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Is deer season open in North Carolina?
Every North Carolina deer season for 2026-27 from North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission, open or closed on the day you pick, and when the next one opens.
North Carolina deer seasons 2026-27
North Carolina's Gun deer season opens first Oct 17, 2026, and the dates vary by zone.
- Special Early Season · Southeastern CWD Management Area, Northwestern CWD Management AreaAug 22 to Aug 23
- Archery · Northeastern, Southeastern, Southeastern CWD Management AreaSep 12 to Oct 2
- Archery · Central, Northwestern CWD Management AreaSep 12 to Oct 30
- Archery · NorthwesternSep 12 to Nov 6
- Archery · WesternSep 12 to Nov 13
- Youth Deer Hunting Days (Statewide) · youth hunters onlySep 26 to Sep 27
- Blackpowder · Northeastern, Southeastern, Southeastern CWD Management AreaOct 3 to Oct 16
- Gun · Northeastern, Southeastern, Southeastern CWD Management AreaOct 17 to Jan 1, 2027
- Blackpowder · Central, Northwestern CWD Management AreaOct 31 to Nov 13
- Blackpowder · NorthwesternNov 7 to Nov 20
- Blackpowder · WesternNov 14 to Nov 27
- Gun · Central, Northwestern CWD Management AreaNov 14 to Jan 1, 2027
- Gun · NorthwesternNov 21 to Jan 1, 2027
- Youth Deer Hunting Days (Western Deer Season) · Western · youth hunters onlyNov 26 to Nov 27
- Gun · WesternNov 28 to Jan 1, 2027
North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission. Hunting and Trapping Season Dates for July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2027, checked November 2026.
Deer season · North Carolina · Today. Yes. A deer season is open today in every North Carolina zone. Pick yours above to see which.
Deer season · North Carolina · Today
Season openYes. A deer season is open today in every North Carolina zone. Pick yours above to see which.
- Youth Deer Hunting Days (Statewide)
Pick your zone above to see its full season calendar.
Pick your zone above to see its 14 zone seasons.
Youth Deer Hunting Days (Statewide)Youth
Sep 26 to Sep 27
Youth hunters only
North Carolina's wording
"Youth Deer Hunting Days Statewide September 26–27, 2026"
Source
Hunter orange
"Any person hunting deer during a deer firearms season shall wear hunter orange visible from all sides. This includes hunting with archery equipment on Sundays. This also includes anyone hunting on Youth Deer Hunting Days, regardless of age of the hunter or weapon used. Landholders, their spouses and children hunting on land held by the landholder do not have to wear hunter orange."
More from North Carolina's rules
"Hunting with firearms between 9:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. is prohibited except on controlled hunting preserves;"
"Antlered deer may be taken during any open antlered deer season. Antlerless deer may only be taken during antlerless deer seasons."
"Antlerless gun season extended in Avery, Burke, Caldwell, Cleveland, Madison, Mitchell, Rutherford, Polk, and Yancey counties. Specific dates vary by county group."
Source: North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission, Hunting and Trapping Season Dates for July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2027, checked November 2026.
A guide to the dates each state printed for the year, not the regulations. Bag limits, permits, weapon rules and unit closures are in the state's own digest, which is the authority.
- Each state's own dates, quoted
- Your zone and your day
- When the next season opens
Hunting in North Carolina
44 outfitters, guides and lodges listed in North Carolina. Legal shooting hours in North Carolina today.
Common questions
Deer season questions
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