Licensing

• License and hunting regulations are updated yearly by North Carolina. Resident and non-resident big game licenses are available and all hunters must complete a free hunter safety course.
  
  

Seasons

• There are four deer hunting zones in North Carolina: Eastern, Central, Northwestern and Western. Open hunting dates change annually, but usually range from early September through January. Seasons are based on the type of weapon used, the age of the deer, the sex of the animal and/or the hunting location. Specific urban archery seasons allow hunters to pursue deer in developed areas.
  
  

Limits

• Hunters may take up to six deer per year with a North Carolina big game hunting license, although there may be additional limits that apply to antlerless deer or areas with special regulations. The daily bag limit is two animals. Hunters should also be aware of additional game land, county, city or regional laws that may apply.
  
  

Reporting

• The harvest of any large game in North Carolina requires that the hunter “validate" the Big Game Harvest Report Card, which comes with the big game hunting license, by correctly identifying the big game animal harvested--before removing the animal from the scene. The kill must be reported within 24 hours and before the animal is dressed or otherwise altered.
  
  

Tips

• In North Carolina, all hunters are required to wear “hunter orange” attire at all times during any firearm season. Hunters pursuing quarry with a bow or muzzle loader may not carry a firearm. Also, dogs may not be used during muzzle loading or bow seasons. Strict regulations apply to any hunters who use dogs or lights to hunt for deer. Hunters can be fined up to $2,000 for dumping or leaving any animal remains in any creek, along a road, or in other location without permission.