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North Carolina Deer Season 2026-27

North Carolina deer season dates start with Sep 12-Oct 2, 2026. The table below keeps every listed deer row together with zones and notes where available.

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.

Archery White-tailed Deer opens Sep 12, 2026 and closes Nov 6, 2026.

The tables below keep the rest of the listed seasons together by species, with source links back to NC Wildlife Resources Commission.

Last verified: June 15, 2026 · Source: NC Wildlife Resources Commission

Deer

58 listed rows

White-tailed Deer

Archery

Upcoming
70d

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

Upcoming
70d

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

Upcoming
70d

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

Upcoming
70d

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

Upcoming
70d

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

Upcoming
70d

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

White-tailed Deer

Archery

Upcoming
70d

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

Upcoming
70d

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

Upcoming
70d

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

Upcoming
70d

Sep 12-Nov 13, 2026

Antlerless same as antlered archery. No Special Early Season.

Zone: Western - Graham

White-tailed Deer

Archery

Upcoming
70d

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

Upcoming
70d

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

Show 46 more deer rows

White-tailed Deer

Archery

Upcoming
70d

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

Upcoming
70d

Sep 12-Nov 13, 2026

Antlerless dates same as antlered archery

Zone: Western Zone - Graham

White-tailed Deer

Archery

Upcoming
70d

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

Upcoming
70d

Sep 12-Nov 13, 2026

Antlerless dates same as antlered archery

Zone: Western Zone - Avery, Burke, Caldwell, Madison, Mitchell, Yancey

White-tailed Deer

Archery

Upcoming
70d

Sep 12-Oct 2, 2026

Antlerless archery: Sept. 12 - Oct. 2, 2026

Zone: Southeastern CWD Management Area - Cumberland, Sampson

White-tailed Deer

Archery

Upcoming
70d

Sep 12-Nov 13, 2026

Antlerless dates same as antlered archery

Zone: Western Zone - Buncombe, Henderson, McDowell

White-tailed Deer

Muzzleloader/Blackpowder

Upcoming
91d

Oct 3-16, 2026

Antlerless same as antlered blackpowder.

Zone: Southeastern

White-tailed Deer

Muzzleloader/Blackpowder

Upcoming
91d

Oct 3-16, 2026

Antlerless same as antlered blackpowder.

Zone: Northeastern

White-tailed Deer

Muzzleloader/Blackpowder

Upcoming
91d

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

Upcoming
91d

Oct 3-16, 2026

Antlerless dates same as antlered blackpowder

Zone: Southeastern Zone

White-tailed Deer

Blackpowder

Upcoming
91d

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

Upcoming
91d

Oct 3-16, 2026

Antlerless dates same as antlered blackpowder

Zone: Northeastern Zone

White-tailed Deer

Regular Firearm

Upcoming
105d

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

Upcoming
105d

Oct 17, 2026-Jan 1, 2027

Antlerless same as antlered gun. No Special Early Season.

Zone: Southeastern

White-tailed Deer

Regular Firearm

Upcoming
105d

Oct 17, 2026-Jan 1, 2027

Antlerless same as antlered gun. No Special Early Season.

Zone: Northeastern

White-tailed Deer

Gun

Upcoming
105d

Oct 17, 2026-Jan 1, 2027

Antlerless dates same as antlered gun. No Special Early Season.

Zone: Northeastern Zone

White-tailed Deer

Gun

Upcoming
105d

Oct 17, 2026-Jan 1, 2027

Antlerless dates same as antlered gun. No Special Early Season.

Zone: Southeastern Zone

White-tailed Deer

Gun

Upcoming
105d

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

Muzzleloader/Blackpowder

Upcoming
119d

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

Muzzleloader/Blackpowder

Upcoming
119d

Oct 31-Nov 13, 2026

Antlerless same as antlered blackpowder. No Special Early Season.

Zone: Central

White-tailed Deer

Blackpowder

Upcoming
119d

Oct 31-Nov 13, 2026

Antlerless dates same as antlered blackpowder

Zone: Central Zone

White-tailed Deer

Blackpowder

Upcoming
119d

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

Upcoming
126d

Nov 7-20, 2026

Antlerless same as antlered blackpowder. No Special Early Season.

Zone: Northwestern

White-tailed Deer

Blackpowder

Upcoming
126d

Nov 7-20, 2026

Antlerless dates same as antlered blackpowder

Zone: Northwestern Zone

White-tailed Deer

Muzzleloader/Blackpowder

Upcoming
133d

Nov 14-27, 2026

Antlerless: Nov. 21, 2026. No Special Early Season.

Zone: Western - Graham

White-tailed Deer

Regular Firearm

Upcoming
133d

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

Upcoming
133d

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

Muzzleloader/Blackpowder

Upcoming
133d

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

Upcoming
133d

Nov 14, 2026-Jan 1, 2027

Antlerless same as antlered gun. No Special Early Season.

Zone: Central

White-tailed Deer

Muzzleloader/Blackpowder

Upcoming
133d

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

Upcoming
133d

Nov 14-27, 2026

Antlerless dates same as antlered blackpowder

Zone: Western Zone - Buncombe, Henderson, McDowell

White-tailed Deer

Blackpowder

Upcoming
133d

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

Upcoming
133d

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

Upcoming
133d

Nov 14-27, 2026

Antlerless dates same as antlered blackpowder

Zone: Western Zone - Avery, Burke, Caldwell, Madison, Mitchell, Yancey

White-tailed Deer

Blackpowder

Upcoming
133d

Nov 14-27, 2026

Antlerless blackpowder: Nov. 21, 2026

Zone: Western Zone - Graham

White-tailed Deer

Gun

Upcoming
133d

Nov 14, 2026-Jan 1, 2027

Antlerless dates same as antlered gun. No Special Early Season.

Zone: Central Zone

White-tailed Deer

Regular Firearm

Upcoming
140d

Nov 21, 2026-Jan 1, 2027

Antlerless same as antlered gun. No Special Early Season.

Zone: Northwestern

White-tailed Deer

Gun

Upcoming
140d

Nov 21, 2026-Jan 1, 2027

Antlerless dates same as antlered gun. No Special Early Season.

Zone: Northwestern Zone

White-tailed Deer

Regular Firearm

Upcoming
147d

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

Upcoming
147d

Nov 28, 2026-Jan 1, 2027

Antlerless: None. No Special Early Season.

Zone: Western - Graham

White-tailed Deer

Regular Firearm

Upcoming
147d

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

Upcoming
147d

Nov 28-Dec 5, 2026

Antlerless: Nov. 28 - Dec. 5, 2026*. *Partial county restrictions apply.

Zone: Western - Buncombe*, Henderson*, McDowell

White-tailed Deer

Gun

Upcoming
147d

Nov 28, 2026-Jan 1, 2027

Antlerless gun: None. No Special Early Season.

Zone: Western Zone - Graham

White-tailed Deer

Gun

Upcoming
147d

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

Upcoming
147d

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

Upcoming
147d

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