Home › North Carolina › Counties › Surry County
District 7, Mountain
Surry County Hunting
Everything county-specific about hunting Surry County, from the Northwestern CWD Management Area archery, blackpowder and gun windows to light-shining hours, waterfowl zones, game land acreage and harvest by year.
Photo: Chris_Short (CC BY-SA 2.0)
With Dobson as its seat, Surry County covers 533 square miles in the NCWRC Mountain Region. Its 2024 head count of 71,547 is +0.3% on the 2020 base. The Commission counts it in District 7 of its Mountain Region. Deer dates follow the Northwestern CWD Management Area schedule, and bear dates the Mountain BMU. Across the state, 5 counties run on this deer calendar. Roughly 1,894 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.
Nearby
Places to hunt and shoot around Surry County
How deer seasons work in Surry County
The gun opener for Surry 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. Surry County sits inside the Northwest CWD Management Area, so Aug 22 to Aug 23, 2026 is open for antlered deer with any lawful weapon.
| Season | From and to | Doe days |
|---|---|---|
| CWD early season | Aug 22–Aug 23, 2026 | Antlered only |
| 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 |
Surry County counts 30 CWD positives all years, with 58 clean tests so far this sampling year.
Urban archery towns
The urban season reaches Elkin 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.
Northwestern CWD Management Area 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.
Surry County hunting dates by species
Surry 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 | CWD early season | Northwest CWD Management Area | Aug 22, 2026 | Aug 23, 2026 | |
| White-tailed deer | Archery | Northwestern CWD Management Area | Sep 12, 2026 | Oct 30, 2026 | |
| White-tailed deer | Youth Deer Hunting Days | Statewide | Sep 26, 2026 | Sep 27, 2026 | |
| White-tailed deer | Blackpowder | Northwestern CWD Management Area | Oct 31, 2026 | Nov 13, 2026 | |
| White-tailed deer | Gun | Northwestern CWD Management Area | Nov 14, 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 | |
| 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.
Surry County tracts open to hunters
Surry County shares 1 listed property with the public; days per week come from the digest game land tables. By the digest tables, the game lands split as 1 open 4 days a week. 1,342 acres of public hunting ground sit within 10 miles of Dobson.
- Game lands, 1 listedMitchell River Game Land (2,432 acres*, 4 days)
Neighbouring tracts: Hill Farm Game Land 157 acres, 19 miles out; Paynes Branch Game Land 211 acres, 25 miles out; Thurmond Chatham Game Land 6,542 acres, 28 miles out; Little Fork State Forest Game Land 1,270 acres, 39 miles out; Kerr Scott Game Land 521 acres, 40 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
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.
Surry County harvest card totals
1,693 bucks, 1,278 does and 123 button bucks came from Surry County in 2025-26. 2025-26 leads the run of seasons with 3,094 deer. Weapon split last season: gun 2,165, bow and crossbow 419, blackpowder 510. Private and other ground supplied 3,080 deer, game lands 14. Per square mile, 4.65 bucks were taken. Within the antlerless count, 123 were button bucks, males with only skin-covered knobs. Fifty seasons of totals put the high mark at 2025, with 3,094 deer.
| Year | Antlered | Button bucks | Does | Deer | Gun | Blackpowder | Vertical bow | Crossbow | Game lands |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025-26 | 1,693 | 123 | 1,278 | 3,094 | 2,165 | 510 | 222 | 197 | 14 |
| 2024-25 | 1,451 | 113 | 1,053 | 2,617 | 1,812 | 492 | 146 | 167 | 15 |
| 2023-24 | 1,564 | 80 | 1,035 | 2,679 | 1,956 | 383 | 155 | 185 | 15 |
| 2022-23 | 1,189 | 72 | 678 | 1,939 | 1,432 | 267 | 111 | 129 | 5 |
| 2021-22 | 1,550 | 126 | 1,142 | 2,818 | 1,841 | 594 | 178 | 205 | 20 |
| 2020-21 | 1,378 | 138 | 1,287 | 2,803 | 1,901 | 519 | 207 | 176 | 21 |
| 2019-20 | 1,510 | 128 | 1,382 | 3,020 | 1,932 | 694 | 200 | 194 | 21 |
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 Surry County
The digest prints 1 local act for Surry County. Each item below is unlawful in the county.
- Hunt any animal with a firearm from a public road, highway or street.
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.
Surry County beyond whitetails
Surry black bear
Bear season in Surry County follows the Mountain BMU: Oct 3 to Nov 21, 2026 and Dec 12, 2026 to Jan 1, 2027. The 2025 bear count for Surry County: 15. Of the 2025 bears, 12 were male and 3 female; 0 came off game lands. Method in 2025: 7% with dogs.
Turkey harvest
Bearded birds only, from Apr 17, 2027 to May 15, 2027 statewide. The spring 2026 turkey count for Surry County: 226 (37 jakes). The long-run table shows 1 bird in 1984, the first year listed. Game lands supplied 4 of those birds and other land 222.
| Spring | Gobblers | Jakes | Total | Game lands |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 189 | 37 | 226 | 4 |
| 2025 | 145 | 46 | 191 | 2 |
| 2024 | 201 | 30 | 231 | 0 |
| 2023 | 205 | 24 | 229 | 1 |
| 2022 | 217 | 44 | 261 | 4 |
| 2021 | 208 | 41 | 249 | 3 |
| 2020 | 205 | 57 | 262 | 5 |
Waterfowl zones
Surry County hunts ducks on Inland zone splits. The goose map puts Surry 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.
Surry 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 | 6:59 a.m. | 7:48 p.m. | 6:29 a.m. to 8:18 p.m. | 6:29 a.m. to 7:48 p.m. |
| Sep 12, 2026 | Archery deer opener | 7:04 a.m. | 7:38 p.m. | 6:34 a.m. to 8:08 p.m. | 6:34 a.m. to 7:38 p.m. |
| Oct 17, 2026 | Eastern gun opener | 7:32 a.m. | 6:49 p.m. | 7:02 a.m. to 7:19 p.m. | 7:02 a.m. to 6:49 p.m. |
| Nov 14, 2026 | Central gun opener | 6:58 a.m. | 5:21 p.m. | 6:28 a.m. to 5:51 p.m. | 6:28 a.m. to 5:21 p.m. |
| Nov 28, 2026 | Western gun opener | 7:11 a.m. | 5:15 p.m. | 6:41 a.m. to 5:45 p.m. | 6:41 a.m. to 5:15 p.m. |
| Dec 26, 2026 | Late December | 7:30 a.m. | 5:21 p.m. | 7:00 a.m. to 5:51 p.m. | 7:00 a.m. to 5:21 p.m. |
| Jan 1, 2027 | Deer gun close | 7:32 a.m. | 5:25 p.m. | 7:02 a.m. to 5:55 p.m. | 7:02 a.m. to 5:25 p.m. |
| Apr 17, 2027 | Spring turkey opener | 6:49 a.m. | 8:00 p.m. | 6:19 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. | 6:19 a.m. to 8:00 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 Surry County
NCWRC publishes no list of licensed taxidermists or guides, so those rows come from directories; call before you go.
Agency contacts
Surry County falls to Jason Smith on the NCWRC biologist list. NCWRC Wilkesboro Depot (Traphill) is the closest Commission facility, 16 miles out.
Venison processing
Taxidermists nearby
Preserves nearby
Surry 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 Surry County
The acreage beside a town is public land inside a 10-mile circle, measured on GIS layers.
- Dobsonseat · 1,469 townspeople · 1,342 public acres in a 10-mile ring
- Lowgap2,517 public acres in a 10-mile ring
Tiles below open each county next to Surry County; Carroll (VA), Grayson (VA) and Patrick (VA) 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 Surry County
- Burn permit: Year-round.
- NC high hazard counties (G.S. 106-942(a)), stricter year-round permit and land-clearing rules: Surry 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.
Surry County ranges, clubs and shoots
2 Surry County ranges are listed; every card says who may shoot.
On offer: archery, 3D archery
For a Commission-listed public range, Van Camp Family Shooting Range at YMCA Camp Hanes (Stokes County) is about 18 miles away. Hours and fees
Ranges from the NCWRC shooting range pages and directory listings, checked October 25, 2026.
Surry County on the North Carolina events calendar
Read October 25, 2026: 2 upcoming events and 2 NCWRC classes, covering NWTF banquet, hunter education course and youth and Wheelin' Sportsmen hunt.
Next dates
| Held | What | Where | Register | Source page |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nov 14, 2026 | Surry Longspurs Youth and Wheelin Deer Hunt ⋅ Youth and Wheelin' Sportsmen hunt | Mount Airy ⋅ Surry Co. | Event details | Source |
| Mar 5, 2027 | Surry Longspurs Banquet ⋅ NWTF banquet | Mt Airy ⋅ Surry Co. | Event details | Source |
Hunter education classes
| Date | Course | Hours | Place | Seat | Source page |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nov 12, 2026 | D7A3 Hunter Education Course ⋅ hunter education course | 3:00 PM–6:00 PM | Pilot Mountain State Park Visitor Center ⋅ Pinnacle ⋅ Surry Co. | Register on GONC | Source |
| Dec 1, 2026 | D7A3 Hunter Education Course ⋅ hunter education course | 3:00 PM–6:00 PM | Pilot Mountain State Park Visitor Center ⋅ Pinnacle ⋅ Surry Co. | Register on GONC | Source |
Surry County, answered
What are the Sunday hours for gun hunters in Surry 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 Surry County?
Yes: 30 positives all years on the NCWRC chart.
How many turkeys came from Surry County in 2026?
226 reported.
How many bears did Surry County hunters register in 2025?
15 reported.
What is the biggest public tract in Surry County?
Mitchell River Game Land, 2,432 acres in all.
Do I need HIP for doves in Surry County?
Yes. HIP certification is required for migratory birds.
What weapons are legal in the Surry County urban season?
Archery equipment only.
Which NCWRC district is Surry County in?
District 7, Mountain Region.
Which deer dates apply to Surry County hunters?
The Northwestern CWD Management Area group from the 2026-2027 at-a-glance sheet.
Who should a Surry County hunter call about processing?
Adelphos Custom Meat ad Game Processing; 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.
Surry 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: fishhawk (CC BY 2.0); YellowstoneNPS (Public domain); U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service – Midwest Region (Public domain); ianpreston (CC BY 2.0); MarkDoliner (CC BY-SA 2.0); Jim, the Photographer (CC BY 2.0); Wildreturn (CC BY 2.0).