Bear Hunting WV - Best Locations

[slb6630]

I am from PA and am planning a camping trip for fishing and bear hunting in WV in 2022. I am looking at either the Laurel Fork Wilderness area or the Dolly Sods. I'm looking for an area where we can keep and eat the fish and there is a good strong bear population. I would prefer that it is not overrun with people/hunters. Dispersed Tent camping would be our preferred style of camping as I will be brining my 12 man SeekOutside Tipi with stove. Does anyone have any experience in either of these places? Would you have any advice or recommendations?

Thank you,

Steve

 

[ewescue]

If you want to stay away from people, Dolly Sods is not the place. Beautiful area, completely overrun by hikers/backpackers.

 

[slb6630]

If you want to stay away from people, Dolly Sods is not the place. Beautiful area, completely overrun by hikers/backpackers.

I had that feeling based on what I saw there earlier this year.


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[slb6630]

If you want to stay away from people, Dolly Sods is not the place. Beautiful area, completely overrun by hikers/backpackers.

Ended up in the Cranberry Wilderness for this trip. Obtained the solitude we were looking for. It was beautiful Country. We saw a lot of deer and some bear sign. We were not able to connect on anything. Thanks for the advise.

 

[Glendon Mullins]

If you plan on doing this hunt again let me know and I can point you to some decent spots, although u were in a pretty great spot there for the fishing, solitude and such

 

[slb6630]

If you plan on doing this hunt again let me know and I can point you to some decent spots, although u were in a pretty great spot there for the fishing, solitude and such

Wow! That would be cool. I may decide to go back during the week between Christmas and New Years during the late season rifle doe season and bear season. I still have the tags for this year. I might do it as a backpacking trip this time if I go.

Thank you,

 

[BaconSammich199]

Wow! That would be cool. I may decide to go back during the week between Christmas and New Years during the late season rifle doe season and bear season. I still have the tags for this year. I might do it as a backpacking trip this time if I go.

Thank you,

Double check the regs, but I believe those counties are closed to all doe hunting on public.

 

[slb6630]

Double check the regs, but I believe those counties are closed to all doe hunting on public.

Will do. I may have misunderstood them. I will review. Thank you,

 

[slb6630]

Will do. I may have misunderstood them. I will review. Thank you,

If I am reading everything right... There is an active antlerless season from the 28th-31st in Pocahontas County where the Cranberry Wilderness is located. Am I missing something?

 

[HandgunHTR]

If I am reading everything right... There is an active antlerless season from the 28th-31st in Pocahontas County where the Cranberry Wilderness is located. Am I missing something?

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Just took a look myself. It looks like you are good.

 

[scwilso35]

I have not hunted Pocahontas County, but it looks to me like you would have needed to apply for an antlerless permit in order to hunt antlerless deer on National Forest in Pocahontas County ("Prior application is required to hunt during the Antlerless Season..."). The permit application is seperate from an N/NN stamp. May want to call District III DNR to clarify.

 

[BaconSammich199]

I have not hunted Pocahontas County, but it looks to me like you would have needed to apply for an antlerless permit in order to hunt antlerless deer on National Forest in Pocahontas County ("Prior application is required to hunt during the Antlerless Season..."). The permit application is seperate from an N/NN stamp. May want to call District III DNR to clarify.

This is the way I took it

 

[Ry_Harr_81]

Heading to South Pocahontas County this year. Got the NR deer tag and additional archery tag. Mulling over getting a bear tag, as it always seems like a fun idea but realistically I'm willing to bet id see sign of bear, but not actually get one in bow range or even see one out and about.

Was looking at the terrain. Very different from flat land like Delaware where I'm at. I've hunted Northwestern PA and Colorado. Anyone in here familiar with hunting this type of terrain and deer habits through it? Best to target saddles and benches?? Pines? Creek bottoms? Where we are going has no motorized access, closest parking lot is far away, and it doesn't look like any trails at all ...which is great cause you can get away from everything. And it's quality bucks only....we are hunting close but not in Watoga State Park. Thanks.