North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission

Hunting  >  Seasons & Limits

Alert

    Across North Carolina, residents are adapting to social distancing practices and mass gathering restrictions. On May 22, Gov. Roy Cooper issued Executive Order 141 (EO141), which eased prior restrictions on travel, business operations and mass gatherings. Agency constituents are urged to continue complying with required social distancing and mass gathering guidelines when enjoying wildlife-associated activities. 

  • Although the NC Wildlife Resources Commission promotes outdoor recreational pursuits they should be done in a manner consistent with CDC social distancing guidelines and in compliance with any applicable Emergency Orders at the municipality, city, county, state and federal level.
  • There have been no changes to North Carolina hunting or fishing license requirements, seasons, or bag/creel limits.

2020-21 Seasons & Limits

Big Game

You can also call 800-I-GOT-ONE (800-446-8663) to report your harvest.

Review a list of your previous harvests with authorization numbers.  You can also print a personalized harvest certificate for display.

Maps that have been compiled by the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission as an aid to hunters, trappers and fishermen who use the two million acres of North Carolina game lands.

Species

Seasons & Limits

Map

Black Bear

2020-2021 Seasons

Black Bear Seasons & Limits Bear Season Maps

White-tail Deer

2020-2021 Season/ Urban Archery

 

White-tail Deer Seasons & Limits
Deer Urban Archery Season

Deer Zones Maps

Wild Turkey

2020-2021 Seasons


Wild Turkey Seasons & Limits 		Statewide Season

Small Game and Other Seasons

Maps that have been compiled by the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission as an aid to hunters, trappers and fishermen who use the two million acres of North Carolina game lands.

Species

2020-2021 Seasons

Regulations

2019-2020

Additional
Information

Armadillo

No Closed Season 

Hunting Regulations

Trapping Regulations

 General Information

Beaver

Refer to Regulations Digest

Hunting Regulations

Trapping Regulations

 General Information

Bobcat

Oct. 12, 2020 - Feb. 28, 2021

Hunting Regulations

Trapping Regulations

 General Information

Coyote

No Closed Season

Hunting Regulations

Trapping Regulations

 General Information

5-County Coyote Hunting & Depredation Permits

 Crow

Aug. 5, 2020 – Feb. 27, 2021

June 2 - July 31, 2021

Wednesday, Friday and Saturday of each week. Crows may also be hunted on Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day, New Year’s Day, Martin Luther King Jr. Day and Independence Day; except when these days fall on a Sunday.

Hunting Regulations

  

 Feral Swine

No Closed Season

Hunting Regulations

 General Information

 Fox

Refer to “Fox Hunting & Trapping Seasons” publication at www.ncwildlife.org/foxseasons.

 

Fox Seasons by County

 General Information

Groundhog

No Closed Season

Hunting Regulations

Trapping Regulations

 General Information

Grouse

Oct. 12, 2020 – Feb. 28, 2021

Hunting Regulations

 General Information

Nutria

No Closed Season

Hunting Regulations

Trapping Regulations

 General Information

Opossum

Oct. 12, 2020 – Feb. 28, 2021

Hunting Regulations

Trapping Regulations

 General Information (PDF)

Pheasant (Male Only)

Nov. 21, 2020 - Feb. 1, 2021

Hunting Regulations

  

Quail

Nov. 21, 2020 - Feb. 28, 2021

Hunting Regulations

 General Information

Rabbit (Includes Box-Trapping)

Oct. 12, 2020 – Feb. 28, 2021

Hunting Regulations

 General Information

Raccoon

Oct. 12, 2020 – Feb. 28, 2021

Hunting Regulations

Trapping Regulations

 General Information

Skunk (striped)

No Closed Season

Hunting Regulations

Trapping Regulations

 General Information (PDF)

Squirrel - Gray and Red

Oct. 12, 2020 – Feb. 28, 2021

Squirrel - Fox

Oct. 12, 2020 – Jan. 31, 2021

Hunting Regulations

 General Information
Controlled Hunting Preserves

Regulations

 General Information
Extended Falconry

Regulations
 

 

Waterfowl

Maps that have been compiled by the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission as an aid to hunters, trappers and fishermen who use the two million acres of North Carolina game lands.

 

 

Species

2020-21
Season
Dates

2019-20
Regulations
 

Additional Information
Waterfowl - General

(includes ducks, geese, swans and youth waterfowl days)		 Seasons / Limits

Youth Waterfowl Day(s)

Extended Falconry Seasons
 		 Migratory Game Bird Regulations

 		 Additional Info (including license requirements, non-toxic shot requirements, baiting information and various reports)
Canada Goose Seasons / Limits

 

Migratory Birds Regulations
 

 Goose Zone Map

NE Goose Hunt Zone Permits (PDF)

Additional Info (including license requirements, non-toxic shot requirements, baiting information and various reports)
 Light Goose Seasons / Limits Migratory Game Bird Regulations
 		  Light Goose Conservation Season Permit Information
Tundra Swan
 		 Seasons / Limits
 		 Migratory Game Bird Regulations
 		 Tundra Swan Permit information (PDF)

Additional Info (including license requirements, non-toxic shot requirements, baiting information and various reports)

Webless Migratory Game Birds (woodcock, rail, snipe, mourning and white-winged doves)

Maps that have been compiled by the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission as an aid to hunters, trappers and fishermen who use the two million acres of North Carolina game lands.

 

Species

2020-21
Season
Dates

2019-20
Regulations

Additional Information
Woodcock Seasons/Limits

Extended Falconry Seasons
Migratory Game Bird Regulations
  		Additional Info
(including public hunting opportunities and various reports)
Snipe Seasons/Limits Migratory Game Bird Regulations

  		Additional Info
(including public hunting opportunities and various reports)
 
Rails (includes Sora & Clapper, King & Virginia Rail)
Seasons/Limits

Extended Falconry Seasons
Migratory Game Bird Regulations

  		Additional Info
(including public hunting opportunities and various reports)
 
Doves (includes mourning and white-winged dove)

Seasons/Limits 

Extended Falconry Seasons

Migratory Game Bird Regulations Additional Info
(including public hunting opportunities and various reports)

At Your Service

Landowner Protection Act

 

 

 

Sportsmen now need written permission, dated within the past 12 months, signed by the landowner or lessee, to hunt, fish, or trap on private lands posted with signs or purple paint.

 

Landowner Protection Act (PDF)

Landowner Protection Act FAQ (PDF)

Landowner Permission Form - Wallet Size (PDF)

Landowner Permission Form - Full Size (PDF)