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District 8, Mountain
Caldwell County Hunting
Everything county-specific about hunting Caldwell County, from the Western A archery, blackpowder and gun windows to light-shining hours, waterfowl zones, game land acreage and harvest by year.
Photo: chascow (CC BY 2.0)
With Lenoir as its seat, Caldwell County covers 472 square miles in the NCWRC Mountain Region. Its 2024 head count of 80,739 is +0.1% on the 2020 base. The Commission counts it in District 8 of its Mountain Region. Deer dates follow the Western A schedule, and bear dates the Mountain BMU. Across the state, 6 counties run on this deer calendar. Roughly 66,373 acres of NCWRC game land fall within the county, including 48,025 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 Caldwell County
The gun opener for Caldwell County is Nov 28, 2026, after an archery stretch that starts Sep 12 and a blackpowder fortnight from Nov 14. Antlerless harvest is allowed through the whole archery, blackpowder and gun calendar. 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. Caldwell 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 | Every open day |
| Firearms | Nov 28–Jan 1, 2027 | Every open day |
| Youth days (statewide) | Sep 26–Sep 27, 2026 | Either sex, youth |
| Western youth days | Nov 26–Nov 27, 2026 | Either sex, youth |
| Urban archery | Jan 9–Feb 14, 2027 | Participating towns |
CWD has not been detected in Caldwell County; NCWRC reports its samples with the rest of the state.
Urban archery towns
The urban season reaches Lenoir and Sawmills after the gun season closes.
Lights at night
Not on the county lists in 15A NCAC 10B .0115.
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 A 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.
Caldwell County hunting dates by species
Caldwell 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 A | 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 A | 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 A | Nov 28, 2026 | Jan 1, 2027 | |
| White-tailed deer | Urban Archery Season | Urban archery towns only | Jan 9, 2027 | Feb 14, 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.
Caldwell County tracts open to hunters
Caldwell County shares 5 listed properties with the public; days per week come from the digest game land tables. By the digest tables, the game lands split as 1 open 6 days a week and 3 open 7 days a week. USFS ownership inside the line comes to 48,025 acres. 11,919 acres of public hunting ground sit within 10 miles of Lenoir.
- Game lands, 4 listedPisgah Game Land (517,774 acres*, 7 days), Buffalo Cove Game Land (7,030 acres*, 7 days), Pisgah (WRC-owned) Game Land (4,829 acres*, 7 days), Kings Creek Game Land (2,361 acres*, 6 days)
- Ranger districts, count 1Grandfather Ranger District (Pisgah National Forest) (193,385 acres*)
- Federal forest acresPisgah National Forest (47,518 acres in Caldwell)
Neighbouring tracts: Johns River Game Land 6,483 acres, 14 miles out; Kerr Scott Game Land 521 acres, 15 miles out; W. Kerr Scott Reservoir (U.S. Army Corps of Engineers) 521 acres, 15 miles out; Little Fork State Forest Game Land 1,270 acres, 21 miles out; North Bend Game Land 1,244 acres, 24 miles out.
Closed to hunting: Blue Ridge Parkway (North Carolina portion). State parks and natural areas are closed as well.
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.
Caldwell County harvest card totals
1,033 bucks, 579 does and 56 button bucks came from Caldwell County in 2025-26. 2025-26 leads the run of seasons with 1,668 deer. Weapon split last season: gun 865, bow and crossbow 403, blackpowder 400. Private and other ground supplied 1,617 deer, game lands 51. Per square mile, 3.27 bucks were taken. Within the antlerless count, 56 were button bucks, males with only skin-covered knobs. Fifty seasons of totals put the high mark at 2025, with 1,668 deer.
| Year | Antlered | Button bucks | Does | Deer | Gun | Blackpowder | Vertical bow | Crossbow | Game lands |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025-26 | 1,033 | 56 | 579 | 1,668 | 865 | 400 | 160 | 243 | 51 |
| 2024-25 | 937 | 53 | 516 | 1,506 | 776 | 400 | 150 | 180 | 36 |
| 2023-24 | 974 | 39 | 563 | 1,576 | 1,008 | 143 | 187 | 238 | 46 |
| 2022-23 | 758 | 29 | 352 | 1,139 | 727 | 95 | 167 | 150 | 34 |
| 2021-22 | 754 | 38 | 385 | 1,177 | 739 | 94 | 188 | 156 | 45 |
| 2020-21 | 691 | 32 | 325 | 1,048 | 670 | 96 | 140 | 142 | 42 |
| 2019-20 | 666 | 30 | 312 | 1,008 | 645 | 88 | 139 | 136 | 25 |
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 Caldwell County
The digest prints 2 local acts for Caldwell County. Each item below is unlawful in the county.
- Take any wildlife, except bobcats, on Grandfather Mountain above the Yonahlossee Road (U.S. 221).
- Hunt from the right-of-way of public roads any bird or animal except bear, without written permission of the owner or lessee of the adjacent land. Bear and boar may be hunted from any unpaved road.
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 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.
Caldwell County beyond whitetails
Caldwell black bear
Bear season in Caldwell 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 Pisgah Game Land (Daniel Boone) and Pisgah WRC Game Land (Lutz). The 2025 bear count for Caldwell County: 68. Of the 2025 bears, 44 were male and 24 female; 41 came off game lands. Method in 2025: 91% with dogs.
Turkey harvest
Bearded birds only, from Apr 17, 2027 to May 15, 2027 statewide. The spring 2026 turkey count for Caldwell County: 212 (58 jakes). The long-run table shows 1 bird in 1981, the first year listed. Game lands supplied 40 of those birds and other land 172.
| Spring | Gobblers | Jakes | Total | Game lands |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 154 | 58 | 212 | 40 |
| 2025 | 160 | 54 | 214 | 45 |
| 2024 | 167 | 29 | 196 | 32 |
| 2023 | 203 | 33 | 236 | 41 |
| 2022 | 122 | 55 | 177 | 29 |
| 2021 | 175 | 23 | 198 | 31 |
| 2020 | 166 | 59 | 225 | 13 |
Waterfowl zones
Caldwell County hunts ducks on Inland zone splits. The goose map puts Caldwell 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.
Caldwell 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 | 7:01 a.m. | 7:50 p.m. | 6:31 a.m. to 8:20 p.m. | 6:31 a.m. to 7:50 p.m. |
| Sep 12, 2026 | Archery deer opener | 7:06 a.m. | 7:40 p.m. | 6:36 a.m. to 8:10 p.m. | 6:36 a.m. to 7:40 p.m. |
| Oct 17, 2026 | Eastern gun opener | 7:34 a.m. | 6:51 p.m. | 7:04 a.m. to 7:21 p.m. | 7:04 a.m. to 6:51 p.m. |
| Nov 14, 2026 | Central gun opener | 7:00 a.m. | 5:23 p.m. | 6:30 a.m. to 5:53 p.m. | 6:30 a.m. to 5:23 p.m. |
| Nov 28, 2026 | Western gun opener | 7:13 a.m. | 5:17 p.m. | 6:43 a.m. to 5:47 p.m. | 6:43 a.m. to 5:17 p.m. |
| Dec 26, 2026 | Late December | 7:32 a.m. | 5:23 p.m. | 7:02 a.m. to 5:53 p.m. | 7:02 a.m. to 5:23 p.m. |
| Jan 1, 2027 | Deer gun close | 7:34 a.m. | 5:27 p.m. | 7:04 a.m. to 5:57 p.m. | 7:04 a.m. to 5:27 p.m. |
| Apr 17, 2027 | Spring turkey opener | 6:51 a.m. | 8:02 p.m. | 6:21 a.m. to 8:32 p.m. | 6:21 a.m. to 8:02 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 Caldwell County
NCWRC publishes no list of licensed taxidermists or guides, so those rows come from directories; call before you go.
Agency contacts
Caldwell County falls to Clint Barden on the NCWRC biologist list. NCWRC Morganton Depot (Morganton) is the closest Commission facility, 22 miles out.
Venison processing
Taxidermists nearby
Preserves nearby
Caldwell 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 Caldwell County
The acreage beside a town is public land inside a 10-mile circle, measured on GIS layers.
- Lenoirseat · 18,280 townspeople · 11,919 public acres in a 10-mile ring
- Cedar Rock299 townspeople · 10,979 public acres in a 10-mile ring
- Gamewell3,699 townspeople · 21,404 public acres in a 10-mile ring
- Blowing Rockspans the line · 1,336 townspeople · 52,437 public acres in a 10-mile ring
Tiles below open each county next to Caldwell County.
Towns from the Census 2024 Gazetteer and Vintage 2024 estimates; adjacency from the Census county adjacency file.
Before you burn in Caldwell 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: Caldwell County is not on this list.
- Ban orders: 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.
- Public land fires: NC Wildlife Resources Commission game lands (15A NCAC 10D .0102(i)): no camping except on areas posted by the landowner for camping.
Caldwell County ranges, clubs and shoots
Chetola Sporting Reserve is the closest listed range to Caldwell County, 13 miles from its center.
On offer: sporting clays, 5-stand, handgun, rifle, archery
On offer: trap, skeet, shotgun
On offer: trap, skeet, shotgun
For a Commission-listed public range, McDowell County Shooting Range (McDowell County) is about 36 miles away. Hours and fees
Ranges from the NCWRC shooting range pages and directory listings, checked October 25, 2026.
Caldwell County on the North Carolina events calendar
Read October 25, 2026: 4 NCWRC classes, covering hunter education course.
Hunter education classes
| Date | Course | Hours | Place | Seat | Source page |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nov 3, 2026 | Hunter Education Certification (D8) ⋅ hunter education course | 6:00 PM–9:00 PM | North Catawba Fire Rescue ⋅ Lenoir ⋅ Caldwell Co. | Register on GONC | Source |
| Dec 21, 2026 | Hunter Education Certification (D8) ⋅ hunter education course | 6:00 PM–9:00 PM | Grace Chapel Fire Department ⋅ Granite Falls ⋅ Caldwell Co. | Register on GONC | Source |
| Jan 3, 2027 | Hunter Education Certification (D8) ⋅ hunter education course | 11:00 AM–5:00 PM | Tuttle Education State Forest ⋅ Lenoir ⋅ Caldwell Co. | Register on GONC | Source |
| Mar 15, 2027 | Hunter Education Certification (D8) ⋅ hunter education course | 6:00 PM–9:00 PM | Grace Chapel Fire Department ⋅ Granite Falls ⋅ Caldwell Co. | Register on GONC | Source |
Caldwell County, answered
What are the Sunday hours for gun hunters in Caldwell 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 Caldwell County?
No positive is listed for the county.
How many turkeys came from Caldwell County in 2026?
212 reported.
How many bears did Caldwell County hunters register in 2025?
68 reported.
What is the biggest public tract in Caldwell County?
Pisgah Game Land, 517,774 acres in all.
Do I need HIP for doves in Caldwell County?
Yes. HIP certification is required for migratory birds.
What weapons are legal in the Caldwell County urban season?
Archery equipment only.
Which NCWRC district is Caldwell County in?
District 8, Mountain Region.
Which deer dates apply to Caldwell County hunters?
The Western A group from the 2026-2027 at-a-glance sheet.
Who should a Caldwell County hunter call about processing?
Whisnants Deer Processing, LL; book early in November.
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.
Caldwell 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: ncwetlands.org (CC0 1.0); NPS Photo (Public domain); YoungSue (Public Domain Mark 1.0); DaPuglet (CC BY-SA 2.0); U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service – Midwest Region (Public domain); USFWS Headquarters (CC BY 2.0); rengber (CC BY 2.0); Monkeystyle3000 (CC BY 2.0).