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For up-to-date information on North Carolina licenses, regulations and other wildlife resources, please visit the agency’s website NCWildlife.org.
RALEIGH, N.C. (Sept. 23, 2015) – The N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission has set Saturday, Sept. 26, as a Youth Deer Hunting Day. On this day, youth under the age of 16 may use any legal weapon to hunt deer of either sex and are not required to be accompanied by an adult if they have completed a hunter education course. The Youth Deer Hunting Day provisions apply to both private and public lands.
Hunters age 16 and older with a valid hunting license may use only the weapon that is legal for the type of season open in their county on this day. All hunters must wear hunter orange on Sept. 26, even if the hunter is using archery equipment. The use of dogs for deer hunting is allowed, if it is otherwise lawful in that particular locality.
Big game harvest report cards, commonly referred to as tags, are non-transferable and are specific to the hunter to which they are issued. Youth can obtain their own big game harvest report card from any Wildlife Service Agent or call 888-248-6834.
Youth Deer Hunting Day, which is new this season and coincides with National Hunting and Fishing Day, was established to increase interest in deer hunting among youth, potentially increase their success at hunting, and highlight the need to engage youth in hunting. It was one of seven hunting proposals the Commission took to public hearings in January 2015 where public support of the proposal was overwhelming.
“Youth Deer Hunting Day is another step the Wildlife Commission is taking to increase participation by youth and adults in hunting and outdoor recreation,” said Gordon Myers, executive director of the Commission. “Opportunities such as these help to support and sustain our rich hunting heritage and help to increase hunting participation among youth in North Carolina.”
During the remainder of hunting seasons, youth 15 and younger are required to use the legal weapon for the open season in the area where they are hunting.
For more information on hunting in North Carolina, visit the Commission’s website, www.ncwildlife.org/hunting. For more information on the nine free, family-friendly events the Commission is supporting in celebration of National Hunting and Fishing Day, visit www.ncwildlife.org/nhfd.