2018-2019 Big Game Season Dates

Courtesy of North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission

Youth Deer Hunting Day

September 22, 2018 - On this day, youth under the age of 18 may use any legal weapon to hunt deer of either sex.

See General Hunting Regulations for description of legal weapons. Hunters age 18 and older may only use the weapon legal for the type of season open in their county on this day. All hunters must wear hunter orange on this day, even if the hunter is using archery equipment.

Northeastern and Southeastern Deer Season

Archery Sept. 8 – Sept. 28, 2018
Blackpowder Sept. 29 – Oct. 12, 2018
Gun Oct. 13, 2018 – Jan. 1, 2019

Central Deer Season

Archery Sept. 8 – Oct. 26, 2018
Blackpowder Oct. 27 – Nov. 9, 2018
Gun Nov. 10, 2018 – Jan. 1, 2019

Northwestern Deer Season

Archery Sept. 8 – Nov. 2, 2018
Blackpowder Nov. 3 – Nov. 16, 2018
Gun Nov. 17, 2018 – Jan. 1, 2019

Western Deer Season

Archery Sept. 8 – Sept. 30; Oct. 14 – Nov. 18, 2018; Dec. 9, 2018 – January 1, 2019 (antlered deer only)
Blackpowder Oct. 1 – Oct. 13, 2018
Gun Nov. 19 – Dec. 8, 2018

Wild Turkey Seasons

Daily limit 1; Possession and season limit 2, only one of which may be taken during the youth season.

Note: For information on permit hunts for select Game Lands, refer to the “Game Lands” section.

Apr. 6 – 12, 2019 - Youth Season (Male or Bearded Turkey Only)

Youth under the age of 18 may hunt turkey statewide during this season, but some Game Lands require a permit (see “Game Lands” section). Only youth can hunt during this season and only one weapon is allowed per youth hunter. Each youth must have a Big Game Harvest Report Card and report harvests according to instructions in this Digest. License-exempt youth should report their harvest using a Big Game Harvest Report Card for License-Exempt Hunters.

Apr. 13 – May 11, 2019 - Statewide Spring Season (Male or Bearded Turkey Only)

Restrictions

It is unlawful to:

• Use dogs during the spring wild turkey season.
• Use any type of handgun or rifle to hunt wild turkey.
• Take wild turkeys from an area in which bait has been placed. (An area is considered baited until 10 days after the bait has been consumed or otherwise removed.)
• Possess live wild turkeys or live birds that are indistinguishable from wild turkeys.