It is not illegal to kill a rattlesnake in West Virginia, but there are some restrictions on how and when it can be done. In West Virginia, it is legal to kill a rattlesnake if it poses a threat to human safety or if it is causing damage to property. However, it is illegal to kill a rattlesnake for sport or for any other reason that is not directly related to human safety or property damage.
Rattlesnakes are protected under the West Virginia Code of State Rules, which states that it is unlawful to kill, capture, or possess any species of rattlesnake without a permit. This means that if you want to kill a rattlesnake in West Virginia, you must first obtain a permit from the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources (DNR).
The DNR issues permits for the killing of rattlesnakes in specific circumstances, such as when a rattlesnake is threatening human safety or causing damage to property. Permits are not issued for the killing of rattlesnakes for sport or for any other non-essential reason.
In general, it is best to avoid killing rattlesnakes unless it is absolutely necessary. These snakes are an important part of the ecosystem and play a valuable role in controlling the populations of rodents and other small animals. Killing rattlesnakes unnecessarily can have negative impacts on the environment and should be avoided.