Home › North Carolina › Public land › Lee Game Land
Game land · 2026-27
Lee Game Land on the 2026-27 hunting calendar
Game land of 1,441 acres in Lee County and 1 more, open 7 days, for white-tailed deer, wild turkey and red and gray fox.
Photo: Donald Lee Pardue (CC BY 2.0)
Getting to Lee Game Land
The size and owners of Lee Game Land
Hunters reach Lee Game Land, a NCWRC game land, in Lee and Chatham counties. Biologists for District 5 cover it. Oversight of the hunting belongs to the NCWRC. The size used here is 1,441 acres, taken from NCWRC Game Lands – general GIS SUM_ACRES. Among 95 game lands with a figure, it places 70th.
Owners enrolled in Lee Game Land
| Owner of record | GIS acres |
|---|---|
| Duke Energy Progress | 1,441 |
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 Lee Game Land
Know the rules before Lee Game Land
Every day of an open season is a hunting day on Lee Game Land.
The game land sets gun antlerless deer as: Nov. 14 – Nov. 27.
What the digest adds for Lee Game Land
- Target shooting is prohibited.
- Except for hunters engaged in the act of hunting, bicycle riding is prohibited.
Game land basics on Lee Game Land
| Rule | Game land 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 |
No add-on is needed to hunt Lee Game Land beyond your license and privileges; the $20 Game Land License serves non-hunters.
From NC digest regulations for specific game lands, general game land rules, regional game land tables; checked October 25, 2026.
Species found on Lee Game Land
Hunters come to Lee Game Land for white-tailed deer, wild turkey and red and gray fox above all.
White-tailed deer
Central zone
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
Inland duck zone
Species from NC digest regulations for specific game lands; checked October 25, 2026.
Deer zone groups and bear units over Lee Game Land
Match the county you stand in to its zone group for deer dates on Lee Game Land.
| Season zone | Counties | Archery | Blackpowder | Gun | Antlerless gun days |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Central | Lee, Chatham | Sep 12–Oct 30 | Oct 31–Nov 13 | Nov 14–Jan 1 | All open days |
Bear season for Lee Game Land
| Bear unit | Counties | Season |
|---|---|---|
| Piedmont BMU (group 2) | Lee, Chatham | Nov 14–Jan 1 |
Zones from deer seasons, bear seasons and duck and goose zone map in the 2026-27 digest; checked October 25, 2026.
Special areas inside Lee Game Land
Map PDFs: Lee
From NC digest regulations for specific game lands and the NCWRC game land GIS; checked October 25, 2026.
Lee Game Land pinned with nearby tracts
Pins show Lee Game Land plus 10 nearby public places. The listed tracts add 136,927 acres.
| Nearby | Kind | Acres | Open days | Miles | Heading |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chatham | Game land | 2,671 | 7 days | 4.0 mi | east |
| Harris | Game land | 11,527 | 7 days | 7.1 mi | northeast |
| Jordan | Game land | 40,462 | 6 days | 16 mi | north |
| B. Everett Jordan Lake | Corps lake | 40,115 | – | 17 mi | north |
| Fort Bragg | Army post | – | – | 29 mi | south |
| Rhodes Pond | Game land | 471 | Permit only | 31 mi | southeast |
| Buckhorn | Game land | 491 | Permit only | 34 mi | north |
| Nicholson Creek | Game land | 1,021 | 3 days | 36 mi | south |
| Butner-Falls of Neuse | Game land | 37,480 | 6 days | 38 mi | northeast |
| Rockfish Creek | Game land | 2,689 | 3 days | 38 mi | south |
Points: NCWRC Game Land Centroids layer (GL_points Lat/Long). Straight-line distances. Statewide public land map.
Lee Game Land season calendar from Lee County rows
For Lee Game Land, 54 segments cover deer, bear, small game, waterfowl and furbearers this license year.
| Species | Hunt type | Zone or unit | Opening | Closing | 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 | |
| White-tailed deer | Urban Archery Season | Urban archery towns only | Jan 9, 2027 | Feb 14, 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.
Lee Game Land: the county harvest record
In 2025-26 the Lee County deer count was 704, against 583 in 2019-20.
| Year | Deer | Bucks | Game lands | Guns | Bows |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019-20 | 583 | 290 | 20 | 413 | 79 |
| 2020-21 | 603 | 300 | 19 | 447 | 82 |
| 2021-22 | 706 | 396 | 27 | 484 | 118 |
| 2022-23 | 708 | 359 | 23 | 545 | 83 |
| 2023-24 | 925 | 500 | 30 | 728 | 111 |
| 2024-25 | 803 | 427 | 22 | 614 | 99 |
| 2025-26 | 704 | 361 | 14 | 505 | 95 |
Recent bear harvest, Lee County
| Year | Reported bears |
|---|---|
| 2020 | 1 |
| 2021 | 1 |
| 2022 | 0 |
| 2023 | 0 |
| 2024 | 0 |
| 2025 | 0 |
Spring turkey harvest near Lee Game Land
| Spring | Gobblers | Jakes | Game lands | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 57 | 8 | 4 | 65 |
| 2024 | 66 | 8 | 3 | 74 |
| 2025 | 44 | 12 | 2 | 56 |
| 2026 | 67 | 7 | 7 | 74 |
County figures from NCWRC harvest statistics, bear harvest report, spring turkey report and CWD testing; checked October 25, 2026.
Lee County local laws near Lee Game Land
Local laws passed for Lee County apply here too. In the county it is unlawful to:
- Hunt with any weapon while on the land of another without written permission dated within one year.
- Hunt with any weapon, any wild animal or bird, or discharge a firearm on, from or across the right-of-way of any public road.
Local laws by county, 2026-27 digest; checked October 25, 2026. All county local laws.
Lee Game Land: nearby towns and services
Towns first, measured straight-line, then shops and agency offices.
| Base town | County | Away | Residents | Public acres near |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Moncure | Chatham | 5.7 mi | – | 33,955 |
| Broadway | Lee | 6.1 mi | 1,362 | 5,858 |
| Sanford | Lee | 8.1 mi | 32,971 | 1,974 |
| Holly Springs | Wake | 14 mi | 48,674 | 19,055 |
For county seasons around Lee Game Land, see Lee County, Chatham County.
Shops that serve Lee Game Land hunters
NCWRC and federal offices near Lee Game Land
Joe Folta is the Lee County district biologist, (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.
Lee Game Land on the North Carolina events calendar
1 upcoming event and 2 NCWRC classes on the property or within about 10 miles of it (NCWRC Learn to Hunt and hunter education course). Read October 25, 2026.
Still to come
| Dates | Name | Miles | Place | Link | From |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nov 22, 2026 | Learn to Hunt: Bear ⋅ NCWRC Learn to Hunt | 8 | Lee County Wildlife Club ⋅ Sanford ⋅ Lee Co. | Sign up | Source |
Hunter education classes
| Date | Course | Miles | Hours | Place | Seat | Source page |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nov 9, 2026 | North Carolina Hunter Education Certification (D5) ⋅ hunter education course | 8 | 6:00 PM–9:00 PM | Lee County Wildlife Club ⋅ Sanford ⋅ Lee Co. | Register on GONC | Source |
| Dec 14, 2026 | North Carolina Hunter Education Certification (D5) ⋅ hunter education course | 8 | 6:00 PM–9:00 PM | Lee County Wildlife Club ⋅ Sanford ⋅ Lee Co. | Register on GONC | Source |
Sighting in before a hunt on Lee Game Land
Wake County Firearms Education and Training Center, 14 miles off, is the NCWRC range nearest Lee Game Land. Private and club ranges within 30 miles come after it.
What you can shoot: rifle, handgun
What you can shoot: sporting clays, shotgun, handgun, smallbore rimfire
From the NCWRC shooting range pages and directory listings, checked October 25, 2026.
Lee Game Land shooting hours by key date
On Sundays firearm hunting stops from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., and migratory birds are closed all day; the hours below are for the other days.
| Day | Season | Sun up | Sun down | Deer and small game | Migratory birds |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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.
Lee Game Land in pictures
Answers on Lee Game Land days, permits and seasons
Which game species does the source list for Lee Game Land?
White-tailed deer, wild turkey, red and gray fox, rabbit, raccoon and squirrel top the list.
Is Lee Game Land big enough for a full season of scouting?
Acreage used here: 1,441, per NCWRC Game Lands – general GIS SUM_ACRES.
What does the regional table say about camping on Lee Game Land?
Regional table entry: none.
What deer zone group applies to Lee Game Land?
Gun season in the Central zone runs Nov 14, 2026 to Jan 1, 2027.
What is the closest town to Lee Game Land?
Moncure, 5.7 mi straight-line.
Do I need anything extra for Lee Game Land beyond a license?
Most hunting licenses include game land use; add the privileges your game needs.
Which office oversees Lee Game Land for hunters?
The NCWRC holds that role.
Are guns allowed on Lee Game Land on Sunday?
No firearms 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., no migratory birds, and game land day rules still apply.
Does Lee Game Land follow a 7-, 6-, 4- or 3-day schedule?
Every day of an open season is a hunting day on Lee Game Land.
What county is Lee Game Land in, and does it cross county lines?
Lee and Chatham counties, in the Piedmont.
Lee Game Land: what to double-check
Seasons and closures on Lee Game Land can change mid-season; the NCWRC notices and posted signs have the final word.
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); Juliana Chong (CC BY 2.0); Donald Lee Pardue (CC BY 2.0); Donald Lee Pardue (CC BY 2.0).