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Hunting in North Carolina
Hunting in North Carolina
North Carolina is a premier hunting destination in the Southeast, offering an extraordinary diversity of game and habitat across its 53,819 square miles. From the high peaks of the Blue Ridge and Smoky Mountains to the rolling Piedmont to the vast coastal plain and tidal marshes of the Outer Banks region, North Carolina’s varied terrain supports exceptional populations of white-tailed deer, black bear, wild turkey, waterfowl, and small game. The state has one of the most diverse hunting opportunities of any state east of the Mississippi.
The North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission manages hunting across the state’s diverse landscapes. With nearly 2 million acres of game lands—including portions of the Pisgah and Nantahala National Forests—plus extensive Coastal Plain wetlands and private agricultural lands, North Carolina offers outstanding hunting access for both residents and non-residents. The state’s hunting traditions date back centuries and remain a vital part of its cultural identity.
North Carolina is particularly renowned for its black bear hunting, with populations in both the mountain and coastal plain regions that make it one of the top black bear hunting states in the eastern US. White-tailed deer hunting is excellent throughout the state, with the coastal plain’s agricultural fields and pocosins producing both quality numbers and trophy bucks. Wild turkey hunting in spring is a beloved tradition across all regions of the state.
Key Insights
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- North Carolina is one of the top eastern states for black bear hunting with two distinct populations in the mountains and coastal plain.
- The state’s coastal sounds provide extraordinary concentrations of diving ducks including canvasbacks, redheads, and scaup each winter.
- Nearly 2 million acres of Game Lands plus national forests and wildlife refuges provide extensive public hunting access.
- North Carolina hunters harvest over 150,000 white-tailed deer annually across all 100 counties of the state.
- The state offers one of the most diverse hunting experiences in the eastern US, spanning mountains, piedmont, and coastal habitats.
Table of Contents
Hunters (Based on Hunting Licenses)
Land Types (Acres)
North Carolina ranks 24th among all 50 states for percentage of private land.
North Carolina Hunting Seasons
For the most accurate information on North Carolina Hunting Seasons, along with the state’s requirements for tag and bag limits, it’s a good idea to check with the North Carolina DNR. We’ve provided their contact information below, along with links to helpful resources, including licensing.
North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission
1751 Varsity Drive
Raleigh, NC 27606
- (919) 707-0010
Popular Game in North Carolina
North Carolina offers one of the most diverse hunting experiences in the eastern United States. White-tailed deer are the most popular big game target, with excellent hunting across all three regions of the state. North Carolina is one of the top eastern states for black bear hunting, with healthy populations in the mountains and coastal plain. Wild turkey is highly sought after during spring gobbler season. Waterfowl hunting in the coastal plain and Outer Banks region is exceptional, with large concentrations of diving ducks wintering in the state’s coastal sounds and rivers.
Small Game Hunting in North Carolina
North Carolina’s small game hunting is diverse and productive across all regions of the state. Bobwhite quail hunting has a rich tradition in the Piedmont and Coastal Plain, though populations have declined over the decades due to habitat changes. Conservation efforts and hunting preserves help maintain quail hunting opportunities. Dove hunting is extremely popular in the state’s agricultural areas, with some of the best September dove shooting in the Southeast available in the Piedmont and Coastal Plain.
Waterfowl hunting is one of North Carolina’s crown jewels. The state’s coastal sounds—Pamlico, Albemarle, and Currituck—provide extraordinary concentrations of diving ducks including canvasbacks, redheads, and scaup during the winter months. The Outer Banks region has a deep waterfowl hunting heritage, and many historic hunting clubs have operated in this area for over a century. Canada geese, tundra swans (with permit), and puddle ducks are also abundant.
Squirrel and rabbit hunting in the state’s extensive forests and brushy areas provide additional small game opportunities, and raccoon hunting with hounds is a beloved night hunting tradition throughout rural North Carolina.
Big Game Hunting in North Carolina
White-tailed deer hunting is the most popular big game pursuit in North Carolina, with hunting opportunities ranging from mountain forests to coastal plain agricultural fields. The state has a healthy deer population spread across all 100 counties, and North Carolina hunters harvest over 150,000 deer annually. The coastal plain’s agricultural areas and pocosins (shrub bogs) produce excellent trophy bucks, while the mountains offer challenging hunting in rugged terrain.
North Carolina is one of the premier black bear hunting states in the eastern United States. The state has two distinct bear populations: a mountain population in the western counties and a coastal plain population in the eastern counties. The coastal plain population, centered in the Dare, Hyde, and Tyrrell county area, is one of the densest black bear populations in the eastern US. Annual harvests of 1,000+ bears make North Carolina a top destination for eastern bear hunters.
Wild turkey hunting is excellent across all regions of North Carolina. The spring gobbler season is a beloved tradition, with hunters pursuing Eastern wild turkeys through mountain hardwoods, Piedmont farm country, and coastal plain forests. North Carolina consistently ranks among the top southeastern states for turkey harvest, and the state’s fall turkey season provides additional opportunities for hunters.
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Hunting Areas in North Carolina
North Carolina offers great hunting opportunities across the state, both on public and private land. We’ve included some of the best areas for public hunting below and as we have access we’ll be adding more private land too.
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We’re working with landowners all across North Carolina to provide private land access for more activities. Add your information below to stay up to date.
Public Land Hunting in North Carolina
North Carolina has nearly 2 million acres of Game Lands managed by the Wildlife Resources Commission, plus additional hunting on the Pisgah and Nantahala National Forests and several national wildlife refuges. The Pisgah National Forest encompasses over 500,000 acres of the Blue Ridge Mountains in western North Carolina, offering excellent deer, bear, turkey, and grouse hunting in spectacular mountain terrain. The Nantahala National Forest provides additional mountain hunting opportunities.
The Croatan National Forest on the coastal plain is a unique 160,000-acre forest surrounded by estuaries and coastal sounds, offering exceptional bear, deer, and waterfowl hunting. The Mattamuskeet, Pocosin Lakes, and Alligator River National Wildlife Refuges in the eastern coastal plain provide access to some of the state’s best waterfowl and bear hunting country.
North Carolina’s game lands system includes over 2 million acres of hunting land distributed across all 100 counties. These lands range from mountain forests and piedmont farm country to coastal plain pocosins and barrier island marshes, providing hunters with diverse habitats and species opportunities throughout the state.
1. Pisgah National Forest
2. Nantahala National Forest
3. Croatan National Forest
4. Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge
5. Uwharrie National Forest
Hunting Private Land in North Carolina
Since a large portion of North Carolina is private land, getting access for hunting can be very appealing. When you hunt private land, it’s not only less crowded, the animals also tend to be less skittish and this means you’ll have a better day out in the field. Traditionally, accessing private land for hunting has been complicated and expensive. You either needed to join a club, hire a guide, or start knocking on doors.
Fortunately Wing It is simplifying this for hunters and outdoor enthusiasts of all types. We’re adding new land every day and if we have some in your area, you’ll see some options below.