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Cheoah Ranger District (Nantahala National Forest), from open days to drawn permits
Everything we could verify about this ranger district in Graham County and 1 more (121,985 acres).
Photo: mrdannynavarro (CC BY-SA 2.0)
Getting to Cheoah Ranger District (Nantahala National Forest)
Parking, trailheads and gates near Cheoah Ranger District (Nantahala National Forest)
- Parking areaParking · 1.7 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 2.2 mi from the centreDirections
- Boat rampBoat ramp · 3.2 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 3.2 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 3.3 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 3.7 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 3.9 mi from the centreDirections
- Haoe Lead TrailheadParking · 4.0 mi from the centreDirections
- TrailheadTrailhead · 4.1 mi from the centreDirections
- Maple Springs OverlookParking · 4.2 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 4.4 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 4.5 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.
Acres, owners and agency at Cheoah Ranger District
Cheoah Ranger District (Nantahala National Forest): a national forest ranger district hunted under game land rules reaching into Graham and Swain counties. Most of it falls in NCWRC District 9, part of the mountains. The USDA Forest Service runs the property. Recorded size: 121,985 acres (USFS ranger district page ("121,985 acres")). By acres it is number 7 among 8 ranger districts here.
From USFS cheoah ranger district nantahala natio; acreage USFS ranger district page ("121,985 acres"); checked October 25, 2026.
Nearby
Places to hunt and shoot around Cheoah Ranger District (Nantahala National Forest)
Cheoah Ranger District: zone-by-zone season dates
Cheoah Ranger District takes the deer dates of the county it sits in; the zone groups below set archery, blackpowder and gun days.
| Deer zone group | Counties | Archery | Blackpowder | Gun | Antlerless with gun |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Western D | Graham | Sep 12–Nov 13 | Nov 14–Nov 27 | Nov 28–Jan 1 | None |
| Western C | Swain | Sep 12–Nov 13 | Nov 14–Nov 27 | Nov 28–Jan 1 | Nov. 28, 2026 only |
Bear dates at Cheoah Ranger District
| Bear management unit | Counties here | Open |
|---|---|---|
| Mountain BMU | Graham, Swain | Oct 3–Nov 21, Dec 12–Jan 1 |
Zones from deer seasons, bear seasons and duck and goose zone map in the 2026-27 digest; checked October 25, 2026.
Days, rules and licenses for Cheoah Ranger District
National forest land in North Carolina is managed for hunting as an NCWRC game land (seven-days-per-week): NCWRC game land rules, seasons and licenses apply (game land use is included with most hunting licenses). USFS: hunting license must be on your person; 36 CFR 261.10(d) bans discharging a firearm within 150 yards of a residence, building, campsite, developed recreation site or occupied area, across or on a forest road or body of water, or into a cave; permanent structures (permanent stands/blinds) are prohibited on federal land; camping only where allowed (NCWRC: designated areas on Nantahala/Pisgah, unrestricted on Uwharrie and Croatan per the regulations digest tables).
Standing rules for Cheoah Ranger District hunters
| Item | 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 |
National forest land in North Carolina is managed for hunting as an NCWRC game land (seven-days-per-week): NCWRC game land rules, seasons and licenses apply (game land use is included with most hunting licenses). USFS: hunting license must be on your person; 36 CFR 261.10(d) bans discharging a firearm within 150 yards of a residence, building, campsite, developed recreation site or occupied area, across or on a forest road or body of water, or into a cave; permanent structures (permanent stands/blinds) are prohibited on federal land; camping only where allowed (NCWRC: designated areas on Nantahala/Pisgah, unrestricted on Uwharrie and Croatan per the regulations digest tables).
A hunting license covers game land use on Cheoah Ranger District; the separate $20 Game Land License is for dog training, field trials, horseback riding on some game lands and unlicensed campers 16 and older.
From USFS cheoah ranger district nantahala natio; checked October 25, 2026.
Cheoah Ranger District: species list
8 species groups top the list for Cheoah Ranger District, each linked to its season page.
White-tailed deer
Western D zone
Black bear
Mountain BMU
Wild turkey
Season dates
Red and gray fox
Season dates
Rabbit
Season dates
Raccoon
Season dates
Squirrel
Season dates
Ruffed grouse
Season dates
Species from USFS cheoah ranger district nantahala natio; checked October 25, 2026.
Cheoah Ranger District: opening and closing days
33 species and 53 dated segments reach Cheoah Ranger District; the last column checks each one against today.
| Quarry | Season | Covers | From | To | Status today |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| White-tailed deer | Archery | Western D | 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 D | 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 D | 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 | 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.
Where Cheoah Ranger District sits among public tracts
Big pin: Cheoah Ranger District. Small pins: the 1 closest public tracts. Together they list 5,237 acres.
| Property | Type | Acres | Days a week | Straight line | Which way |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Needmore | Game land | 5,237 | 7 days | 25 mi | east |
Points: USFS EDW Lands Area Statistics (Forest Service ownership in the district) (polygon centroid of the largest part). Straight-line distances. Statewide public land map.
Harvest figures from Graham County, home of Cheoah Ranger District
The 2025-26 report shows 168 deer for Graham County, 147 of them antlered bucks.
| Year | Total | Antlered | Game lands | Gun | Archery |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019-20 | 104 | 89 | 82 | 78 | 18 |
| 2020-21 | 89 | 79 | 71 | 77 | 8 |
| 2021-22 | 80 | 72 | 57 | 68 | 11 |
| 2022-23 | 111 | 97 | 74 | 86 | 20 |
| 2023-24 | 133 | 119 | 94 | 108 | 19 |
| 2024-25 | 137 | 117 | 82 | 91 | 17 |
| 2025-26 | 168 | 147 | 106 | 102 | 24 |
Bears reported in Graham County
| Season | Bears reported |
|---|---|
| 2020 | 81 |
| 2021 | 52 |
| 2022 | 71 |
| 2023 | 53 |
| 2024 | 111 |
| 2025 | 34 |
Spring turkey numbers, Graham County
| Spring | Adults | Jakes | Game land birds | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 62 | 10 | 38 | 72 |
| 2024 | 64 | 7 | 51 | 71 |
| 2025 | 61 | 17 | 43 | 78 |
| 2026 | 50 | 5 | 37 | 55 |
County figures from NCWRC harvest statistics, bear harvest report, spring turkey report and CWD testing; checked October 25, 2026.
Cheoah Ranger District trip planning: towns and services
Services are in this county or the next one over.
| Town | County | Distance | Population | Public ground, 10 mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Robbinsville | Graham | 8.7 mi | 578 | 106,003 |
| Marble | Cherokee | 12 mi | – | 79,848 |
| Andrews | Cherokee | 13 mi | 1,762 | 97,883 |
| Murphy | Cherokee | 18 mi | 1,693 | 44,432 |
County detail for Cheoah Ranger District: Graham County, Swain County.
Cheoah Ranger District: businesses close by
Cheoah Ranger District: the nearest agency desks
Graham County biologist: Justin McVey ((828) 273-7980).
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.
How Cheoah Ranger District fits with nearby records
Cheoah Ranger District is linked to 4 other records.
Hunting hours worked out for Cheoah Ranger District
North Carolina law allows most game from 30 minutes before sunrise to 30 minutes after sunset. Doves, ducks and geese stop at sunset.
| When | Event | Rise | Set | Most game | Doves and waterfowl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sep 5, 2026 | Dove opener | 7:09 a.m. | 7:58 p.m. | 6:39 a.m. to 8:28 p.m. | 6:39 a.m. to 7:58 p.m. |
| Sep 12, 2026 | Archery deer opener | 7:14 a.m. | 7:48 p.m. | 6:44 a.m. to 8:18 p.m. | 6:44 a.m. to 7:48 p.m. |
| Oct 17, 2026 | Eastern gun opener | 7:42 a.m. | 6:59 p.m. | 7:12 a.m. to 7:29 p.m. | 7:12 a.m. to 6:59 p.m. |
| Nov 14, 2026 | Central gun opener | 7:08 a.m. | 5:31 p.m. | 6:38 a.m. to 6:01 p.m. | 6:38 a.m. to 5:31 p.m. |
| Nov 28, 2026 | Western gun opener | 7:21 a.m. | 5:25 p.m. | 6:51 a.m. to 5:55 p.m. | 6:51 a.m. to 5:25 p.m. |
| Dec 26, 2026 | Late December | 7:40 a.m. | 5:31 p.m. | 7:10 a.m. to 6:01 p.m. | 7:10 a.m. to 5:31 p.m. |
| Jan 1, 2027 | Deer gun close | 7:42 a.m. | 5:35 p.m. | 7:12 a.m. to 6:05 p.m. | 7:12 a.m. to 5:35 p.m. |
| Apr 17, 2027 | Spring turkey opener | 6:59 a.m. | 8:10 p.m. | 6:29 a.m. to 8:40 p.m. | 6:29 a.m. to 8:10 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.
Events tied to Cheoah Ranger District (Nantahala National Forest)
Read October 25, 2026: 1 NCWRC class at or near the property (hunter education course).
Hunter education dates
| When | Course | How far | Hours | Venue | Sign up | Read at |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nov 8, 2026 | Hunter Education Certification ⋅ hunter education course | 9 | 2:00 PM–8:00 PM | Massey Branch Work Center ⋅ Robbinsville ⋅ Graham Co. | Register on GONC | Source |
Where Cheoah Ranger District (Nantahala National Forest) hunters can shoot
Closest range on the NCWRC list to Cheoah Ranger District (Nantahala National Forest): Wayne E. Smith Cold Mountain Shooting Range, roughly 57 miles.
Firing lines: rifle, handgun
From the NCWRC shooting range pages and directory listings, checked October 25, 2026.
Photos for Cheoah Ranger District
Straight answers about hunting Cheoah Ranger District
Which agency writes the rules for Cheoah Ranger District?
The USDA Forest Service manages hunting there.
Can I shoot ducks on Cheoah Ranger District on a Sunday?
Only where the designation allows; firearms stop 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and migratory birds are closed.
Who is allowed to hunt Cheoah Ranger District?
National forest land in North Carolina is managed for hunting as an NCWRC game land (seven-days-per-week): NCWRC game land rules, seasons and licenses apply (game land use is included with most hunting licenses). USFS: hunting license must be on your person.
Where does Cheoah Ranger District sit by county?
Graham and Swain counties, per the GIS overlay.
Which animals top the Cheoah Ranger District species list?
White-tailed deer, black bear, wild turkey, red and gray fox, rabbit and raccoon.
How many acres does the record give for Cheoah Ranger District?
121,985 acres, from USFS ranger district page ("121,985 acres").
When is bear season at Cheoah Ranger District this year?
Mountain BMU sets the dates: Oct 3 to Nov 21, 2026, Dec 12, 2026 to Jan 1, 2027.
When does gun deer season open around Cheoah Ranger District?
It is in the Western D zone, gun season Nov 28, 2026 to Jan 1, 2027.
Where can I stay near Cheoah Ranger District?
Robbinsville is 8.7 mi away.
Which license and privileges cover Cheoah Ranger District?
A regular hunting license covers game land use; the Game Land License is for non-hunters.
Cheoah Ranger District: confirm these before you go
Print the Cheoah Ranger District map, carry your license and privileges, and read the posted signs at the gate.
Sources: USFS cheoah ranger district nantahala natio · USFS hunting shooting · USFS EDW · USFS EDW; regulations from the 2026-27 NCWRC regulations digest. Checked October 25, 2026.
Other photos on this page: USFWS/Southeast (CC BY 2.0); Charles Patrick Ewing (CC BY 2.0); william_mckeehan (CC BY-SA 2.0); GlacierNPS (Public domain).