Migratory Game Bird Seasons

Name: eRegulations
Price range: $

Shooting Hours

Unless otherwise specified, shooting hours for all migratory game birds, including waterfowl, are ½ hour before sunrise to sunset. Hunting migratory game birds on Sundays is prohibited.

Possession Limits

Possession Limits for all migratory game birds including waterfowl are 3 times the daily limit unless otherwise specified.

Nontoxic Shot Requirements

In North Carolina, no person shall take waterfowl while possessing shells loaded with any shot other than steel or other approved nontoxic materials. On posted waterfowl impoundments on game lands, it is unlawful to hunt with or have in possession any shotgun shell containing lead or toxic shot while hunting; except shotgun shells containing lead buckshot may be used while deer hunting. Nontoxic shot is required for the taking of captive-reared mallards on shooting preserves, in field trials and during bona fide dog-training activities.

Migratory Birds

Migratory Birds Protected

Federal laws protecting migratory birds (songbirds, woodpeckers, raptors or waterfowl) take precedence over state laws. Before any migratory birds may be taken or killed during the closed season, a federal permit must be obtained from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Substantial penalties for violations apply. Call the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Division of Migratory Bird Permits Section in Atlanta, Ga. at 404-679-7070 for information. During the April 1–Aug. 31 time period, depredation permits issued directly from the Wildlife Resources Commission are available when Canada geese are depredating in commercial agriculture situations. Contact the Commission at 919-707-0050 for more information. Federal seasons and bag limits on migratory game birds are adopted as state regulations.

Colonial Waterbird Nesting Areas

Coastal islands and beach areas posted as “Colonial Waterbird Nesting” areas are being managed for our nesting populations of pelicans, terns, gulls, herons and egrets. Special regulations apply. Access is prohibited on these areas from April 1 – August. 31, except by special permit. Dogs are not allowed on these areas during this time period. Access on these areas from September 1 – March 30 will be allowed as authorized by the landowner.

Migratory Game Birds – Hunting Stamps and Privileges

Harvest Information Program (HIP)

All licensed hunters hunting migratory game birds (doves, rails, gallinules, moorhens, woodcock, snipe or waterfowl) in North Carolina are required to have certification of participation in the federal Harvest Information Program (HIP). Certification can be obtained free of charge by going online at gooutdoorsnorthcarolina.com, or visiting a wildlife service agent.

Migratory Bird Hunting and Conservation Stamp (Federal Duck Stamp)

The law requires that each waterfowl hunter 16 years of age and older, must carry on his person, a valid Migratory Bird Hunting and Conservation Stamp, or federal duck stamp, signed in ink across the face. (Hunters under age 16 may voluntarily purchase a duck stamp and help preserve wetlands for waterfowl.) Refer Hunting & Trapping Licenses for more information.

North Carolina Waterfowl Privilege

Each waterfowl hunter 16 years of age and older, must carry on his person, a license having the North Carolina Waterfowl Privilege. The North Carolina Waterfowl Privilege is required in addition to the federal duck stamp. Refer to the “License Type” section on Hunting & Trapping Licenses of this digest for information on which licenses include this privilege license.

Season Dates	Limits
Dove (includes Mourning Dove and White-winged Dove)
Sept. 2 – Oct. 7, Nov. 11 – Nov. 25 & Dec. 9 – Jan. 31	Daily Limit 15; either singly or in the aggregate for mourning doves and white-winged doves
Rails (includes King, Clapper and Virginia Rails and Sora)
Sept. 2 – Nov. 22	Daily Limit 15 King or Clapper Rails either singly or in the aggregate Daily Limit 25 Virginia Rails or Sora either singly or in the aggregate
Gallinule and moorhen
Sept. 2 – Nov. 22	Daily Limit 15 Gallinules and Moorhens either singly or in the aggregate
Woodcock
Dec. 11 – Jan. 31	Daily Limit 3
Common snipe
Oct. 27 – Feb. 28	Daily Limit 8
SEPTEMBER TEAL SEASON (includes Green-winged teal, Blue-winged teal and Cinnamon teal)
Sept. 13 – Sept. 30	Daily Limit 6 The September Teal Season is open only in that area east of U.S. Highway 17.
Ducks
See Duck Zone Map Inland Zone Oct. 19 – Oct. 21, Nov. 4 – Nov. 25 & Dec. 19 – Jan. 31 Coastal Zone Oct. 27 – Oct. 28 Nov. 4 – Nov. 25 & Dec. 18 – Jan. 31	Daily Limits are the same in each duck hunting zone. 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, 2 black ducks, 2 redheads, 2 canvasbacks, 1 pintail, 1 mottled duck, and 1 fulvous whistling duck. Prior to Jan. 9 the scaup bag limit is 1, on Jan. 9 and after the scaup bag limit is 2. The season on harlequin ducks is closed. The season on black and mottled ducks is closed until Nov. 18.
Coots
Season dates same as ducks	Daily Limit 15 coots
Mergansers
Season dates same as ducks	Daily Limit 5 with no more than 2 hooded mergansers
SEA DUCKS
Oct. 27 – Oct. 28 Nov. 4 – Nov. 25 & Dec. 18 – Jan. 31	Daily Limit 4 total sea ducks with no more than 3 scoters, 3 eiders (only 1 hen eider) or 3 long-tailed ducks.
All sea ducks taken, whether inside or outside of the Sea Duck Area, count toward the general daily limit of 6 ducks. In the designated Sea Duck Area (includes the waters of the Atlantic Ocean and those coastal waters south of U.S. 64 that are separated by a distance of at least 800 yards of open water from any shore, island or marsh) wounded waterfowl may be taken from a motorboat while under power (see General Hunting Regulations).
SEPTEMBER CANADA GOOSE SEASON
Sept. 1 – Sept. 30 (statewide)	Daily Limit 15
In that area west of U.S. Highway 17 only, expanded hunting methods are allowed for Canada geese. These include: shooting hours are extended to ½ hour after sunset, unplugged guns are allowed, electronic calls are permitted. This applies to this area only during the month of September.
CANADA GEESE (ALSO INCLUDES WHITE-FRONTED GEESE)
See Goose Zone Map on Duck Zone Map
Resident Population Zone
Oct. 19 – Oct. 28, Nov. 4 – Nov. 25 & Dec. 18 – Feb. 10	Daily Limit 5 Canada geese or white-fronted geese either singly or in the aggregate.
NORTHEAST HUNT ZONE
Dec. 28 – Jan. 31	Daily Limit 2 Canada geese or white-fronted geese either singly or in the aggregate.
TUNDRA SWAN (by permit only)
Nov. 4 – Jan. 31	1 per season with special permit
A limited number of permits will be issued to hunt tundra swans. Permits will be issued by a random drawing authorizing each permit holder to harvest one tundra swan. Refer to ncwildlife.org/PermitHunt for application information and requirements.
LIGHT GEESE (INCLUDES SNOW GEESE AND ROSS’S GEESE)
Regular Season
Oct. 10 – Feb. 10	Daily Limit 25; no possession limit
Conservation Order Season (by permit only)
Feb. 12 – Mar. 31	No daily limit; no possession limit
During the Conservation Order Season for light geese, expanded hunting methods are allowed. These include the use of unplugged guns and electronic calls. In addition, shooting hours are extended until ½ hour past sunset. To learn more or to apply for a permit after July 1, go to ncwildlife.org/LightGoose
Brant
Dec. 28 – Jan. 31	Daily Limit 1
YOUTH WATERFOWL DAY(S)
Feb. 3 & Feb. 10 (statewide)	Same daily limits as during the regular waterfowl season(s)
Waterfowl hunting outside the regular season is allowed on the day(s) officially designated as “Youth Waterfowl Day.” Legal species include ducks, geese, brant, tundra swans, mergansers and coots. The youth must have a valid permit to hunt tundra swans. Refer to General Game Lands Regulations for guidelines on hunting game lands, including permit-only areas. Youth under the age of 18 may participate in accordance with the guidelines listed below: Youth under the age of 16 who have obtained a Hunter Education Certification must be accompanied by an adult age 18 or older.
YOUTH WATERFOWL DAY(S) (Cont.)
Youth under the age of 16 who have not successfully completed a Hunter Education Course must be accompanied by a properly licensed adult age 18 or older. Youth age 16 & 17 must be properly licensed, must have HIP certification and a federal duck stamp and must be accompanied by an adult age 18 or older. Accompanying adults that are properly licensed may not duck hunt, but may participate in other open seasons on youth waterfowl days.
Veterans/Military Waterfowl Day(s)
Feb. 3 & Feb. 10 (statewide)	Same daily limits as during the regular waterfowl season(s)
Waterfowl hunting outside the regular season is allowed on the day(s) officially designated as “Veterans/Military Waterfowl Day.” Legal species include ducks, geese, brant, tundra swans, mergansers and coots. Veterans and members of the Armed Forces on active duty, including National Guard and Reserves on active duty (other than for training), may participate in accordance with the guidelines below: Must be properly licensed with valid credentials, must have HIP certification and a federal duck stamp. Must have a valid permit to hunt tundra swans. Refer to General Game Lands Regulations for guidelines on hunting game lands, including permit-only areas.
EXTENDED FALCONRY SEASONS
DOVE (INCLUDES MOURNING DOVE AND WHITE-WINGED DOVE) (EXTENDED FALCONRY SEASON)
Oct. 9 – Oct. 21	Daily Limit 3
KING, CLAPPER AND VIRGINIA RAIL, SORA, GALLINULE AND MOORHEN (extended falconry season)
Dec. 9 – Jan. 13	Daily Limit 3
WOODCOCK (extended falconry season)
Dec. 1 – Dec. 9 & Feb. 3 – Feb. 24	Daily Limit 3
DUCKS, MERGANSERS AND COOTS (extended falconry seasons)
Oct. 2 – Oct. 14 & Feb. 1 – Feb. 10	Daily Limit 3
Falconers may also hunt during the applicable gun seasons for migratory game birds. The daily bag and possession limits of 3 and 9 respectively, also apply while hunting during the gun seasons. Falconry hours for all species are ½ hour before sunrise until sunset. Falconry for migratory game birds is not allowed on Sunday. Daily bag and possession limits are for all species singly or in the aggregate. For example, if the applicable seasons are open a daily limit may consist of 3 doves or 1 dove, 1 duck and 1 woodcock for a total of 3 migratory game birds.

Crow Seasons
Season Dates	Limits
Aug. 2, 2023 – Feb. 24, 2024 Wednesday, Friday and Saturday of each week.	No restrictions
June 1, 2024 – July 31, 2024 Wednesday, Friday and Saturday of each week.
Crows may also be hunted on Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, New Year’s Day, Martin Luther King, Jr. Day and Independence Day; except when these days fall on a Sunday