Weapons seasons for deer on game lands follow the season for the county in which they are located except for Buffalo Cove Game Land, Nicholson Creek Game Land, Rockfish Creek Game Land, Sandhills Game Land and South Mountains Game Land. See the “Game Lands” section for additional restrictions on these Game Lands seasons. Refer to the “Game Lands” section for Gun Either-Sex Deer Season dates on game lands.
North Carolina offers some excellent hunting opportunities. If you are a resident or visitor to the state, please review the links below to ensure that you understand the rules, regulations and other guidelines.
METHOD OF TAKE | SEASON DATES |
YOUTH DEER HUNTING DAY | |
On this day, youth under the age of 18 may use any legal weapon to hunt deer of either sex. | September 25, 2021 |
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. 11 – Oct. 1, 2021 |
Blackpowder | Oct. 2 – Oct. 15, 2021 |
Gun | Oct. 16, 2021 – Jan. 1, 2022 |
CENTRAL DEER SEASON | |
Archery | Sept. 11 – Oct. 29, 2021 |
Blackpowder | Oct. 30 – Nov. 12, 2021 |
Gun | Nov. 13, 2021 – Jan. 1, 2022 |
NORTHWESTERN DEER SEASON | |
Archery | Sept. 11 – Nov. 5, 2021 |
Blackpowder | Nov. 6 – Nov. 19, 2021 |
Gun | Nov. 20, 2021 – Jan. 1, 2022 |
WESTERN DEER SEASON | |
Archery | Sept. 11 – Oct. 3, 2021, Oct. 17 – Nov. 21, 2021, Dec. 12, 2021 – Jan. 1, 2022 (antlered only) |
Blackpowder | Oct. 4 – Oct. 16, 2021 |
Gun | Nov. 22 – Dec. 11, 2021 |
See the maps on Deer Zone Maps for either-sex season dates and exceptions to the seasons listed in this table.