North Carolina Bear Season 2026-27
North Carolina bear season dates start with Oct 3-Nov 21, 2026. The table below keeps every listed bear row together with zones and notes where available.
Quick answer
North Carolina's listed 2026-27 bear season runs Oct 3-Nov 21, 2026.
General Black Bear opens Oct 3, 2026 and closes Jan 1, 2027.
General Black Bear opens Oct 17, 2026 and closes Jan 1, 2027.
The tables below keep the rest of the listed seasons together by species, with source links back to NC Wildlife Resources Commission.
Bear
19 listed rowsBlack Bear
General
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
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
Zone: Piedmont Bear Management Unit - Franklin, Harnett, Hoke, Johnston, Moore, Richmond, Scotland, Vance, Wake, and Warren
Black Bear
General
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
Also open Dec. 12 - 27, 2026
Zone: Coastal Bear Management Unit - Zone 2: Camden, Chowan, and Pasquotank
Black Bear
General
Season split: Nov. 13-22 and Dec. 12-27, 2026
Zone: Coastal Bear Management Unit - Zone 2: Camden, Chowan, and Pasquotank
Black Bear
General
Also open Dec. 12 - 27, 2026
Zone: Coastal Bear Management Unit - Zone 1: Dare, Hyde, and Tyrrell
Black Bear
General
Also open Dec. 12 - 27, 2026
Zone: Coastal Bear Management Unit - Zone 2: Currituck, Gates, and Perquimans
Black Bear
General
Also open Dec. 12 - 27, 2026
Zone: Coastal Bear Management Unit - Zone 3: Beaufort, Bertie, Craven, Hertford, Jones, Martin, and Washington
Black Bear
General
Season split: Nov. 14-22 and Dec. 12-27, 2026
Zone: Coastal Bear Management Unit - Zone 2: Currituck, Gates, and Perquimans
Black Bear
General
Season split: Nov. 14-29 and Dec. 12-27, 2026
Zone: Coastal Bear Management Unit - Zone 1: Dare, Hyde, and Tyrrell
Black Bear
General
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
| Season | Dates | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Black BearGeneral · Piedmont Bear Management Unit - Alexander, Catawba, Davie, Forsyth, Gaston, Iredell, Lincoln, Stokes, and Yadkin | Upcoming | |
| Black BearGeneral · Coastal Bear Management Unit - Zone 4: Edgecombe, Greene, Halifax, Lenoir, Nash, Northampton, Pitt, Wayne, and Wilson | Upcoming | |
| Black BearGeneral · Coastal Bear Management Unit - Zone 2: Currituck, Gates, and PerquimansSecond segment | Upcoming | |
| Black BearGeneral · Coastal Bear Management Unit - Zone 3: Beaufort, Bertie, Craven, Hertford, Jones, Martin, and WashingtonSecond segment | Upcoming | |
| Black BearGeneral · Mountain Bear Management Unit (in and west of Surry, Wilkes, Caldwell, Burke, and Cleveland)Second segment of Mountain Bear season | Upcoming | |
| Black BearGeneral · Coastal Bear Management Unit - Zone 1: Dare, Hyde, and TyrrellSecond segment | Upcoming | |
| Black BearGeneral · Coastal Bear Management Unit - Zone 2: Camden, Chowan, and PasquotankSecond segment | Upcoming |
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Nearby bear seasons
North Carolina Bear Season FAQ
When does bear season open in North Carolina?
October 3, 2026 is the earliest listed bear opener in North Carolina — general black bear runs Oct 3-Nov 21, 2026. Confirm zone and permit details with NC Wildlife Resources Commission.
What are the 2026-27 bear season dates in North Carolina?
North Carolina lists 19 bear season windows: General Black Bear (Oct 3-Nov 21, 2026); General Black Bear (Oct 3, 2026-Jan 1, 2027); General Black Bear (Oct 17, 2026-Jan 1, 2027); General Black Bear (Nov 9, 2026-Jan 1, 2027); General Black Bear (Nov 13-22, 2026); General Black Bear (Nov 13-Dec 27, 2026); General Black Bear (Nov 14-29, 2026); General Black Bear (Nov 14-22, 2026); and more. Always verify against NC Wildlife Resources Commission before hunting.
Do I need a license to hunt bear in North Carolina?
Yes. North Carolina generally requires the appropriate hunting license, and bear hunting may also require tags, permits, stamps, or zone authorizations. Confirm requirements with NC Wildlife Resources Commission.