North Carolina hunting seasons
Season dates for 2026-27, straight from the NCWRC regulations — starting with what you actually want to know.
Open right now in
North Carolina
Deer Opens Aug 22 8 days away Turkey Opens Apr 10 239 days away Duck Opens Sep 10 27 days away Dove Opens Sep 5 22 days away
Dates checked against the NCWRC regulations Aug 13, 2026.
Deer season
| Season | Zone | Dates |
|---|---|---|
| Gun | Central Zone | Nov 14, 2026 – Jan 1, 2027 |
| Gun | Northeastern Zone | Oct 17, 2026 – Jan 1, 2027 |
| Gun Blackpowder and gun open a week earlier here than in the rest of the Northwestern Zone. | Northwestern CWD Management Area | Nov 14, 2026 – Jan 1, 2027 |
| Gun | Northwestern Zone | Nov 21, 2026 – Jan 1, 2027 |
| Gun Cumberland and Sampson counties (Southeastern CWD Management Area) run the same dates, but antlerless deer are open all season. | Southeastern Zone | Oct 17, 2026 – Jan 1, 2027 |
| Gun Antlerless days are shorter in the far western counties — check the county listing. | Western Zone | Nov 28, 2026 – Jan 1, 2027 |
| Special Early Season Any lawful weapon, in Cumberland, Sampson, Forsyth, Stokes, Surry, Wilkes and Yadkin counties. | CWD Management Areas | Aug 22 – Aug 23 |
| Archery | Central Zone | Sep 12 – Oct 30 |
| Archery | Northeastern Zone | Sep 12 – Oct 2 |
| Archery Forsyth, Stokes, Surry, Wilkes and Yadkin counties. | Northwestern CWD Management Area | Sep 12 – Oct 30 |
| Archery | Northwestern Zone | Sep 12 – Nov 6 |
| Archery | Southeastern Zone | Sep 12 – Oct 2 |
| Archery | Western Zone | Sep 12 – Nov 13 |
| Blackpowder | Central Zone | Oct 31 – Nov 13 |
| Blackpowder | Northeastern Zone | Oct 3 – Oct 16 |
| Blackpowder | Northwestern CWD Management Area | Oct 31 – Nov 13 |
| Blackpowder | Northwestern Zone | Nov 7 – Nov 20 |
| Blackpowder | Southeastern Zone | Oct 3 – Oct 16 |
| Blackpowder | Western Zone | Nov 14 – Nov 27 |
Turkey season
| Season | Zone | Dates |
|---|---|---|
| Statewide Spring Season Male or bearded turkeys only. | Statewide | Apr 17 – May 15 |
| Youth Season Male or bearded turkeys only. North Carolina has no fall turkey season. | Statewide | Apr 10 – Apr 11 |
Duck season
| Season | Zone | Dates |
|---|---|---|
| Regular Season Black ducks and mottled ducks stay closed until Nov. 21. | Coastal Duck Zone | Oct 23 – Oct 24; Nov 7 – Nov 28; Dec 17, 2026 – Jan 30, 2027 |
| Regular Season Black ducks and mottled ducks stay closed until Nov. 21. | Inland Duck Zone | Oct 15 – Oct 17; Nov 7 – Nov 28; Dec 18, 2026 – Jan 30, 2027 |
| September Teal | East of U.S. 17 | Sep 10 – Sep 19 |
| Youth, Veterans & Military Waterfowl Days Youth are 15 or younger and must be with an adult 18 or older. | Statewide | Dec 5; Feb 6 |
| Extended Falconry | Statewide | Oct 1 – Oct 10; Feb 1 – Feb 6 |
Dove season
| Season | Zone | Dates |
|---|---|---|
| Regular Season Mourning and white-winged doves. | Statewide | Sep 5 – Oct 10; Nov 7 – Nov 28; Dec 16, 2026 – Jan 30, 2027 |
| Extended Falconry | Statewide | Oct 12 – Oct 24 |
Draw & application deadlines
Coming up: Tundra swan permit hunt — closes Sep 1, 2026.