North Carolina Hunting Seasons & Prices
2026 big-game season dates and license/tag prices.
North Carolina offers 2026 hunting seasons for whitetail and turkey across archery, muzzleloader, firearm, and any method methods. Seasons run from September 12, 2026 through May 15, 2027. A hunting license (base) costs $30 for residents and $119 for nonresidents.
Planning reference only — always confirm dates and prices with the state wildlife agency before applying, buying a license, or hunting.
Season dates
Whitetail
| Season | Method | Opens | Closes | Notes | Track |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Archery | Archery | Sep 12, 2026 | Nov 13, 2026 | Closes Oct 2 (Northeastern/Southeastern), Oct 30 (Central/Northwestern), or Nov 13 (Western) by deer season zone. | 🔔 |
| Blackpowder (Eastern zones) | Muzzleloader | Oct 3, 2026 | Oct 16, 2026 | Northeastern and Southeastern zones. | 🔔 |
| Gun (Southeastern) | Firearm | Oct 17, 2026 | Jan 1, 2027 | 🔔 | |
| Blackpowder (Central/Northwestern) | Muzzleloader | Oct 31, 2026 | Nov 13, 2026 | 🔔 | |
| Blackpowder (Western) | Muzzleloader | Nov 14, 2026 | Nov 27, 2026 | 🔔 | |
| Gun (Northeastern/Central) | Firearm | Nov 14, 2026 | Jan 1, 2027 | 🔔 | |
| Gun (Northwestern) | Firearm | Nov 21, 2026 | Jan 1, 2027 | 🔔 | |
| Gun (Western) | Firearm | Nov 28, 2026 | Jan 1, 2027 | Some western counties (Buncombe, Henderson, McDowell) close Dec 5. | 🔔 |
License & tag prices
| License | Resident | Nonresident | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hunting License (base) | $30 | $119 | |
| Big Game Privilege (deer/turkey/bear) | $17 | $119 | |
| Game Lands License (public game lands) | $25 | $25 |
Deer hunting needs a base hunting license plus the Big Game Privilege (deer/turkey/bear; tags included). A Game Lands License is extra for public game lands.
Source: NC Wildlife Resources Commission license types & fees (ncwildlife.gov)
North Carolina hunt units
Explore harvest history, success rates, and draw odds by unit.
ALAMANCE TurkeyALEXANDER TurkeyALLEGHANY TurkeyANSON TurkeyASHE TurkeyAVERY TurkeyBEAUFORT TurkeyBERTIE TurkeyBLADEN TurkeyBRUNSWICK TurkeyBUNCOMBE TurkeyBURKE Turkey
Browse all North Carolina harvest data →North Carolina hunting FAQ
- When does whitetail season open in North Carolina in 2026?
- North Carolina's 2026 whitetail archery season opens September 12 and runs through November 13. Always confirm exact dates with the state wildlife agency before hunting.
- What big-game species can you hunt in North Carolina?
- In 2026, North Carolina has hunting seasons for whitetail and turkey.
- How much is a North Carolina hunting license for nonresidents?
- A hunting license (base) in North Carolina is $119 for nonresidents and $30 for residents.