Home › North Carolina › Public land › Chowan Swamp Game Land
North Carolina game land
Planning a hunt on Chowan Swamp Game Land
Public hunting ground in Hertford County and 2 more: designation, rules, permit hunts, zones, harvest and nearby land.
Photo: pmuellr (CC BY 2.0)
Getting to Chowan Swamp Game Land
Parking, trailheads and gates near Chowan Swamp Game Land
- Boat rampBoat ramp · 2.6 mi from the centreDirections
- Boat rampBoat ramp · 2.6 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.
Chowan Swamp Game Land land base and management
Our records class Chowan Swamp Game Land as a NCWRC game land; it lies in Gates, Hertford and Bertie counties. It is a District 1 property in NCWRC terms. The NCWRC runs the property. Its 33,769 acres come from NCWRC Game Lands – general GIS SUM_ACRES. That ranks 11th of the 95 North Carolina game lands we list with a size.
Chowan Swamp Game Land: land by owner
| Landowner | GIS acres |
|---|---|
| NC Wildlife Resources Commission | 23,966 |
| NC Division of Parks & Recreation | 6,132 |
| NC State Natural Resources Foundation | 3,704 |
Mapped tracts (17): Catherine's Creek, Collins-Cooper, Eure Horton I, Eure Horton II, FIA/Keel Creek, Floyd Griffin, Fort Island, Harrold, Lower Meherrin, Lower Wiccacon, NC 158, Perry, Petty Shore, Plum Creek, Sandbanks – IP Chowan East, Somerton – IP Chowan, Union Camp.
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 Chowan Swamp Game Land
The quarry at Chowan Swamp Game Land
Main game on Chowan Swamp Game Land: white-tailed deer, black bear, wild turkey, red and gray fox and rabbit.
White-tailed deer
Northeastern zone
Black bear
Coastal BMU Zone 2
Wild turkey
Season dates
Red and gray fox
Season dates
Rabbit
Season dates
Raccoon
Season dates
Squirrel
Season dates
Bobwhite quail
Season dates
Ducks and geese
Coastal duck zone
Map-listed special hunts: Coyote, Feral Hog.
Species from NC digest regulations for specific game lands; checked October 25, 2026.
Nearby public land, measured from Chowan Swamp Game Land
Chowan Swamp Game Land is the large pin; 9 other public places within 45 miles get small ones. The neighbors hold 193,454 acres between them.
| Name | Type | Size (ac) | Designation | Away | Bearing |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Great Dismal Swamp NWR | Wildlife refuge | 113,000 | – | 21 mi | east |
| Bertie County | Game land | 4,238 | 6 days | 30 mi | south |
| Upper Roanoke River Wetlands | Game land | 11,065 | Permit only | 31 mi | southwest |
| Lower Roanoke River Wetlands | Game land | 31,620 | Permit only | 35 mi | south |
| Roanoke River NWR | Wildlife refuge | 21,306 | – | 35 mi | southwest |
| Bachelor Bay | Game land | 2,786 | 7 days | 36 mi | south |
| Tillery | Game land | 5,253 | 7 days | 39 mi | west |
| Northwest River Marsh | Game land | 2,895 | 7 days | 41 mi | east |
| Lower Fishing Creek | Game land | 1,291 | 7 days | 45 mi | southwest |
Points: NCWRC Game Land Centroids layer (GL_points Lat/Long). Straight-line distances. Statewide public land map.
Chowan Swamp Game Land: open days and site rules
Sundays are off on Chowan Swamp Game Land, which the digest designates six days per week.
Antlerless deer by firearm (Chowan Swamp Game Land): Oct. 17 – Jan. 1.
Site rules at Chowan Swamp Game Land
- Bear may only be taken on Nov. 14, 16, 17 and Dec. 19, 21, 22, except that on the portion of Chowan Swamp Game Land in Gates County east of Highway 158/13, south of Highway 158, west of Highway 32, and north of Catherine Creek and the Chowan River the bear season is Nov. 14, 16-21 and Dec. 12, 14-19 and Dec. 21-26.
- Camping is restricted to Sept. 1 through the last day of Feb. and March 31 – May 31 in areas both designated and posted as camping areas.
- Horseback riding is prohibited except during May 16 – Aug. 31 and on Sundays only Sept. 1 – May 15 on those roads that are open to vehicular traffic and those gated roads and trails posted for equestrian use.
- Target shooting is prohibited.
Chowan Swamp Game Land: rules every game land shares
| Topic | Rule |
|---|---|
| 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 |
Your hunting license already includes game land use on Chowan Swamp Game Land. A $20 Game Land License is only for the non-hunting uses the digest lists.
From NC digest regulations for specific game lands, general game land rules, regional game land tables; checked October 25, 2026.
Which season zones cover Chowan Swamp Game Land
2026-27 deer seasons that reach Chowan Swamp Game Land, zone by zone.
| Zone | Counties | Bow season | Blackpowder | Gun season | Antlerless |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Northeastern | Gates, Hertford, Bertie | Sep 12–Oct 2 | Oct 3–Oct 16 | Oct 17–Jan 1 | All open days |
When bear opens around Chowan Swamp Game Land
| Bear unit or zone | Counties | Dates |
|---|---|---|
| Coastal BMU Zone 2 | Gates | Nov 14–Nov 22, Dec 12–Dec 27 |
| Coastal BMU Zone 3 | Hertford, Bertie | Nov 14–Nov 22, Dec 12–Dec 27 |
Zones from deer seasons, bear seasons and duck and goose zone map in the 2026-27 digest; checked October 25, 2026.
Chowan Swamp Game Land: Permit Hunt Book listings
Applications for Chowan Swamp Game Land run through Go Outdoors North Carolina: 2 items, 2 deadlines.
| Hunt | Species | Weapon type | Closes | Fee | Ages | Choice (quota) | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Coyote & Feral Hog January Hunts | Coyote & Feral Hog | Any Legal | Dec. 1, 2026 | $8.00 | – | Zone 1 (1); Zone 2 (1); Zone 3 (1); Zone 4 (1) | 4 parties |
| Coyote & Feral Hog February Hunts | Coyote & Feral Hog | Any Legal | Jan. 1, 2027 | $8.00 | – | Zone 1 (1); Zone 2 (1); Zone 3 (1); Zone 4 (1) | 4 parties |
Leftover permits and point-of-sale permits go on sale after the draws. Applications usually open July 1.
NCWRC Permit Hunt Book 2026-27 and the Permit Hunting Opportunities page; checked October 25, 2026.
Chowan Swamp Game Land zones, units and maps
Printable maps: Chowan Swamp · Chowan Swamp Coyote Feral Hog Hunt Map Zones 1, 2 , 3 · Chowan Swamp Coyote Feral Hog Hunt Map Zone 4
From NC digest regulations for specific game lands and the NCWRC game land GIS; checked October 25, 2026.
County harvest data behind Chowan Swamp Game Land
Game lands gave up 56 of the 1,597 deer reported in Hertford County in 2025-26.
| Season | Deer | Bucks | On game lands | Gun | Bow and crossbow |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019-20 | 1,320 | 603 | 33 | 1,231 | 53 |
| 2020-21 | 1,281 | 554 | 25 | 1,176 | 58 |
| 2021-22 | 1,370 | 633 | 37 | 1,268 | 58 |
| 2022-23 | 1,336 | 560 | 25 | 1,231 | 48 |
| 2023-24 | 1,412 | 661 | 47 | 1,320 | 40 |
| 2024-25 | 1,478 | 675 | 75 | 1,349 | 75 |
| 2025-26 | 1,597 | 716 | 56 | 1,446 | 91 |
Hertford County bear harvest
| Year | Bears |
|---|---|
| 2020 | 59 |
| 2021 | 54 |
| 2022 | 77 |
| 2023 | 74 |
| 2024 | 62 |
| 2025 | 59 |
Hertford County spring birds by year
| Year | Adult gobblers | Jakes | On game lands | All birds |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 251 | 19 | 11 | 270 |
| 2024 | 207 | 10 | 6 | 217 |
| 2025 | 210 | 36 | 7 | 246 |
| 2026 | 370 | 12 | 15 | 382 |
County figures from NCWRC harvest statistics, bear harvest report, spring turkey report and CWD testing; checked October 25, 2026.
All 2026-27 dates that reach Chowan Swamp Game Land
Chowan Swamp Game Land hunts deer on the Northeastern dates and bear on the Coastal BMU Zone 3 dates. The 55 rows below are the dated hunts the 2026-27 digest puts there.
| Game | Season | Where | Begins | Through | Right now |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | Part 1 | Coastal BMU Zone 3 | Nov 14, 2026 | Nov 22, 2026 | |
| Black bear | Part 2 | Coastal BMU Zone 3 | Dec 12, 2026 | Dec 27, 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 | 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 | |
| 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.
Local acts around Chowan Swamp Game Land
The digest prints these Hertford County local acts; each one makes it unlawful to:
- Take deer with the aid of a boat or floating device in or within 100 yards of the Chowan River, except in creeks and tributaries.
- Discharge a centerfire rifle or any rifle larger than .22-caliber on or from the right-of-way of a public road, street or highway.
- Hunt any wild animal or wild bird with the use of a firearm, from, on, across or over the roadway or right-of-way of any public road, street or highway.
- Hunt with or possess a centerfire rifle on another’s land without written permission of the owner or lessee.
- Possess a firearm aboard a motor-propelled vessel (except an outboard with the motor removed and stored) on Meherrin River between the Virginia state line and Murfreesboro city limit during the open deer season.
Local laws by county, 2026-27 digest; checked October 25, 2026. All county local laws.
Where to stay and shop for Chowan Swamp Game Land
Each town below has its own hunting page.
| Town | County | Straight line | 2024 pop. | Public acres near |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Winton | Hertford | 4.8 mi | 597 | 25,150 |
| Gatesville | Gates | 5.2 mi | 260 | 20,399 |
| Sunbury | Gates | 14 mi | – | 28,541 |
| Arrowhead Beach | Chowan | 15 mi | – | 9,513 |
Chowan Swamp Game Land touches these county pages: Gates County, Hertford County, Bertie County.
Gear and processing near Chowan Swamp Game Land
NCWRC and federal offices near Chowan Swamp Game Land
Call Dallas Shoemaker, district biologist for Hertford County, at (910) 417-7359.
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.
Chowan Swamp Game Land on the North Carolina events calendar
Held on this ground or close by: 1 upcoming event and 2 NCWRC classes, covering DU banquet and hunter education course.
Next dates
| Held | What | Distance | Where | Register | Source page |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nov 14, 2026 | Roanoke-Chowan (Ahoskie) Ducks Unlimited Banquet Presented By: Choanoke Outfitters ⋅ DU banquet | 5 | Elks National Shrine ⋅ Winton ⋅ Hertford Co. | Buy tickets | Source |
Classes and workshops
| On | Class | Distance | Time | Where held | Register | Found at |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nov 15, 2026 | NC Hunter Education (D1) ⋅ hunter education course | 5 | 1:00 PM–7:00 PM | Merchants Millpond State Park ⋅ Gatesville ⋅ Gates Co. | Register on GONC | Source |
| Dec 20, 2026 | NC Hunter Education (D1) ⋅ hunter education course | 5 | 1:00 PM–7:00 PM | Merchants Millpond State Park ⋅ Gatesville ⋅ Gates Co. | Register on GONC | Source |
Nearest NCWRC range for Chowan Swamp Game Land hunters
Odom Shooting Range is the nearest NCWRC public range to Chowan Swamp Game Land, about 32 miles away. Closer club ranges are shown too.
Covers rifle, handgun, archery
Covers sporting clays, rifle, handgun, smallbore rimfire, archery
From the NCWRC shooting range pages and directory listings, checked October 25, 2026.
Chowan Swamp Game Land shooting hours by key date
The NCWRC gives a Charlotte table with a -14 minute correction for Chowan Swamp Game Land; the game and waterfowl columns are worked out from it.
| Date | Why | Sunrise | Sunset | Legal for game | Legal for ducks |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sep 5, 2026 | Dove opener | 6:43 a.m. | 7:32 p.m. | 6:13 a.m. to 8:02 p.m. | 6:13 a.m. to 7:32 p.m. |
| Sep 12, 2026 | Archery deer opener | 6:48 a.m. | 7:22 p.m. | 6:18 a.m. to 7:52 p.m. | 6:18 a.m. to 7:22 p.m. |
| Oct 17, 2026 | Eastern gun opener | 7:16 a.m. | 6:33 p.m. | 6:46 a.m. to 7:03 p.m. | 6:46 a.m. to 6:33 p.m. |
| Nov 14, 2026 | Central gun opener | 6:42 a.m. | 5:05 p.m. | 6:12 a.m. to 5:35 p.m. | 6:12 a.m. to 5:05 p.m. |
| Nov 28, 2026 | Western gun opener | 6:55 a.m. | 4:59 p.m. | 6:25 a.m. to 5:29 p.m. | 6:25 a.m. to 4:59 p.m. |
| Dec 26, 2026 | Late December | 7:14 a.m. | 5:05 p.m. | 6:44 a.m. to 5:35 p.m. | 6:44 a.m. to 5:05 p.m. |
| Jan 1, 2027 | Deer gun close | 7:16 a.m. | 5:09 p.m. | 6:46 a.m. to 5:39 p.m. | 6:46 a.m. to 5:09 p.m. |
| Apr 17, 2027 | Spring turkey opener | 6:33 a.m. | 7:44 p.m. | 6:03 a.m. to 8:14 p.m. | 6:03 a.m. to 7:44 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.
Country like Chowan Swamp Game Land
Chowan Swamp Game Land questions for 2026-27
Which town is nearest Chowan Swamp Game Land?
The nearest is Winton, 4.8 mi.
Does Sunday hunting apply on Chowan Swamp Game Land?
Sunday is legal with limits: no guns 9:30 to 12:30, no waterfowl or doves.
Who runs the hunting program at Chowan Swamp Game Land?
Rules come from the NCWRC.
Which counties does the Chowan Swamp Game Land boundary reach?
The county overlay gives Gates, Hertford and Bertie counties.
Which days of the week can I hunt Chowan Swamp Game Land?
Sundays are off on Chowan Swamp Game Land, which the digest designates six days per week.
What size figure do the sources print for Chowan Swamp Game Land?
33,769 acres (NCWRC Game Lands – general GIS SUM_ACRES).
What can I hunt on Chowan Swamp Game Land this season?
The list names white-tailed deer, black bear, wild turkey, red and gray fox, rabbit and raccoon.
Which permit hunts include Chowan Swamp Game Land?
Apply through Go Outdoors North Carolina; Chowan Swamp Game Land has 2 items with deadlines starting Dec. 1, 2026.
How long is gun deer season at Chowan Swamp Game Land?
The Northeastern dates apply: gun Oct 17, 2026 to Jan 1, 2027.
Which bear season segment applies to Chowan Swamp Game Land?
Nov 14 to Nov 22, 2026, Dec 12 to Dec 27, 2026, under Coastal BMU Zone 2.
Can hunters pitch a tent on Chowan Swamp Game Land?
The regional table says camping: designated areas only.
Do I need the Game Land License to hunt Chowan Swamp Game Land?
Just your license and privileges; game land use comes with it.
Last checks before a trip to Chowan Swamp Game Land
Use this page to plan, then check the official map and notices for Chowan Swamp Game Land the week you go.
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: MarkDoliner (CC BY-SA 2.0); Ligocsicnarf89 (CC BY 4.0); taberandrew (CC BY 2.0); BAXINTHE757 (CC BY-SA 2.0).