Summary of West Virginia Deer Baiting Regulations
It is legal to bait on private land.
It is illegal to bait or feed any wildlife on public land at any time.
Detailed Regulations
WHAT IS A CWD CONTAINMENT AREA AND WHERE IS IT LOCATED?
“CWD Containment Area” is an area designated by the Director of the Division of Natural Resources where deer have been found, or are near, to animals being infected with chronic wasting disease (CWD). The purpose of a containment area is to manage, control, eradicate and/or prevent the spread of the disease. The CWD Containment Area includes all of Berkeley, Hampshire, Hardy, Mineral and Morgan (carcass transport & baiting and feeding restrictions) and Grant, Jefferson counties (baiting and feeding restriction only).
IS BAITING FOR DEER LEGAL?
Yes, with the following exceptions: baiting is prohibited in the CWD Containment Area; and it is illegal to bait or feed any wildlife at any time on public lands.
Older-Aged Deer Management Areas – Beech Fork Lake, Bluestone Lake, Burnsville Lake, McClintic and Little Kanawha River Wildlife Management Areas, and Calvin Price and Coopers Rock State Forests have been designated older aged deer management areas and feeding and baiting for deer and other wildlife is prohibited. All antlered deer taken must have a minimum outside antler spread of 14 inches. The annual antlered deer bag limit is one (1) for archery, crossbow and firearms seasons combined.