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District 9, Mountain
Cherokee County Hunting
Everything county-specific about hunting Cherokee County, from the Western C archery, blackpowder and gun windows to light-shining hours, waterfowl zones, game land acreage and harvest by year.
Photo: Ken Lund (CC BY-SA 2.0)
With Murphy as its seat, Cherokee County covers 456 square miles in the NCWRC Mountain Region. Its 2024 head count of 30,373 is +5.6% 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 97,277 acres of NCWRC game land fall within the county, including 92,764 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.
Nearby
Places to hunt and shoot around Cherokee County
How deer seasons work in Cherokee County
The gun opener for Cherokee 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. Cherokee 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 Cherokee 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.
Cherokee County hunting dates by species
Cherokee 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.
Cherokee County tracts open to hunters
Cherokee County shares 2 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 7 days a week. USFS ownership inside the line comes to 92,764 acres. 44,432 acres of public hunting ground sit within 10 miles of Murphy.
- Game lands, 1 listedNantahala Game Land (527,696 acres*, 7 days)
- Ranger districts, count 1Tusquittee Ranger District (Nantahala National Forest) (159,278 acres*)
- Federal forest acresNantahala National Forest (93,327 acres in Cherokee)
Neighbouring tracts: Cheoah Ranger District (Nantahala National Forest) 121,985 acres, 16 miles out; Nantahala Ranger District (Nantahala National Forest) 245,487 acres, 30 miles out; Needmore Game Land 5,237 acres, 34 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.
Cherokee County harvest card totals
844 bucks, 456 does and 39 button bucks came from Cherokee County in 2025-26. 2025-26 leads the run of seasons with 1,339 deer. Weapon split last season: gun 549, bow and crossbow 455, blackpowder 335. Private and other ground supplied 1,106 deer, game lands 233. Per square mile, 2.61 bucks were taken. Within the antlerless count, 39 were button bucks, males with only skin-covered knobs. Fifty seasons of totals put the high mark at 2025, with 1,339 deer.
| Year | Antlered | Button bucks | Does | Deer | Gun | Blackpowder | Vertical bow | Crossbow | Game lands |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025-26 | 844 | 39 | 456 | 1,339 | 549 | 335 | 155 | 300 | 233 |
| 2024-25 | 740 | 22 | 465 | 1,227 | 471 | 332 | 146 | 278 | 190 |
| 2023-24 | 665 | 17 | 218 | 900 | 479 | 45 | 145 | 231 | 164 |
| 2022-23 | 646 | 16 | 245 | 907 | 457 | 46 | 170 | 234 | 132 |
| 2021-22 | 648 | 15 | 212 | 875 | 458 | 33 | 157 | 227 | 138 |
| 2020-21 | 545 | 23 | 200 | 768 | 410 | 37 | 120 | 201 | 122 |
| 2019-20 | 524 | 13 | 165 | 702 | 378 | 29 | 125 | 170 | 117 |
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 Cherokee County
The digest prints 1 local act for Cherokee County. Each item below is unlawful in the county.
- To take or kill any wild animal or wild bird with the use of a firearm or to discharge a firearm from, on, or across the right-of-way of a public road, street, highway or other public vehicular area.
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.
Cherokee County beyond whitetails
Cherokee black bear
Bear season in Cherokee County follows the Mountain BMU: Oct 3 to Nov 21, 2026 and Dec 12, 2026 to Jan 1, 2027. The 2025 bear count for Cherokee County: 49. Of the 2025 bears, 35 were male and 14 female; 26 came off game lands. Method in 2025: 92% with dogs.
Turkey harvest
Bearded birds only, from Apr 17, 2027 to May 15, 2027 statewide. The spring 2026 turkey count for Cherokee County: 178 (12 jakes). The long-run table shows 2 birds in 1977, the first year listed. Game lands supplied 59 of those birds and other land 119.
| Spring | Gobblers | Jakes | Total | Game lands |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 166 | 12 | 178 | 59 |
| 2025 | 133 | 24 | 157 | 53 |
| 2024 | 167 | 20 | 187 | 64 |
| 2023 | 218 | 13 | 231 | 78 |
| 2022 | 112 | 33 | 145 | 46 |
| 2021 | 136 | 16 | 152 | 57 |
| 2020 | 135 | 26 | 161 | 54 |
Waterfowl zones
Cherokee County hunts ducks on Inland zone splits. The goose map puts Cherokee 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.
Cherokee 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 | 7:10 a.m. | 7:59 p.m. | 6:40 a.m. to 8:29 p.m. | 6:40 a.m. to 7:59 p.m. |
| Sep 12, 2026 | Archery deer opener | 7:15 a.m. | 7:49 p.m. | 6:45 a.m. to 8:19 p.m. | 6:45 a.m. to 7:49 p.m. |
| Oct 17, 2026 | Eastern gun opener | 7:43 a.m. | 7:00 p.m. | 7:13 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. | 7:13 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. |
| Nov 14, 2026 | Central gun opener | 7:09 a.m. | 5:32 p.m. | 6:39 a.m. to 6:02 p.m. | 6:39 a.m. to 5:32 p.m. |
| Nov 28, 2026 | Western gun opener | 7:22 a.m. | 5:26 p.m. | 6:52 a.m. to 5:56 p.m. | 6:52 a.m. to 5:26 p.m. |
| Dec 26, 2026 | Late December | 7:41 a.m. | 5:32 p.m. | 7:11 a.m. to 6:02 p.m. | 7:11 a.m. to 5:32 p.m. |
| Jan 1, 2027 | Deer gun close | 7:43 a.m. | 5:36 p.m. | 7:13 a.m. to 6:06 p.m. | 7:13 a.m. to 5:36 p.m. |
| Apr 17, 2027 | Spring turkey opener | 7:00 a.m. | 8:11 p.m. | 6:30 a.m. to 8:41 p.m. | 6:30 a.m. to 8:11 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 Cherokee County
NCWRC publishes no list of licensed taxidermists or guides, so those rows come from directories; call before you go.
Agency contacts
Cherokee County falls to Justin McVey on the NCWRC biologist list. NCWRC Andrews Depot (Andrews) is the closest Commission facility, 14 miles out.
Venison processing
Taxidermists nearby
Preserves nearby
Cherokee 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 Cherokee County
The acreage beside a town is public land inside a 10-mile circle, measured on GIS layers.
- Murphyseat · 1,693 townspeople · 44,432 public acres in a 10-mile ring
- Andrews1,762 townspeople · 97,883 public acres in a 10-mile ring
- Marble79,848 public acres in a 10-mile ring
Tiles below open each county next to Cherokee County; Fannin (GA), Monroe (TN), Polk (TN) and Union (GA) is in another state.
Towns from the Census 2024 Gazetteer and Vintage 2024 estimates; adjacency from the Census county adjacency file.
Fires, permits and bans around Cherokee County
- Permits: Year-round.
- NC high hazard counties (G.S. 106-942(a)), stricter year-round permit and land-clearing rules: Cherokee County is not on this list.
- Burn bans come from: 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.
- Warming fires: NC Wildlife Resources Commission game lands (15A NCAC 10D .0102(i)): no camping except on areas posted by the landowner for camping.
Cherokee County ranges, clubs and shoots
Dirty John Shooting Range is the closest listed range to Cherokee County, 37 miles from its center.
On offer: rifle, handgun, smallbore rimfire
On offer: rifle, handgun
On offer: handgun, rifle
For a Commission-listed public range, Wayne E. Smith Cold Mountain Shooting Range (Haywood County) is about 65 miles away. Hours and fees
Ranges from the NCWRC shooting range pages and directory listings, checked October 25, 2026.
Cherokee County on the North Carolina events calendar
Read October 25, 2026: 1 upcoming event and 2 NCWRC classes, covering UKC club bench and HTX day and hunter education course.
Next dates
| Held | What | Where | Register | Source page |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 31, 2026 | Mountain Coon Hunters Association UKC Coonhound Event ⋅ UKC club bench and HTX day | Murphy ⋅ Cherokee Co. | Event details | Source |
Hunter education classes
| Date | Course | Hours | Place | Seat | Source page |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nov 3, 2026 | Hunter Education Certification (D9) ⋅ hunter education course | 6:00 PM–9:00 PM | Tri-County Community College – ENLOE Building ⋅ Murphy ⋅ Cherokee Co. | Register on GONC | Source |
| Dec 7, 2026 | Hunter Education Certification (D9) ⋅ hunter education course | 6:00 PM–9:00 PM | Tri-County Community College – ENLOE Building ⋅ Murphy ⋅ Cherokee Co. | Register on GONC | Source |
Fishing in Cherokee County
Lakes, rivers, boat ramps and bait shops for Cherokee County are on State Fishing Spots, our sister site.
Cherokee County, answered
How many turkeys came from Cherokee County in 2026?
178 reported.
How many bears did Cherokee County hunters register in 2025?
49 reported.
What is the biggest public tract in Cherokee County?
Nantahala Game Land, 527,696 acres in all.
Do I need HIP for doves in Cherokee County?
Yes. HIP certification is required for migratory birds.
Who should a Cherokee County hunter call about processing?
Adam Farms LLC; book early in November.
Which NCWRC district is Cherokee County in?
District 9, Mountain Region.
Are button bucks antlerless in Cherokee County?
Yes. Knobs under skin are not antlers, so button bucks count as antlerless.
Which deer dates apply to Cherokee County hunters?
The Western C group from the 2026-2027 at-a-glance sheet.
Has a CWD-positive deer turned up in Cherokee County?
No positive is listed for the county.
Is the Cherokee County deer harvest rising?
Season by season the cards show 702 in 2019-20, 1,227 in 2024-25 and 1,339 in 2025-26.
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.
Cherokee 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); Charles Patrick Ewing (CC BY 2.0); Yellowstone National Park (Public domain); cuatrok77 (CC BY-SA 2.0).