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Game land · 2026-27
Carteret County Game Land on the 2026-27 hunting calendar
Game land of 7,144 acres in Carteret County, open 7 days, for white-tailed deer, black bear and wild turkey.
Photo: evoo73 (CC BY 2.0)
Getting to Carteret County Game Land
Parking, trailheads and gates near Carteret County Game Land
- Salters Creek Boat RampBoat ramp · 2.8 mi from the centreDirections
Parking, trailhead and gate locations come from OpenStreetMap contributors. Roads into public land can be gated or seasonal; check with the managing agency before you go.
The size and owners of Carteret County Game Land
Hunters reach Carteret County Game Land, a NCWRC game land, in Carteret County. Biologists for District 2 cover it. Oversight of the hunting belongs to the NCWRC. The size used here is 7,144 acres, taken from NCWRC Game Lands – general GIS SUM_ACRES. Among 95 game lands with a figure, it places 34th.
Look for these 4 tract names on the map: Collette, Salters Creek, Saltworks, Turnigan Bay – Stallings.
From NC digest regulations for specific game lands; acreage NCWRC Game Lands – general GIS SUM_ACRES; checked October 25, 2026.
Nearby
Places to hunt and shoot around Carteret County Game Land
Know the rules before Carteret County Game Land
Every day of an open season is a hunting day on Carteret County Game Land.
The game land sets gun antlerless deer as: Oct. 17 – Oct. 30.
What the digest adds for Carteret County Game Land
- Dogs may not be used for hunting deer.
- Bear hunting on the Salters Creek tract is by permit only.
- Harvesting of bear is prohibited on Sunday.
Game land basics on Carteret County Game Land
| Rule | Game land standard |
|---|---|
| Bait | Not allowed |
| Camping | Posted areas only |
| Tree stands | No nails or screws |
| Residence buffer | 150 yards |
| Vehicles | Open roads only |
| ATVs | Disabled permit holders |
| Loose dogs, west of I-95 | Not Apr. 1-Aug. 15 |
| Loose dogs, east of I-95 | Not Mar. 15-June 15 |
No add-on is needed to hunt Carteret County Game Land beyond your license and privileges; the $20 Game Land License serves non-hunters.
From NC digest regulations for specific game lands, general game land rules, regional game land tables; checked October 25, 2026.
Applying for a Carteret County Game Land permit hunt
Carteret County Game Land draws hunters through 1 permit hunt; quotas below add up to 15 for the areas named.
| Drawing | Quarry | Weapon | Apply by | Fee | Age | Areas and quotas | Sum |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bear Nov-Dec Hunts | Bear | Any Legal | Oct. 1, 2026 | $8.00 | – | Salters Creek Tract (15) | 15 hunters |
Each $8 application enters a random drawing; youth and adult hunts need both hunters in the same party.
NCWRC Permit Hunt Book 2026-27 and the Permit Hunting Opportunities page; checked October 25, 2026.
Species found on Carteret County Game Land
Hunters come to Carteret County Game Land for white-tailed deer, black bear and wild turkey above all.
White-tailed deer
Southeastern zone
Black bear
Coastal BMU Zone 5
Wild turkey
Season dates
Red and gray fox
Season dates
Rabbit
Season dates
Raccoon
Season dates
Squirrel
Season dates
Ducks and geese
Coastal duck zone
Special hunts noted on the map: Bear.
Species from NC digest regulations for specific game lands; checked October 25, 2026.
Deer zone groups and bear units over Carteret County Game Land
Match the county you stand in to its zone group for deer dates on Carteret County Game Land.
| Season zone | Counties | Archery | Blackpowder | Gun | Antlerless gun days |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Southeastern | Carteret | Sep 12–Oct 2 | Oct 3–Oct 16 | Oct 17–Jan 1 | All open days |
Bear season for Carteret County Game Land
| Bear unit | Counties | Season |
|---|---|---|
| Coastal BMU Zone 5 | Carteret | Nov 9–Jan 1 |
Zones from deer seasons, bear seasons and duck and goose zone map in the 2026-27 digest; checked October 25, 2026.
Special areas inside Carteret County Game Land
Map PDFs: Carteret County
From NC digest regulations for specific game lands and the NCWRC game land GIS; checked October 25, 2026.
Carteret County Game Land pinned with nearby tracts
Pins show Carteret County Game Land plus 10 nearby public places. The listed tracts add 580,587 acres.
| Nearby | Kind | Acres | Open days | Miles | Heading |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cedar Island NWR | Wildlife refuge | 14,327 | – | 5.6 mi | east |
| Cape Lookout Seashore | National seashore | – | – | 8.4 mi | southeast |
| Light Ground Pocosin | Game land | 942 | 7 days | 23 mi | northwest |
| Goose Creek | Game land | 10,376 | 7 days | 25 mi | northwest |
| Neuse River | Game land | 5,965 | 6 days | 34 mi | west |
| Croatan | Game land | 166,267 | 7 days | 34 mi | west |
| Swanquarter NWR | Wildlife refuge | 16,000 | – | 34 mi | north |
| Croatan National Forest | National forest | 167,687 | – | 34 mi | west |
| Croatan | Ranger district | 167,687 | – | 34 mi | west |
| Gull Rock | Game land | 31,336 | 7 days | 39 mi | northeast |
Points: NCWRC Game Lands – general GIS (point inside polygon (centroid falls outside) of the largest part). Straight-line distances. Statewide public land map.
Carteret County Game Land season calendar from Carteret County rows
For Carteret County Game Land, 55 segments cover deer, bear, small game, waterfowl and furbearers this license year.
| Species | Hunt type | Zone or unit | Opening | Closing | Now |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| White-tailed deer | Archery | Southeastern | Sep 12, 2026 | Oct 2, 2026 | |
| White-tailed deer | Youth Deer Hunting Days | Statewide | Sep 26, 2026 | Sep 27, 2026 | |
| White-tailed deer | Blackpowder | Southeastern | Oct 3, 2026 | Oct 16, 2026 | |
| White-tailed deer | Gun | Southeastern | Oct 17, 2026 | Jan 1, 2027 | |
| Black bear | Coastal BMU Zone 5 | Coastal BMU Zone 5 | Nov 9, 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 | Rest of the state | Sep 5, 2026 | Feb 28, 2027 | |
| Pheasant | Barrier islands (male only) | Barrier islands only | Nov 21, 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 | |
| Teal | September teal season | East of U.S. 17 | Sep 10, 2026 | Sep 19, 2026 | |
| Ducks | Split 1 | Coastal zone | Oct 23, 2026 | Oct 24, 2026 | |
| Ducks | Split 2 | Coastal zone | Nov 7, 2026 | Nov 28, 2026 | |
| Ducks | Split 3 | Coastal zone | Dec 17, 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 | Nov 21, 2026 | Jan 1, 2027 | |
| Gray fox | Firearms season | East of I-77 | 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.
Carteret County Game Land: the county harvest record
In 2025-26 the Carteret County deer count was 944, against 643 in 2019-20.
| Year | Deer | Bucks | Game lands | Guns | Bows |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019-20 | 643 | 307 | 121 | 570 | 27 |
| 2020-21 | 677 | 340 | 162 | 587 | 42 |
| 2021-22 | 655 | 302 | 165 | 564 | 42 |
| 2022-23 | 741 | 354 | 166 | 622 | 73 |
| 2023-24 | 838 | 386 | 239 | 728 | 55 |
| 2024-25 | 863 | 404 | 254 | 761 | 60 |
| 2025-26 | 944 | 447 | 291 | 817 | 65 |
Recent bear harvest, Carteret County
| Year | Reported bears |
|---|---|
| 2020 | 30 |
| 2021 | 44 |
| 2022 | 59 |
| 2023 | 53 |
| 2024 | 55 |
| 2025 | 52 |
Spring turkey harvest near Carteret County Game Land
| Spring | Gobblers | Jakes | Game lands | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 205 | 25 | 55 | 230 |
| 2024 | 191 | 14 | 34 | 205 |
| 2025 | 133 | 39 | 37 | 172 |
| 2026 | 147 | 24 | 45 | 171 |
County figures from NCWRC harvest statistics, bear harvest report, spring turkey report and CWD testing; checked October 25, 2026.
Carteret County local laws near Carteret County Game Land
Local laws passed for Carteret County apply here too. In the county it is unlawful to:
- Set a steel trap or Conibear®-type trap, or take an animal therefrom, on another’s land without a written lease authorizing trapping.
- Take migratory waterfowl within 500 yards of another’s permanent hunting location without permission of the landholder upon whose land the waterfowl is taken.
- Hunt deer from a public road adjoining lands of others without written permission of the owners or lessees.
Local laws by county, 2026-27 digest; checked October 25, 2026. All county local laws.
Carteret County Game Land: nearby towns and services
Towns first, measured straight-line, then shops and agency offices.
| Base town | County | Away | Residents | Public acres near |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Atlantic | Carteret | 5.6 mi | – | 26,644 |
| Harkers Island | Carteret | 17 mi | – | 13,874 |
| Beaufort | Carteret | 19 mi | 4,895 | 12,288 |
| Morehead City | Carteret | 23 mi | 9,963 | 17,774 |
For county seasons around Carteret County Game Land, see Carteret County.
Shops that serve Carteret County Game Land hunters
NCWRC and federal offices near Carteret County Game Land
Chris Kent is the Carteret County district biologist, (252) 617-0019.
Towns and populations from Census 2024 estimates; businesses from store locators and listings; offices from NCWRC, USFS and USFWS; district biologists from NCWRC. Checked October 25, 2026.
Sighting in before a hunt on Carteret County Game Land
Holly Shelter Shooting Range, 82 miles off, is the NCWRC range nearest Carteret County Game Land. Private and club ranges within 30 miles come after it.
What you can shoot: rifle, handgun, archery, 3D archery
What you can shoot: skeet, shotgun
What you can shoot: trap, skeet, sporting clays, 5-stand, shotgun
From the NCWRC shooting range pages and directory listings, checked October 25, 2026.
Carteret County Game Land shooting hours by key date
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.
| Day | Season | Sun up | Sun down | Deer and small game | Migratory birds |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sep 5, 2026 | Dove opener | 6:40 a.m. | 7:29 p.m. | 6:10 a.m. to 7:59 p.m. | 6:10 a.m. to 7:29 p.m. |
| Sep 12, 2026 | Archery deer opener | 6:45 a.m. | 7:19 p.m. | 6:15 a.m. to 7:49 p.m. | 6:15 a.m. to 7:19 p.m. |
| Oct 17, 2026 | Eastern gun opener | 7:13 a.m. | 6:30 p.m. | 6:43 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. | 6:43 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. |
| Nov 14, 2026 | Central gun opener | 6:39 a.m. | 5:02 p.m. | 6:09 a.m. to 5:32 p.m. | 6:09 a.m. to 5:02 p.m. |
| Nov 28, 2026 | Western gun opener | 6:52 a.m. | 4:56 p.m. | 6:22 a.m. to 5:26 p.m. | 6:22 a.m. to 4:56 p.m. |
| Dec 26, 2026 | Late December | 7:11 a.m. | 5:02 p.m. | 6:41 a.m. to 5:32 p.m. | 6:41 a.m. to 5:02 p.m. |
| Jan 1, 2027 | Deer gun close | 7:13 a.m. | 5:06 p.m. | 6:43 a.m. to 5:36 p.m. | 6:43 a.m. to 5:06 p.m. |
| Apr 17, 2027 | Spring turkey opener | 6:30 a.m. | 7:41 p.m. | 6:00 a.m. to 8:11 p.m. | 6:00 a.m. to 7:41 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.
Carteret County Game Land in pictures
Answers on Carteret County Game Land days, permits and seasons
What is the closest town to Carteret County Game Land?
Atlantic, 5.6 mi straight-line.
Do I need anything extra for Carteret County Game Land beyond a license?
Most hunting licenses include game land use; add the privileges your game needs.
Which office oversees Carteret County Game Land for hunters?
The NCWRC holds that role.
Are guns allowed on Carteret County Game Land on Sunday?
No firearms 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., no migratory birds, and game land day rules still apply.
Does Carteret County Game Land follow a 7-, 6-, 4- or 3-day schedule?
Every day of an open season is a hunting day on Carteret County Game Land.
What county is Carteret County Game Land in, and does it cross county lines?
Carteret County, in the Coastal Plain.
Which game species does the source list for Carteret County Game Land?
White-tailed deer, black bear, wild turkey, red and gray fox, rabbit and raccoon top the list.
Is Carteret County Game Land big enough for a full season of scouting?
Acreage used here: 7,144, per NCWRC Game Lands – general GIS SUM_ACRES.
What deer zone group applies to Carteret County Game Land?
Gun season in the Southeastern zone runs Oct 17, 2026 to Jan 1, 2027.
Does Carteret County Game Land have drawings?
1 in the 2026-27 book. Apply through Go Outdoors North Carolina for $8 per application.
What does the regional table say about camping on Carteret County Game Land?
Regional table entry: none.
When does bear season open around Carteret County Game Land?
Yes, in season: Nov 9, 2026 to Jan 1, 2027 (Coastal BMU Zone 5).
Carteret County Game Land: what to double-check
Seasons and closures on Carteret County Game Land can change mid-season; the NCWRC notices and posted signs have the final word.
Sources: NC digest regulations for specific game lands · NC digest regional game land tables · NC digest index to game land map · NC digest general game lands regulations · NCWRC GIS · NCWRC GIS · NCWRC GIS · NCWRC map; regulations from the 2026-27 NCWRC regulations digest. Checked October 25, 2026.
Other photos on this page: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Public Domain Mark 1.0); gurdonark (CC BY 2.0); razvan.orendovici (CC BY 2.0); SoilScience.info (CC BY 2.0).