North Carolina Hunting Laws

What makes land legally posted in North Carolina?

Land is legally posted for hunting when signs of at least 120 square inches are placed no more than 200 yards apart along the boundaries, with at least one on each side and one at each corner (if the corner can be reasonably found). Trespass to hunt under G.S. 14-159.6 applies only to land posted this way (or with purple paint).

For fishing waters, signs need only be posted along the stream or shoreline at intervals of no more than 200 yards. General criminal trespass laws may still apply on unposted land.

Source: N.C. Gen. Stat. § 14-159.7(1) · official source

Does North Carolina have a purple paint law?

Yes. Purple paint marks count as posting: each mark is a vertical line at least 8 inches long, with the bottom 3 to 5 feet above the base of the tree or post, placed no more than 100 yards apart and readily visible to anyone approaching.

Source: N.C. Gen. Stat. § 14-159.7(2) · official source

Do you need written permission to hunt private land in North Carolina?

To hunt on posted land you need written permission from the landowner, lessee or agent. It must be carried on you, signed, dated within the last 12 months, and shown to any law enforcement officer who asks.

Club members satisfy the rule by carrying a current club membership card plus a copy of the written permission granted to the club. It is an affirmative defense that you actually had prior permission but weren't carrying it.

Source: N.C. Gen. Stat. § 14-159.6(a) · official source

Can you retrieve a deer or a hunting dog from posted land in North Carolina?

No. North Carolina gives hunters no right to enter posted land to retrieve dogs or wounded game without permission. To encourage permission, a landowner who lets a hunter come on to retrieve stray hunting dogs owes that hunter only the duty of care owed a trespasser.

When tracking a dead or wounded big game animal where you are allowed to be, you may use a portable light and one leashed dog, until 11:00 p.m. if necessary, but no motor vehicle (G.S. 113-291.1(k)).

Source: N.C. Gen. Stat. § 113-291.5A; § 14-159.6 · official source

What is the penalty for hunting trespass in North Carolina?

Hunting, fishing or trapping on posted land without written permission is a Class 2 misdemeanor. A third or later conviction brings a mandatory 2-year suspension of hunting license privileges. Tearing down or putting up posted signs without the owner's consent is a Class 3 misdemeanor with a fine of up to $100.

Source: N.C. Gen. Stat. § 14-159.6(a); § 113-276.3(d)(6); § 14-159.8 · official source

How close to a house can you hunt in North Carolina?

North Carolina has no statewide minimum distance from houses for hunting on private land: the state's hunting statutes (G.S. ch. 113, art. 22) and the NCWRC general hunting regulations contain none. Distances apply only on game lands, where you may not fire a gun within 150 yards of a residence on or next to the game land or of a game-land building or camping area, and under county local laws, so check your county.

Checked: G.S. ch. 113, art. 22 (ncleg.gov) and the NCWRC digest's General Hunting Regulations. The 150-yard game-land rule does not apply to archery equipment. Sunday firearm hunting is banned within 500 yards of a place of worship (G.S. 103-2). County local laws listed in the NCWRC digest can add further restrictions.

Source: G.S. ch. 113, art. 22; 15A NCAC 10D .0102(d) · official source

Can you hunt from or near a road in North Carolina?

There is no statewide ban on hunting from or near public roads, but many counties have local laws that prohibit or restrict hunting or shooting from roads or carrying a loaded gun on road rights-of-way. Statewide, you may not shoot from a vehicle that is moving, has its engine running, or has someone in the passenger area.

Check the 'Local Laws by County' section of the NCWRC digest. On game lands, no weapon may be discharged from a vehicle (15A NCAC 10D .0102). Disabled hunters with restricted mobility may occupy the passenger area.

Source: N.C. Gen. Stat. § 113-291.1(b)(1) · official source

What are legal shooting hours in North Carolina?

Game may be taken only from a half hour before sunrise to a half hour after sunset, unless a specific rule says otherwise.

Raccoons and opossum may be hunted at night with dogs and lights during their seasons. A hunter may track a dead or wounded big game animal with a light and one leashed dog until 11:00 p.m.

Source: N.C. Gen. Stat. § 113-291.1(a) · official source

What are the blaze orange requirements in North Carolina?

Anyone hunting deer during a deer firearms season, with any weapon including archery, must wear hunter orange visible from all sides. Anyone hunting other game animals, upland game birds or feral swine with a firearm must wear a hunter orange cap or hat, or an outer garment of hunter orange visible from all sides. No minimum square-inch amount is set.

Does not apply when hunting foxes, bobcats, raccoons, opossums or wild turkeys, or to a landholder, spouse or children hunting on the landholder's own land. The digest notes this covers archery hunters on Sundays during deer gun season and Youth Deer Hunting Days. Violation is an infraction with a $25 fine.

Source: N.C. Gen. Stat. § 113-291.8 · official source

Is night hunting legal in North Carolina?

Deer may not be hunted at night or with lights, and shining a light at night where deer live while having access to a gun or bow is evidence of illegal night hunting. Coyotes and feral swine may be hunted day or night on private land with artificial lights and electronic calls; raccoons and opossums may be taken at night with dogs and lights.

Night hunting of coyotes and feral swine on public/game lands requires a permit. Coyote hunting on public lands is prohibited in Beaufort, Dare, Hyde, Tyrrell and Washington counties except special permit hunts. Many counties restrict shining lights on deer after sunset or after 11 p.m. (15A NCAC 10B .0115).

Source: N.C. Gen. Stat. § 113-291.1(b)(2), (e); 15A NCAC 10B .0219; 15A NCAC 10B .0223 · official source

Do you need a hunting license to hunt your own land in North Carolina?

Landholders, their spouses, and dependents under 18 living with them may hunt on the land they hold without a hunting license.

Not exempt from the bear management stamp, elk and alligator licenses, or the falconry license.

Source: N.C. Gen. Stat. § 113-276(c) · official source

Who needs hunter education in North Carolina?

Anyone, regardless of age, must show a hunter education certificate to buy a North Carolina hunting license, unless they hold a Hunting Heritage Apprentice Permit or a hunting license issued before July 1, 2013. Hunters under 16 may hunt license-free only when accompanied by a licensed adult 18 or older, unless they have completed hunter education.

Out-of-state hunter education certificates are accepted if reciprocal. 'Accompanied' means within sight and hearing without electronic devices. Landholders hunting their own land under the license exemption are not buying a license.

Source: N.C. Gen. Stat. § 113-270.1A; § 113-276(d) · official source

Is Sunday hunting legal in North Carolina?

Yes. Landowners, their family, and people with the landowner's written permission may hunt with firearms on Sunday on that property, and anyone may hunt Sunday on public lands managed for hunting. Firearm hunting is banned 9:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m., within 500 yards of a place of worship, and for deer chased by dogs.

Archery hunting on Sunday is allowed without the firearm restrictions. Migratory game birds may not be taken on Sunday (15A NCAC 10B .0201(e)). The 9:30–12:30 ban does not apply on licensed controlled hunting preserves. Violation is a Class 3 misdemeanor.

Source: N.C. Gen. Stat. § 103-2; 15A NCAC 10B .0201(d)-(e) · official source

Is it legal to bait deer in North Carolina?

Hunting deer over bait is not prohibited statewide on private land. Baiting is banned for wild birds and wild turkey (no turkey hunting within 300 yards of bait until 10 days after it's gone), on game lands without written authorization, and in CWD Surveillance and Management Areas from January 2 through August 31.

Minerals and salt licks to congregate wildlife are banned year-round in CWD Surveillance/Management Areas (urban archery season exception). Bear may be hunted over unprocessed bait only in counties set by rule; processed food bait is illegal statewide. Natural deer urine/scent products are restricted (15A NCAC 10B .0201(h)).

Source: N.C. Gen. Stat. § 113-291.1(b)(2); 15A NCAC 10B .0503; 15A NCAC 10D · official source

Can you use a crossbow during archery season in North Carolina?

Yes. Crossbows are legal archery equipment for any hunter in every archery season and for all species with an open season. For bear, deer, elk, turkey, alligator and feral swine the crossbow must have at least a 100-pound pull and broadheads at least 7/8 inch wide.

Source: 15A NCAC 10B .0116 · official source

Can you use a drone to scout or recover game in North Carolina?

You may not use a drone to take wild birds or wild animals in North Carolina.

The NCWRC digest lists drones alongside airplanes as conveyances that may not be used in taking wildlife. The digest does not separately address using a drone only to scout.

Source: N.C. Gen. Stat. § 113-291.1(b)(1) · official source

Is a landowner liable if someone gets hurt hunting on their land in North Carolina?

Yes. A landowner who lets people hunt or use land for recreation without charging a fee owes them only the duty of care owed a trespasser. The protection doesn't apply if the land is regularly used for a fee-charged purpose or the permission promotes a commercial enterprise.

Does not cover the dwelling and its immediate yard. Owners must warn direct invitees of known artificial or unusual hazards, and the attractive nuisance doctrine still applies. A landowner who lets a hunter retrieve stray dogs gets the same protection (G.S. 113-291.5A).

Source: N.C. Gen. Stat. § 38A-4 · official source