Hunting in North Carolina
Everything you need to hunt legally in North Carolina. Access shooting hours calculators, season dates, bag limits, license costs, and hunter education requirements all in one place.
Quick Facts
Digital License
Accepted in field
License Year
August 1 - June 30
Wildlife Agency
NCWRC
Draw System
random points
Updated: January 2026
North Carolina Hunting Tools
Free calculators and lookup tools to help you hunt legally in North Carolina.
Shooting Hours Calculator
30 minutes before sunrise
Calculate legal shooting times in North Carolina based on your exact location and date. Know exactly when you can start and stop hunting.
Season Dates Finder
4 species tracked
Find all North Carolina hunting season dates by species and method. Deer, turkey, waterfowl, and more with archery, rifle, and muzzleloader dates.
License Cost Calculator
From $30 resident
Compare North Carolina hunting license prices for residents and non-residents. Find the best value licenses and required permits.
Bag Limits Lookup
15 species covered
North Carolina bag limits by species. Daily limits, possession limits, and season limits for deer, turkey, waterfowl, and small game.
Hunter Education Requirements
Online courses accepted
North Carolina hunter education requirements. Find out if you need certification, available exemptions, and approved course providers.
Complete License Guide
All license types & pricing
Detailed guide to all North Carolina hunting and fishing licenses, draw systems, official app info, and state-specific requirements.
North Carolina License Costs
Compare resident and non-resident hunting license prices for 2026.
| License Type | Resident | Non-Res |
|---|---|---|
| Resident Hunting | $30.00 | $119.00 |
| Resident Fishing | $30.00 | $54.00 |
| Sportsman Combo | $42.00 | N/A |
North Carolina Hunting Seasons
Upcoming and current hunting seasons in North Carolina.
Deer
Archery
Sep 6
to Oct 3
Deer
Rifle
Oct 11
to Jan 1
Deer
Muzzleloader
Oct 4
to Oct 10
Turkey
Apr 11
to May 9
Bear
Nov 10
to Jan 1
North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission
NCWRC
Digital License Info: Digital licenses accepted via Go Outdoors NC app. Display license on phone screen for game wardens.
Hunter Education
North Carolina requirements
Neighboring States
Hunting resources for states near North Carolina.
Store Your North Carolina License in Hunter Passport
Keep your NC hunting and fishing licenses alongside all your other states. Works completely offline, displays instantly to game wardens.