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Northeastern zone · District 3
Northampton County Hunting
NCWRC rules, harvest figures and public ground for Northampton County: the Northeastern deer dates with antlerless days, Coastal BMU Zone 4 bear dates, CWD status, local acts, game lands with acres and the shops nearby.
Photo: taberandrew (CC BY 2.0)
In the Piedmont, Northampton County spans 537 square miles with Jackson at its centre of government. Population sat near 16,580 in 2024 after shrinking 5.1% since 2020. For wildlife staff it belongs to District 3, one of the Piedmont Region districts. Northeastern is the deer zone group, and the Coastal BMU Zone 4 sets bear hunting. That group spans 22 counties. Mapped game land totals near 5,214 acres in the county.
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 Northampton County
Deer dates and CWD rules in Northampton County
Northampton County hunts deer on the Northeastern calendar: bows from Sep 12, blackpowder from Oct 3 and guns from Oct 17 until Jan 1, 2027. Does may be taken any day the season is open, whatever the weapon. The youth deer weekend falls on Sep 26 to Sep 27, 2026 this season. The CWD maps leave Northampton County out this season.
| Weapon | Dates | Antlerless |
|---|---|---|
| Archery season | Sep 12–Oct 2, 2026 | Every open day |
| Blackpowder season | Oct 3–Oct 16, 2026 | Every open day |
| Gun (any legal weapon) | Oct 17–Jan 1, 2027 | Every open day |
| Youth days (statewide) | Sep 26–Sep 27, 2026 | Either sex, youth |
No CWD positive has come from Northampton County; its tests are counted with the rest of the state.
Shining deer
Lights on deer are banned all night, from half an hour after sunset.
Season limit
Six per season, two of them antlered.
Report card
Validate the card before moving the deer; register the same day or by next noon.
Northeastern dates in full · All zone groups · CWD status
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.
Northampton County season dates for 2026-27
35 species and 56 dated segments reach Northampton County; the last column checks each one against today.
| Quarry | Season | Covers | From | To | Status today |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| White-tailed deer | Archery | Northeastern | Sep 12, 2026 | Oct 2, 2026 | |
| White-tailed deer | Youth Deer Hunting Days | Statewide | Sep 26, 2026 | Sep 27, 2026 | |
| White-tailed deer | Blackpowder | Northeastern | Oct 3, 2026 | Oct 16, 2026 | |
| White-tailed deer | Gun | Northeastern | Oct 17, 2026 | Jan 1, 2027 | |
| Black bear | Coastal BMU Zone 4 | Coastal BMU Zone 4 | Nov 21, 2026 | Dec 20, 2026 | |
| 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 (west of I-95 part) | Oct 15, 2026 | Oct 17, 2026 | |
| Ducks | Split 1 | Coastal zone (east of I-95 part) | Oct 23, 2026 | Oct 24, 2026 | |
| Ducks | Split 2 | Inland zone (west of I-95 part) | Nov 7, 2026 | Nov 28, 2026 | |
| Ducks | Split 2 | Coastal zone (east of I-95 part) | Nov 7, 2026 | Nov 28, 2026 | |
| Ducks | Split 3 | Coastal zone (east of I-95 part) | Dec 17, 2026 | Jan 30, 2027 | |
| Ducks | Split 3 | Inland zone (west of I-95 part) | 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 | |
| Red fox | Firearms season | East of I-77; local acts vary | Nov 21, 2026 | Jan 1, 2027 | |
| Gray fox | Firearms season | East of I-77; local acts vary | Nov 21, 2026 | Jan 1, 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.
Northampton County game lands and public ground
The list below groups the 1 Northampton County tract by owner type, largest first, with game land hunting days where the digest sets them. Hunting days on those game lands: 1 permit-only. A hunter based in Jackson has some 4,009 public acres within a short drive. One or more NCWRC dove fields sit in Northampton County.
- Game lands, 1 hereUpper Roanoke River Wetlands Game Land (11,065 acres*, Permit only)
Close by in other counties: Tillery Game Land 5,253 acres, 14 miles out; Lower Fishing Creek Game Land 1,291 acres, 26 miles out; Brinkleyville Game Land 3,341 acres, 26 miles out; Chowan Swamp Game Land 33,769 acres, 31 miles out; Embro Game Land 9,381 acres, 34 miles out.
North Carolina public land · Game land list · Days per week
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.
Northampton County bucks, does and weapons
The 2025-26 count for Northampton County reached 3,683, of which 56% were antlerless. The seven-season high is 2025-26 at 3,683; 2019-20 began the table at 3,439. Archery tackle accounted for 150 deer, counting 48 crossbow kills. Game lands produced 92 deer and other land 3,591. Buck density came to 3.38 a square mile. The doe column reads 1,834, the button buck column 225. Going back to 1976, the best year on record for Northampton County is 2008 (6,212).
| Season | Antlered bucks | Button bucks | Does | Sum | Firearm | Blackpowder | Bow | Crossbow | Game lands |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025-26 | 1,624 | 225 | 1,834 | 3,683 | 3,380 | 153 | 102 | 48 | 92 |
| 2024-25 | 1,496 | 224 | 1,707 | 3,427 | 3,173 | 103 | 120 | 31 | 83 |
| 2023-24 | 1,541 | 226 | 1,658 | 3,425 | 3,155 | 151 | 79 | 40 | 74 |
| 2022-23 | 1,381 | 189 | 1,560 | 3,130 | 2,897 | 139 | 83 | 11 | 72 |
| 2021-22 | 1,425 | 191 | 1,560 | 3,176 | 2,936 | 167 | 57 | 16 | 62 |
| 2020-21 | 1,553 | 195 | 1,751 | 3,499 | 3,231 | 142 | 100 | 26 | 76 |
| 2019-20 | 1,390 | 245 | 1,804 | 3,439 | 3,209 | 121 | 90 | 19 | 82 |
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.
County-only hunting rules for Northampton County
Before you hunt Northampton County, read these 5 local acts the legislature passed for the county.
- Take deer with the aid of a boat in or within 100 yards of the Roanoke River below U.S. 301.
- Hunt, take or kill any wild animal or wild bird with a firearm on, from or across the right-of-way of any public road or highway.
- Discharge a rifle larger than .22-caliber on another’s land or from the right-of-way of a public road across such land without written permission of the owner or lessee and unless positioned at least eight feet above the ground. (This section does not apply to property owned or managed by the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission.)
- Possess a firearm on a motor-propelled vessel (except an outboard with the motor removed and stored) on Meherrin River during the open deer season.
- It unlawful to Leave or place any equipment or vessels that may be used for the purpose of taking migratory waterfowl, including, but not limited to, mobile or temporary blinds, layout boats, and decoys between two hours after sunset and 4:00 a.m. each day unless remaining on a portion of the shoreline or attached to a dock as authorized by the owner of the shoreline or dock.
Sunday hunting is legal, but guns rest from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and no migratory birds may be taken. Skipping hunter orange is an infraction with a $25 fine. Fox dates here come from local acts not shown on this page.
Local laws statewide · Sunday restrictions · State law summary
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.
Bear, turkey and waterfowl in Northampton County
Bear season
For bear, Northampton County belongs to the Coastal BMU Zone 4, with dates Nov 21 to Dec 20, 2026. Reported bear harvest in Northampton County was 21 in 2025, out of 4,495 statewide. Females numbered 8 among the 2025 bears. Dogs accounted for 57% of the 2025 bears, still hunters 43%.
Spring turkey
Spring gobbler season runs Apr 17 to May 15, 2027, with youth days Apr 10 to Apr 11, 2027; there is no fall turkey season. Hunters reported 598 spring turkeys from Northampton County in 2026, 560 of them adult gobblers. Its spring turkey series begins in 1977. Off game lands, hunters took 587 turkeys in 2026.
| Spring | Adults | Juveniles | Birds | Game lands |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 560 | 38 | 598 | 11 |
| 2025 | 418 | 68 | 486 | 7 |
| 2024 | 473 | 42 | 515 | 14 |
| 2023 | 460 | 42 | 502 | 7 |
| 2022 | 334 | 53 | 387 | 8 |
| 2021 | 430 | 32 | 462 | 10 |
| 2020 | 341 | 54 | 395 | 17 |
Migratory birds
East of I-95, Northampton County is Coastal zone; west of it, Inland. For Canada geese, Northampton County is Resident Population Zone.
Coastal BMU Zone 4 harvest · Bear area list · Waterfowl zones
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.
Northampton County legal hunting light
Times below take the Charlotte table, add the Northampton County offset of -12 minutes, then apply the half-hour rule for game and the sunset rule for migratory birds.
| Date | Moment | Sunrise | Sunset | Game hours | Waterfowl and dove |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sep 5, 2026 | Dove opener | 6:45 a.m. | 7:34 p.m. | 6:15 a.m. to 8:04 p.m. | 6:15 a.m. to 7:34 p.m. |
| Sep 12, 2026 | Archery deer opener | 6:50 a.m. | 7:24 p.m. | 6:20 a.m. to 7:54 p.m. | 6:20 a.m. to 7:24 p.m. |
| Oct 17, 2026 | Eastern gun opener | 7:18 a.m. | 6:35 p.m. | 6:48 a.m. to 7:05 p.m. | 6:48 a.m. to 6:35 p.m. |
| Nov 14, 2026 | Central gun opener | 6:44 a.m. | 5:07 p.m. | 6:14 a.m. to 5:37 p.m. | 6:14 a.m. to 5:07 p.m. |
| Nov 28, 2026 | Western gun opener | 6:57 a.m. | 5:01 p.m. | 6:27 a.m. to 5:31 p.m. | 6:27 a.m. to 5:01 p.m. |
| Dec 26, 2026 | Late December | 7:16 a.m. | 5:07 p.m. | 6:46 a.m. to 5:37 p.m. | 6:46 a.m. to 5:07 p.m. |
| Jan 1, 2027 | Deer gun close | 7:18 a.m. | 5:11 p.m. | 6:48 a.m. to 5:41 p.m. | 6:48 a.m. to 5:11 p.m. |
| Apr 17, 2027 | Spring turkey opener | 6:35 a.m. | 7:46 p.m. | 6:05 a.m. to 8:16 p.m. | 6:05 a.m. to 7:46 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.
Northampton County contacts, processors and shops
Businesses with a Northampton County address come first; the closest ones in bordering counties fill each group.
Biologist and offices
The district biologist sheet names Greg Batts for Northampton County. The nearest wildlife facility is NCWRC Tillery Depot, 13 miles away in Halifax.
Processors
Taxidermy
Hunting preserves
Gun and archery shops
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.
Northampton County town guides and neighbours
Northampton County has 2 town guides, seat first; each lists the public land within reach and the nearest shops.
- Jacksonseat · 413 residents (2024) · 4,009 public acres close by
- Rich Square849 residents (2024) · 8,904 public acres close by
Step over the Northampton County line into one of 4 counties or into Brunswick (VA), Greensville (VA) and Southampton (VA).
Towns from the Census 2024 Gazetteer and Vintage 2024 estimates; adjacency from the Census county adjacency file.
Fires, permits and bans around Northampton County
- Burn permit: Year-round.
- NC high hazard counties (G.S. 106-942(a)), stricter year-round permit and land-clearing rules: Northampton 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.
- Warming fires: NC Wildlife Resources Commission game lands (15A NCAC 10D .0102(i)): no camping except on areas posted by the landowner for camping.
Ranges in and near Northampton County
Up to six Northampton County ranges appear as cards, and any more go in the table below them.
Covers rifle, handgun, archery
Ranges from the NCWRC shooting range pages and directory listings, checked October 25, 2026.
Northampton County on the North Carolina events calendar
1 NCWRC class (hunter education course), read October 25, 2026.
Class dates
| When | Course | Hours | Venue | Sign up | Read at |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dec 6, 2026 | D3A2 Northampton Hunter Education ⋅ hunter education course | 9:00 AM–4:00 PM | Northampton Co. Cultural and Wellness Center ⋅ Jackson ⋅ Northampton Co. | Register on GONC | Source |
Northampton County hunting questions
Which public land is closest to Northampton County?
Tillery Game Land, about 14 miles from the centre, outside the county.
Are ducks and doves legal on a Northampton County Sunday?
No. Migratory birds are closed on Sundays.
Where can I take a Northampton County deer to be cut?
Try Miller Meat Processing first.
How is a Northampton County deer registered?
Register by noon the next day through the app, 800-446-8663, online or a wildlife service agent.
What are the antlerless days in Northampton County?
Archery every open day, blackpowder every open day, gun every open day.
When is bow season for deer in Northampton County?
Sep 12 to Oct 2, 2026; bows stay legal through the later seasons too.
Is Northampton County in a CWD management area?
No.
Where does Northampton County sit among the 100 counties for deer?
7th of 100 counties in 2025-26.
Which days are open for bear in Northampton County?
Nov 21 to Dec 20, 2026 (Coastal BMU Zone 4).
Where do I find Northampton County local hunting laws?
In the local laws by county section of the NCWRC digest, copied on this page.
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.
Northampton County trip checklist
Game lands in and near Northampton County can set their own days, antlerless dates and posted zones; read the game land page before you go.
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: Juliana Chong (CC BY 2.0); ShenandoahNPS (Public domain); ilouque (CC BY 2.0); btrentler (CC BY 2.0); U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service – Midwest Region (Public domain); Rob Bixby (CC BY 2.0).