Read from Wildlife Resources Commission on September 27, 2026.
Seasons and limits change, and corrections are issued mid-season. Confirm with Wildlife Resources Commission before you hunt.
Open the official North Carolina regulationsHunting North Carolina this season? Keep these dates and bag limits in your pocket — free in the BlindBook app.
North Carolina is part of the Atlantic Flyway, one of four major migratory bird corridors in North America. The 2026–2027 waterfowl season runs from September 1 through March 10, 2027, with 37 distinct season segments covering ducks, geese, coots, and other migratory game birds. Season dates and bag limits are set annually by the Wildlife Resources Commission within frameworks established by the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service.
Season dates, bag limits, shooting hours, and other regulatory information are provided for convenience only, may be inaccurate or out of date, and do not constitute legal advice. You are solely responsible for verifying current regulations with your state or provincial wildlife agency before every hunt.
| Zone / Season | Dates | Daily Bag | Possession |
|---|---|---|---|
| Coastal Zone1,2,3,4 | Oct 23 – Oct 24 Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri & Sat only First Split · Closed Sundays | 6 4 mallards (only 2 hen mallards), 3 wood ducks, 3 pintails, 2 black ducks, 2 redheads, 2 canvasbacks, 1 mottled duck, 1 fulvous whistling duck. 4 total sea ducks including no more than 3 scoters, 3 eiders (only 1 hen eider), or 3 long-tailed ducks. Prior to Jan. 8 scaup bag limit is 1. Harlequin duck season closed. Black and mottled duck season closed until Nov. 21. | 18 |
| Nov 7 – Nov 28 Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri & Sat only Second Split · Closed Sundays | 6 4 mallards (only 2 hen mallards), 3 wood ducks, 3 pintails, 2 black ducks, 2 redheads, 2 canvasbacks, 1 mottled duck, 1 fulvous whistling duck. 4 total sea ducks including no more than 3 scoters, 3 eiders (only 1 hen eider), or 3 long-tailed ducks. Prior to Jan. 8 scaup bag limit is 1. Harlequin duck season closed. Black and mottled duck season closed until Nov. 21. | 18 | |
| Dec 17 – Jan 30 Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri & Sat only Third Split · Closed Sundays | 6 4 mallards (only 2 hen mallards), 3 wood ducks, 3 pintails, 2 black ducks, 2 redheads, 2 canvasbacks, 1 mottled duck, 1 fulvous whistling duck. 4 total sea ducks including no more than 3 scoters, 3 eiders (only 1 hen eider), or 3 long-tailed ducks. Prior to Jan. 8 scaup bag limit is 1; on Jan. 8 and after scaup bag limit is 2. Harlequin duck season closed. | 18 | |
| Inland Zone1,2,3,4 | Oct 15 – Oct 17 Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri & Sat only First Split · Closed Sundays | 6 4 mallards (only 2 hen mallards), 3 wood ducks, 3 pintails, 2 black ducks, 2 redheads, 2 canvasbacks, 1 mottled duck, 1 fulvous whistling duck. 4 total sea ducks including no more than 3 scoters, 3 eiders (only 1 hen eider), or 3 long-tailed ducks. Prior to Jan. 8 scaup bag limit is 1. Harlequin duck season closed. Black and mottled duck season closed until Nov. 21. | 18 |
| Nov 7 – Nov 28 Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri & Sat only Second Split · Closed Sundays | 6 4 mallards (only 2 hen mallards), 3 wood ducks, 3 pintails, 2 black ducks, 2 redheads, 2 canvasbacks, 1 mottled duck, 1 fulvous whistling duck. 4 total sea ducks including no more than 3 scoters, 3 eiders (only 1 hen eider), or 3 long-tailed ducks. Prior to Jan. 8 scaup bag limit is 1. Harlequin duck season closed. Black and mottled duck season closed until Nov. 21. | 18 | |
| Dec 18 – Jan 30 Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri & Sat only Third Split · Closed Sundays | 6 4 mallards (only 2 hen mallards), 3 wood ducks, 3 pintails, 2 black ducks, 2 redheads, 2 canvasbacks, 1 mottled duck, 1 fulvous whistling duck. 4 total sea ducks including no more than 3 scoters, 3 eiders (only 1 hen eider), or 3 long-tailed ducks. Prior to Jan. 8 scaup bag limit is 1; on Jan. 8 and after scaup bag limit is 2. Harlequin duck season closed. | 18 |
| Species | Daily Bag | Possession |
|---|---|---|
| Harlequin Duck closed | 0 | 0 |
| Mallard no more than 2 hens · Daily Limit 6 with the following restrictions: 4 total sea ducks including no more than 3 scoters, 3 eiders (only 1 hen eider), or 3 long-tailed ducks, 4 mallards (only 2 hen mallards), 3 wood ducks, 3 pintails, 2 black ducks, 2 redheads, 2 canvasbacks, 1 mottled duck, and 1 fulvous whistling duck. | 4 | 12 |
| Wood Duck Daily Limit 6 with the following restrictions: 4 total sea ducks including no more than 3 scoters, 3 eiders (only 1 hen eider), or 3 long-tailed ducks, 4 mallards (only 2 hen mallards), 3 wood ducks, 3 pintails, 2 black ducks, 2 redheads, 2 canvasbacks, 1 mottled duck, and 1 fulvous whistling duck. | 3 | 9 |
| Pintail (Northern) Daily Limit 6 with the following restrictions: 4 total sea ducks including no more than 3 scoters, 3 eiders (only 1 hen eider), or 3 long-tailed ducks, 4 mallards (only 2 hen mallards), 3 wood ducks, 3 pintails, 2 black ducks, 2 redheads, 2 canvasbacks, 1 mottled duck, and 1 fulvous whistling duck. | 3 | 9 |
| Redhead Daily Limit 6 with the following restrictions: 4 total sea ducks including no more than 3 scoters, 3 eiders (only 1 hen eider), or 3 long-tailed ducks, 4 mallards (only 2 hen mallards), 3 wood ducks, 3 pintails, 2 black ducks, 2 redheads, 2 canvasbacks, 1 mottled duck, and 1 fulvous whistling duck. | 2 | 6 |
| Canvasback Daily Limit 6 with the following restrictions: 4 total sea ducks including no more than 3 scoters, 3 eiders (only 1 hen eider), or 3 long-tailed ducks, 4 mallards (only 2 hen mallards), 3 wood ducks, 3 pintails, 2 black ducks, 2 redheads, 2 canvasbacks, 1 mottled duck, and 1 fulvous whistling duck. | 2 | 6 |
| Black Duck Coastal Zone · Oct 23–Oct 24 · closed until Nov. 21 | 0 | 0 |
| Black Duck Inland Zone · Oct 15–Oct 17 · closed until Nov. 21 | 0 | 0 |
| Black Duck Coastal Zone · Nov 7–Nov 28 · closed until Nov. 21 | 0 | 0 |
| Black Duck Inland Zone · Nov 7–Nov 28 · closed until Nov. 21 | 0 | 0 |
| Black Duck Coastal Zone, Inland Zone · from Nov 21 · Daily Limit 6 with the following restrictions: 4 total sea ducks including no more than 3 scoters, 3 eiders (only 1 hen eider), or 3 long-tailed ducks, 4 mallards (only 2 hen mallards), 3 wood ducks, 3 pintails, 2 black ducks, 2 redheads, 2 canvasbacks, 1 mottled duck, and 1 fulvous whistling duck. | 2 | 6 |
| Black Duck Coastal Zone · Dec 17–Jan 30 · Daily Limit 6 with the following restrictions: 4 total sea ducks including no more than 3 scoters, 3 eiders (only 1 hen eider), or 3 long-tailed ducks, 4 mallards (only 2 hen mallards), 3 wood ducks, 3 pintails, 2 black ducks, 2 redheads, 2 canvasbacks, 1 mottled duck, and 1 fulvous whistling duck. | 2 | 6 |
| Black Duck Inland Zone · Dec 18–Jan 30 · Daily Limit 6 with the following restrictions: 4 total sea ducks including no more than 3 scoters, 3 eiders (only 1 hen eider), or 3 long-tailed ducks, 4 mallards (only 2 hen mallards), 3 wood ducks, 3 pintails, 2 black ducks, 2 redheads, 2 canvasbacks, 1 mottled duck, and 1 fulvous whistling duck. | 2 | 6 |
| Mottled Duck Coastal Zone · Oct 23–Oct 24 · closed until Nov. 21 | 0 | 0 |
| Mottled Duck Inland Zone · Oct 15–Oct 17 · closed until Nov. 21 | 0 | 0 |
| Mottled Duck Coastal Zone · Nov 7–Nov 28 · closed until Nov. 21 | 0 | 0 |
| Mottled Duck Inland Zone · Nov 7–Nov 28 · closed until Nov. 21 | 0 | 0 |
| Mottled Duck Coastal Zone, Inland Zone · from Nov 21 · Daily Limit 6 with the following restrictions: 4 total sea ducks including no more than 3 scoters, 3 eiders (only 1 hen eider), or 3 long-tailed ducks, 4 mallards (only 2 hen mallards), 3 wood ducks, 3 pintails, 2 black ducks, 2 redheads, 2 canvasbacks, 1 mottled duck, and 1 fulvous whistling duck. | 1 | 3 |
| Mottled Duck Coastal Zone · Dec 17–Jan 30 · Daily Limit 6 with the following restrictions: 4 total sea ducks including no more than 3 scoters, 3 eiders (only 1 hen eider), or 3 long-tailed ducks, 4 mallards (only 2 hen mallards), 3 wood ducks, 3 pintails, 2 black ducks, 2 redheads, 2 canvasbacks, 1 mottled duck, and 1 fulvous whistling duck. | 1 | 3 |
| Mottled Duck Inland Zone · Dec 18–Jan 30 · Daily Limit 6 with the following restrictions: 4 total sea ducks including no more than 3 scoters, 3 eiders (only 1 hen eider), or 3 long-tailed ducks, 4 mallards (only 2 hen mallards), 3 wood ducks, 3 pintails, 2 black ducks, 2 redheads, 2 canvasbacks, 1 mottled duck, and 1 fulvous whistling duck. | 1 | 3 |
| Red-breasted Merganser combined with Common Merganser, Hooded Merganser; separate merganser daily limit (listed apart from ducks) | 5 | 15 |
| Hooded Merganser within the 5-merganser limit (combined with Common Merganser, Red-breasted Merganser) | 2 | 6 |
| King Eider no more than 1 hen · combined with Common Eider; sea-duck aggregate: no more than 4 sea ducks (scoters, eiders, long-tailed ducks) combined | 3 | 9 |
| Long-tailed Duck sea-duck aggregate: no more than 4 sea ducks (scoters, eiders, long-tailed ducks) combined | 3 | 9 |
| Common Merganser combined with Hooded Merganser, Red-breasted Merganser; separate merganser daily limit (listed apart from ducks) | 5 | 15 |
| Greater Scaup Coastal Zone · Oct 23–Oct 24 · combined with Lesser Scaup | 1 | 3 |
| Greater Scaup Coastal Zone · Nov 7–Nov 28 · combined with Lesser Scaup | 1 | 3 |
| Greater Scaup Inland Zone · Oct 15–Oct 17 · combined with Lesser Scaup | 1 | 3 |
| Greater Scaup Inland Zone · Nov 7–Nov 28 · combined with Lesser Scaup | 1 | 3 |
| Greater Scaup Coastal Zone · Dec 17–Jan 30 · combined with Lesser Scaup | 1 | 3 |
| Greater Scaup Inland Zone · Dec 18–Jan 30 · combined with Lesser Scaup | 1 | 3 |
| Greater Scaup Coastal Zone, Inland Zone · from Jan 8 · combined with Lesser Scaup | 2 | 6 |
| Lesser Scaup Coastal Zone · Oct 23–Oct 24 · combined with Greater Scaup | 1 | 3 |
| Lesser Scaup Coastal Zone · Nov 7–Nov 28 · combined with Greater Scaup | 1 | 3 |
| Lesser Scaup Inland Zone · Oct 15–Oct 17 · combined with Greater Scaup | 1 | 3 |
| Lesser Scaup Inland Zone · Nov 7–Nov 28 · combined with Greater Scaup | 1 | 3 |
| Lesser Scaup Coastal Zone · Dec 17–Jan 30 · combined with Greater Scaup | 1 | 3 |
| Lesser Scaup Inland Zone · Dec 18–Jan 30 · combined with Greater Scaup | 1 | 3 |
| Lesser Scaup Coastal Zone, Inland Zone · from Jan 8 · combined with Greater Scaup | 2 | 6 |
| Scoter (Black) combined with Scoter (Surf), Scoter (White-winged); sea-duck aggregate: no more than 4 sea ducks (scoters, eiders, long-tailed ducks) combined | 3 | 9 |
| Scoter (Surf) combined with Scoter (Black), Scoter (White-winged); sea-duck aggregate: no more than 4 sea ducks (scoters, eiders, long-tailed ducks) combined | 3 | 9 |
| Scoter (White-winged) combined with Scoter (Black), Scoter (Surf); sea-duck aggregate: no more than 4 sea ducks (scoters, eiders, long-tailed ducks) combined | 3 | 9 |
| Common Eider no more than 1 hen · combined with King Eider; sea-duck aggregate: no more than 4 sea ducks (scoters, eiders, long-tailed ducks) combined | 3 | 9 |
14 mallards (only 2 hen mallards), 3 wood ducks, 3 pintails, 2 black ducks, 2 redheads, 2 canvasbacks, 1 mottled duck, 1 fulvous whistling duck. 4 total sea ducks including no more than 3 scoters, 3 eiders (only 1 hen eider), or 3 long-tailed ducks. Prior to Jan. 8 scaup bag limit is 1. Harlequin duck season closed. Black and mottled duck season closed until Nov. 21.
2Split season. See Duck Zone Map.
34 mallards (only 2 hen mallards), 3 wood ducks, 3 pintails, 2 black ducks, 2 redheads, 2 canvasbacks, 1 mottled duck, 1 fulvous whistling duck. 4 total sea ducks including no more than 3 scoters, 3 eiders (only 1 hen eider), or 3 long-tailed ducks. Prior to Jan. 8 scaup bag limit is 1; on Jan. 8 and after scaup bag limit is 2. Harlequin duck season closed.
4Split season. Scaup limit increases to 2 on Jan. 8. See Duck Zone Map.
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| Zone / Season | Dates | Daily Bag | Possession |
|---|---|---|---|
| East of U.S. 171,2NCWRC 2026-27 proclamation: September teal area, east of U.S. 17. | Sep 10 – Sep 19 Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri & Sat only Closed Sundays | 6 Open only in that area east of U.S. Highway 17. Includes Green-winged Teal, Blue-winged Teal and Cinnamon Teal. | 18 |
1Open only in that area east of U.S. Highway 17. Includes Green-winged Teal, Blue-winged Teal and Cinnamon Teal.
2Sunday hunting of migratory birds prohibited statewide.
| Zone / Season | Dates | Daily Bag | Possession |
|---|---|---|---|
| Statewide1,2 | Sep 1 – Sep 30 Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri & Sat only September Canada Goose Season · Closed Sundays | 15 Canada Goose Zones do not apply during September. West of U.S. Hwy 17: expanded methods allowed — shooting hours extended to 1/2 hour after sunset, unplugged guns, electronic calls permitted. Hunting migratory game birds on Sundays is prohibited statewide. | 45 |
| Northeast Hunt Zone3,4NC Northeast Hunt Canada goose zone | Dec 28 – Jan 30 Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri & Sat only Closed Sundays | 2 Canada geese or white-fronted geese either singly or in the aggregate. | 6 |
| Resident Population Zone3,4NC Resident Population Canada goose zone | Oct 15 – Oct 24 Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri & Sat only First Split · Closed Sundays | 5 Canada geese or white-fronted geese either singly or in the aggregate. | 15 |
| Nov 7 – Dec 5 Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri & Sat only Second Split · Closed Sundays | 5 Canada geese or white-fronted geese either singly or in the aggregate. | 15 | |
| Dec 17 – Feb 6 Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri & Sat only Third Split · Closed Sundays | 5 Canada geese or white-fronted geese either singly or in the aggregate. | 15 |
1Canada Goose Zones do not apply during September. West of U.S. Hwy 17: expanded methods allowed — shooting hours extended to 1/2 hour after sunset, unplugged guns, electronic calls permitted. Hunting migratory game birds on Sundays is prohibited statewide.
2Statewide September season; Canada Goose Zones do not apply during September.
3Canada geese or white-fronted geese either singly or in the aggregate.
4Also includes white-fronted geese per source language.
| Zone / Season | Dates | Daily Bag | Possession |
|---|---|---|---|
| Statewide | Dec 28 – Jan 30 Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri & Sat only Closed Sundays | 1 | 3 |
| Zone / Season | Dates | Daily Bag | Possession |
|---|---|---|---|
| Statewide1,2 | Nov 7 – Mar 10 Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri & Sat only Regular Season · Closed Sundays | 25 No possession limit. After Feb. 6 (closure of all other waterfowl seasons): unplugged shotguns and electronic calls allowed. | – |
1No possession limit. After Feb. 6 (closure of all other waterfowl seasons): unplugged shotguns and electronic calls allowed.
2Includes snow geese and Ross's geese. Expanded methods (unplugged shotguns, electronic calls) allowed after Feb. 6.
| Zone / Season | Dates | Daily Bag | Possession |
|---|---|---|---|
| Inland Zone1 | Oct 15 – Oct 17 Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri & Sat only First Split · Closed Sundays | 15 | 45 |
| Nov 7 – Nov 28 Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri & Sat only Second Split · Closed Sundays | 15 | 45 | |
| Dec 18 – Jan 30 Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri & Sat only Third Split · Closed Sundays | 15 | 45 | |
| Coastal Zone2 | Oct 23 – Oct 24 Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri & Sat only First Split · Closed Sundays | 15 | 45 |
| Nov 7 – Nov 28 Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri & Sat only Second Split · Closed Sundays | 15 | 45 | |
| Dec 17 – Jan 30 Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri & Sat only Third Split · Closed Sundays | 15 | 45 |
1Season dates same as ducks (Inland Zone).
2Season dates same as ducks (Coastal Zone).
| Zone / Season | Dates | Daily Bag | Possession |
|---|---|---|---|
| Statewide1 | Sep 5 – Nov 25 Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri & Sat only Gallinules | 15 Gallinules and moorhens in aggregate. | 45 |
1Gallinules and moorhens in aggregate.
| Zone / Season | Dates | Daily Bag | Possession |
|---|---|---|---|
| Inland Zone1,2,3,4 | Oct 15 – Oct 17 Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri & Sat only First Split | 5 No more than 2 hooded mergansers | 15 |
| Nov 7 – Nov 28 Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri & Sat only Second Split | 5 No more than 2 hooded mergansers | 15 | |
| Dec 18 – Jan 30 Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri & Sat only Third Split | 5 No more than 2 hooded mergansers | 15 | |
| Coastal Zone1,5,6,7 | Oct 23 – Oct 24 Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri & Sat only First Split | 5 No more than 2 hooded mergansers | 15 |
| Nov 7 – Nov 28 Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri & Sat only Second Split | 5 No more than 2 hooded mergansers | 15 | |
| Dec 17 – Jan 30 Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri & Sat only Third Split | 5 No more than 2 hooded mergansers | 15 |
1No more than 2 hooded mergansers
2Season dates same as ducks (Inland Zone first split). Counted separately from the 6-duck daily bag.
3Season dates same as ducks (Inland Zone second split). Counted separately from the 6-duck daily bag.
4Season dates same as ducks (Inland Zone third split). Counted separately from the 6-duck daily bag.
5Season dates same as ducks (Coastal Zone first split). Counted separately from the 6-duck daily bag.
6Season dates same as ducks (Coastal Zone second split). Counted separately from the 6-duck daily bag.
7Season dates same as ducks (Coastal Zone third split). Counted separately from the 6-duck daily bag.
| Zone / Season | Dates | Daily Bag | Possession |
|---|---|---|---|
| Statewide1,2 | Nov 7 – Jan 30 Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri & Sat only Closed Sundays | 1 By permit only. 1 per season. Permits issued by random drawing. Swan permit holders may also take tundra swans on the youth and veterans/military days Dec 5, 2026 and Feb 6, 2027. | 1 |
1By permit only. 1 per season. Permits issued by random drawing. Swan permit holders may also take tundra swans on the youth and veterans/military days Dec 5, 2026 and Feb 6, 2027.
2Permit required; limited permits issued. Refer to ncwildlife.gov for application info.
| Zone / Season | Dates | Daily Bag | Possession |
|---|---|---|---|
| Statewide1,2,3,4 | Dec 5 – Dec 5 Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri & Sat only Youth Waterfowl Day 1 · Closed Sundays | 6 Youth under 16 must be accompanied by adult age 18+. Same daily limits as regular waterfowl season. | 18 |
| Feb 6 – Feb 6 Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri & Sat only Youth Waterfowl Day 2 · Closed Sundays | 6 Same daily limits as during the regular waterfowl season(s). Legal species: ducks, geese, brant, tundra swans, mergansers and coots. Youth must have valid permit to hunt tundra swans. Youth under age 16 must be accompanied by adult 18 or older. | 18 |
1Youth under 16 must be accompanied by adult age 18+. Same daily limits as regular waterfowl season.
2Legal species include ducks, geese, brant, tundra swans, mergansers and coots. Youth must have valid permit to hunt tundra swans.
3Same daily limits as during the regular waterfowl season(s). Legal species: ducks, geese, brant, tundra swans, mergansers and coots. Youth must have valid permit to hunt tundra swans. Youth under age 16 must be accompanied by adult 18 or older.
4Youth waterfowl hunting outside the regular season is allowed on this day. Youth under 16 only.
| Zone / Season | Dates | Daily Bag | Possession |
|---|---|---|---|
| Statewide1,2,3,4 | Dec 5 – Dec 5 Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri & Sat only Veterans/Military Waterfowl Day 1 · Closed Sundays | 6 Must be properly licensed with valid credentials, HIP certification and Federal Duck Stamp. Must have valid permit to hunt tundra swans. Same daily limits as regular waterfowl season. | 18 |
| Feb 6 – Feb 6 Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri & Sat only Veterans/Military Waterfowl Day 2 · Closed Sundays | 6 Same daily limits as during the regular waterfowl season(s). Legal species: ducks, geese, brant, tundra swans, mergansers and coots. Must be properly licensed with valid credentials, HIP certification and Federal Duck Stamp. Must have valid permit to hunt tundra swans. | 18 |
1Must be properly licensed with valid credentials, HIP certification and Federal Duck Stamp. Must have valid permit to hunt tundra swans. Same daily limits as regular waterfowl season.
2Legal species include ducks, geese, brant, tundra swans, mergansers and coots. For veterans and members of Armed Forces on active duty including National Guard and Reserves on active duty (other than for training).
3Same daily limits as during the regular waterfowl season(s). Legal species: ducks, geese, brant, tundra swans, mergansers and coots. Must be properly licensed with valid credentials, HIP certification and Federal Duck Stamp. Must have valid permit to hunt tundra swans.
4Veterans and members of Armed Forces on active duty, including National Guard and Reserves on active duty (other than for training) may participate.
| Zone / Season | Dates | Daily Bag | Possession |
|---|---|---|---|
| Statewide1,2 | Oct 1 – Oct 10 Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri & Sat only Early Falconry Season · Closed Sundays | 3 Daily bag and possession limits of 3 and 9 respectively apply for all species singly or in the aggregate. Falconry for migratory game birds not allowed on Sundays. | 9 |
| Feb 1 – Feb 6 Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri & Sat only Late Falconry Season · Closed Sundays | 3 Daily bag and possession limits of 3 and 9 respectively apply for all species singly or in the aggregate. Falconry for migratory game birds not allowed on Sundays. | 9 |
1Daily bag and possession limits of 3 and 9 respectively apply for all species singly or in the aggregate. Falconry for migratory game birds not allowed on Sundays.
2Extended falconry season for ducks, mergansers and coots. Falconers may also hunt during applicable gun seasons.
| Zone / Season | Dates | Daily Bag | Possession |
|---|---|---|---|
| Coastal Zone1,2,3,4,5 | Oct 23 – Oct 24 Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri & Sat only First Split · Closed Sundays | 4 No more than 3 scoters, 3 eiders (only 1 hen eider), or 3 long-tailed ducks. All sea ducks taken count toward the general daily limit of 6 ducks. In designated Sea Duck Area, wounded waterfowl may be taken from a motorboat while under power. | 12 |
| Nov 7 – Nov 28 Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri & Sat only Second Split · Closed Sundays | 4 No more than 3 scoters, 3 eiders (only 1 hen eider), or 3 long-tailed ducks. All sea ducks count toward the general daily limit of 6 ducks. | 12 | |
| Dec 17 – Jan 30 Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri & Sat only Third Split · Closed Sundays | 4 No more than 3 scoters, 3 eiders (only 1 hen eider), or 3 long-tailed ducks. All sea ducks count toward the general daily limit of 6 ducks. | 12 |
1No more than 3 scoters, 3 eiders (only 1 hen eider), or 3 long-tailed ducks. All sea ducks taken count toward the general daily limit of 6 ducks. In designated Sea Duck Area, wounded waterfowl may be taken from a motorboat while under power.
2Sea Duck Area season. Closest match game_type is 'other' as there is no 'sea_ducks' enum value. Sea Duck Area includes waters of the Atlantic Ocean and coastal waters south of U.S. 64 separated by at least 800 yards from any shore, island or marsh.
3No more than 3 scoters, 3 eiders (only 1 hen eider), or 3 long-tailed ducks. All sea ducks count toward the general daily limit of 6 ducks.
4Sea Duck Area season, second split. Game_type 'other' used as no sea_ducks enum exists.
5Sea Duck Area season, third split. Game_type 'other' used as no sea_ducks enum exists.
Spring 2027 turkey season
Checked October 16, 2026.
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North Carolina Wildlife Resources CommissionThe state sets the deer seasons, limits and tags. Check its current regulations before you go.
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North Carolina Wildlife Resources CommissionThe state sets the upland bird seasons, limits and tags. Check its current regulations before you go.
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Hunting allowedper NC Wildlife Resources Commission
NC Wildlife Resources CommissionThe state sets the feral hog seasons, limits and tags. Check its current regulations before you go.
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See the feral hog hunting appSeason dates and bag limits are verified against official state wildlife agency publications and the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service. Data shown is for the 2026-2027 season. This data was verified on September 27, 2026. Always confirm with the official regulations before hunting.
For waterfowl population trends, harvest analysis, and conservation research, see WaterfowlAI Insights.