Home › North Carolina › Public land › Kerr Lake (John H. Kerr Reservoir)
Public hunting · Corps lake
What a hunter should know about Kerr Lake (John H. Kerr Reservoir)
Days, special rules, drawings and season zones for a corps lake in Vance County.
Photo: Wild Growth Digital (CC BY 2.0)
Getting to Kerr Lake (John H. Kerr Reservoir)
Parking, trailheads and gates near Kerr Lake (John H. Kerr Reservoir)
- Parking areaParking · 0.6 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 2.0 mi from the centreDirections
- Boat rampBoat ramp · 2.2 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 2.5 mi from the centreDirections
- Boat rampBoat ramp · 2.5 mi from the centreDirections
- Boat rampBoat ramp · 2.5 mi from the centreDirections
- Boat rampBoat ramp · 2.5 mi from the centreDirections
- Boat rampBoat ramp · 2.5 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 2.6 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 2.6 mi from the centreDirections
- Boat rampBoat ramp · 2.7 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 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.
How big Kerr Lake (John H. Kerr Reservoir) is and whose land it is
Kerr Lake (John H. Kerr Reservoir) is a Corps of Engineers lake whose hunting land is a game land in Vance County. The Commission counts it in District 3. Rules on the ground come from the Corps of Engineers (hunting run by the NCWRC). Acreage: 853, from NCWRC Game Lands – detail GIS: ACRES of Vance Game Land polygons with owner US Army Corps of Engineers. Only 2 of our 4 Corps lakes are bigger.
From NC digest general game lands regulations; acreage NCWRC Game Lands – detail GIS: ACRES of Vance Game Land polygons with owner US Army Corps of Engineers; checked October 25, 2026.
Nearby
Places to hunt and shoot around Kerr Lake (John H. Kerr Reservoir)
Kerr Lake (John H. Kerr Reservoir) hunting rules for 2026-27
Corps land enrolled in the NCWRC game lands program: NCWRC game land rules and the Vance Game Land rules apply. In accordance with the Code of Federal Regulations (NC regulations digest), possession of loaded firearms, ammunition, bows, crossbows or other weapons is prohibited on Butner-Falls of Neuse, Jordan, Kerr Scott and Vance game lands unless being used for hunting or fishing (unloaded when transported), at authorized shooting ranges, or with written permission of the District Commander. Permanent stands and blinds are prohibited on Corps land.
The general rules at Kerr Lake (John H. Kerr Reservoir)
| 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 |
Corps land enrolled in the NCWRC game lands program: NCWRC game land rules and the Vance Game Land rules apply. In accordance with the Code of Federal Regulations (NC regulations digest), possession of loaded firearms, ammunition, bows, crossbows or other weapons is prohibited on Butner-Falls of Neuse, Jordan, Kerr Scott and Vance game lands unless being used for hunting or fishing (unloaded when transported), at authorized shooting ranges, or with written permission of the District Commander. Permanent stands and blinds are prohibited on Corps land.
You do not need a Game Land License to hunt Kerr Lake (John H. Kerr Reservoir) if you hold a hunting license; that $20 license is for campers, riders and dog trainers without one.
From NC digest general game lands regulations; checked October 25, 2026.
Game to target at Kerr Lake (John H. Kerr Reservoir)
Expect white-tailed deer, wild turkey, rabbit and raccoon on Kerr Lake (John H. Kerr Reservoir).
White-tailed deer
Northeastern zone
Wild turkey
Season dates
Rabbit
Season dates
Raccoon
Season dates
Squirrel
Season dates
Bobwhite quail
Season dates
Mourning dove
Season dates
Ducks and geese
Inland duck zone
Species from NC digest general game lands regulations; checked October 25, 2026.
2026-27 zone dates for Kerr Lake (John H. Kerr Reservoir) hunters
Deer seasons on Kerr Lake (John H. Kerr Reservoir) follow its 1 zone group, unless a game land rule above changes them.
| Deer zone | Counties | Archery | Blackpowder | Gun | Gun antlerless |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Northeastern | Vance | Sep 12–Oct 2 | Oct 3–Oct 16 | Oct 17–Jan 1 | All open days |
Kerr Lake (John H. Kerr Reservoir) bear unit and season
| Unit | Counties | Bear season |
|---|---|---|
| Piedmont BMU (group 1) | Vance | 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.
Kerr Lake (John H. Kerr Reservoir): bear areas, pools and posted zones
Corps-owned tracts in the game land (2): Crooked Run WMA, Nutbush Peninsula WMA.
From NC digest general game lands regulations and the NCWRC game land GIS; checked October 25, 2026.
Kerr Lake (John H. Kerr Reservoir) and the public land around it
The bold marker is Kerr Lake (John H. Kerr Reservoir), with 8 neighbors around it. Acres across the list: 98,565.
| Area | Category | Acreage | Schedule | Distance | Direction |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shocco Creek | Game land | 8,113 | 7 days | 23 mi | southeast |
| Embro | Game land | 9,381 | 7 days | 24 mi | east |
| Mayo | Game land | 5,101 | 7 days | 27 mi | west |
| Falls Lake | Corps lake | 31,844 | – | 29 mi | southwest |
| Sandy Creek | Game land | 923 | 7 days | 30 mi | southeast |
| Butner-Falls of Neuse | Game land | 37,480 | 6 days | 30 mi | southwest |
| Brinkleyville | Game land | 3,341 | 7 days | 34 mi | east |
| Hyco | Game land | 2,382 | 7 days | 35 mi | west |
Points: NCWRC Game Lands – detail GIS (polygons owned by US Army Corps of Engineers) (polygon centroid of the largest part). Straight-line distances. Statewide public land map.
Season dates that apply around Kerr Lake (John H. Kerr Reservoir)
Dove, squirrel, rabbit and quail run statewide, while the deer zone, bear unit, I-95 duck line and goose zone set the rest for Kerr Lake (John H. Kerr Reservoir).
| Species | Season | Applies | Opens | Closes | Today |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | Group 1 | Piedmont BMU group 1 | Oct 17, 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.
Vance County deer, bear and turkey numbers
Vance County, home county of Kerr Lake (John H. Kerr Reservoir), logged 1,398 deer in 2025-26.
| Season | All deer | Bucks | Game land deer | Firearm | Bow/crossbow |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019-20 | 1,309 | 579 | 89 | 1,150 | 119 |
| 2020-21 | 1,168 | 516 | 48 | 1,024 | 105 |
| 2021-22 | 1,261 | 611 | 65 | 1,124 | 93 |
| 2022-23 | 1,115 | 563 | 69 | 980 | 96 |
| 2023-24 | 1,367 | 719 | 72 | 1,206 | 110 |
| 2024-25 | 1,334 | 623 | 90 | 1,151 | 145 |
| 2025-26 | 1,398 | 688 | 82 | 1,237 | 105 |
Vance County bear numbers by year
| Year | Bear harvest |
|---|---|
| 2020 | 2 |
| 2021 | 3 |
| 2022 | 5 |
| 2023 | 1 |
| 2024 | 2 |
| 2025 | 4 |
Vance County spring turkey harvest
| Season | Gobblers | Jakes | Game lands | Reported |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 203 | 18 | 7 | 221 |
| 2024 | 154 | 14 | 4 | 168 |
| 2025 | 177 | 17 | 9 | 194 |
| 2026 | 230 | 17 | 15 | 247 |
County figures from NCWRC harvest statistics, bear harvest report, spring turkey report and CWD testing; checked October 25, 2026.
Local rules that reach Kerr Lake (John H. Kerr Reservoir)
Vance County local acts (from the digest) make it unlawful to:
- Hunt or discharge a firearm on any land that has been registered with the sheriff and posted, or on a highway abutting such land, without having in possession a valid entry permit. (Before hunting or discharging a firearm on any land or an abutting highway, it is the affirmative duty of the hunter or marksman to make appropriate inquiry about whether the land is registered and to look for posted signs that may indicate such status.)
- Hunt wild animals or wild birds from, on or across the right-of-way of any public road or highway.
- Discharge a centerfire rifle from, on or across the right-of-way of any public road or highway.
Local laws by county, 2026-27 digest; checked October 25, 2026. All county local laws.
Records linked to Kerr Lake (John H. Kerr Reservoir)
Records tied to Kerr Lake (John H. Kerr Reservoir).
Services within reach of Kerr Lake (John H. Kerr Reservoir)
Services are in this county or the next one over.
| Town | County | Miles off | People | Public acres, 10 mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Henderson | Vance | 4.1 mi | 14,807 | 691 |
| Oxford | Granville | 10.0 mi | 8,972 | 286 |
| Warrenton | Warren | 15 mi | 834 | 6,320 |
| Louisburg | Franklin | 21 mi | 3,423 | – |
Go county by county from Kerr Lake (John H. Kerr Reservoir): Vance County.
Where Kerr Lake (John H. Kerr Reservoir) hunters buy shells and drop off deer
Kerr Lake (John H. Kerr Reservoir): the nearest agency desks
The NCWRC district biologist for Vance County is Greg Batts, (919) 727-0546.
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.
Kerr Lake (John H. Kerr Reservoir) on the North Carolina events calendar
Hunter education course: 1 NCWRC class on site or a few miles away.
Free NCWRC courses
| When | Course | Miles away | Hours | Venue | Sign up | Read at |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nov 17–18, 2026 | Hunter Education, Kerr Lake, Satterwhite Point (D3 A4) ⋅ hunter education course | 4 | 6:00 PM–9:00 PM | Satterwhite Point State Park Glass House ⋅ Henderson ⋅ Vance Co. | Register on GONC | Source |
Range time before Kerr Lake / John H. Kerr Reservoir, North Carolina portion (U.S. Army Corps of Engineers)
For hunters on Kerr Lake / John H. Kerr Reservoir, North Carolina portion (U.S. Army Corps of Engineers), the nearest Commission range is R. Wayne Bailey-Caswell Shooting Range in Caswell County (47 miles). Two nearer club ranges follow.
On offer: rifle, handgun, archery, 3D archery
On offer: trap, shotgun
From the NCWRC shooting range pages and directory listings, checked October 25, 2026.
When shooting starts and stops on Kerr Lake (John H. Kerr Reservoir)
The digest prints one sunrise and sunset table for Charlotte and a minute offset for each county. For Kerr Lake (John H. Kerr Reservoir) the offset is -8 minutes.
| Date | Season point | Sunrise | Sunset | Big and small game | Migratory |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sep 5, 2026 | Dove opener | 6:49 a.m. | 7:38 p.m. | 6:19 a.m. to 8:08 p.m. | 6:19 a.m. to 7:38 p.m. |
| Sep 12, 2026 | Archery deer opener | 6:54 a.m. | 7:28 p.m. | 6:24 a.m. to 7:58 p.m. | 6:24 a.m. to 7:28 p.m. |
| Oct 17, 2026 | Eastern gun opener | 7:22 a.m. | 6:39 p.m. | 6:52 a.m. to 7:09 p.m. | 6:52 a.m. to 6:39 p.m. |
| Nov 14, 2026 | Central gun opener | 6:48 a.m. | 5:11 p.m. | 6:18 a.m. to 5:41 p.m. | 6:18 a.m. to 5:11 p.m. |
| Nov 28, 2026 | Western gun opener | 7:01 a.m. | 5:05 p.m. | 6:31 a.m. to 5:35 p.m. | 6:31 a.m. to 5:05 p.m. |
| Dec 26, 2026 | Late December | 7:20 a.m. | 5:11 p.m. | 6:50 a.m. to 5:41 p.m. | 6:50 a.m. to 5:11 p.m. |
| Jan 1, 2027 | Deer gun close | 7:22 a.m. | 5:15 p.m. | 6:52 a.m. to 5:45 p.m. | 6:52 a.m. to 5:15 p.m. |
| Apr 17, 2027 | Spring turkey opener | 6:39 a.m. | 7:50 p.m. | 6:09 a.m. to 8:20 p.m. | 6:09 a.m. to 7:50 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 Kerr Lake (John H. Kerr Reservoir) country
Kerr Lake (John H. Kerr Reservoir) hunter questions, answered from the record
Is a special pass needed to hunt Kerr Lake (John H. Kerr Reservoir)?
A hunting license with the needed privileges; game land use is included.
What town should I base out of for Kerr Lake (John H. Kerr Reservoir)?
Try Henderson, 4.1 mi off.
How do Sunday rules work on Kerr Lake (John H. Kerr Reservoir)?
Yes on open days, without migratory birds and without guns from 9:30 to 12:30.
Who manages hunting on Kerr Lake (John H. Kerr Reservoir) day to day?
Managing agency: the Corps of Engineers (hunting run by the NCWRC).
In which county or counties will I find Kerr Lake (John H. Kerr Reservoir)?
Vance County alone, per the overlay.
Is Kerr Lake (John H. Kerr Reservoir) open to the public for hunting?
Corps land enrolled in the NCWRC game lands program: NCWRC game land rules and the Vance Game Land rules apply. In accordance with the Code of Federal Regulations (NC regulations digest), possession of loaded firearms, ammunition, bows, crossbows or other weapons is prohibited on Butner-Falls of Neuse, Jordan, Kerr Scott and Vance game lands unless being used for hunting or fishing (unloaded when transported), at authorized shooting ranges, or with written permission of the District Commander. Permanent stands and blinds are prohibited on Corps land.
What acreage is on file for Kerr Lake (John H. Kerr Reservoir)?
The record lists 853 acres (NCWRC Game Lands – detail GIS: ACRES of Vance Game Land polygons with owner US Army Corps of Engineers).
Is Kerr Lake (John H. Kerr Reservoir) known for deer, birds or waterfowl?
Listed species: white-tailed deer, wild turkey, rabbit, raccoon, squirrel and bobwhite quail.
Which deer season zone covers Kerr Lake (John H. Kerr Reservoir)?
Northeastern: Oct 17, 2026 to Jan 1, 2027 for guns, unless game land rules differ.
One more look before driving to Kerr Lake (John H. Kerr Reservoir)
Boundaries on the ground beat any web page; watch for posted zones on Kerr Lake (John H. Kerr Reservoir).
Sources: NC digest general game lands regulations · NC digest regulations for specific game lands · NCWRC GIS; regulations from the 2026-27 NCWRC regulations digest. Checked October 25, 2026.
Other photos on this page: marneejill (CC BY-SA 2.0); btrentler (CC BY 2.0); bobistraveling (CC BY 2.0); bobistraveling (CC BY 2.0).