North Carolina 2026-27 Hunting Season Dates
Quick answer
North Carolina's listed 2026-27 firearm deer season runs Oct 17, 2026-Jan 1, 2027.
Archery White-tailed Deer opens Sep 12, 2026 and closes Oct 2, 2026.
Spring General Wild Turkey opens Apr 17, 2027 and closes May 15, 2027.
The tables below keep the rest of the listed seasons together by species, with source links back to NC Wildlife Resources Commission.
- firearm deer
- Oct 17, 2026-Jan 1, 2027
- archery deer
- Sep 12-Oct 2, 2026
- spring turkey
- Apr 17-May 15, 2027
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North Carolina 2026-27
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Key seasons by species
We summarize official agency information and link to the source for verification. Regulations can change, and zone details matter. Always confirm final dates, bag limits, permits, and legal requirements with NC Wildlife Resources Commission before hunting.
Deer
58 listed rowsWhite-tailed Deer
Archery
Sep 12-Oct 2, 2026
Counties: Bertie, Camden, Chowan, Currituck, Edgecombe, Franklin, Gates, Greene, Halifax, Hertford, Johnston, Martin, Nash, Northampton, Pasquotank, Perquimans, Pitt, Vance, Wake, Warren, Wayne, Wilson. Antlerless same as antlered archery.
Zone: Northeastern
White-tailed Deer
Archery
Sep 12-Nov 6, 2026
Counties: Alexander, Alleghany, Ashe, Catawba, Cleveland, Davie, Gaston, Iredell, Lincoln, Polk, Rutherford, Watauga. Antlerless same as antlered archery. No Special Early Season.
Zone: Northwestern
White-tailed Deer
Archery
Sep 12-Nov 13, 2026
Antlerless same as antlered archery. No Special Early Season.
Zone: Western - Cherokee, Clay, Haywood, Jackson, Macon, Swain, Transylvania
White-tailed Deer
Archery
Sep 12-Oct 30, 2026
Counties: Alamance, Anson, Cabarrus, Caswell, Chatham, Davidson, Durham, Granville, Guilford, Lee, Mecklenburg, Montgomery, Orange, Person, Randolph, Rockingham, Rowan, Stanly, Union. Antlerless same as antlered archery. No Special Early Season.
Zone: Central
White-tailed Deer
Archery
Sep 12-Nov 13, 2026
Antlerless same as antlered archery. No Special Early Season. *Partial county restrictions apply.
Zone: Western - Buncombe*, Henderson*, McDowell
White-tailed Deer
Archery
Sep 12-Oct 30, 2026
Antlerless archery: Sept. 12 - Oct. 30, 2026. Special Early Season: Aug. 22 - Aug. 23, 2026
Zone: Northwestern CWD Management Area - Forsyth, Stokes, Surry, Wilkes, Yadkin
White-tailed Deer
Archery
Sep 12-Nov 13, 2026
Antlerless dates same as antlered archery
Zone: Western Zone - Graham
White-tailed Deer
Archery
Sep 12-Oct 30, 2026
Antlerless dates same as antlered archery
Zone: Central Zone - Alamance, Anson, Cabarrus, Caswell, Chatham, Davidson, Durham, Granville, Guilford, Lee, Mecklenburg, Montgomery, Orange, Person, Randolph, Rockingham, Rowan, Stanly, Union
White-tailed Deer
Archery
Sep 12-Nov 13, 2026
Antlerless dates same as antlered archery
Zone: Western Zone - Avery, Burke, Caldwell, Madison, Mitchell, Yancey
White-tailed Deer
Archery
Sep 12-Oct 2, 2026
Antlerless archery: Sept. 12 - Oct. 2, 2026
Zone: Southeastern CWD Management Area - Cumberland, Sampson
White-tailed Deer
Archery
Sep 12-Nov 13, 2026
Antlerless dates same as antlered archery
Zone: Western Zone - Buncombe, Henderson, McDowell
White-tailed Deer
Archery
Sep 12-Oct 2, 2026
Counties: Cumberland, Sampson. Antlerless season: Sept. 12 - Oct. 2, 2026. Special Early Season: Aug. 22 - Aug. 23, 2026.
Zone: Southeastern CWD Management Area
Show 46 more deer rows
White-tailed Deer
Archery
Sep 12-Nov 13, 2026
Antlerless same as antlered archery. No Special Early Season.
Zone: Western - Avery, Burke, Caldwell, Madison, Mitchell, Yancey
White-tailed Deer
Archery
Sep 12-Oct 2, 2026
Counties: Beaufort, Bladen, Brunswick, Carteret, Columbus, Craven, Dare, Duplin, Harnett, Hoke, Hyde, Jones, Lenoir, Moore, New Hanover, Onslow, Pamlico, Pender, Richmond, Robeson, Scotland, Tyrrell, Washington. Antlerless same as antlered archery.
Zone: Southeastern
White-tailed Deer
Archery
Sep 12-Oct 30, 2026
Counties: Forsyth, Stokes, Surry, Wilkes, Yadkin. Antlerless: Sept. 12 - Oct. 30, 2026. Special Early Season: Aug. 22 - Aug. 23, 2026.
Zone: Northwestern CWD Management Area
White-tailed Deer
Archery
Sep 12-Nov 13, 2026
Antlerless same as antlered archery. No Special Early Season.
Zone: Western - Graham
White-tailed Deer
Archery
Sep 12-Nov 13, 2026
Antlerless dates same as antlered archery
Zone: Western Zone - Cherokee, Clay, Haywood, Jackson, Macon, Swain, Transylvania
White-tailed Deer
Archery
Sep 12-Nov 6, 2026
Antlerless dates same as antlered archery
Zone: Northwestern Zone - Alexander, Alleghany, Ashe, Catawba, Cleveland, Davie, Gaston, Iredell, Lincoln, Polk, Rutherford, Watauga
White-tailed Deer
Muzzleloader/Blackpowder
Oct 3-16, 2026
Antlerless same as antlered blackpowder.
Zone: Northeastern
White-tailed Deer
Muzzleloader/Blackpowder
Oct 3-16, 2026
Antlerless same as antlered blackpowder.
Zone: Southeastern
White-tailed Deer
Blackpowder
Oct 3-16, 2026
Antlerless blackpowder: Oct. 3 - Oct. 16, 2026. Special Early Season: Aug. 22 - Aug. 23, 2026
Zone: Southeastern CWD Management Area - Cumberland, Sampson
White-tailed Deer
Blackpowder
Oct 3-16, 2026
Antlerless dates same as antlered blackpowder
Zone: Northeastern Zone
White-tailed Deer
Muzzleloader/Blackpowder
Oct 3-16, 2026
Counties: Cumberland, Sampson. Antlerless: Oct. 3 - Oct. 16, 2026. Special Early Season: Aug. 22 - Aug. 23, 2026.
Zone: Southeastern CWD Management Area
White-tailed Deer
Blackpowder
Oct 3-16, 2026
Antlerless dates same as antlered blackpowder
Zone: Southeastern Zone
White-tailed Deer
Regular Firearm
Oct 17, 2026-Jan 1, 2027
Counties: Cumberland, Sampson. Antlerless: Oct. 17, 2026 - Jan. 1, 2027. Special Early Season: Aug. 22 - Aug. 23, 2026.
Zone: Southeastern CWD Management Area
White-tailed Deer
Regular Firearm
Oct 17, 2026-Jan 1, 2027
Antlerless same as antlered gun. No Special Early Season.
Zone: Southeastern
White-tailed Deer
Gun
Oct 17, 2026-Jan 1, 2027
Antlerless dates same as antlered gun. No Special Early Season.
Zone: Southeastern Zone
White-tailed Deer
Gun
Oct 17, 2026-Jan 1, 2027
Antlerless gun: Oct. 17, 2026 - Jan. 1, 2027. Special Early Season: Aug. 22 - Aug. 23, 2026
Zone: Southeastern CWD Management Area - Cumberland, Sampson
White-tailed Deer
Regular Firearm
Oct 17, 2026-Jan 1, 2027
Antlerless same as antlered gun. No Special Early Season.
Zone: Northeastern
White-tailed Deer
Gun
Oct 17, 2026-Jan 1, 2027
Antlerless dates same as antlered gun. No Special Early Season.
Zone: Northeastern Zone
White-tailed Deer
Muzzleloader/Blackpowder
Oct 31-Nov 13, 2026
Antlerless: Oct. 31 - Nov. 13, 2026. Special Early Season: Aug. 22 - Aug. 23, 2026.
Zone: Northwestern CWD Management Area
White-tailed Deer
Blackpowder
Oct 31-Nov 13, 2026
Antlerless dates same as antlered blackpowder
Zone: Central Zone
White-tailed Deer
Blackpowder
Oct 31-Nov 13, 2026
Antlerless blackpowder: Oct. 31 - Nov. 13, 2026. Special Early Season: Aug. 22 - Aug. 23, 2026
Zone: Northwestern CWD Management Area - Forsyth, Stokes, Surry, Wilkes, Yadkin
White-tailed Deer
Muzzleloader/Blackpowder
Oct 31-Nov 13, 2026
Antlerless same as antlered blackpowder. No Special Early Season.
Zone: Central
White-tailed Deer
Muzzleloader/Blackpowder
Nov 7-20, 2026
Antlerless same as antlered blackpowder. No Special Early Season.
Zone: Northwestern
White-tailed Deer
Blackpowder
Nov 7-20, 2026
Antlerless dates same as antlered blackpowder
Zone: Northwestern Zone
White-tailed Deer
Muzzleloader/Blackpowder
Nov 14-27, 2026
Antlerless: Nov. 21, 2026. No Special Early Season.
Zone: Western - Graham
White-tailed Deer
Regular Firearm
Nov 14, 2026-Jan 1, 2027
Antlerless: Nov. 14, 2026 - Jan. 1, 2027. Special Early Season: Aug. 22 - Aug. 23, 2026.
Zone: Northwestern CWD Management Area
White-tailed Deer
Muzzleloader/Blackpowder
Nov 14-27, 2026
Antlerless: Nov. 21 - Nov. 27, 2026. No Special Early Season.
Zone: Western - Cherokee, Clay, Haywood, Jackson, Macon, Swain, Transylvania
White-tailed Deer
Blackpowder
Nov 14-27, 2026
Antlerless blackpowder: Nov. 21 - Nov. 27, 2026
Zone: Western Zone - Cherokee, Clay, Haywood, Jackson, Macon, Swain, Transylvania
White-tailed Deer
Gun
Nov 14, 2026-Jan 1, 2027
Antlerless gun: Nov. 14, 2026 - Jan. 1, 2027. Special Early Season: Aug. 22 - Aug. 23, 2026
Zone: Northwestern CWD Management Area - Forsyth, Stokes, Surry, Wilkes, Yadkin
White-tailed Deer
Blackpowder
Nov 14-27, 2026
Antlerless dates same as antlered blackpowder
Zone: Western Zone - Avery, Burke, Caldwell, Madison, Mitchell, Yancey
White-tailed Deer
Blackpowder
Nov 14-27, 2026
Antlerless blackpowder: Nov. 21, 2026
Zone: Western Zone - Graham
White-tailed Deer
Gun
Nov 14, 2026-Jan 1, 2027
Antlerless dates same as antlered gun. No Special Early Season.
Zone: Central Zone
White-tailed Deer
Muzzleloader/Blackpowder
Nov 14-27, 2026
Antlerless same as antlered blackpowder. No Special Early Season. *Partial county restrictions apply.
Zone: Western - Buncombe*, Henderson*, McDowell
White-tailed Deer
Regular Firearm
Nov 14, 2026-Jan 1, 2027
Antlerless same as antlered gun. No Special Early Season.
Zone: Central
White-tailed Deer
Muzzleloader/Blackpowder
Nov 14-27, 2026
Antlerless same as antlered blackpowder. No Special Early Season.
Zone: Western - Avery, Burke, Caldwell, Madison, Mitchell, Yancey
White-tailed Deer
Blackpowder
Nov 14-27, 2026
Antlerless dates same as antlered blackpowder
Zone: Western Zone - Buncombe, Henderson, McDowell
White-tailed Deer
Regular Firearm
Nov 21, 2026-Jan 1, 2027
Antlerless same as antlered gun. No Special Early Season.
Zone: Northwestern
White-tailed Deer
Gun
Nov 21, 2026-Jan 1, 2027
Antlerless dates same as antlered gun. No Special Early Season.
Zone: Northwestern Zone
White-tailed Deer
Regular Firearm
Nov 28, 2026-Jan 1, 2027
Antlerless same as antlered gun. No Special Early Season.
Zone: Western - Avery, Burke, Caldwell, Madison, Mitchell, Yancey
White-tailed Deer
Regular Firearm
Nov 28, 2026-Jan 1, 2027
Antlerless: None. No Special Early Season.
Zone: Western - Graham
White-tailed Deer
Gun
Nov 28, 2026-Jan 1, 2027
Antlerless gun: None. No Special Early Season.
Zone: Western Zone - Graham
White-tailed Deer
Gun
Nov 28, 2026-Jan 1, 2027
Antlerless dates same as antlered gun. No Special Early Season.
Zone: Western Zone - Avery, Burke, Caldwell, Madison, Mitchell, Yancey
White-tailed Deer
Gun
Nov 28, 2026-Jan 1, 2027
Antlerless gun: Nov. 28, 2026. No Special Early Season.
Zone: Western Zone - Cherokee, Clay, Haywood, Jackson, Macon, Swain, Transylvania
White-tailed Deer
Gun
Nov 28-Dec 5, 2026
Antlerless gun: Nov. 28 - Dec. 5, 2026 (tentative). In part of Buncombe County east of N.C. 191, south of French Broad and Swannanoa rivers, west of U.S. 25, and north of N.C. 280; and that part of Henderson County east of N.C. 191 and north and west of N.C. 280, the antlerless deer season is all days of applicable weapons antlered season.
Zone: Western Zone - Buncombe, Henderson, McDowell
White-tailed Deer
Regular Firearm
Nov 28, 2026-Jan 1, 2027
Antlerless: Nov. 28, 2026. No Special Early Season.
Zone: Western - Cherokee, Clay, Haywood, Jackson, Macon, Swain, Transylvania
White-tailed Deer
Regular Firearm
Nov 28-Dec 5, 2026
Antlerless: Nov. 28 - Dec. 5, 2026*. *Partial county restrictions apply.
Zone: Western - Buncombe*, Henderson*, McDowell
Turkey
Wild Turkey
Youth
Apr 10-11, 2027
Male or Bearded Turkey Only
Zone: Statewide
Wild Turkey
Spring General
Apr 17-May 15, 2027
Male or Bearded Turkey Only
Zone: Statewide
Wild Turkey
General (Spring)
Apr 17-May 15, 2027
Male or Bearded Turkey Only
Zone: Statewide
Bear
19 listed rowsBlack Bear
General
Oct 3-Nov 21, 2026
Also open Dec. 12, 2026 – Jan. 1, 2027
Zone: Mountain Bear Management Unit (in and west of Surry, Wilkes, Caldwell, Burke, and Cleveland)
Black Bear
General
Oct 3, 2026-Jan 1, 2027
Season split: Oct. 3 – Nov. 21, 2026 and Dec. 12, 2026 – Jan. 1, 2027
Zone: Mountain Bear Management Unit - In and west of Surry, Wilkes, Caldwell, Burke, and Cleveland
Black Bear
General
Oct 17, 2026-Jan 1, 2027
Zone: Piedmont Bear Management Unit - Franklin, Harnett, Hoke, Johnston, Moore, Richmond, Scotland, Vance, Wake, and Warren
Black Bear
General
Nov 9, 2026-Jan 1, 2027
Use of dogs for hunting bears prohibited in Pamlico County
Zone: Coastal Bear Management Unit - Zone 5: Bladen, Brunswick, Carteret, Columbus, Cumberland, Duplin, New Hanover, Onslow, Pamlico, Pender, Robeson, and Sampson
Black Bear
General
Nov 13-Dec 27, 2026
Season split: Nov. 13-22 and Dec. 12-27, 2026
Zone: Coastal Bear Management Unit - Zone 2: Camden, Chowan, and Pasquotank
Black Bear
General
Nov 13-22, 2026
Also open Dec. 12 - 27, 2026
Zone: Coastal Bear Management Unit - Zone 2: Camden, Chowan, and Pasquotank
Black Bear
General
Nov 14-Dec 27, 2026
Season split: Nov. 14-22 and Dec. 12-27, 2026
Zone: Coastal Bear Management Unit - Zone 2: Currituck, Gates, and Perquimans
Black Bear
General
Nov 14-22, 2026
Also open Dec. 12 - 27, 2026
Zone: Coastal Bear Management Unit - Zone 3: Beaufort, Bertie, Craven, Hertford, Jones, Martin, and Washington
Black Bear
General
Nov 14-22, 2026
Also open Dec. 12 - 27, 2026
Zone: Coastal Bear Management Unit - Zone 2: Currituck, Gates, and Perquimans
Black Bear
General
Nov 14-Dec 27, 2026
Season split: Nov. 14-22 and Dec. 12-27, 2026
Zone: Coastal Bear Management Unit - Zone 3: Beaufort, Bertie, Craven, Hertford, Jones, Martin, and Washington
Black Bear
General
Nov 14-Dec 27, 2026
Season split: Nov. 14-29 and Dec. 12-27, 2026
Zone: Coastal Bear Management Unit - Zone 1: Dare, Hyde, and Tyrrell
Black Bear
General
Nov 14-29, 2026
Also open Dec. 12 - 27, 2026
Zone: Coastal Bear Management Unit - Zone 1: Dare, Hyde, and Tyrrell
Show 7 more bear rows
Black Bear
General
Nov 21-Dec 20, 2026
Zone: Coastal Bear Management Unit - Zone 4: Edgecombe, Greene, Halifax, Lenoir, Nash, Northampton, Pitt, Wayne, and Wilson
Black Bear
General
Nov 21, 2026-Jan 1, 2027
Zone: Piedmont Bear Management Unit - Alexander, Catawba, Davie, Forsyth, Gaston, Iredell, Lincoln, Stokes, and Yadkin
Black Bear
General
Dec 12-27, 2026
Second segment
Zone: Coastal Bear Management Unit - Zone 2: Currituck, Gates, and Perquimans
Black Bear
General
Dec 12-27, 2026
Second segment
Zone: Coastal Bear Management Unit - Zone 3: Beaufort, Bertie, Craven, Hertford, Jones, Martin, and Washington
Black Bear
General
Dec 12-27, 2026
Second segment
Zone: Coastal Bear Management Unit - Zone 1: Dare, Hyde, and Tyrrell
Black Bear
General
Dec 12-27, 2026
Second segment
Zone: Coastal Bear Management Unit - Zone 2: Camden, Chowan, and Pasquotank
Black Bear
General
Dec 12, 2026-Jan 1, 2027
Second segment of Mountain Bear season
Zone: Mountain Bear Management Unit (in and west of Surry, Wilkes, Caldwell, Burke, and Cleveland)
Pheasant
Pheasant
General
Sep 5, 2026-Feb 28, 2027
Pheasants of either sex
Zone: Remainder of State
Pheasant
General
Nov 21, 2026-Feb 28, 2027
Male pheasants only
Zone: Barrier Islands of Carteret, Dare, and Hyde Counties
Quail
Quail
General
Nov 21, 2026-Feb 28, 2027
Zone: Statewide
Grouse
Grouse
General
Oct 12, 2026-Feb 28, 2027
Zone: Statewide
Rabbit
Rabbit
General
Oct 12, 2026-Feb 28, 2027
Zone: Statewide
Squirrel
Fox Squirrel
General
Oct 12, 2026-Jan 31, 2027
Zone: Statewide
Gray Squirrel
General
Oct 12, 2026-Feb 28, 2027
Also open May 17 - 31, 2027
Zone: Statewide
Gray Squirrel
Spring
May 17-31, 2027
Spring segment
Zone: Statewide
Red Squirrel
General
Oct 12, 2026-Feb 28, 2027
Zone: Statewide
Furbearer
Bobcat
General
Oct 12, 2026-Feb 28, 2027
Zone: Statewide
Statewide Trapping
Trapping
Oct 1, 2026-Feb 28, 2027
Zone: Statewide
Trapping (Statewide)
Trapping
Oct 1, 2026-Feb 28, 2027
Statewide Trapping Season
Zone: Statewide
Small Game
Opossum
General
Oct 12, 2026-Feb 28, 2027
Zone: Statewide
Raccoon
General
Oct 12, 2026-Feb 28, 2027
Zone: Statewide
Raccoon and Opossum
General
Oct 12, 2026-Feb 28, 2027
Zone: Statewide
Other
Crow
General
Aug 1, 2026-Feb 27, 2027
Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday of each week. Also open June 2, 2027 - July 31, 2027. Crows may also be hunted on Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, New Year's Day, Martin Luther King Jr. Day, and Independence Day; except when these days fall on a Sunday.
Zone: Statewide
Crow
Summer
Jun 2-Jul 31, 2027
Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday of each week
Zone: Statewide
Crow
General
Jun 2-Jul 31, 2027
Second segment. Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday of each week.
Zone: Statewide
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North Carolina Hunting Season FAQ
When does deer season start in North Carolina?
September 12, 2026 is the first listed deer opener for North Carolina; it is archery white-tailed deer Sep 12-Oct 2, 2026.
When is North Carolina's firearm deer season?
Oct 17, 2026-Jan 1, 2027 is the listed firearm deer window for North Carolina. Check zone and permit details with NC Wildlife Resources Commission before hunting.
When does spring turkey open in North Carolina?
April 17, 2027 is the first listed spring turkey opener for North Carolina; the listed window is Apr 17-May 15, 2027.
Do I need a license to hunt in North Carolina?
Yes. Hunters generally need the appropriate North Carolina hunting license, and some seasons may require tags, permits, stamps, or zone-specific authorizations. Confirm final requirements with NC Wildlife Resources Commission.