North Carolina Whitetail Hunting
Plan your North Carolina whitetail hunt with season dates, license options, and hunting opportunities organized by unit. Browse available private-land hunts and book access directly from landowners.
Last updated by Aricin Rotarius
Find Hunts by Unit
Browse private-land whitetail hunts across North Carolina, organized by unit, and book directly with landowners.
North Carolina Whitetail Seasons
These dates represent the “general” season dates. Check the individual hunting unit regulations for the most accurate season dates and regulations.
Special Early
–
Deer with antlers or spikes protruding through the skin may be taken in CWD Management Areas with any lawful weapon, including on game lands.
Statewide Hunting Days
–
Youth hunters
On these days, youth under the age of 16 may use any legal weapon to hunt antlered or antlerless deer. Hunters age 16 and older may only use the weapon legal for the type of season open in their county on this day.
Northeastern Blackpowder
–
Southeastern Blackpowder
–
Southeastern Cwd Management Area Blackpowder
–
Northeastern Gun
–
Southeastern Cwd Management Area Gun
–
Southeastern Gun
–
Central Blackpowder
–
Northwestern Cwd Management Area Blackpowder
–
Northwestern Blackpowder
–
Western Blackpowder
–
Central Gun
–
Northwestern Cwd Management Area Gun
–
Northwestern Gun
–
Western Season Hunting Days
–
Youth hunters
On these days, youth under the age of 16 may use any legal weapon to hunt antlered or antlerless deer. Hunters age 16 and older may only use the weapon legal for the type of season open in their county on this day.
Western Gun
–
Urban Archery
–
Archery only. Hunting during the Urban Archery Season is allowed ONLY in participating municipalities. Antlered and antlerless deer may be harvested in participating areas.
North Carolina Whitetail Licenses
Resident Licenses
| License | Availability | Eligibility | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Big Game | — | — | $18.00 |
Must also possess a Bear Management E-Stamp to hunt bear. | |||
| Big Game Hunting | — | — | $18.00 |
Needed to hunt deer, bear and wild turkey. Residents must also purchase a Bear Management E-Stamp to hunt bear. A hunting license is required in addition to this privilege. | |||
| Taxidermy Cervid Certification | — | — | $7.00 |
Required, in addition to a taxidermy license, to engage in the taxidermy of any species of the family Cervidae (deer, elk, moose). | |||
Nonresident Licenses
| License | Availability | Eligibility | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10-Day Big Game | — | — | $99.00 |
Additional Hunting Privileges. Must also possess the appropriate hunting license. Reciprocal license fees apply to Georgia, South Carolina, Tennessee and Virginia residents. Refer to pages 15-16 for a list of fees. | |||
| Big Game (season) | — | — | $124.00 |
Additional Hunting Privileges. Must also possess the appropriate hunting license. Reciprocal license fees apply to Georgia, South Carolina, Tennessee and Virginia residents. Refer to pages 15-16 for a list of fees. | |||
| Big Game Hunting | — | — | $124.00 |
Needed to hunt deer, bear and wild turkey. Nonresidents hunting bear must also purchase the bear hunting license and Bear Management E-Stamp. A hunting license is required in addition to this privilege. | |||
| Big Game Hunting | — | Georgia resident | $225.00 |
| Big Game Hunting | — | South carolina resident | $310.00 |
| Big Game Hunting | — | Tennessee resident | $195.00 |
| Big Game Hunting | — | Virginia resident | $85.00 |
| Big Game Hunting 10-Day | — | — | $99.00 |
Needed to hunt deer, bear and wild turkey during the 10-day period specified on the license. Nonresidents hunting bear must also purchase the bear hunting license and Bear Management E-Stamp. A hunting license is required in addition to this privilege. | |||
| Big Game Hunting 10-Day | — | Georgia resident | $202.00 |
| Big Game Hunting 10-Day | — | South carolina resident | $310.00 |
| Big Game Hunting 10-Day | — | Tennessee resident | $195.00 |
| Big Game Hunting 10-Day | — | Virginia resident | $85.00 |
Other Licenses
| License | Availability | Eligibility | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| License-Exempt Big Game Harvest Report Card | — | Youth hunters; License-exempt | $0.00 |
Obtained from a wildlife service agent or by calling 833-950-0575. License-Exempt Cards (no cost) are not available online. License-exempt youth should obtain their own card rather than reporting on their parent's Big Game Harvest Report Card. | |||
Frequently Asked Questions
North Carolina's approximate whitetail season dates vary by region and method. A special CWD-area hunt runs August 22–23, 2026, and statewide youth hunting days are September 26–27. Regional blackpowder seasons run from early October through late November, followed by regional gun seasons that end January 1, 2027. Participating municipalities also have an Urban Archery season January 9–February 14, 2027. Check your county's region and current regulations for the exact season.
