Deer firearms season got underway in West Virginia on Monday, and hunters in the state have another opportunity to win prizes through the Big Buck Photo Contest. (Photo Provided)

CHARLESTON — Gov. Jim Justice and the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources have announced the return of the buck firearms season and Big Buck Photo Contest.

West Virginia’s buck firearms season opened Monday and the Big Buck Photo Contest kicks off today. Hunters are invited to submit a photo with a buck they harvested during a 2024 hunting season along with a short account of their hunt for a chance to win prizes. Photos must be submitted by Jan. 10 for hunters to be eligible for a prize drawing.

“As a lifelong hunter, nothing thrills me more than the return of West Virginia’s buck firearms season and enjoying our state’s incredible deer hunting opportunities every year,” Justice said. “I want to encourage everyone to buy their license and stamps, join the thousands of hunters who have participated in this exciting contest and help show the world why West Virginia is one of the best places to hunt.”

West Virginia’s buck firearms season runs through Dec. 8 in all counties except Logan, McDowell, Mingo and Wyoming, which are closed to firearms deer hunting. Hunters may harvest one buck on their base license during the season.

Those who want to harvest one additional buck must purchase a RG/RRG stamp before the season starts. West Virginia hunting licenses and stamps are available to purchase at WVhunt.com.

All youth and adult hunters are required to check their game on their own account and must wear at least 400 square inches of blaze orange when hunting in a county or area with an open deer firearms season.

For more information about deer hunting, hunters are encouraged to review the West Virginia Hunting Regulations Summary at WVdnr.gov/hunting-regulations.

The Big Buck Photo Contest is open to West Virginia residents and nonresidents and includes a youth division for hunters 17 and younger and an adult division for hunters 18 and older. Participants must hold a valid 2024 West Virginia hunting license and provide the 13-digit WVDNR-issued game check number for their buck.

Detailed rules and entry forms are available at WVdnr.gov/photocontest.

Big Buck Photo Contest prizes include:

– Resident Adult Division (1 Winner): One free resident lifetime West Virginia hunting license, a two-night stay in a Cabwaylingo State Forest cabin and one two-night stay in a Seneca State Forest cabin.

– Resident Youth Division (5 Winners): One Cabela’s prize package.

– Non-Resident Adult Division (5 Winners): One Cabela’s prize package, one two-night cabin stay at North Bend State Park cabin and one two-night cabin stay at Twin Falls Resort.

– Non-Resident Youth Division (5 Winners): One Cabela’s prize package.

After the contest closes on Jan. 10, 2025, a random drawing will be used to select finalists from each division and entries will be judged on photo composition, antler size, antler points and the quality of the hunt narrative. Winners will be announced in January 2025.