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Migratory Game Bird Seasons
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) |
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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) |
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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 |
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Sept. 2 – Nov. 22 |
Daily Limit 15 Gallinules and Moorhens either singly or in the aggregate |
Woodcock |
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Dec. 11 – Jan. 31 |
Daily Limit 3 |
Common snipe |
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Oct. 27 – Feb. 28 |
Daily Limit 8 |
SEPTEMBER TEAL SEASON (includes Green-winged teal, Blue-winged teal and Cinnamon teal) |
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Sept. 13 – Sept. 30 |
Daily Limit 6 The September Teal Season is open only in that area east of U.S. Highway 17. |
Ducks |
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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 |
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Season dates same as ducks |
Daily Limit 15 coots |
Mergansers |
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Season dates same as ducks |
Daily Limit 5 with no more than 2 hooded mergansers |
SEA DUCKS |
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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. |
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SEPTEMBER CANADA GOOSE SEASON |
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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. |
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CANADA GEESE (ALSO INCLUDES WHITE-FRONTED GEESE) |
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See Goose Zone Map on Duck Zone Map |
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Resident Population Zone |
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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 |
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Dec. 28 – Jan. 31 |
Daily Limit 2 Canada geese or white-fronted geese either singly or in the aggregate. |
TUNDRA SWAN (by permit only) |
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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. |
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LIGHT GEESE (INCLUDES SNOW GEESE AND ROSS’S GEESE) |
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Regular Season |
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Oct. 10 – Feb. 10 |
Daily Limit 25; no possession limit |
Conservation Order Season (by permit only) |
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Feb. 12 – Mar. 31 |
No daily limit; no possession limit |
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Brant |
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Dec. 28 – Jan. 31 |
Daily Limit 1 |
YOUTH WATERFOWL DAY(S) |
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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:
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YOUTH WATERFOWL DAY(S) (Cont.) |
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Veterans/Military Waterfowl Day(s) |
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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:
Refer to General Game Lands Regulations for guidelines on hunting game lands, including permit-only areas. |
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EXTENDED FALCONRY SEASONS |
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DOVE (INCLUDES MOURNING DOVE AND WHITE-WINGED DOVE) (EXTENDED FALCONRY SEASON) |
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Oct. 9 – Oct. 21 |
Daily Limit 3 |
KING, CLAPPER AND VIRGINIA RAIL, SORA, GALLINULE AND MOORHEN (extended falconry season) |
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Dec. 9 – Jan. 13 |
Daily Limit 3 |
WOODCOCK (extended falconry season) |
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Dec. 1 – Dec. 9 & Feb. 3 – Feb. 24 |
Daily Limit 3 |
DUCKS, MERGANSERS AND COOTS (extended falconry seasons) |
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Oct. 2 – Oct. 14 & Feb. 1 – Feb. 10 |
Daily Limit 3 |
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Crow Seasons |
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Season Dates |
Limits |
Aug. 2, 2023 – Feb. 24, 2024 |
No restrictions |
June 1, 2024 – July 31, 2024 |
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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 |