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District 6, Piedmont
Rowan County Hunting
Everything county-specific about hunting Rowan County, from the Central archery, blackpowder and gun windows to light-shining hours, waterfowl zones, game land acreage and harvest by year.
Photo: Donald Lee Pardue (CC BY 2.0)
With Salisbury as its seat, Rowan County covers 512 square miles in the NCWRC Piedmont Region. Its 2024 head count of 153,384 is +4.4% on the 2020 base. The Commission counts it in District 6 of its Piedmont Region. Deer dates follow the Central schedule, and bear dates the Piedmont BMU (group 2). Across the state, 19 counties run on this deer calendar. Roughly 5,707 acres of NCWRC game land fall within 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.
How deer seasons work in Rowan County
The gun opener for Rowan County is Nov 14, 2026, after an archery stretch that starts Sep 12 and a blackpowder fortnight from Oct 31. 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. Rowan County lies outside the CWD management and surveillance areas.
| Season | From and to | Doe days |
|---|---|---|
| Archery | Sep 12–Oct 30, 2026 | Every open day |
| Muzzleloaders | Oct 31–Nov 13, 2026 | Every open day |
| Firearms | Nov 14–Jan 1, 2027 | Every open day |
| Youth days (statewide) | Sep 26–Sep 27, 2026 | Either sex, youth |
| Urban archery | Jan 9–Feb 14, 2027 | Participating towns |
CWD has not been detected in Rowan County; NCWRC reports its samples with the rest of the state.
Urban archery towns
The urban season reaches China Grove, Cleveland, Granite Quarry, Kannapolis and Landis after the gun season closes.
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.
Central 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.
Rowan County hunting dates by species
Rowan 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 | Central | Sep 12, 2026 | Oct 30, 2026 | |
| White-tailed deer | Youth Deer Hunting Days | Statewide | Sep 26, 2026 | Sep 27, 2026 | |
| White-tailed deer | Blackpowder | Central | Oct 31, 2026 | Nov 13, 2026 | |
| White-tailed deer | Gun | Central | Nov 14, 2026 | Jan 1, 2027 | |
| White-tailed deer | Urban Archery Season | Urban archery towns only | Jan 9, 2027 | Feb 14, 2027 | |
| Black bear | Group 2 | Piedmont BMU group 2 | Nov 14, 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 | |
| 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.
Rowan County tracts open to hunters
Rowan 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 and 1 permit-only. 5,085 acres of public hunting ground sit within 10 miles of Salisbury. Game land dove fields include a site in Rowan County.
- Game lands, 2 listedYadkin River Game Land (11,636 acres*, 7 days), Second Creek Game Land (1,106 acres, Permit only)
Neighbouring tracts: Linwood Game Land 169 acres, 12 miles out; Perkins Game Land 1,696 acres, 15 miles out; Uwharrie Ranger District (Uwharrie National Forest) 53,011 acres, 34 miles out; Uwharrie Game Land 52,709 acres, 34 miles out; Paynes Branch Game Land 211 acres, 44 miles out.
Land finder · 95 game lands · Which days to hunt
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.
Rowan County harvest card totals
1,690 bucks, 1,353 does and 160 button bucks came from Rowan County in 2025-26. 2025-26 leads the run of seasons with 3,203 deer. Weapon split last season: gun 2,325, bow and crossbow 508, blackpowder 370. Private and other ground supplied 3,099 deer, game lands 104. Per square mile, 4.39 bucks were taken. Within the antlerless count, 160 were button bucks, males with only skin-covered knobs. Fifty seasons of totals put the high mark at 2025, with 3,203 deer.
| Year | Antlered | Button bucks | Does | Deer | Gun | Blackpowder | Vertical bow | Crossbow | Game lands |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025-26 | 1,690 | 160 | 1,353 | 3,203 | 2,325 | 370 | 229 | 279 | 104 |
| 2024-25 | 1,608 | 126 | 1,262 | 2,996 | 2,266 | 316 | 201 | 213 | 99 |
| 2023-24 | 1,559 | 120 | 1,181 | 2,860 | 2,211 | 262 | 194 | 193 | 123 |
| 2022-23 | 1,191 | 113 | 967 | 2,271 | 1,818 | 165 | 162 | 126 | 79 |
| 2021-22 | 1,183 | 92 | 974 | 2,249 | 1,620 | 268 | 209 | 152 | 91 |
| 2020-21 | 1,204 | 102 | 974 | 2,280 | 1,671 | 287 | 202 | 120 | 91 |
| 2019-20 | 1,165 | 102 | 854 | 2,121 | 1,455 | 364 | 172 | 130 | 116 |
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 Rowan County
The digest prints 4 local acts for Rowan County. Each item below is unlawful in the county.
- Hunt, fish or trap on the land of another without written permission.
- Hunt with a loaded firearm or discharge the same on or across a state-maintained road.
- NOTE: Entrance to private lands to hunt is regulated by local ordinance.
- Discharge firearms or fireworks or to create noise using mechanical apparatus while in the no-wake zone around Eagle Point Nature Preserve on High Rock Reservoir.
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.
Rowan County beyond whitetails
Rowan black bear
Bear season in Rowan County follows the Piedmont BMU (group 2): Nov 14, 2026 to Jan 1, 2027. The 2025 bear count for Rowan County: 0.
Turkey harvest
Bearded birds only, from Apr 17, 2027 to May 15, 2027 statewide. The spring 2026 turkey count for Rowan County: 291 (52 jakes). The long-run table shows 35 birds in 1998, the first year listed. Game lands supplied 17 of those birds and other land 274.
| Spring | Gobblers | Jakes | Total | Game lands |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 239 | 52 | 291 | 17 |
| 2025 | 161 | 69 | 230 | 11 |
| 2024 | 224 | 48 | 272 | 22 |
| 2023 | 222 | 56 | 278 | 15 |
| 2022 | 196 | 70 | 266 | 14 |
| 2021 | 192 | 57 | 249 | 17 |
| 2020 | 205 | 89 | 294 | 18 |
Waterfowl zones
Rowan County hunts ducks on Inland zone splits. The goose map puts Rowan County in the Resident Population Zone.
Piedmont 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.
Rowan 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 | 6:56 a.m. | 7:45 p.m. | 6:26 a.m. to 8:15 p.m. | 6:26 a.m. to 7:45 p.m. |
| Sep 12, 2026 | Archery deer opener | 7:01 a.m. | 7:35 p.m. | 6:31 a.m. to 8:05 p.m. | 6:31 a.m. to 7:35 p.m. |
| Oct 17, 2026 | Eastern gun opener | 7:29 a.m. | 6:46 p.m. | 6:59 a.m. to 7:16 p.m. | 6:59 a.m. to 6:46 p.m. |
| Nov 14, 2026 | Central gun opener | 6:55 a.m. | 5:18 p.m. | 6:25 a.m. to 5:48 p.m. | 6:25 a.m. to 5:18 p.m. |
| Nov 28, 2026 | Western gun opener | 7:08 a.m. | 5:12 p.m. | 6:38 a.m. to 5:42 p.m. | 6:38 a.m. to 5:12 p.m. |
| Dec 26, 2026 | Late December | 7:27 a.m. | 5:18 p.m. | 6:57 a.m. to 5:48 p.m. | 6:57 a.m. to 5:18 p.m. |
| Jan 1, 2027 | Deer gun close | 7:29 a.m. | 5:22 p.m. | 6:59 a.m. to 5:52 p.m. | 6:59 a.m. to 5:22 p.m. |
| Apr 17, 2027 | Spring turkey opener | 6:46 a.m. | 7:57 p.m. | 6:16 a.m. to 8:27 p.m. | 6:16 a.m. to 7:57 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 Rowan County
NCWRC publishes no list of licensed taxidermists or guides, so those rows come from directories; call before you go.
Agency contacts
Rowan County falls to Rupert Medford on the NCWRC biologist list. NCWRC Troy Depot (Mount Gilead) is the closest Commission facility, 38 miles out.
Venison processing
Taxidermists nearby
Preserves nearby
Rowan 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 Rowan County
The acreage beside a town is public land inside a 10-mile circle, measured on GIS layers.
- Salisburyseat · 36,579 townspeople · 5,085 public acres in a 10-mile ring
- China Grove4,610 townspeople · 1,115 public acres in a 10-mile ring
- Cleveland887 townspeople · 1,176 public acres in a 10-mile ring
- Spencer3,406 townspeople · 5,125 public acres in a 10-mile ring
- Kannapolisspans the line · 60,521 townspeople
Tiles below open each county next to Rowan County.
Towns from the Census 2024 Gazetteer and Vintage 2024 estimates; adjacency from the Census county adjacency file.
Burn bans and permits in Rowan County
- Permits: Year-round.
- NC high hazard counties (G.S. 106-942(a)), stricter year-round permit and land-clearing rules: Rowan 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.
- 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.
Rowan County ranges, clubs and shoots
4 Rowan County ranges are listed; every card says who may shoot.
On offer: archery, 3D archery
On offer: shotgun, rifle, handgun, smallbore rimfire, archery
On offer: trap, skeet, 5-stand, rifle, handgun
On offer: rifle
For a Commission-listed public range, Flintlock Valley Shooting Range (Montgomery County) is about 30 miles away. Hours and fees
Local match calendar
| Date, shoot | Format | Page |
|---|---|---|
| Nov 5-7, 2026 — SASS North Carolina State Championship – The Spirit of '76 in Salisbury, NC | Club match | Enter |
| Nov 21, 2026 — Rowan County Wildlife CMP HP Rifle Match | High power | Register |
Ranges from the NCWRC shooting range pages and directory listings, checked October 25, 2026.
Rowan County on the North Carolina events calendar
Read October 25, 2026: 2 NCWRC classes, covering hunter education course.
Hunter education classes
| Date | Course | Hours | Place | Seat | Source page |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nov 5, 2026 | Hunter Education Certification (D6)* ⋅ hunter education course | 2:00 PM–8:00 PM | West Liberty Volunteer Fire Dept. ⋅ Salisbury ⋅ Rowan Co. | Register on GONC | Source |
| Dec 1, 2026 | Hunter Education Certification (D6)* ⋅ hunter education course | 6:00 PM–9:00 PM | Eliss Cross Country Fire Department ⋅ Salisbury ⋅ Rowan Co. | Register on GONC | Source |
Rowan County, answered
What weapons are legal in the Rowan County urban season?
Archery equipment only.
Which NCWRC district is Rowan County in?
District 6, Piedmont Region.
Which deer dates apply to Rowan County hunters?
The Central group from the 2026-2027 at-a-glance sheet.
Who should a Rowan County hunter call about processing?
Brooks and Sons Processing; book early in November.
Is the Rowan County deer harvest rising?
Season by season the cards show 2,121 in 2019-20, 2,996 in 2024-25 and 3,203 in 2025-26.
Are button bucks antlerless in Rowan County?
Yes. Knobs under skin are not antlers, so button bucks count as antlerless.
What are the Sunday hours for gun hunters in Rowan 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 Rowan County?
No positive is listed for the county.
How many turkeys came from Rowan County in 2026?
291 reported.
How many bears did Rowan County hunters register in 2025?
0 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.
Rowan 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: Festive Coquette (CC BY 2.0); Sarah and Jason (CC BY-SA 2.0); PierreSelim (CC BY 3.0); Russ (CC BY 2.0); btrentler (CC BY 2.0); U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service – Midwest Region (Public domain); Juliana Chong (CC BY 2.0).