Home › North Carolina › Public land › Mecklenburg County Nature Preserves
County preserves · Piedmont
Hunting days, permits and rules on Mecklenburg County Nature Preserves
A 2026-27 hunter guide to this county preserves in Mecklenburg County.
Photo: Chris Hunkeler (CC BY-SA 2.0)
Getting to Mecklenburg County Nature Preserves
Parking, trailheads and gates near Mecklenburg County Nature Preserves
- Parking areaParking · 1.2 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 1.4 mi from the centreDirections
- Seventh Street Station Car ParkParking · 1.4 mi from the centreDirections
- 6th StreetParking · 1.4 mi from the centreDirections
- 418 East 7th StreetParking · 1.4 mi from the centreDirections
- 300 North Brevard StreetParking · 1.5 mi from the centreDirections
- AutoParkParking · 1.5 mi from the centreDirections
- Epicenter ParkingParking · 1.5 mi from the centreDirections
- First Citizens Bank Plaza Parking GarageParking · 1.5 mi from the centreDirections
- Two Thirty South Tryon ParkingParking · 1.6 mi from the centreDirections
- Lot #406Parking · 1.6 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 1.6 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.
Who owns and runs Mecklenburg County Nature Preserves
Mecklenburg County Nature Preserves sits in Mecklenburg County and is listed as a group of county nature preserves with drawn deer hunts. For NCWRC staffing it belongs to District 6. The manager of record is Mecklenburg County Park & Recreation. There is no official hunting acreage on file.
From NCWRC; acreage not published; checked October 25, 2026.
Nearby
Places to hunt and shoot around Mecklenburg County Nature Preserves
Mecklenburg County Nature Preserves deer and bear zone dates
Deer dates for Mecklenburg County Nature Preserves by season zone (1), from the 2026-27 digest.
| Deer zone | Counties here | Archery | Blackpowder | Gun | Doe days (gun) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Central | Mecklenburg | Sep 12–Oct 30 | Oct 31–Nov 13 | Nov 14–Jan 1 | All open days |
Mecklenburg County Nature Preserves: bear unit dates
| Bear unit | County list | Dates |
|---|---|---|
| Piedmont BMU (group 2) | Mecklenburg | 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.
Mecklenburg County Nature Preserves regulations in plain terms
Closed to general hunting; only NCWRC Permit Hunt Book deer hunts (archery) on the listed preserves, by drawing.
From NCWRC; checked October 25, 2026.
The finer map of Mecklenburg County Nature Preserves
Preserves listed
- Cowan's Ford Wildlife Refuge
- Latta Nature Preserve
- McDowell Nature Preserve
- Steven's Creek Nature Preserve
From NCWRC and the NCWRC game land GIS; checked October 25, 2026.
Mecklenburg County Nature Preserves drawings, deadlines and quotas
The drawings list 5 hunts for Mecklenburg County Nature Preserves; apply by Oct. 1, 2026.
| Hunt name | Species | Weapons | Deadline | Fee | Age group | Hunt choices | Quota |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Either-Sex Deer Mecklenburg Co. Park & Rec. Hunts | Either-Sex Deer | Archery | Oct. 1, 2026 | $8.00 | – | Steven's Creek Nature Preserve (18) | 18 hunters |
| Either-Sex Deer Mecklenburg Co. Park & Rec. Hunts | Either-Sex Deer | Archery/Blackpowder | Oct. 1, 2026 | $8.00 | – | Cowan's Ford Wildlife Refuge (39) | 39 hunters |
| Either-Sex Deer Mecklenburg Co. Park & Rec. Hunts | Either-Sex Deer | Shotgun/Blackpowder/Archery | Oct. 1, 2026 | $8.00 | – | Cowan's Ford Wildlife Refuge (39) | 39 hunters |
| Either-Sex Deer Mecklenburg Co. Park & Rec. Hunts | Either-Sex Deer | Blackpowder | Oct. 1, 2026 | $8.00 | – | Latta Nature Preserve (35); McDowell Nature Preserve (24) | 59 hunters |
| Either-Sex Deer Mecklenburg Co. Park & Rec. Hunts | Either-Sex Deer | Shotgun/Blackpowder | Oct. 1, 2026 | $8.00 | – | Latta Nature Preserve (35); McDowell Nature Preserve (24) | 59 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.
Mecklenburg County Nature Preserves: permit calendar
Every drawing, Mecklenburg County Nature Preserves included, falls on one of these 8 deadlines.
| Deadline | Hunt items statewide |
|---|---|
| Aug. 1, 2026 | 1 |
| Aug. 10, 2026 | 47 |
| Sep. 1, 2026 | 79 |
| Oct. 1, 2026 | 70 |
| Nov. 1, 2026 | 16 |
| Dec. 1, 2026 | 7 |
| Jan. 1, 2027 | 4 |
| Mar. 1, 2027 | 62 |
Permit Hunting Opportunities; checked October 25, 2026. All permit hunts.
Mecklenburg County Nature Preserves game species
The source names white-tailed deer for Mecklenburg County Nature Preserves.
White-tailed deer
Central zone
Species from NCWRC; checked October 25, 2026.
What is in season at Mecklenburg County Nature Preserves, row by row
Private land and game land share these dates in Mecklenburg County Nature Preserves 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 | |
| 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.
Public ground within a drive of Mecklenburg County Nature Preserves
The county center stands in for Mecklenburg County Nature Preserves, which has no published point. Combined, 12,911 acres.
| Public land | Type | Acres | Days | Distance | Direction |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Second Creek | Game land | 1,106 | Permit only | 32 mi | north |
| Yadkin River | Game land | 11,636 | 7 days | 42 mi | northeast |
| Linwood | Game land | 169 | 7 days | 43 mi | northeast |
Points: county center. Straight-line distances. Statewide public land map.
Local hunting laws by Mecklenburg County Nature Preserves
Mecklenburg County has local acts that reach hunters on and around Mecklenburg County Nature Preserves. It is unlawful to:
- Hunt deer with any rifle, except that a blackpowder rifle may be used during the primitive-weapons season.
- Hunt with a firearm from a public road or highway right-of-way.
Local laws by county, 2026-27 digest; checked October 25, 2026. All county local laws.
Harvest reports around Mecklenburg County Nature Preserves
Mecklenburg County hunters reported 697 deer in 2025-26, 0 of them on game lands (0.0%).
| Season | Total | Bucks | Game land share | Gun | Archery tackle |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019-20 | 864 | 450 | 0 | 277 | 452 |
| 2020-21 | 927 | 470 | 0 | 287 | 511 |
| 2021-22 | 911 | 520 | 0 | 268 | 493 |
| 2022-23 | 768 | 425 | 0 | 264 | 418 |
| 2023-24 | 792 | 430 | 0 | 281 | 418 |
| 2024-25 | 854 | 455 | 0 | 267 | 487 |
| 2025-26 | 697 | 386 | 0 | 198 | 378 |
Mecklenburg County spring turkey reports
| Year | Gobblers | Jakes | Game lands | Birds |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 13 | 1 | 0 | 14 |
| 2024 | 17 | 2 | 0 | 19 |
| 2025 | 19 | 3 | 0 | 22 |
| 2026 | 15 | 1 | 0 | 16 |
County figures from NCWRC harvest statistics, bear harvest report, spring turkey report and CWD testing; checked October 25, 2026.
Base camp towns for Mecklenburg County Nature Preserves
Nearest towns with pages of their own, then businesses.
| Town | County | Miles | Population | Public land near |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Charlotte | Mecklenburg | 2.6 mi | 943,476 | – |
| Huntersville | Mecklenburg | 11 mi | 67,087 | – |
| Concord | Cabarrus | 15 mi | 112,395 | – |
| Kannapolis | Cabarrus | 19 mi | 60,521 | – |
Counties under Mecklenburg County Nature Preserves, each with a page: Mecklenburg County.
Who can cut or mount a deer from Mecklenburg County Nature Preserves
NCWRC and federal offices near Mecklenburg County Nature Preserves
Biology questions for Mecklenburg County go to Rupert Medford ((910) 220-2677).
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.
Mecklenburg County Nature Preserves hunting-hour table from the digest
Legal light at Mecklenburg County Nature Preserves: 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 | 6:57 a.m. | 7:46 p.m. | 6:27 a.m. to 8:16 p.m. | 6:27 a.m. to 7:46 p.m. |
| Sep 12, 2026 | Archery deer opener | 7:02 a.m. | 7:36 p.m. | 6:32 a.m. to 8:06 p.m. | 6:32 a.m. to 7:36 p.m. |
| Oct 17, 2026 | Eastern gun opener | 7:30 a.m. | 6:47 p.m. | 7:00 a.m. to 7:17 p.m. | 7:00 a.m. to 6:47 p.m. |
| Nov 14, 2026 | Central gun opener | 6:56 a.m. | 5:19 p.m. | 6:26 a.m. to 5:49 p.m. | 6:26 a.m. to 5:19 p.m. |
| Nov 28, 2026 | Western gun opener | 7:09 a.m. | 5:13 p.m. | 6:39 a.m. to 5:43 p.m. | 6:39 a.m. to 5:13 p.m. |
| Dec 26, 2026 | Late December | 7:28 a.m. | 5:19 p.m. | 6:58 a.m. to 5:49 p.m. | 6:58 a.m. to 5:19 p.m. |
| Jan 1, 2027 | Deer gun close | 7:30 a.m. | 5:23 p.m. | 7:00 a.m. to 5:53 p.m. | 7:00 a.m. to 5:23 p.m. |
| Apr 17, 2027 | Spring turkey opener | 6:47 a.m. | 7:58 p.m. | 6:17 a.m. to 8:28 p.m. | 6:17 a.m. to 7:58 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.
Scenes from around Mecklenburg County Nature Preserves
Mecklenburg County Nature Preserves: short answers from the data
How many drawn hunts does Mecklenburg County Nature Preserves have?
Yes, 5 hunt items; apply by Oct. 1, 2026.
When can I hunt deer with a rifle near Mecklenburg County Nature Preserves?
Central zone: gun Nov 14, 2026 to Jan 1, 2027.
Which town with a page is closest to Mecklenburg County Nature Preserves?
Charlotte (2.6 mi).
What changes on Sundays at Mecklenburg County Nature Preserves?
Sunday firearm hunting pauses 9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. and migratory birds stay closed.
Whose rules apply on Mecklenburg County Nature Preserves?
The record names Mecklenburg County Park & Recreation.
What county is Mecklenburg County Nature Preserves in, and does it cross county lines?
Mostly Mecklenburg County, by the county overlay.
How is hunting on Mecklenburg County Nature Preserves arranged?
Closed to general hunting.
Is Mecklenburg County Nature Preserves big enough for a full season of scouting?
No official acreage is on file.
What game is Mecklenburg County Nature Preserves managed for?
Primary species are white-tailed deer.
Before loading the truck for Mecklenburg County Nature Preserves
Report your harvest through Go Outdoors North Carolina after a day on Mecklenburg County Nature Preserves.
Sources: NCWRC · NCWRC permit hunting opportunities; regulations from the 2026-27 NCWRC regulations digest. Checked October 25, 2026.
Other photos on this page: YellowstoneNPS (Public domain); FieldsportsChannel.tv (CC BY 2.0); jacreative (CC BY 2.0); USFWS/Southeast (CC BY 2.0).