Shooters anxiously anticipate the beginning of deer season in North Carolina as the summer ends and the weather begins to cool. With various zones and times to suit different hunter tastes, the 2023 North Carolina deer hunting season looks thrilling for hunters. There are many chances for shooters to participate in this cherished custom, from archery-only seasons to black powder and firearms seasons. We’ll go over the details of the North Carolina deer hunting season in this article, including the beginning and ending dates for each zone and period, regulations, and licenses for having a successful hunt.
North Carolina Deer Season 2023
Central Season
NC Central Deer Season | Start Date | End Date |
---|---|---|
Archery | September 9, 2023 | October 27, 2023 |
Blackpowder | October 28, 2023 | November 10, 2023 |
Gun | November 11, 2023 | January 1, 2024 |
North Eastern Season
NC North Eastern Deer Season | Start Date | End Date |
---|---|---|
Archery | September 9, 2023 | September 29, 2023 |
Blackpowder | September 30, 2023 | October 13, 2023 |
Gun | October 14, 2023 | January 1, 2024 |
South Eastern Season
NC South Eastern Deer Season | Start Date | End Date |
---|---|---|
Archery | September 9, 2023 | September 29, 2023 |
Blackpowder | September 30, 2023 | October 13, 2023 |
Gun | October 14, 2023 | January 1, 2024 |
North Western Season
NC North Western Deer Season | Start Date | End Date |
---|---|---|
Archery | September 9, 2023 | November 3, 2023 |
Blackpowder | November 4, 2023 | November 17, 2023 |
Gun | November 18, 2023 | January 1, 2024 |
Western Season
NC Western Deer Season | Start Date | End Date |
---|---|---|
Archery | September 9, 2023 | October 1, 2023 |
Blackpowder | October 2, 2023 | October 14, 2023 |
Archery | October 15, 2023 | November 19, 2023 |
Gun | November 20, 2023 | December 9, 2023 |
Archery (Antlered Only) | December 10, 2023 | January 1, 2024 |
Urban Season
NC Other Deer Season | Hunting Start Date | Hunting End Date |
---|---|---|
Urban Deer (Archery Only) | January 13, 2024 | February 18, 2024 |
Urban Archery Season participating cities
City/Town/Village | Website | Phone Number |
---|---|---|
Albemarle | albemarlenc.gov | 704-984-9565 |
Ansonville | N/A | 704-826-8404 |
Archer Lodge | archerlodgenc.gov | 919-359-9727 |
Boiling Springs | boilingspringsnc.net | 704-434-9691 |
Catawba | townofcatawbanc.org | 828-241-2215 |
Chapel Hill | townofchapelhill.org | 919-968-2784 |
China Grove | chinagrovenc.gov | 704-857-2466 |
Clayton | townofclaytonnc.org | 919-553-5002 |
Cleveland | clevelandnc.org | 704-278-8777 |
Concord | concordnc.gov | 704-920-5000 |
Denton | townofdenton.com | 336-859-4231 |
East Bend | eastbendnc.com | 336-699-8560 |
Eden | edennc.us | 336-623-9687/336-623-9755 |
Elkin | elkinnc.org | 336-258-8900 |
Fairview | fairviewnc.gov | 704-753-1981 |
Franklinville | franklinvillenc.org | 336-824-2604 |
Glen Alpine | townofglenalpine.org | 828-584-2622 |
Granite Quarry | granitequarrync.gov | 704-279-5596 |
Harrisburg | harrisburgnc.org | 704-455-0709 |
Huntersville | huntersville.org | 704-875-6541 |
Indian Trail | indiantrail.org | 704-821-5401 Ext. 226 |
Jamestown | jamestown-nc.gov | 336-454-1138 |
Jefferson | townofjefferson.org | 336-846-9368 |
Jonesville | townofjonesvillenc.com | 336-835-3426 |
Kannapolis | kannapolisnc.gov | 704-920-4049 |
King | ci.king.nc.us | 336-983-8265 |
Landis | townoflandis.com | 704-857-4114 |
Lattimore | facebook.com/TownofLattimore/, townoflattimore@gmail.com | 704-434-2620 |
Lenoir | cityoflenoir.com | 828-757-2100 |
Lewisville | lewisvillenc.net | 336-945-5558 |
Locust | locustnc.com | 704-888-5260 |
Midland | midlandnc.us | 704-888-2232 |
Mineral Springs | mineralspringsnc.com | 704-243-0505 |
Mooresboro | townofmooresboro.org | N/A |
Morganton | morgantonnc.gov | 828-432-2345 |
Nags Head/Kill Devil Hills | nature.org/nhw | N/A |
New London | newlondonnc.org | 704-463-5423 |
North Wilkesboro | north-wilkesboro.com | 336-667-7129 |
Norwood | norwoodgov.com | 704-474-3416 |
Oakboro | oakboro.com | 704-485-3351 |
Oak Ridge | oakridgenc.com | 336-644-7009 |
Pleasant Garden | pleasantgarden.net | 336-674-3002 |
Randleman | cityofrandleman.com | 336-495-7500 |
Red Cross | townofredcross.com | 704-485-2002 |
Reidsville | ci.reidsville.nc.us | 336-349-1030 |
Richfield | richfieldnc.com | 704-463-1308 |
Ronda | townofronda.org | 336-835-2061 |
Sanford | sanfordnc.net | 919-777-1104 |
Shelby | cityofshelby.com | 704-484-6801 |
Stallings | stallingsnc.org | 704-821-8557 |
Stanfield | stanfieldnc.com | 704-888-2386 |
Stokesdale | stokesdale.org | 336-643-4011 |
Summerfield | summerfieldnc.gov | 336-643-8655 |
Trent Woods | trentwoodspd.org | 252-637-3030 |
Troutman | troutmannc.gov | 704-528-7610 |
Unionville | unionvillenc.org | 704-226-1989 |
Valdese | townofvaldese.com | 828-879-2120 |
Wake Forest | wakeforestnc.gov | 919-435-9609 |
Waxhaw | waxhaw.com | 704-843-2195 Ext. 278 |
Weddington | townofweddington.com | 704-846-2709 |
Wentworth | townofwentworth.com | 336-342-6288 |
Yadkinville | yadkinville.org | 336-679-8732 |
Bag Limits
Bag Limits | Limit | Notes |
---|---|---|
Season | 6 | Maximum of 2 antlered and 4 antlerless deer |
Daily | None | |
Bonus Antlerless Harvest Report Cards | 2 more antlerless deer per card | Urban Archery Season only. Unlimited hunter cards. |
Deer Management Assistance Program | Excluded from statewide bag limits | DMAP-tagged antlerless deer are free from state bag limits. |
NC Deer License Cost
License Type | Price for Residents | Price for Non-Residents |
---|---|---|
Big Game Hunting | $14 | $100 |
Big Game Hunting 10-Day | Not Applicable | $80 |
Bonus Antlerless Deer License | $11 | $11 |
Hunting Regulations
- Either-Sex Deer Seasons: North Carolina hunters can take either-sex deer during deer hunting season. Under-18 hunters can take either-sex deer on Youth Deer Hunting Day. Some game sites have unique deer seasons, but all areas allow bow deer of either sex. Some game areas have special black powder rifle deer seasons, allowing the taking of either-sex deer on specific days. Gun either-sex deer season has four groups with defined days for harvesting. Maximum, 2-week “moderate,” 6-day “conservative,” and 1-day “introductory” either-sex gun seasons. Deer Zone Maps and General Game Lands Regulations can help hunters choose a season and follow hunting rules.
- Urban Archery Season: The January 14–February 19, 2023, Urban Archery Season provides more hunting chances to help cities and towns lower urban deer numbers. However, hunting during this season is only allowed in participating towns. Each city, town, or hamlet will decide if hunting is permitted on public land and if private property within the city bounds is restricted. Urban Archery Season hunters must obtain a map from the busy city or town to find legal hunting areas and limitations. The Urban Archery Season does not remove the legal necessity for hunters to seek written approval from landlords before hunting on private property. The Urban Archery Season follows the season and ownership limits for antlerless and antlered deer and Bonus Antlerless Harvest Report Cards of the general archery, black powder, and gun deer seasons. Urban Archery Season allows male and female deer hunting.
- Hunting deer in the state requires hunters to wear hunter orange visible from all sides during deer firearms season, Sunday archery hunting, and Youth Deer Hunting Day regardless of age or weapon, except for landholders, their spouses, and children on their land. Only antlerless deer can be taken during either-sex deer seasons. Commercial mineral additives for deer are allowed anywhere in the state except on game lands and CWD Surveillance Areas, but processed food items as lure for black bears are banned in areas with a black bear season. The Baiting and Attractants part of General Hunting Regulations prohibits hunters from possessing or using some natural deer excretions, including pee.
- Seasonal deer hunting guns are legal. Archery season allows bows, crossbows, and sling bows. Black powder guns and archery devices are permitted in the black powder season. General Hunting Regulations allow firearms, rifles, and pistols during gun season. Hunters should use legal weapons during the appropriate season to avoid penalties.
- Deer Zone Maps areas allow dog hunting during open deer seasons. Dogs can recover injured deer. The General Hunting Regulations cover deer hunting with pets.
FAQ related to NC Deer Season
When is the deer hunting season in North Carolina?
Beginning on September 9, 2023, all areas in North Carolina that allow bow hunting will have a deer hunting season. For all locations, hunting for black powder and firearms will begin on September 30, 2023, and on October 14, 2023, respectively. The expiration periods for each hunting strategy and area do, however, differ.
What are the bag limits for deer hunting in North Carolina?
Depending on the area and style of hunting, North Carolina deer bag restrictions can change. Hunting seasons typically allow for capturing one to two antlered deer and a limitless number of antlerless deer. However, hunting enthusiasts are advised to contact the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission to learn about local weight restrictions.
What types of weapons are legal for deer hunting in North Carolina?
Depending on the time of year and the area, different firearms are permitted for deer hunting in North Carolina. Shooters can use muzzleloaders, firearms, rifles, and archery tools. However, in some places, there might be particular laws that pertain to the use of these firearms. Hunters are urged to inquire about local laws governing the use of firearms for deer hunting with the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission.
Can youth participate in deer hunting in North Carolina?
Yes, deer hunting is permitted in North Carolina for minors under 18. In reality, there is a designated Youth Deer Hunting Day where young shooters can pursue deer of either species with any legal firearm. Hunters must only use the authorized firearm for the season available in their county on this day, which is usually in late September.
Are there any resources available for novice hunters in North Carolina?
Yes, the North Carolina Wildlife Federation provides complimentary webinars for beginner shooters in North Carolina on deer hunting and processing. These seminars cover field cleaning, processing, and deer hunting methods. To better understand the sport and prepare for the forthcoming deer hunting season, novice shooters are urged to participate in these seminars.
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