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What a hunter should know about Gull Rock Game Land
Days, special rules, drawings and season zones for a game land in Hyde County.
Photo: CapeHatterasNPS (Public Domain Mark 1.0)
Getting to Gull Rock Game Land
Parking, trailheads and gates near Gull Rock Game Land
- GateGate · 3.1 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 3.1 mi from the centreDirections
- Boat rampBoat ramp · 3.1 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 3.1 mi from the centreDirections
- GateGate · 3.1 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 3.1 mi from the centreDirections
- Boat rampBoat ramp · 3.1 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 3.1 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.
How big Gull Rock Game Land is and whose land it is
Gull Rock Game Land is a NCWRC game land in Hyde County. The Commission counts it in District 1. Rules on the ground come from the NCWRC. Acreage: 31,336, from NCWRC Game Lands – general GIS SUM_ACRES. Only 13 of our 95 game lands are bigger.
The detail GIS splits Gull Rock Game Land into 4 named tracts: Carter, Long Shoal, Spencer Bay, Willow Point.
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 Gull Rock Game Land
Gull Rock Game Land hunting rules for 2026-27
Hunting on Gull Rock Game Land runs Monday through Sunday whenever a season is in.
Antlerless deer with a gun on Gull Rock Game Land: Oct. 17 – Jan. 1.
Extra rules on Gull Rock Game Land
- Waterfowl on the E. Merle Edwards/Loop Road Impoundment shall only be taken on the following days: Tuesdays and Saturdays; Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s and Martin Luther King Jr. days; and opening and closing days of the applicable waterfowl seasons.
- Bear may only be taken Nov. 14, 16, 17 and Dec. 19, 21, 22, except that portion of the game land in the Designated Bear Management Area. Bear hunting is prohibited on the Designated Bear Management Area.
- 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.
- Waterfowl hunting on the Willow Point Waterfowl Impoundment is by permit only.
The general rules at Gull Rock Game Land
| Rule | What it says |
|---|---|
| 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 |
You do not need a Game Land License to hunt Gull Rock Game Land if you hold a hunting license; that $20 license is for campers, riders and dog trainers without one.
From NC digest regulations for specific game lands, general game land rules, regional game land tables; checked October 25, 2026.
Gull Rock Game Land permit hunts for 2026-27
Read the 2 drawn hunts for Gull Rock Game Land below; each has its own deadline and quota.
| Hunt | Species | Weapon | Apply by | Fee | Age | Choices (quota) | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Early Season Waterfowl – Willow Point Tract | Early Season Waterfowl | Any Legal | Sep. 1, 2026 | $8.00 | – | Willow Point Tract (1) | 1 partie |
| Late Season Waterfowl – Willow Point Tract | Late Season Waterfowl | Any Legal | Oct. 1, 2026 | $8.00 | – | Willow Point Tract (1) | 1 partie |
Disabled hunts can be applied for together for $10 in one transaction; most others cost $8 each.
NCWRC Permit Hunt Book 2026-27 and the Permit Hunting Opportunities page; checked October 25, 2026.
Game to target at Gull Rock Game Land
Expect white-tailed deer, black bear, wild turkey and red and gray fox on Gull Rock Game Land.
White-tailed deer
Southeastern zone
Black bear
Coastal BMU Zone 1
Wild turkey
Season dates
Red and gray fox
Season dates
Rabbit
Season dates
Raccoon
Season dates
Squirrel
Season dates
Mourning dove
3 dove fields
Ducks and geese
Coastal duck zone
Species from NC digest regulations for specific game lands; checked October 25, 2026.
2026-27 zone dates for Gull Rock Game Land hunters
Deer seasons on Gull Rock Game Land follow its 1 zone group, unless a game land rule above changes them.
| Deer zone | Counties | Archery | Blackpowder | Gun | Gun antlerless |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Southeastern | Hyde | Sep 12–Oct 2 | Oct 3–Oct 16 | Oct 17–Jan 1 | All open days |
Gull Rock Game Land bear unit and season
| Unit | Counties | Bear season |
|---|---|---|
| Coastal BMU Zone 1 | Hyde | Nov 14–Nov 29, 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.
Where the dove fields are on Gull Rock Game Land
3 fields totaling 9.6 acres are managed for doves on Gull Rock Game Land; crops include sunflowers and fallow / no crops.
| Field | Crops | Acres | Updated |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gull Rock 1 | Sunflowers | 3.3 | 2026 |
| Gull Rock 2 | Sunflowers | 3.8 | 2026 |
| Gull Rock 3 | fallow / no crops | 2.5 | 2026 |
Hunters need HIP certification; check the Permit Hunt Book for permit-only dove days.
NCWRC dove field GIS and NCWRC dove hunting on game lands; checked October 25, 2026.
Gull Rock Game Land: bear areas, pools and posted zones
The digest lists bear management area ground on Gull Rock Game Land; bears there are off limits except through permit hunts.
| Bear management area | Bear hunting | Tracts |
|---|---|---|
| Gull Rock | Closed to bear hunting | Ficlin / Outfall Canal, Gull Rock Refuge, Pamlico Timber Corp. |
Waterfowl impoundments on Gull Rock Game Land
| Name | Acres |
|---|---|
| Jolly E Merle Edwards/Loop Rd | 243 |
| Willow Point | 215 |
Shooting hours and days on impoundments can differ from the rest of the game land.
Gull Rock Game Land: posted areas by acres
| Posted zone | Acres |
|---|---|
| Bear Management Area | 20,260 |
| Waterfowl Impoundment | 458 |
Official maps: Gull Rock
From NC digest regulations for specific game lands, designated bear management areas and the NCWRC game land GIS; checked October 25, 2026.
Gull Rock Game Land and the public land around it
The bold marker is Gull Rock Game Land, with 10 neighbors around it. Acres across the list: 414,101.
| Area | Category | Acreage | Schedule | Distance | Direction |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mattamuskeet NWR | Wildlife refuge | 50,000 | – | 5.6 mi | northwest |
| Swanquarter NWR | Wildlife refuge | 16,000 | – | 14 mi | west |
| Buckridge | Game land | 17,966 | 3 days | 20 mi | north |
| New Lake | Game land | 1,417 | 7 days | 20 mi | north |
| Pungo River | Game land | 350 | 6 days | 21 mi | west |
| Pocosin Lakes NWR | Wildlife refuge | 110,106 | – | 23 mi | northwest |
| Dare | Game land | 46,055 | 7 days | 24 mi | northeast |
| Alligator River NWR | Wildlife refuge | 160,000 | – | 28 mi | northeast |
| Lantern Acres | Game land | 1,831 | 6 days | 28 mi | north |
| Goose Creek | Game land | 10,376 | 7 days | 30 mi | southwest |
Points: NCWRC Game Land Centroids layer (GL_points Lat/Long). Straight-line distances. Statewide public land map.
Season dates that apply around Gull Rock Game Land
Dove, squirrel, rabbit and quail run statewide, while the deer zone, bear unit, I-95 duck line and goose zone set the rest for Gull Rock Game Land.
| Species | Season | Applies | Opens | Closes | Today |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | Part 1 | Coastal BMU Zone 1 | Nov 14, 2026 | Nov 29, 2026 | |
| Black bear | Part 2 | Coastal BMU Zone 1 | 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 | |
| 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 | Northeast Hunt Zone | Northeast Hunt Zone | Dec 28, 2026 | Jan 30, 2027 | |
| White-fronted goose | Northeast Hunt Zone | Northeast Hunt Zone | Dec 28, 2026 | Jan 30, 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.
Hyde County deer, bear and turkey numbers
Hyde County, home county of Gull Rock Game Land, logged 955 deer in 2025-26.
| Season | All deer | Bucks | Game land deer | Firearm | Bow/crossbow |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019-20 | 941 | 402 | 59 | 816 | 31 |
| 2020-21 | 924 | 402 | 41 | 792 | 41 |
| 2021-22 | 1,031 | 397 | 73 | 901 | 40 |
| 2022-23 | 940 | 401 | 84 | 802 | 45 |
| 2023-24 | 1,006 | 393 | 67 | 859 | 46 |
| 2024-25 | 893 | 346 | 44 | 799 | 38 |
| 2025-26 | 955 | 359 | 54 | 821 | 35 |
Hyde County bear numbers by year
| Year | Bear harvest |
|---|---|
| 2020 | 258 |
| 2021 | 298 |
| 2022 | 289 |
| 2023 | 288 |
| 2024 | 257 |
| 2025 | 301 |
Hyde County spring turkey harvest
| Season | Gobblers | Jakes | Game lands | Reported |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 81 | 8 | 1 | 89 |
| 2024 | 98 | 9 | 0 | 107 |
| 2025 | 74 | 13 | 4 | 87 |
| 2026 | 86 | 16 | 0 | 102 |
County figures from NCWRC harvest statistics, bear harvest report, spring turkey report and CWD testing; checked October 25, 2026.
Local rules that reach Gull Rock Game Land
Hyde County local acts (from the digest) make it unlawful to:
- Hunt game animals with dogs, unless accompanied by a licensed hunting guide or with a permit from the owner of the land.
- Hunt migratory waterfowl from a public road.
- Hunt with a rifle from a public road.
- Hunt with guns or dogs or to hunt with a bow and arrow or crossbow upon the lands of another without permission of the owner or lessee.
Local laws by county, 2026-27 digest; checked October 25, 2026. All county local laws.
Services within reach of Gull Rock Game Land
Services are in this county or the next one over.
| Town | County | Miles off | People | Public acres, 10 mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engelhard | Hyde | 8.1 mi | – | 49,721 |
| Fairfield | Hyde | 9.7 mi | – | 72,285 |
| Swan Quarter | Hyde | 11 mi | – | 55,741 |
| Ocracoke | Hyde | 26 mi | – | 10,965 |
Go county by county from Gull Rock Game Land: Hyde County.
Where Gull Rock Game Land hunters buy shells and drop off deer
Gull Rock Game Land: the nearest agency desks
The NCWRC district biologist for Hyde County is Dallas Shoemaker, (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.
Range time before Gull Rock Game Land
For hunters on Gull Rock Game Land, the nearest Commission range is Odom Shooting Range in Northampton County (98 miles).
On offer: rifle, handgun, archery
From the NCWRC shooting range pages and directory listings, checked October 25, 2026.
When shooting starts and stops on Gull Rock Game Land
The digest prints one sunrise and sunset table for Charlotte and a minute offset for each county. For Gull Rock Game Land the offset is -17 minutes.
| Date | Season point | Sunrise | Sunset | Big and small game | Migratory |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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.
The look of Gull Rock Game Land country
Gull Rock Game Land hunter questions, answered from the record
Does Gull Rock Game Land have posted camping areas?
Per the digest table, designated areas only.
Is a special pass needed to hunt Gull Rock Game Land?
A hunting license with the needed privileges; game land use is included.
What town should I base out of for Gull Rock Game Land?
Try Engelhard, 8.1 mi off.
How do Sunday rules work on Gull Rock Game Land?
Yes on open days, without migratory birds and without guns from 9:30 to 12:30.
Who manages hunting on Gull Rock Game Land day to day?
Managing agency: the NCWRC.
In which county or counties will I find Gull Rock Game Land?
Hyde County alone, per the overlay.
Is Gull Rock Game Land open to hunting on Sundays?
Hunting on Gull Rock Game Land runs Monday through Sunday whenever a season is in.
What acreage is on file for Gull Rock Game Land?
The record lists 31,336 acres (NCWRC Game Lands – general GIS SUM_ACRES).
Is Gull Rock Game Land known for deer, birds or waterfowl?
Listed species: white-tailed deer, black bear, wild turkey, red and gray fox, rabbit and raccoon.
When is the deadline for Gull Rock Game Land permit hunts?
Yes: 2 drawn hunts, covering early season waterfowl and late season waterfowl.
Which deer season zone covers Gull Rock Game Land?
Southeastern: Oct 17, 2026 to Jan 1, 2027 for guns, unless game land rules differ.
What do the bear management area rules mean on Gull Rock Game Land?
Inside the bear management areas bear hunting is closed (Gull Rock).
Does Gull Rock Game Land have dove fields?
Yes: 3, 9.6 acres in all.
Does Gull Rock Game Land have waterfowl impoundments?
2 on the map, including Jolly E Merle Edwards/Loop Rd and Willow Point.
One more look before driving to Gull Rock Game Land
Boundaries on the ground beat any web page; watch for posted zones on Gull Rock Game Land.
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: Alabama Extension (CC0 1.0); Ligocsicnarf89 (CC BY 4.0); oparrish (CC BY-SA 2.0); pburka (CC BY-SA 2.0).