North Carolina Hunting Season 2025: Dates, Limits, Fees

*The spring turkey season has been updated for 2026.

Hunting deer in North Carolina is one of the most thrilling things. Before you go on the hunt, explore the North Carolina Season schedules and regulations to ensure a legal experience.

This guide covers the latest dates, bag limits, regulations, and key information, along with essential insights for a successful and enjoyable North Carolina hunt for both residents and out-of-state hunters.

North Carolina Deer Seasons

General Deer Season Dates by Zones

Deer season in North Carolina varies each year in different areas. Now let’s explore the key dates across different regions:

Northeastern Region Season:

The deer hunting season starts with Archery on September 13 and continues until October 3. The Blackpowder season starts shortly after, taking place from October 4 to October 17. Finally, the Gun season begins on October 18 and continues until January 1, 2026.

Southeastern Region Season:

The archery season is the same as in the Northeastern Region, lasting from September 13 to October 3. One day later, the Blackpowder season begins on October 4, and continues through October 17, while the Gun season kicks off on the same day and extends until the beginning of the new year.

Central Region Season:

In this area, the Archery season starts on September 13 and ends on October 31. The Blackpowder season lasts from November 1 until November 14. The Gun season marks the end of hunting season, beginning on November 15 and continuing until the first day of the next year.

Northwestern Region Season:

The Archery season starts on September 13 and lasts until November 7. The Blackpowder season takes place between November 8 and November 21. The Gun season starts on November 22 and goes on until January 1, 2026.

Western Region Season:

The Archery season in this region runs from September 13 to November 14. The Blackpowder season starts on November 15 and ends on November 28. The Gun season begins on November 29 and runs until the start of the new year.

A Quick View:

Besides the above regular deer seasons for each year, in 2025, there are two special deer seasons:

Youth Deer Hunting Days

• Statewide: September 27 – 28, 2025
• Western Deer Zone: November 27 – 28, 2025

Urban Deer Season

• Archery Only: Jan. 10 – Feb. 15, 2026

For more detailed information, you can check out the official file: NC deer season 2025-2026 schedule pdf.

North Carolina Deer Bag Limits

Season limits: 6 deer in total. A maximum of 2 antlered deer, and 4 antlerless deer.

Daily limits: No limits.

With the Bonus Antlerless Harvest Report Cards, hunters can harvest two additional antlerless deer per card. They are valid only within participating municipalities during the Urban Archery Season.

Bonus Antlerless Harvest Report Cards can be obtained on or after January 1 at most wildlife service agents or online at gooutdoorsnorthcarolina.com.

It is critical for hunters to follow these bag limits to ensure compliance with North Carolina’s regulations while contributing to effective deer management strategies.

Deer Hunting Regulations

1. Hunting deer during firearms season requires wearing hunter orange, including on Sundays and Youth Deer Hunting Day.
2. Antlered deer can be taken during open antlered seasons, while antlerless deer can only be taken during antlerless seasons.
3. Hunting with firearms between 9:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. is prohibited on Sunday.
4. Processing food products as bait is unlawful in areas with established black bear seasons.
5. Placement of commercially available mineral supplements for attracting or feeding deer is allowed, except on game lands and CWD Surveillance Areas.
6. Possession and use of natural deer excretions, including urine, is not allowed.
7. Hunters may use dogs to hunt deer during open deer seasons in limited counties.
8. Antlerless deer may only be taken during the gun season dates.

Key FAQs for North Carolina Deer Season

While deer hunting is popular in North Carolina, there are plenty of other hunting seasons and game animals to explore.

Whether you’re interested in small games, big games, or unique hunting experiences, each season offers its own set of regulations and opportunities.

Let’s continue to take a closer look at what else is available for hunters this year.

North Carolina Bear Seasons

Except for the big game deer, you can also hunt bears in this state. The bear hunting seasons are divided into different management units. So it is important to know when and where you can hunt.

Below, we’ve outlined the open season dates for each bear management unit, ensuring you have all the information you need to prepare for your adventure. Hunt big, be safe!

1. Mountain Bear Management Unit

• Oct. 4 – Nov. 22, 2025
• Dec. 13, 2025 – Jan. 1, 2026

2. Piedmont Bear Management Unit

• Alamance, Anson, Cabarrus, Caswell, Chatham, Davidson, Durham, Granville, Guilford, Lee, Mecklenburg, Montgomery, Orange, Person, Randolph, Rockingham, Rowan, Stanly, and Union: Nov. 15, 2025 – Jan. 1, 2026
• Franklin, Harnett, Hoke, Johnston, Moore, Richmond, Scotland, Vance, Wake, and Warren: Oct. 18, 2025 – Jan. 1, 2026
• Alexander, Catawba, Davie, Forsyth, Gaston, Iredell, Lincoln, Stokes, and Yadkin: Nov. 22, 2025 – Jan. 1, 2026

3. Coastal Bear Management Unit

• Zone 1 (Dare, Hyde, Tyrrell): Nov. 8 – Nov. 23, 2025 and Dec. 13 – Dec. 28, 2025
• Zone 2 (Camden, Chowan, Pasquotank): Nov. 7 – Nov. 16 and Dec. 13 – Dec. 28, 2025
• Zone 3 (Beaufort, Bertie, Craven, Hertford, Jones, Martin, Washington): Nov. 8 – Nov. 16 and Dec. 13 – Dec. 28, 2025
• Zone 4 (Edgecombe, Greene, Halifax, Lenoir, Nash, Northampton, Pitt, Wayne, Wilson): Nov. 15 – Dec. 14, 2025
• Zone 5 (Bladen, Brunswick, Carteret, Columbus, Cumberland, Duplin, New Hanover, Onslow, Pamlico, Pender, Robeson, Sampson): Nov. 10, 2025 – Jan. 1, 2026

Turkey Hunting Seasons In North Carolina

North Carolina’s spring turkey season is the highlight of the year for many of us. Spring is a great time to bring kids to the outdoors before the woods get crowded.

For 2026, here’s how the timeline looks:

• Spring Season: Apr. 11 – May 9, 2026
• Youth Only Season: Apr. 4 – 5, 2026

Bag Limit: One bearded turkey per day and two in total. Note that teens are limited to hunting one turkey during the season.

North Carolina is strict about reporting. Before you can move your bird, you have to validate your Big Game Harvest Report Card, and register the kill later.

You can do it through the Go Outdoors NC app, online, or by calling 800-I-GOT-ONE. You’ll get an authorization number to write down on your card, and you’re legal.

Waterfowl Seasons In North Carolina

Hunting turkey on Sunday is allowed in North Carolina, but not for migratory birds. And, hunting with firearms is not allowed between 9:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. (except on controlled hunting preserves).

If you hunt with archery equipment on Sunday, there are no restrictions.

The last thing to remember is that you need the HIP (Harvest Information Program) certification. It’s free, but it’s a legal requirement.

It’s just a few quick questions about what you hunted last year, and it helps the state manage the bird populations.

NC Small Game Hunting Seasons

If you want to start hunting in North Carolina as a beginner, you should start with squirrel hunting. There are plenty of Grays and Reds, but keep an eye out for the big Fox Squirrels as they’re a trophy for hunters.

Following, we have also summarized the legal season dates for small game so that you can fully enjoy the hunt.

Squirrel Season:

• Oct. 13, 2025 – Feb. 28, 2026
• May 12 – May 26, 2025, and May 11 – May 25, 2026
• Oct. 13, 2025 – Jan. 31, 2026

Rabbit Season: Oct. 13, 2025 – Feb. 28, 2026

Quail Season: Nov. 22, 2025 – Feb. 28, 2026

Grouse Season: Oct. 13, 2025 – Feb. 28, 2026

Bobcat Season: Oct. 13, 2025 – Feb. 28, 2026

Opossum and Raccoons: Oct. 13, 2025 – Feb. 28, 2026

Crow Season

• Aug. 1, 2025 – Feb. 28, 2026
• June 3 – July 31, 2026

Pheasant Season

• Sep. 1, 2025 – Feb. 28, 2026 (The rest state)
• Nov. 22, 2025 – Feb. 28, 2026 (Barrier Islands of Carteret, Dare, and Hyde Counties)

Trapping Season: Oct. 1, 2025 – Feb. 28, 2026

If you’re hunting on NC Game Lands, remember that the rules can change by the mile.

Most Game Lands don’t allow firearm hunting on Sundays. If you want to hunt seven days a week, you’ll usually need to find a friendly landowner with some private woods.

Orange is Mandatory. Don’t forget your Blaze Orange hat or vest. Small game season often overlaps with deer season, and you need to be highly visible to other hunters.

Hunting License Fees In North Carolina

Remember to get a Big Game Hunting privilege with your general hunting license if you are after big game, like deer, bear or turkey. It’s a separate fee.

If you’re just chasing squirrels or rabbits, a standard State Hunting License usually covers you.

If this is your first time buying a license in NC, you’ll need to show proof that you’ve passed a Hunter Education Course.

Haven’t finished your course yet? Don’t worry, the state also offer a Apprentice Hunting License for first-timers who just want to try out hunting without completing the hunter course. But you need to hunt with a licensed supervisor.

Anyway, it’s a great way to try out the sport before committing to the full class.

Hunting Training For New Hunters

In North Carolina, the Getting Started Outdoors (GSO) Hunting Program is designed to help individuals who are interested in hunting learn basic skills, equipment, and strategies.

The program is designed to address informational barriers and provide a mentored experience for those lacking social support.

Participants must never have hunted, have minimal hunting experience, lack social support, or be a failed hunter.

To participate, individuals must complete the GSO workshop and meet certain pre-requirements, including Hunter Safety Certification and a valid NC hunting license.

Learn more about hunter education from here: Learn to Hunt Program.

Can You Hunt on Sunday in North Carolina?

This is a question we get a lot from hunters.

In North Carolina, Sunday hunting with a firearm is allowed on private land, but there’s one thing to note: you can’t hunt within 500 yards of a place of worship, and you can’t hunt between 9:30 AM and 12:30 PM.

If you’re hunting on Public Game Lands, put the gun away on Sundays. Currently, Sunday firearm hunting is still prohibited on most state-managed game lands.

Rules may change each year. Always double-check the specific regulations for the area you’re scouting.

Conclusion

Hunting opportunities in North Carolina change with the seasons, and some of the season dates listed above may be subject to change. To summarize, it is important to know the latest Deer Season dates and regulations for both experienced hunters and newbies.

This guide has provided valuable information for anyone interested in planning hunting trips or learning more about hunting in North Carolina. Good luck with your hunt!