This website is a testing environment only. The contents of this site are not refreshed regularly and should not be relied upon.
For up-to-date information on North Carolina licenses, regulations and other wildlife resources, please visit the agency’s website NCWildlife.org.
Then our Hunting Webinars or Getting Started Outdoors (GSO) Hunting Workshops are for you! Come learn about the basics of hunting including:
Attend a Hunting Webinar (ALL skill levels welcome)
REQUEST to Attend a GSO Hunting Workshop (NOTE: Please review all below before requesting to attend).
What are GSOs?
Getting Started Outdoors Hunting Workshops address informational barriers to participation and primarily meant for those who are interested in hunting, but don’t know how to get started. GSO is accomplished by providing a surrogate mentored experience for those lacking social support via existing hunting family member or friend.
GSO workshops are designed to teach new to hunting individuals "how to hunt" via a multi-faceted hunting-related skills and strategies experience and then begin hunting on their own, or with the support from family member and friends following the GSO.
Potential hunts, although not guaranteed, may/might follow the GSO workshop, but are largely dependent on conservation partner support (i.e., experienced hunter volunteers) with dates/times TBD and individuals must complete the GSO workshop to be eligible….no exceptions.
GSO Attendance REQUIREMENTS
NOTE: If you have additional questions regarding hunting license requirements, contact NCWRC Customer Service Monday - Friday, 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. @ 888-248-6834 or licenses@ncwildlife.org.
WEBINAR & GSO MUST READ:
For additional webinar and GSO information including volunteer opportunities to be part of the GSO team, Contact Walter “Deet” James, the Commission’s Hunting Engagement Specialist at gso@ncwildlife.org (preferred), 919-707-0059 (office), 984-202-1387 (mobile)
Hunting information on a variety of hunting topics including equipment, methods, processing and more.
You can also call 800-I-GOT-ONE (800-446-8663) to report your harvest.
Review a list of your previous harvests with authorization numbers. You can also print a personalized harvest certificate for display.
Interactive and downloadable maps compiled by the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission of over two million acres of North Carolina game lands.
“Big Game” status includes species that can be hunted and must be registered with the NCWRC upon harvest.
Black Bear (Ursus americanus)
photo by: Mike Carraway
Please click image for additional information
2022-23 Bear Season Dates
Western Bear Season
(Mountain Bear Mgmt Unit)
Oct. 17 - Nov. 19, 2022
Dec. 12, 2022 - Jan. 2, 2023
Piedmont Bear Season
(Piedmont Bear Mgmt. Unit)
Nov. 12, 2022 - Jan. 2, 2023
Oct. 12, 2022 - Jan. 2, 2023
Nov. 19, 2022 - Jan. 2, 2023
Eastern Bear Season
(Coastal Bear Mgmt. Unit)
Zone 1: Nov 12 - 27, 2022 and Dec. 10 - 25, 2022
Zone 2: Nov. 11 - 20, 2022 and Dec. 10 - 25, 2022
*Per local law, bear season opens Nov. 12, 2022 for these 3 counties
Zone 3: Nov. 12 - 20, 2022 and Dec. 10 - 25, 2022
Zone 4: Nov. 19 - Dec. 18, 2022
Zone 5: Nov. 14, 2022 - Jan. 2, 2023
*The use of dogs for hunting bears is prohibited in Pamlico county.
White-tail Deer (Odocoileus virginianus)
Photo by: Ken Taylor
Click image to see additional information
2022-23 Deer Season
Deer Zone Maps
Limits
Northwestern Deer Season
Central Deer Season
Northeastern Deer Season
Southeastern Deer Season
Youth Deer Hunting Day
On this day, youth under the age of 18 may use any legal weapon to hunt deer of either-sex. Refer to the Regulations Digest for a description of legal weapons. Youth ages 16 and 17 must be properly licensed to hunt deer.
Deer Urban Archery Season
Open in participating cities only (refer to the Regulations Digest for a list and contact information)
Wild Turkey (Meleagris gallopavo)
2022-23 Turkey Season Dates
2022-23 Wild Turkey Spring Season (male or bearded turkey only)
2022-23 Wild Turkey YOUTH ONLY Season (male or bearded turkey only)
Species
Hunting Regulations
Trapping Regulations
5-County Coyote Hunting & Depredation Permits
Fox
Refer to "Fox Hunting & Trapping Seasons" publication
at www.ncwildlife.org/foxseasons
Rabbit (Including Box-Trapping)
Oct. 12, 2020 - Feb. 28, 2021
Squirrel
Gray and Red - Oct. 12, 2020 - Feb. 28, 2021
Fox - October 12, 2020 - Jan. 31,2021
Doves (includes mourning
and white-winged dove)
Seasons / Limits
Extended Falconry Seasons
State Regulations
Federal Regulations
Game Land Dove Fields
Surveys and Reports
Waterfowl - General
(includes ducks, geese,swans,
youth waterfowl days)
Seasons / Limits
Youth Waterfowl Day(s)
Federal Regulations (Summary)
Canada Goose Hunt Zone Map
NE Goose Hunt Zone Permits
Light Goose Conservation
Season Permit Information
Tundra Swan Permit Information
Rails (includes Sora &
Clapper, King, &
Virginia Rail)
Extended Falconry Season
Public Lands
Private Land Hunting Tips
Sportsmen now need written permission, dated within the past 12 months, signed by the landowner or lessee, to hunt, fish, or trap on private lands posted with signs or purple paint.
Landowner Protection Act
EXAMPLES
Hunting Regulations & Season Information
Hunting regulations including Manner of Taking, Hunting on Federal Lands, big game, small game and migratory birds.
Only the N.C. General Assembly has the authority to allow fox harvest in a county through passage of a local law. Click here for more county-specific information on fox harvest seasons.
The new Landowner Protection Act provides two ways for landholders to post their lands to allow only hunters, trappers and anglers with written permission to legally enter their property:
Sportsmen need written permission, dated within the past 12 months, signed by the land owner or lessee, to hunt, fish, or trap on lands posted with signs or purple paint. You must carry written permission on your person. If a hunting club has leased the land, hunters must have a copy of their hunting club membership and a copy of the landowner permission given to that club. Wildlife officers will enforce the Landowner Protection Act.
The Landowner Protection Act does not change general trespass laws nor have any effect on lands which are not posted. It does not repeal any local acts currently in effect that require written permission to hunt, fish or trap.
North Carolina law encourages owners of land to make property available for recreational use. The law states that a landowner who allows someone, without charge, onto their land for recreational purposes owes them the same duty of care they would owe a trespasser.
In North Carolina, it is unlawful for a person to interfere intentionally with the lawful taking of wildlife resources or to drive, harass, or intentionally disturb any wildlife resources for the purpose of disrupting the lawful taking of wildlife resources on public or private property. NOTE: This law does not apply to activity by a person on land he owns or leases or to a person who incidentally interferes with the taking of wildlife resources while using the land for other lawful activity such as agriculture, mining, or recreation.
Violation of this subsection is a misdemeanor punishable for a first conviction by a fine not to exceed $1,000.00, by imprisonment not to exceed 30 days, or by both and punishable for a second or subsequent conviction by a fine left to the discretion of the court. (North Carolina General Statute 295)
WHAT SHOULD I DO? If you experience unlawful harassment, immediately notify your nearest wildlife enforcement officer, county sheriff's office or local police department. Advise the authorities of this law and that you wish to hunt peacefully.
WHAT NOT TO DO Do not provoke a fight, threaten reprisals or use profanity. Remember these anti-hunting activists are seeking confrontation and may be accompanied by the news media.
Night Hunting Frequently Asked Questions
It has been said that after the hunt the work begins. However, field dressing, game processing and preparing wild game for the table need not be difficult. With a little information and insight, after the hunt preparations can be accomplished easily.
Click image to view document.
2020-21 North Carolina Inland Fishing, Hunting, & Trapping Regulations Digest
Contains information on license requirements, inland fishing regulations, hunting regulations, trapping regulations, Game Lands regulations and restrictions, local laws, Big Game Harvest Reports, and Permit Hunt Opportunities.
This publication is available free of charge. By Mail Request a copy be mailed to you (opens in a new window) View Online: View the Registrations Digest online at Eregulations.com or Download PDF booklet Contact Obtain a digest from one our Wildlife Service Agents. Write or Call North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission 1707 Mail Service Center Raleigh, North Carolina 27699-1707 (919) 707-0391
County Fox Harvest Seasons Legislated by the North Carolina General Assembly
This document provides a general listing of current statutes pertaining to allowing the harvest of foxes by the NCGA. It includes all known “local laws” as well as a listing of those counties that fall under the fox firearms season set by G.S. 113-291-4A. “Local laws” which prohibit an activity or harvest are listed in the Regulations Digest.
2012 Hunting Matters! "Hats On" Mentoring Campaign Final Report
Hunting Heritage Program Strategic Plan
Hunter Retention and Recruitment in North Carolina: Analysis and Implications from the "Maintaining the Heritage" 2005 Workshop
The Hunter Education Program of the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission provides free hunter education courses throughout the year in every county. More than a firearm safety course, instruction includes ethics and responsibility, conservation and wildlife management, wildlife identification, survival and first aid, specialty hunting and tree stand safety.
There are no minimum age requirements, however, classes are taught at a sixth grade level and tests must be completed without assistance. Courses are a minimum of 6 hours, taught by wildlife officers, hunter education specialists and certified volunteer instructors, and certification is accepted in every state and province in North America.
Due to hunter education, hunting accidents have decreased by over 50% during the last twenty years making hunting one of the safest recreational activities.
For questions or more information, contact Walter "Deet" James at walter.james@ncwildlife.org, 919-707-0059 (office), or 984-202-1387 (mobile).
Fox and Coyote Populations Study Final Report (April 1, 2012)
In June 2011, the North Carolina General Assembly directed the Wildlife Resources Commission (Commission) to study fox and coyote populations and to recommend management methods and controls designed to ensure statewide conservation of fox populations while managing adverse effects of coyote populations. Since that time, the Commission has gathered information about the attitudes and perspectives of numerous stakeholder groups.
In addition, the Commission compiled all available information on the harvest and status of foxes and coyotes by hunters and trappers. Included herein is a detailed presentation of the different authorities for regulating take of foxes and coyotes, including the Commission’s limited authority for regulating take of foxes, and the resulting significant variation in fox hunting and trapping seasons.
Quick Facts: From the 2006 National Survey of Fishing, Hunting, and Wildlife -Associated Recreation (USFWS)
The 2006 National Survey of Fishing, Hunting, and Wildlife-Associated Recreation is a comprehensive source of wildlife-related recreation information. Information is provided in national and state printed reports and at https://www.census.gov/prod/2008pubs/fhw06-nat.pdf
Tarheel Wildlife
A Guide for Managing Wildlife on Private Lands In North Carolina.
Click for information on The Upland Gazette
Stay up-to-date with North Carolina small game issues and wildlife habitat information in the Upland Gazette newsletter!
Wildlife Restoration in North Carolina
Learn more about the Wildlife Restoration Program in North Carolina and its accomplishments in this report.
If you have seen or harvested a sick deer, please contact your local District Biologist or the Wildlife Helpline at 866-318-2401.
Signs to look for:
For more information, see our Deer Diseases page.