North Carolina

North Carolina Hunting License: Cost, Requirements & How to Apply (2026)

Complete guide to North Carolina hunting license costs, requirements, seasons, and regulations for the Jul 1, 2025 – Jun 30, 2026 season.

Last updated: March 2026

Resident License $30 General hunting

Non-Resident License $119 General hunting

Hunter Education Required Born after 1950-01-01

Online Purchase Yes Jul 1, 2025 – Jun 30, 2026

LICENSE FEES

North Carolina Hunting License Fees 2026

Current hunting license costs for residents and non-residents. License year: Jul 1, 2025 – Jun 30, 2026.

Resident Licenses

Resident State Hunting $30 —

Resident Big Game Privilege $17 —

Resident Comprehensive Hunting $47 —

Resident Sportsman $63 —

Resident Lifetime Comprehensive $315 —

Resident Youth (Under 16) Free —

Non-Resident Licenses

Non-Resident State Hunting — $119

Non-Resident Big Game Privilege — $119

Non-Resident 10-Day Hunting — $95

Non-Resident 10-Day Big Game — $95

Tags & Permits

Deer Free Free

Turkey Free Free

Bear Management Stamp (Res) $14 Free

Bear Management Stamp (NR) Free $284

Elk (Lottery) $10 $10

Endorsements & Stamps

NC Waterfowl Privilege $11 Required for waterfowl in NC

Federal Duck Stamp $25 Required for waterfowl 16+; valid Jul 1 – Jun 30

HIP Certification Free Free; required for migratory bird hunters

Game Lands License $25 Required for hunting on NC game lands (public WMAs)

PURCHASE

How to Buy a North Carolina Hunting License

Multiple convenient options to get your license quickly.

Buy Online (Recommended)

Visit gooutdoorsnorthcarolina.com. Create account or sign in. Select Comprehensive Hunting ($47) or Sportsman ($63). Add Bear Management Stamp ($14) if hunting bear. Add Game Lands License ($25) if hunting public land. Add NC Waterfowl Privilege ($11) if waterfowl. Pay and print license, tags, and stamps

Buy In Person

Walmart stores statewide, Bass Pro Shops / Cabela's, Local sporting goods stores, NCWRC offices

Buy By Phone

Call 919-707-0010. Service fee may apply

Shop for hunting gear at our partners:

Bass Pro Shops → Cabela's → Amazon → Academy Sports →

Pro Tip

The easiest way to buy your North Carolina hunting license is online through the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission. You'll get your license instantly and can start hunting right away.

EDUCATION

Hunter Education Requirements in North Carolina

Who needs it: All hunters born on or after January 1, 1950

Online course: Available — Cost: Free

Field day required: Yes, in-person field day required

Minimum age: 12 years old

Apprentice/deferral program: Available — hunt under supervision while completing education

Military exemption: Yes, active duty military may be exempt

Start Your Hunter Education Course

EXEMPTIONS

Who Can Hunt for Free (or at a Discount) in North Carolina?

Youth (Under 16) Free No license needed; must hunt with licensed adult

Senior (70+) Free lifetime NC residents 70+ get free lifetime comprehensive hunting + fishing

Disabled Veteran (100%) Free 100% service-connected: free licenses and big game privilege

Active Military Resident rates Active duty stationed in NC pay resident rates

Landowner Free on own land NC resident landowners hunt/fish on own property free; must register harvest

SEASONS

North Carolina Hunting Seasons 2026-2027

Key hunting season dates and weapon restrictions.

White-tailed Deer Archery Sep 6 – Oct 31 Bow and crossbow

White-tailed Deer Muzzleloader (Western) Oct 4 – Oct 10 Muzzleloader; mountain counties

White-tailed Deer Gun (Central/Eastern) Oct 11 – Jan 1 Rifle, shotgun, muzzleloader; longer Piedmont/coastal season

White-tailed Deer Gun (Western) Nov 15 – Jan 1 Rifle, shotgun, muzzleloader; mountain counties

White-tailed Deer Urban Archery Sep 6 – Jan 31 – Extended Bow only; select urban zones

Black Bear Western (Mountains) Nov 10 – Jan 1 Rifle, muzzleloader, bow; Great Smoky region

Black Bear Eastern (Coastal) Nov – Dec/Jan Limited counties; growing population

Turkey Youth Spring Apr 5 – Apr 5 Shotgun, bow; supervised youth

Turkey Spring Apr 12 – May 10 Shotgun, bow

Turkey Fall Oct 18 – Nov 1 Shotgun, bow, rifle; limited counties

Dove Regular (3 splits) Sep 1 – Jan Shotgun

Quail Regular Nov 15 – Feb 28 Shotgun; wild coveys declining

Rabbit Regular Nov 15 – Feb 28 Shotgun; cottontail

Squirrel Regular Oct 11 – Feb 28 Shotgun, .22 rifle

Ruffed Grouse Regular Oct 11 – Feb 28 Shotgun; western mountain counties only

Duck/Waterfowl Regular Oct-Jan – Zone-specific Shotgun (non-toxic shot)

Feral Hog Year-Round Jan 1 – Dec 31 Any weapon on private land; no bag limit

Coyote Year-Round Jan 1 – Dec 31 No limit; nighttime allowed with light

BAG LIMITS

North Carolina Bag Limits

Daily and seasonal harvest limits for major game species.

White-tailed Deer 1 2 antlered + 4 antlerless = 6 total Varies by zone; urban archery may have bonus tags

Black Bear 1 1 Western mountains + coastal; bear stamp $14/$284 required

Turkey (Spring) 1 2 Bearded turkeys

Turkey (Fall) 1 1 Either sex; limited counties

Dove 15 No season limit 3 seasonal splits; mourning and white-winged

Quail 6 No season limit Bobwhite; declining wild populations

Squirrel 8 No season limit Gray and fox squirrel; popular in NC

Rabbit 5 No season limit Cottontail; beagle running tradition

COMPARE

How North Carolina Compares to Neighboring States

See how hunting license costs stack up in the region.

North Carolina $30 $119

Virginia $23 $110 Tennessee $33 $305 Georgia $15 $100 South Carolina $12 $125

Compare All 50 States

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions About North Carolina Hunting Licenses

How much is a hunting license in North Carolina?

Resident Comprehensive: $47 (hunt $30 + big game $17). NR: $238 ($119+$119). Sportsman (hunt+fish+big game): $63. NR 10-day: $190. Lifetime: $315. Free for youth under 16 and residents 70+.

How many deer can you kill in NC?

6 total: 2 antlered bucks + 4 antlerless. Daily limit 1. Varies by zone — eastern NC has longer season (Oct-Jan) vs. western mountains (Nov-Jan). Urban archery zones may offer bonus tags.

How much is the bear stamp?

Resident: $14. Non-Resident: $284 — one of the most expensive NR bear permits in the US. Required in addition to Big Game Privilege. Western NC mountains and select eastern coastal counties.

Does NC offer lifetime licenses?

Yes — Lifetime Comprehensive Hunting: $315. One-time purchase covering hunting + big game for life. No annual renewals. Pays for itself in ~7 years vs. annual $47.

What is the Game Lands License?

The $25 Game Lands License is required for hunting on NC's public Wildlife Management Areas. Not needed for hunting on private land. Funds habitat management and public access.

Do seniors hunt free?

Yes — NC residents 70+ get a free lifetime comprehensive hunting AND fishing license. One of the Southeast's best senior benefits.

Can I hunt feral hogs?

Yes — year-round on private land with no bag limit and any legal weapon. Major agricultural pest in eastern NC. No license needed if landowner; license required on game lands.

Can I buy online?

Yes, at GoOutDoorsNorthCarolina.com. Also at Walmart, Bass Pro Shops, and local sporting goods stores. Conservation ID and hunter ed proof required for first-time buyers.