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HB 4176

To allow youth and handicapped hunters to harvest a buck deer or doe during youth/handicapped special hunts

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Eric Brooks and 7 co-sponsors

West Virginia now allows youth and disabled hunters to harvest both buck and doe deer during their special hunt seasons, expanding harvest flexibility for these protected groups.

Chapter 245, Acts, Regular Session, 2026
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Bill Summary · HB 4176

Legislative bill overview

HB 4176 modifies West Virginia's hunting regulations to permit youth and hunters with disabilities to harvest both male (buck) and female (doe) deer during designated special hunt seasons, rather than restricting them to one sex. This expands hunting opportunities for these protected demographics during their exclusive hunting periods.

Why is this important

Youth and handicapped hunter programs are designed to encourage participation in hunting traditions and wildlife management while providing safer, less-crowded hunting experiences. This change increases the practical value of these special seasons by giving participants more flexibility in their harvests, potentially improving hunter satisfaction and participation rates in these programs.

Potential points of contention

  • Deer population management: Expanding doe harvests requires careful monitoring to ensure it doesn't negatively impact regional deer populations, particularly if participation rates are high
  • Conservation philosophy: Some wildlife advocates may argue that restricting doe harvests during youth seasons better preserves breeding populations and teaches hunters ethical harvest principles
  • Fairness concerns: General hunters may perceive this as giving special hunters additional advantages beyond their dedicated season dates

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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