North Carolina’s varied terrain is a paradise for those after a range of game. From towering mountain regions out west to the wide-reaching coastal flats to the east, the state offers countless chances for an exciting, fruitful hunting season. If you’re an experienced outdoors person or a beginner setting out on your first hunt, it’s vital to grasp the hunting times and rules. This guide gives detailed information for the 2025 North Carolina hunt schedule, preparing you for your upcoming adventure.
North Carolina Hunting Calendar
🦌 Deer Hunting Seasons
Northeastern Zone
- Archery: Sep 13 – Oct 3, 2025
- Blackpowder: Oct 4 – 17, 2025
- Gun Season: Oct 18, 2025 – Jan 1, 2026
Southeastern Zone
- Archery: Sep 13 – Oct 3, 2025
- Blackpowder: Oct 4 – 17, 2025
- Gun Season: Oct 18, 2025 – Jan 1, 2026
Central Zone
- Archery: Sep 13 – Oct 31, 2025
- Blackpowder: Nov 1 – 14, 2025
- Gun Season: Nov 15, 2025 – Jan 1, 2026
Northwestern Zone
- Archery: Sep 13 – Nov 7, 2025
- Blackpowder: Nov 8 – 21, 2025
- Gun Season: Nov 22, 2025 – Jan 1, 2026
Western Zone
- Archery: Sep 13 – Nov 14, 2025
- Blackpowder: Nov 15 – 28, 2025
- Gun Season: Nov 29, 2025 – Jan 1, 2026
Youth Deer Days
- Statewide: Sep 27-28, 2025
- Western Zone: Nov 27-28, 2025
Urban Deer Program
- Archery Only: Jan 10 – Feb 15, 2026
🐻 Black Bear Seasons
Mountain Unit
- Oct 14 – Nov 23, 2025
- Dec 16, 2025 – Jan 1, 2026
Piedmont Unit
- Varies by county (Oct–Jan)
Coastal Unit
- Multiple zones (Nov–Jan)
Limits: 1 per day, 1 per season
🦃 Turkey Seasons
Spring General Season
- Apr 12 – May 10, 2025
- Apr 11 – May 9, 2026
Youth-Only Season
- Apr 5 – 11, 2025
- Apr 4 – 5, 2026
Rules: Bearded/male only, 2 per day
🦊 Furbearer Seasons
Fox & Bobcat
- Oct 13, 2025 – Feb 28, 2026
Raccoon & Opossum
- Oct 13, 2025 – Feb 28, 2026
General Trapping
- Oct 1, 2025 – Feb 28, 2026
🐦 Upland Birds
Ring-necked Pheasant
- Barrier Islands: Nov 22, 2025 – Feb 28, 2026
- Statewide: Sep 1, 2025 – Feb 28, 2026
Ruffed Grouse
- Oct 13, 2025 – Feb 28, 2026
Northern Bobwhite Quail
- Nov 22, 2025 – Feb 28, 2026
🐿️ Small Game Seasons
Gray & Red Squirrel
- Oct 13, 2025 – Feb 28, 2026
Fox Squirrel
- Oct 13, 2025 – Jan 31, 2026
Spring Squirrel
- May 12–26, 2025
- May 11–25, 2026
Cottontail Rabbit
- Oct 13, 2025 – Feb 28, 2026
🕊️ Migratory Birds
Mourning Dove
- Sep 1–Oct 4, Nov 8–29, Dec 16–Jan 31
American Woodcock
- Dec 11, 2025 – Jan 31, 2026
Common Snipe
- Oct 28, 2025 – Feb 28, 2026
🦆 Waterfowl Seasons
Ducks (Inland Zone)
- Oct 16–18, Nov 8–29, Dec 19–Jan 31, 2026
Canada Goose
- Early Season: Sep 1–30, 2025
- Resident Zone: Oct 16–25, Nov 8–Dec 6, Dec 18–Feb 7
Tundra Swan
- Nov 8, 2025 – Jan 31, 2026 (permit required)
🎯 Special Hunts
Youth/Veterans Waterfowl Days
- Dec 6, 2025 & Feb 7, 2026
Falconry Seasons
- Dove: Oct 6–18, 2025
- Waterfowl: Oct 1–11, 2025 & Feb 2–7, 2026
Light Geese Conservation
- Feb 9 – Mar 31, 2026 (no limits)
All dates subject to regulations. Check local rules before hunting.
Permits and Licenses Cost
| License Type | Resident Cost | Non-Resident Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Comprehensive Hunting License | $265 | Not Available |
| State Trapping License | $50 | $100 |
| Annual Sportsman License | $90 | $150 |
| One-Day Hunting License | $25 | $50 |
| Wild Boar Hunting License | $20 | $50 |
| Bear Management E-Stamp | $16 | $16 |
Cost-Saving Options:
- Combination Licenses: The NCWRC offers combination licenses that can save money for hunters who plan to pursue multiple species.
- Youth Licenses: Discounted hunting licenses are available for young hunters.
Important Note: You can find loads of useful info about hunting licenses, seasons, and conditions on the NCWRC’s official website: https://www.ncwildlife.org/Licensing/Other-Licenses-and-Permits
Obtaining Hunting Regulations
The NCWRC publishes comprehensive hunting regulations in a user-friendly format. These regulations are available in several ways:
- Online: The official NCWRC website provides downloadable PDFs of the hunting regulations: https://www.ncwildlife.org/licensing/regulations
- Printed Copies: Printed copies of the regulations are available at NCWRC offices and license agents statewide.
Top North Carolina Hunting Locations by Place Name and Species
North Carolina is home to different landscapes. These landscapes are home to many gaming species. Planning your next hunting trip? Think about the specific animal you want to hunt. Now, let’s discover some great North Carolina hunting spots, sorted by species:
White-tailed Deer:
- Western North Carolina Mountains: The Appalachian Mountains offer prime habitat for white-tailed deer, with public lands like the Nantahala National Forest and Pisgah National Forest attracting many hunters.
- Croatan Game Land (Coastal Plain): This extensive game land provides opportunities for both deer hunting and waterfowl hunting in the eastern part of the state.
Wild Boar:
- Uwharrie National Forest (Piedmont): The Uwharrie National Forest is known for its healthy wild boar population, making it a popular destination for hunters seeking this challenging game.
- Game Lands in the Coastal Plain: Several game lands located in the coastal plain, such as Holly Shelter Game Land and Jones Tract Game Land, offer opportunities for wild boar hunting.
Turkey:
- Mountain Regions: The mountainous counties in western North Carolina, like Transylvania and Henderson, are renowned for their spring turkey hunting opportunities.
- Piedmont and Coastal Regions: These regions also offer good turkey hunting, with public lands like Sandhills Game Land (Piedmont) and Croatan National Forest (Coastal) attracting hunters.
Waterfowl:
- Albemarle Peninsula (Coast): The coast of North Carolina, particularly the Albemarle Peninsula, is a major wintering ground for waterfowl species like ducks and geese. Public hunting grounds like Mackay Island National Wildlife Refuge and Pea Island National Wildlife Refuge provide excellent opportunities.
- Inner Coastal Plain: Several lakes and rivers located in the inner coastal plain, such as Lake Mattamuskeet and the Roanoke River, offer good waterfowl hunting possibilities.
Bear:
- Western North Carolina Mountains: The dense forests of the western mountains provide prime habitat for black bears. Hunters should be familiar with specific bear hunting regulations for each mountain county.
- Game Lands in the Piedmont: Certain game lands in the piedmont region, such as Uwharrie National Forest and Eno River State Park, have limited bear hunting opportunities.
Finding the Perfect Spot:
For detailed information on specific hunting locations, including maps and public hunting land boundaries, refer to the NC Wildlife Resources Commission website: https://www.ncwildlife.org/Hunting/Where-To-Hunt-Shoot/Public-Places.
By researching these factors and consulting the official resources, you can increase your chances of a successful and enjoyable hunting adventure in North Carolina.
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