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Game land · Piedmont
Hunting days, permits and rules on Jordan Game Land
A 2026-27 hunter guide to this game land in Chatham County and 2 more, 40,462 acres.
Photo: pmuellr (CC BY 2.0)
Getting to Jordan Game Land
Parking, trailheads and gates near Jordan Game Land
- Parking areaParking · 1.3 mi from the centreDirections
- Boat rampBoat ramp · 1.8 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 1.8 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 1.8 mi from the centreDirections
- Boat rampBoat ramp · 1.9 mi from the centreDirections
- Boat rampBoat ramp · 1.9 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 2.0 mi from the centreDirections
- Boat rampBoat ramp · 2.0 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 2.1 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 2.1 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 2.1 mi from the centreDirections
- Boat rampBoat ramp · 2.2 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.
Who owns and runs Jordan Game Land
Jordan Game Land sits in Chatham, Durham and Wake counties and is listed as a NCWRC game land. For NCWRC staffing it belongs to District 5. The manager of record is the NCWRC. 40,462 acres are on file, per NCWRC Game Lands – general GIS SUM_ACRES. Line up all 95 game lands by acreage and it lands 8th.
Landowners inside Jordan Game Land
| Who owns it | Acres |
|---|---|
| US Army Corps of Engineers | 37,749 |
| NC Wildlife Resources Commission | 347 |
2 tract names appear in the NCWRC layer: Hope Valley Forest, Poes Ridge.
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 Jordan Game Land
Jordan Game Land deer and bear zone dates
Deer dates for Jordan Game Land by season zone (2), from the 2026-27 digest.
| Deer zone | Counties here | Archery | Blackpowder | Gun | Doe days (gun) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Central | Chatham, Durham | Sep 12–Oct 30 | Oct 31–Nov 13 | Nov 14–Jan 1 | All open days |
| Northeastern | Wake | Sep 12–Oct 2 | Oct 3–Oct 16 | Oct 17–Jan 1 | All open days |
Jordan Game Land: bear unit dates
| Bear unit | County list | Dates |
|---|---|---|
| Piedmont BMU (group 2) | Chatham, Durham | Nov 14–Jan 1 |
| Piedmont BMU (group 1) | Wake | Oct 17–Jan 1 |
Zones from deer seasons, bear seasons and duck and goose zone map in the 2026-27 digest; checked October 25, 2026.
Jordan Game Land regulations in plain terms
Jordan Game Land is a six-day game land: Monday through Saturday, closed to hunting on Sundays.
Gun-season antlerless days on Jordan Game Land: Nov. 14 – Jan. 1, except that part in Wake Co. where the season is Oct. 17 – Jan. 1.
Jordan Game Land special regulations
- Waterfowl may be taken only on Mondays, Wednesdays and Saturdays; on Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s days; and on the opening and closing days of the applicable waterfowl seasons.
- Horseback riding, including all equine species, is allowed only on those areas posted as American Tobacco Trail and other areas specifically posted for equestrian use. Unless otherwise posted, horseback riding is permitted on the American Tobacco Trail anytime the trail is open. On all other posted equestrian trails, horseback riding is allowed seven days per week from May 16 – Aug. 31, and on Sundays only from Sept. 1 – May 15. Participants age 16 and older must obtain a game land license prior to engaging in horseback riding on any area other than the American Tobacco Trail.
- Target shooting is prohibited.
- Turkey hunting is by permit only, except on those areas posted as Archery Zones.
- Camping is restricted to Sept. 1 through the last day of Feb. and March 31 through May 31.
- Except for hunters engaged in the act of hunting, bicycle riding is restricted to the American Tobacco Trail.
General game land rules for Jordan Game Land
| Rule | Detail |
|---|---|
| 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 |
Hunters on Jordan Game Land use their regular license; the $20 Game Land License exists for field trials, dog training, riding and license-less campers.
From NC digest regulations for specific game lands, general game land rules, regional game land tables; checked October 25, 2026.
The finer map of Jordan Game Land
Managed pools at Jordan Game Land
| Waterfowl impoundment | Acres |
|---|---|
| 4 | 391 |
| 7 | 277 |
| 5 | 254 |
| 3 | 175 |
| 2 | 166 |
| 6 | 153 |
| 1 | 112 |
Impoundment hunts may need a permit from the drawings.
Posted zones inside Jordan Game Land
| Posted area | Acres |
|---|---|
| Waterfowl Impoundment | 1,528 |
| Archery Zone | 549 |
| Safety Zone | 289 |
Download the maps: Jordan
From NC digest regulations for specific game lands and the NCWRC game land GIS; checked October 25, 2026.
Jordan Game Land drawings, deadlines and quotas
The drawings list 3 hunts for Jordan Game Land; apply by Mar. 1, 2027.
| Hunt name | Species | Weapons | Deadline | Fee | Age group | Hunt choices | Quota |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Turkey | Turkey | Any Legal | Mar. 1, 2027 | $8.00 | – | Lake Game Land (40) | 40 hunters |
| Youth & Adult Turkey | Turkey | Any Legal | Mar. 1, 2027 | $8.00 | Youth under 16, Adult 18 or older | Lake Game Land (40) | 40 hunters |
| Youth Turkey | Turkey | Any Legal | Mar. 1, 2027 | $8.00 | Under 16 | Lake Game Land (40) | 40 hunters |
Apply online, by phone or at a license agent; the non-refundable fee is $8 per application, and parties apply together.
NCWRC Permit Hunt Book 2026-27 and the Permit Hunting Opportunities page; checked October 25, 2026.
Dove fields mapped on Jordan Game Land
Planted for doves on Jordan Game Land: 8 fields, 61.4 acres, mainly millets, corn and buckwheat.
| Field name | Crops | Size (ac) | Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Big Woods Road | Millets, Corn, Buckwheat, Wheat | 7.5 | 2021 |
| Farrington Point | Millets, Corn, Buckwheat, Wheat | 4.3 | 2021 |
| Hwy 751 | Millets, Corn, Buckwheat, Wheat | 22.8 | 2021 |
| Indian Creek | Millets, Corn, Buckwheat, Wheat | 2.3 | 2021 |
| Martha's Chapel Road | Millets, Corn, Buckwheat, Wheat | 3.5 | 2021 |
| Mason Point | Millets, Corn, Buckwheat, Wheat | 6.6 | 2021 |
| Sexton Road | Millets, Corn, Buckwheat, Wheat | 7.3 | 2021 |
| Tody Goodwin Road | Millets, Corn, Buckwheat, Wheat | 7.1 | 2021 |
Scout a field before you hunt it; dry or wet summers change the stand.
NCWRC dove field GIS and NCWRC dove hunting on game lands; checked October 25, 2026.
Jordan Game Land game species
The source names white-tailed deer, wild turkey, red and gray fox and rabbit and more for Jordan Game Land.
White-tailed deer
Central zone
Wild turkey
3 permit hunts
Red and gray fox
Season dates
Rabbit
Season dates
Raccoon
Season dates
Squirrel
Season dates
Bobwhite quail
Season dates
Mourning dove
8 dove fields
Ducks and geese
Inland duck zone
The NCWRC map flags special hunts for: Turkey.
Species from NC digest regulations for specific game lands; checked October 25, 2026.
What is in season at Jordan Game Land, row by row
Private land and game land share these dates in Jordan Game Land unless a game land rule says otherwise; refuges and bases set their own.
| Animal | Segment | Area | Starts | Ends | Open now? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| White-tailed deer | Archery | Central | Sep 12, 2026 | Oct 30, 2026 | |
| White-tailed deer | Youth Deer Hunting Days | Statewide | Sep 26, 2026 | Sep 27, 2026 | |
| White-tailed deer | Blackpowder | Central | Oct 31, 2026 | Nov 13, 2026 | |
| White-tailed deer | Gun | Central | Nov 14, 2026 | Jan 1, 2027 | |
| Black bear | Group 2 | Piedmont BMU group 2 | Nov 14, 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 | |
| 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.
Public ground within a drive of Jordan Game Land
Jordan Game Land and the 9 nearest public places, straight-line. Combined, 103,939 acres.
| Public land | Type | Acres | Days | Distance | Direction |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Harris | Game land | 11,527 | 7 days | 12 mi | south |
| Chatham | Game land | 2,671 | 7 days | 14 mi | south |
| Lee Game Land | Game land | 1,441 | 7 days | 16 mi | south |
| Buckhorn | Game land | 491 | Permit only | 21 mi | northwest |
| Butner-Falls of Neuse | Game land | 37,480 | 6 days | 24 mi | northeast |
| Falls Lake | Corps lake | 31,844 | – | 24 mi | northeast |
| Rhodes Pond | Game land | 471 | Permit only | 42 mi | southeast |
| Fort Bragg | Army post | – | – | 45 mi | south |
| R. Wayne Bailey-Caswell | Game land | 18,014 | 3 days | 45 mi | north |
Points: NCWRC Game Land Centroids layer (GL_points Lat/Long). Straight-line distances. Statewide public land map.
Local hunting laws by Jordan Game Land
Chatham County has local acts that reach hunters on and around Jordan Game Land. It is unlawful to:
- Hunt with a firearm from the surface or right-of-way of a public road.
- Hunt with a firearm or bow and arrow or possess same, except with express written permission, dated within the previous 12 months, of the landowner or lessee.
- Permit a minor under 16 to possess a firearm, unless the child is under the supervision of parents or guardian.
- Possess a loaded firearm on the land of another while under the influence of an impairing substance.
Local laws by county, 2026-27 digest; checked October 25, 2026. All county local laws.
Harvest reports around Jordan Game Land
Chatham County hunters reported 2,481 deer in 2025-26, 281 of them on game lands (11.3%).
| Season | Total | Bucks | Game land share | Gun | Archery tackle |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019-20 | 2,664 | 1,293 | 265 | 1,712 | 472 |
| 2020-21 | 2,689 | 1,305 | 306 | 1,910 | 400 |
| 2021-22 | 2,802 | 1,479 | 288 | 1,885 | 496 |
| 2022-23 | 2,388 | 1,307 | 308 | 1,759 | 370 |
| 2023-24 | 3,099 | 1,651 | 311 | 2,258 | 504 |
| 2024-25 | 2,558 | 1,386 | 292 | 1,806 | 432 |
| 2025-26 | 2,481 | 1,243 | 281 | 1,716 | 411 |
Chatham County bears, recent years
| Season | Bears |
|---|---|
| 2020 | 0 |
| 2021 | 0 |
| 2022 | 0 |
| 2023 | 0 |
| 2024 | 2 |
| 2025 | 4 |
Chatham County spring turkey reports
| Year | Gobblers | Jakes | Game lands | Birds |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 236 | 34 | 29 | 270 |
| 2024 | 206 | 19 | 23 | 225 |
| 2025 | 159 | 31 | 22 | 190 |
| 2026 | 223 | 13 | 22 | 236 |
County figures from NCWRC harvest statistics, bear harvest report, spring turkey report and CWD testing; checked October 25, 2026.
Base camp towns for Jordan Game Land
Nearest towns with pages of their own, then businesses.
| Town | County | Miles | Population | Public land near |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carolina Meadows | Chatham | 6.1 mi | – | 26,448 |
| Apex | Wake | 7.7 mi | 75,977 | 33,241 |
| Pittsboro | Chatham | 9.0 mi | 4,989 | 20,644 |
| Cary | Wake | 10 mi | 182,659 | 12,032 |
Counties under Jordan Game Land, each with a page: Chatham County, Durham County, Wake County.
Who can cut or mount a deer from Jordan Game Land
NCWRC and federal offices near Jordan Game Land
Biology questions for Chatham County go to Joe Folta ((336) 212-7550).
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.
The rest of the Jordan Game Land picture
These records cover the same ground as Jordan Game Land or sit above or beside it.
Jordan Game Land hunting-hour table from the digest
Legal light at Jordan Game Land: half an hour before sunrise to half an hour after sunset for deer, bear and small game, and sunrise minus 30 minutes to sunset for waterfowl and doves.
| Date | Moment | Sunrise | Sunset | Game hours | Waterfowl and dove |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sep 5, 2026 | Dove opener | 6:51 a.m. | 7:40 p.m. | 6:21 a.m. to 8:10 p.m. | 6:21 a.m. to 7:40 p.m. |
| Sep 12, 2026 | Archery deer opener | 6:56 a.m. | 7:30 p.m. | 6:26 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. | 6:26 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. |
| Oct 17, 2026 | Eastern gun opener | 7:24 a.m. | 6:41 p.m. | 6:54 a.m. to 7:11 p.m. | 6:54 a.m. to 6:41 p.m. |
| Nov 14, 2026 | Central gun opener | 6:50 a.m. | 5:13 p.m. | 6:20 a.m. to 5:43 p.m. | 6:20 a.m. to 5:13 p.m. |
| Nov 28, 2026 | Western gun opener | 7:03 a.m. | 5:07 p.m. | 6:33 a.m. to 5:37 p.m. | 6:33 a.m. to 5:07 p.m. |
| Dec 26, 2026 | Late December | 7:22 a.m. | 5:13 p.m. | 6:52 a.m. to 5:43 p.m. | 6:52 a.m. to 5:13 p.m. |
| Jan 1, 2027 | Deer gun close | 7:24 a.m. | 5:17 p.m. | 6:54 a.m. to 5:47 p.m. | 6:54 a.m. to 5:17 p.m. |
| Apr 17, 2027 | Spring turkey opener | 6:41 a.m. | 7:52 p.m. | 6:11 a.m. to 8:22 p.m. | 6:11 a.m. to 7:52 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.
Jordan Game Land, events on and around the property
1 upcoming event here or close by, as of October 25, 2026.
On the calendar
| When | Event | Away | Location | Tickets or entry | Read at |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan 29, 2027 | Chatham Co Limbhangers Banquet ⋅ NWTF banquet | 9 | Pittsboro ⋅ Chatham Co. | Buy tickets | Source |
Sighting in before a hunt on Jordan Game Land
From Jordan Game Land, Wake County Firearms Education and Training Center is the closest public range the NCWRC lists (10 miles). Nearby gun clubs fill the remaining cards.
Lanes for rifle, handgun
Lanes for trap, skeet, 5-stand, rifle, handgun
From the NCWRC shooting range pages and directory listings, checked October 25, 2026.
Scenes from around Jordan Game Land
Jordan Game Land: short answers from the data
On what days does Jordan Game Land allow hunting?
Jordan Game Land is a six-day game land: Monday through Saturday, closed to hunting on Sundays.
Is Jordan Game Land big enough for a full season of scouting?
NCWRC Game Lands – general GIS SUM_ACRES gives 40,462 acres.
What game is Jordan Game Land managed for?
Primary species are white-tailed deer, wild turkey, red and gray fox, rabbit, raccoon and squirrel.
How many drawn hunts does Jordan Game Land have?
Yes, 3 hunt items; apply by Mar. 1, 2027.
When can I hunt deer with a rifle near Jordan Game Land?
Central zone: gun Nov 14, 2026 to Jan 1, 2027.
Where can I shoot doves on Jordan Game Land?
61.4 acres in 8 fields.
How many impoundments are on Jordan Game Land?
1, 2, 3, 4 and 5.
Is overnight camping allowed for hunters on Jordan Game Land?
Digest camping rule: designated areas only.
What do I buy before hunting Jordan Game Land?
No extra pass: a hunting license includes game land use.
Which town with a page is closest to Jordan Game Land?
Carolina Meadows (6.1 mi).
What changes on Sundays at Jordan Game Land?
Sunday firearm hunting pauses 9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. and migratory birds stay closed.
Whose rules apply on Jordan Game Land?
The record names the NCWRC.
What county is Jordan Game Land in, and does it cross county lines?
Mostly Chatham County, plus 2 more by overlay.
Before loading the truck for Jordan Game Land
Report your harvest through Go Outdoors North Carolina after a day on Jordan 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: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Public Domain Mark 1.0); grendelkhan (CC BY-SA 2.0); razvan.orendovici (CC BY 2.0); DGGeiser (Public Domain Mark 1.0).