Home › North Carolina › Counties › Macon County
District 9, Mountain
Macon County Hunting
Everything county-specific about hunting Macon County, from the Western C archery, blackpowder and gun windows to light-shining hours, waterfowl zones, game land acreage and harvest by year.
Photo: william_mckeehan (CC BY-SA 2.0)
With Franklin as its seat, Macon County covers 516 square miles in the NCWRC Mountain Region. Its 2024 head count of 38,717 is +4.6% on the 2020 base. The Commission counts it in District 9 of its Mountain Region. Deer dates follow the Western C schedule, and bear dates the Mountain BMU. Across the state, 7 counties run on this deer calendar. Roughly 158,920 acres of NCWRC game land fall within the county, including 152,531 Forest Service acres.
Land area from the Census 2024 Gazetteer, population from Census Vintage 2024 estimates, district and region from the NCWRC district biologist sheet, game land acres from the NCWRC game land boundary layer (GIS measure), deer groups from the 2026-2027 Season Dates at a Glance. Checked October 25, 2026.
How deer seasons work in Macon County
The gun opener for Macon County is Nov 28, 2026, after an archery stretch that starts Sep 12 and a blackpowder fortnight from Nov 14. Antlerless days are limited: archery every open day, blackpowder Nov 21 to Nov 27, 2026, gun Nov 28, 2026 only. The statewide youth days, Sep 26 to Sep 27, 2026, let hunters under 16 use any legal weapon. Thanksgiving youth days in the Western zone run Nov 26 to Nov 27, 2026. Macon County lies outside the CWD management and surveillance areas.
| Season | From and to | Doe days |
|---|---|---|
| Archery | Sep 12–Nov 13, 2026 | Every open day |
| Muzzleloaders | Nov 14–Nov 27, 2026 | Nov 21–Nov 27, 2026 |
| Firearms | Nov 28–Jan 1, 2027 | Nov 28, 2026 only |
| Youth days (statewide) | Sep 26–Sep 27, 2026 | Either sex, youth |
| Western youth days | Nov 26–Nov 27, 2026 | Either sex, youth |
CWD has not been detected in Macon County; NCWRC reports its samples with the rest of the state.
Lights at night
Shining fields for deer is illegal from dusk to dawn.
Deer per season
Six deer a season: two antlered, four antlerless.
Report by noon
Phone 800-I-GOT-ONE or use the app; record the authorization number.
Western C deer page · Compare deer zones · CWD rules
Zone groups, dates and antlerless days from the 2026-2027 Season Dates at a Glance and the digest deer seasons; youth, CWD early and urban seasons from the digest deer regulations; CWD areas from the NCWRC CWD special regulations; tests from the NCWRC CWD testing chart (updated Oct 15, 2026); light rule from 15A NCAC 10B .0115. Checked October 25, 2026.
Macon County hunting dates by species
Macon County rows run from the Sept. 1 Canada goose and dove openers to the spring gobbler season that closes in May.
| Game | Hunt | Zone | First day | Last day | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| White-tailed deer | Archery | Western C | Sep 12, 2026 | Nov 13, 2026 | |
| White-tailed deer | Youth Deer Hunting Days | Statewide | Sep 26, 2026 | Sep 27, 2026 | |
| White-tailed deer | Blackpowder | Western C | Nov 14, 2026 | Nov 27, 2026 | |
| White-tailed deer | Western youth days | Western zone | Nov 26, 2026 | Nov 27, 2026 | |
| White-tailed deer | Gun | Western C | Nov 28, 2026 | Jan 1, 2027 | |
| Black bear | Part 1 | Mountain BMU | Oct 3, 2026 | Nov 21, 2026 | |
| Black bear | Part 2 | Mountain BMU | Dec 12, 2026 | Jan 1, 2027 | |
| Wild turkey | Youth Season (spring) | Statewide | Apr 10, 2027 | Apr 11, 2027 | |
| Wild turkey | Statewide Spring Season | Statewide | Apr 17, 2027 | May 15, 2027 | |
| Feral swine | Year-round | Private land, year-round | Year-round | Year-round | Year-round |
| Dove | Dove (split) | Statewide | Sep 5, 2026 | Oct 10, 2026 | |
| Dove | Dove (split) | Statewide | Nov 7, 2026 | Nov 28, 2026 | |
| Dove | Dove (split) | Statewide | Dec 16, 2026 | Jan 30, 2027 | |
| Bobwhite quail | Hunting | Statewide | Nov 21, 2026 | Feb 28, 2027 | |
| Ruffed grouse | Hunting | Statewide | Oct 12, 2026 | Feb 28, 2027 | |
| Pheasant | Remainder of state (either sex) | Rest of the state | Sep 5, 2026 | Feb 28, 2027 | |
| Woodcock | Woodcock | Statewide | Dec 10, 2026 | Jan 30, 2027 | |
| Gray squirrel | Fall/winter | Statewide | Oct 12, 2026 | Feb 28, 2027 | |
| Gray squirrel | Spring season | Statewide | May 17, 2027 | May 31, 2027 | |
| Fox squirrel | Hunting | Statewide | Oct 12, 2026 | Jan 31, 2027 | |
| Red squirrel | Fall/winter | Statewide | Oct 12, 2026 | Feb 28, 2027 | |
| Ducks | Split 1 | Inland zone | Oct 15, 2026 | Oct 17, 2026 | |
| Ducks | Split 2 | Inland zone | Nov 7, 2026 | Nov 28, 2026 | |
| Ducks | Split 3 | Inland zone | Dec 18, 2026 | Jan 30, 2027 | |
| Canada goose | September Canada goose season | Statewide in September | Sep 1, 2026 | Sep 30, 2026 | |
| Canada goose | Split 1 | Resident Population Zone | Oct 15, 2026 | Oct 24, 2026 | |
| Canada goose | Split 2 | Resident Population Zone | Nov 7, 2026 | Dec 5, 2026 | |
| Canada goose | Split 3 | Resident Population Zone | Dec 17, 2026 | Feb 6, 2027 | |
| White-fronted goose | Split 1 | Resident Population Zone | Oct 15, 2026 | Oct 24, 2026 | |
| White-fronted goose | Split 2 | Resident Population Zone | Nov 7, 2026 | Dec 5, 2026 | |
| White-fronted goose | Split 3 | Resident Population Zone | Dec 17, 2026 | Feb 6, 2027 | |
| Light geese | Regular season | Statewide | Nov 7, 2026 | Mar 10, 2027 | |
| Brant | Brant | Statewide | Dec 28, 2026 | Jan 30, 2027 | |
| Tundra swan | Tundra swan (permit only) | Permit holders only | Nov 7, 2026 | Jan 30, 2027 | |
| Waterfowl | Veterans day | Statewide | Dec 5, 2026 | Dec 5, 2026 | |
| Waterfowl | Youth Waterfowl Day | Statewide | Dec 5, 2026 | Dec 5, 2026 | |
| Waterfowl | Veterans day | Statewide | Feb 6, 2027 | Feb 6, 2027 | |
| Waterfowl | Youth Waterfowl Day | Statewide | Feb 6, 2027 | Feb 6, 2027 | |
| King and clapper rail | Rails | Statewide | Sep 5, 2026 | Nov 25, 2026 | |
| Virginia rail and sora | Rails | Statewide | Sep 5, 2026 | Nov 25, 2026 | |
| Gallinule | Gallinule and moorhen | Statewide | Sep 5, 2026 | Nov 25, 2026 | |
| Snipe | Snipe | Statewide | Oct 27, 2026 | Feb 27, 2027 | |
| Crow | Season 1 (Wed/Fri/Sat) | Statewide | Aug 1, 2026 | Feb 27, 2027 | |
| Crow | Season 2 (Wed/Fri/Sat) | Statewide | Jun 2, 2027 | Jul 31, 2027 | |
| Raccoon | Hunting | Statewide | Oct 12, 2026 | Feb 28, 2027 | |
| Opossum | Hunting | Statewide | Oct 12, 2026 | Feb 28, 2027 | |
| Bobcat | Hunting | Statewide | Oct 12, 2026 | Feb 28, 2027 | |
| Coyote | Year-round | Private land, year-round | Year-round | Year-round | Year-round |
| Groundhog | Year-round | Private land, year-round | Year-round | Year-round | Year-round |
| Nutria | Year-round | Private land, year-round | Year-round | Year-round | Year-round |
| Skunk | Year-round | Private land, year-round | Year-round | Year-round | Year-round |
| Armadillo | Year-round | Private land, year-round | Year-round | Year-round | Year-round |
| Beaver | Year-round | Statewide, year-round | Year-round | Year-round | Year-round |
From the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission 2026-27 regulations digest and the 2026-2027 Season Dates at a Glance, checked October 25, 2026.
Macon County tracts open to hunters
Macon County shares 3 listed properties with the public; days per week come from the digest game land tables. By the digest tables, the game lands split as 2 open 7 days a week. USFS ownership inside the line comes to 152,531 acres. 64,857 acres of public hunting ground sit within 10 miles of Franklin.
- Game lands, 2 listedNantahala Game Land (527,696 acres*, 7 days), Needmore Game Land (5,237 acres*, 7 days)
- Ranger districts, count 1Nantahala Ranger District (Nantahala National Forest) (245,487 acres*)
- Federal forest acresNantahala National Forest (153,262 acres in Macon)
Neighbouring tracts: Tusquittee Ranger District (Nantahala National Forest) 159,278 acres, 23 miles out; Toxaway Game Land 5,633 acres, 27 miles out; William H. Silver Game Land 2,030 acres, 31 miles out; Cheoah Ranger District (Nantahala National Forest) 121,985 acres, 33 miles out; Cold Mountain Game Land 3,630 acres, 33 miles out.
Land finder · 95 game lands · Which days to hunt · National forest pages
Tracts from our North Carolina land list (NCWRC regional game land tables, game land rules, USFS, USFWS, NPS and Corps records); game land acres from the NCWRC boundary layer and national forest acres from the USFS ownership layer, both GIS measures; acres within 10 miles of the seat from the same layers. Checked October 25, 2026.
Macon County harvest card totals
889 bucks, 325 does and 18 button bucks came from Macon County in 2025-26. 2024-25 leads the run of seasons with 1,252 deer. Weapon split last season: gun 735, bow and crossbow 314, blackpowder 183. Private and other ground supplied 959 deer, game lands 273. Per square mile, 2.11 bucks were taken. Within the antlerless count, 18 were button bucks, males with only skin-covered knobs. Fifty seasons of totals put the high mark at 2024, with 1,252 deer.
| Year | Antlered | Button bucks | Does | Deer | Gun | Blackpowder | Vertical bow | Crossbow | Game lands |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025-26 | 889 | 18 | 325 | 1,232 | 735 | 183 | 108 | 206 | 273 |
| 2024-25 | 870 | 24 | 358 | 1,252 | 661 | 238 | 132 | 221 | 246 |
| 2023-24 | 700 | 14 | 199 | 913 | 552 | 33 | 124 | 204 | 242 |
| 2022-23 | 667 | 16 | 237 | 920 | 462 | 46 | 181 | 231 | 187 |
| 2021-22 | 613 | 11 | 195 | 819 | 451 | 50 | 144 | 174 | 173 |
| 2020-21 | 676 | 11 | 254 | 941 | 511 | 53 | 189 | 188 | 201 |
| 2019-20 | 666 | 8 | 229 | 903 | 516 | 28 | 160 | 199 | 200 |
NCWRC 2025-26 deer harvest by county and earlier county PDFs on the harvest statistics page; long series from the NCWRC county deer harvest 1976-2025 table. Checked October 25, 2026.
Local hunting acts in Macon County
The digest prints 2 local acts for Macon County. Each item below is unlawful in the county.
- Hunt, take or kill white-tailed deer from, on or across the right-of-way of any public road, street or highway.
- Shine a light intentionally upon any wild animal, including, but not limited to, deer, coyotes, or feral swine, from the right-of-way of any public road, street, or highway between the hours of one-half hour after sunset and one-half hour before sunrise.
Archery is allowed through Sunday morning; firearms wait until 12:30 p.m. Firearm hunters of most game wear hunter orange visible from all sides; deer hunters wear it during any gun season. Fox may be taken with weapons or traps in January in Macon County. Fox seasons vary by county under local acts; check the NCWRC fox book.
Local laws index · Sunday hours · General rules
Local acts from the digest local laws by county; Sunday rules from G.S. 103-2; hunter orange from G.S. 113-291.8; zone lists from the 2026-27 digest. Checked October 25, 2026.
Macon County beyond whitetails
Macon black bear
Bear season in Macon County follows the Mountain BMU: Oct 3 to Nov 21, 2026 and Dec 12, 2026 to Jan 1, 2027. Check the bear management area rules for Nantahala Game Land (Standing Indian) and Nantahala Game Land (Wayah). The 2025 bear count for Macon County: 82. Of the 2025 bears, 55 were male and 27 female; 69 came off game lands. Method in 2025: 93% with dogs.
Turkey harvest
Bearded birds only, from Apr 17, 2027 to May 15, 2027 statewide. The spring 2026 turkey count for Macon County: 160 (18 jakes). The long-run table shows 4 birds in 1978, the first year listed. Game lands supplied 67 of those birds and other land 93.
| Spring | Gobblers | Jakes | Total | Game lands |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 142 | 18 | 160 | 67 |
| 2025 | 107 | 25 | 132 | 53 |
| 2024 | 133 | 15 | 148 | 54 |
| 2023 | 117 | 17 | 134 | 44 |
| 2022 | 103 | 12 | 115 | 38 |
| 2021 | 120 | 13 | 133 | 51 |
| 2020 | 103 | 30 | 133 | 46 |
Waterfowl zones
Macon County hunts ducks on Inland zone splits. The goose map puts Macon County in the Resident Population Zone.
Mountain BMU page · Designated bear areas · I-95 duck line
Bear units and dates from the 2026-2027 Season Dates at a Glance and the digest bear seasons; bear harvest from the NCWRC BMU county table, 2025 sex and land split from the 2025 county detail, method from the 2025 method table; turkey dates from the digest and harvest from the spring 2026 county table; waterfowl zones from the migratory bird digest page and the digest zone maps. Checked October 25, 2026.
Macon County shooting time on key dates
On Sundays firearm hunting stops from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., and migratory birds are closed all day; the hours below are for the other days.
| Date | Why | Sunrise | Sunset | Legal for game | Legal for ducks |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sep 5, 2026 | Dove opener | 7:07 a.m. | 7:56 p.m. | 6:37 a.m. to 8:26 p.m. | 6:37 a.m. to 7:56 p.m. |
| Sep 12, 2026 | Archery deer opener | 7:12 a.m. | 7:46 p.m. | 6:42 a.m. to 8:16 p.m. | 6:42 a.m. to 7:46 p.m. |
| Oct 17, 2026 | Eastern gun opener | 7:40 a.m. | 6:57 p.m. | 7:10 a.m. to 7:27 p.m. | 7:10 a.m. to 6:57 p.m. |
| Nov 14, 2026 | Central gun opener | 7:06 a.m. | 5:29 p.m. | 6:36 a.m. to 5:59 p.m. | 6:36 a.m. to 5:29 p.m. |
| Nov 28, 2026 | Western gun opener | 7:19 a.m. | 5:23 p.m. | 6:49 a.m. to 5:53 p.m. | 6:49 a.m. to 5:23 p.m. |
| Dec 26, 2026 | Late December | 7:38 a.m. | 5:29 p.m. | 7:08 a.m. to 5:59 p.m. | 7:08 a.m. to 5:29 p.m. |
| Jan 1, 2027 | Deer gun close | 7:40 a.m. | 5:33 p.m. | 7:10 a.m. to 6:03 p.m. | 7:10 a.m. to 5:33 p.m. |
| Apr 17, 2027 | Spring turkey opener | 6:57 a.m. | 8:08 p.m. | 6:27 a.m. to 8:38 p.m. | 6:27 a.m. to 8:08 p.m. |
Sunrise and sunset from the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission digest table for Charlotte with county offsets; hours rule G.S. 113-291.1; checked October 25, 2026. Legal hours for every county.
Who to call in Macon County
NCWRC publishes no list of licensed taxidermists or guides, so those rows come from directories; call before you go.
Agency contacts
Macon County falls to Justin McVey on the NCWRC biologist list. NCWRC Franklin Depot (Franklin) is the closest Commission facility, 5 miles out.
Venison processing
Taxidermists nearby
Preserves nearby
Macon area gun and bow counters
Biologists and supervisors from the NCWRC district biologist sheet (updated Aug. 17, 2026); offices from the NCWRC facilities layer; processors and taxidermists from the NCWRC Cervid Health Cooperator list, NC Hunters for the Hungry and directory listings; shops from directory listings and store locators. Checked October 25, 2026; call ahead. All North Carolina hunting services.
Where to stay near Macon County
The acreage beside a town is public land inside a 10-mile circle, measured on GIS layers.
- Franklinseat · 4,362 townspeople · 64,857 public acres in a 10-mile ring
- Highlands1,119 townspeople · 62,671 public acres in a 10-mile ring
Tiles below open each county next to Macon County; Oconee (SC) and Rabun (GA) is in another state.
Towns from the Census 2024 Gazetteer and Vintage 2024 estimates; adjacency from the Census county adjacency file.
Burn bans and permits in Macon County
- When a permit is needed: Year-round.
- NC high hazard counties (G.S. 106-942(a)), stricter year-round permit and land-clearing rules: Macon County is not on this list.
- Who sets a ban: The Commissioner of Agriculture, during hazardous forest fire conditions or declared air pollution episodes, may prohibit all open burning regardless of whether a permit is required (G.S.
- Fires on public land: NC Wildlife Resources Commission game lands (15A NCAC 10D .0102(i)): no camping except on areas posted by the landowner for camping.
Macon County ranges, clubs and shoots
1 Macon County range is listed; every card says who may shoot.
On offer: rifle, handgun, smallbore rimfire
For a Commission-listed public range, Wayne E. Smith Cold Mountain Shooting Range (Haywood County) is about 31 miles away. Hours and fees
Ranges from the NCWRC shooting range pages and directory listings, checked October 25, 2026.
Macon County on the North Carolina events calendar
Read October 25, 2026: 1 upcoming event and 1 NCWRC class, covering NWTF banquet and hunter education course.
Next dates
| Held | What | Where | Register | Source page |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| May 15, 2027 | Nantahala Longbeards Banquet ⋅ NWTF banquet | Franklin ⋅ Macon Co. | Event details | Source |
Hunter education classes
| Date | Course | Hours | Place | Seat | Source page |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nov 4, 2026 | Hunter Education Certification (D9) ⋅ hunter education course | 6:00 PM–9:00 PM | SWCC ⋅ Franklin ⋅ Macon Co. | Register on GONC | Source |
Fishing in Macon County
Lakes, rivers, boat ramps and bait shops for Macon County are on State Fishing Spots, our sister site.
Macon County, answered
Which NCWRC district is Macon County in?
District 9, Mountain Region.
What is the biggest public tract in Macon County?
Nantahala Game Land, 527,696 acres in all.
Which deer dates apply to Macon County hunters?
The Western C group from the 2026-2027 at-a-glance sheet.
Who should a Macon County hunter call about processing?
K&B Processing; book early in November.
Is the Macon County deer harvest rising?
Season by season the cards show 903 in 2019-20, 1,252 in 2024-25 and 1,232 in 2025-26.
Are button bucks antlerless in Macon County?
Yes. Knobs under skin are not antlers, so button bucks count as antlerless.
What are the Sunday hours for gun hunters in Macon County?
Yes, but no firearms from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and no migratory birds.
Has a CWD-positive deer turned up in Macon County?
No positive is listed for the county.
How many turkeys came from Macon County in 2026?
160 reported.
How many bears did Macon County hunters register in 2025?
82 reported.
Answers from the 2026-27 NCWRC digest, the Season Dates at a Glance, harvest reporting rules, NCWRC harvest and CWD data and the sources above. Checked October 25, 2026.
Macon County, last word
Dates on this page are for 2026-27 only; recheck the digest if you plan a later season.
Sources: 2026-27 NCWRC regulations digest, Season Dates at a Glance, NCWRC hunting, Census and the agencies linked in each section. Checked October 25, 2026.
Other photos on this page: william_mckeehan (CC BY-SA 2.0); GlacierNPS (Public Domain Mark 1.0); w_lemay (CC0 1.0); hyku (CC BY 2.0); aafromaa (CC BY 2.0); GlacierNPS (Public domain); watts_photos (Public Domain Mark 1.0).