disabled hunters.
Multiple WVDNR parking lots throughout WMA. Bee Run Day Use Area, Baker's Run, Gerald R. Freeman, South Abutment - all with ample parking.
Vault toilets at Bee Run and other developed access points. No facilities on backcountry trails.
Accessible facilities at major access points
One of 14 WV WMAs with expanded vehicle access for disabled hunters. Apply through WVDNR District 3 Office.
Camping NOT permitted on WMA lands. Nearby options: Sutton Lake campgrounds (U.S. Army Corps), Holly River State Park, Watoga State Park.
Target:
Deer (archery, firearms), Bear, Grouse, Squirrel
Tips:
Peak rut mid-November. Hunt ridges overlooking old fields. Acorn drop critical for deer and bear movement. SW-W winds prevail. Expect other hunters during peak weekends.
Target:
Turkey (gobblers)
Tips:
Set up near Holly River or Elk River bottomlands before dawn. Gobblers roost in big timber along water. Listen for 6:15 AM sound-off. Position on same contour and call aggressively.
Target:
Late deer, Small game, Rabbit, Raccoon
Tips:
Less pressure, quieter woods. Hunt thick cover. January-February excellent for grouse in regeneration areas. Cold but productive for those willing to get out.
WV hunting license required. Class BG stamp for deer/turkey/bear. Bear Damage Stamp required for bear hunting. Hunter education certificate required for first-time purchasers.
Required within 24 hours via WVhunt.com or 1-844-WVCHECK. Cell service spotty on WMA - check in when you reach town.
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 - mature forest limits visibility.
No hunting on Sunday in West Virginia (state law).
ILLEGAL to harvest ginseng on WMA lands. Penalty: $500-$2,000 and criminal charges. Private land only with landowner permission during Sept 1 - Nov 30 season.
Portable stands only - must be non-bark penetrating and removed after each hunt.
Uncased firearms prohibited except during open hunting season. Firearms must be unloaded in vehicles. Never shoot across public roads.
No ATVs except where posted or Class Q access approved.
Drones prohibited for hunting or wildlife harassment. Limited exception for licensed thermal drone recovery of wounded deer (requires state outfitter license + FAA Part 107).
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