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North Carolina game land
Planning a hunt on Mitchell River Game Land
Public hunting ground in Surry County and 1 more: designation, rules, permit hunts, zones, harvest and nearby land.
Photo: bobistraveling (CC BY 2.0)
Getting to Mitchell River Game Land
Parking, trailheads and gates near Mitchell River Game Land
- GateGate · 0.7 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 0.7 mi from the centreDirections
- GateGate · 2.9 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 2.9 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 3.2 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 3.3 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 3.4 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.
Mitchell River Game Land land base and management
Our records class Mitchell River Game Land as a NCWRC game land; it lies in Surry and Alleghany counties. It is a District 7 property in NCWRC terms. The NCWRC runs the property. Its 2,432 acres come from NCWRC Game Lands – general GIS SUM_ACRES. That ranks 61st of the 95 North Carolina game lands we list with a size.
Mapped tracts (6): Ellis, Folger, Little Mountain, Miles, Saddle Mountain I, Saddle Mountain II.
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 Mitchell River Game Land
The quarry at Mitchell River Game Land
Main game on Mitchell River Game Land: white-tailed deer, wild turkey, rabbit, raccoon and squirrel.
White-tailed deer
Northwestern CWD MA zone
Wild turkey
Season dates
Rabbit
Season dates
Raccoon
Season dates
Squirrel
Season dates
Species from NC digest regulations for specific game lands; checked October 25, 2026.
Nearby public land, measured from Mitchell River Game Land
Mitchell River Game Land is the large pin; 9 other public places within 45 miles get small ones. The neighbors hold 22,073 acres between them.
| Name | Type | Size (ac) | Designation | Away | Bearing |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thurmond Chatham | Game land | 6,542 | 7 days | 17 mi | west |
| Hill Farm | Game land | 157 | Permit only | 29 mi | east |
| Little Fork State Forest | Game land | 1,270 | 6 days | 29 mi | southwest |
| Kerr Scott | Game land | 521 | 6 days | 32 mi | southwest |
| W. Kerr Scott Reservoir | Corps lake | 521 | – | 32 mi | southwest |
| Paynes Branch | Game land | 211 | 3 days | 34 mi | east |
| Kings Creek | Game land | 2,361 | 6 days | 38 mi | southwest |
| Three Top Mountain | Game land | 3,460 | 7 days | 40 mi | west |
| Buffalo Cove | Game land | 7,030 | 7 days | 43 mi | southwest |
Points: NCWRC Game Lands – general GIS (point inside polygon (centroid falls outside) of the largest part). Straight-line distances. Statewide public land map.
Mitchell River Game Land: open days and site rules
Hunt Mitchell River Game Land on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays, and on the three winter holidays.
Antlerless deer by firearm (Mitchell River Game Land): Surry County: Nov. 14 – Nov. 24
Site rules at Mitchell River Game Land
- Deer with antlers may be taken on August 22 and 23 on the Surry County portion of the game land.
- Horseback riding is prohibited except on designated trails. May 16 – Aug. 31. All horseback riding is prohibited. Sept. 1 – May 15. This rule includes all equine species.
Mitchell River Game Land: rules every game land shares
| Topic | Rule |
|---|---|
| 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 |
Your hunting license already includes game land use on Mitchell River Game Land. A $20 Game Land License is only for the non-hunting uses the digest lists.
From NC digest regulations for specific game lands, general game land rules, regional game land tables; checked October 25, 2026.
Which season zones cover Mitchell River Game Land
2026-27 deer seasons that reach Mitchell River Game Land, zone by zone.
| Zone | Counties | Bow season | Blackpowder | Gun season | Antlerless |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Northwestern CWD Management Area | Surry | Sep 12–Oct 30 | Oct 31–Nov 13 | Nov 14–Jan 1 | All open days |
| Northwestern | Alleghany | Sep 12–Nov 6 | Nov 7–Nov 20 | Nov 21–Jan 1 | All open days |
When bear opens around Mitchell River Game Land
| Bear unit or zone | Counties | Dates |
|---|---|---|
| Mountain BMU | Surry, Alleghany | Oct 3–Nov 21, Dec 12–Jan 1 |
CWD area status applies to Mitchell River Game Land. CWD rules.
Zones from deer seasons, bear seasons and duck and goose zone map in the 2026-27 digest; checked October 25, 2026.
Mitchell River Game Land zones, units and maps
Printable maps: Mitchell River
From NC digest regulations for specific game lands and the NCWRC game land GIS; checked October 25, 2026.
County harvest data behind Mitchell River Game Land
Game lands gave up 14 of the 3,094 deer reported in Surry County in 2025-26.
| Season | Deer | Bucks | On game lands | Gun | Bow and crossbow |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019-20 | 3,020 | 1,510 | 21 | 1,932 | 394 |
| 2020-21 | 2,803 | 1,378 | 21 | 1,901 | 383 |
| 2021-22 | 2,818 | 1,550 | 20 | 1,841 | 383 |
| 2022-23 | 1,939 | 1,189 | 5 | 1,432 | 240 |
| 2023-24 | 2,679 | 1,564 | 15 | 1,956 | 340 |
| 2024-25 | 2,617 | 1,451 | 15 | 1,812 | 313 |
| 2025-26 | 3,094 | 1,693 | 14 | 2,165 | 419 |
Surry County bear harvest
| Year | Bears |
|---|---|
| 2020 | 23 |
| 2021 | 18 |
| 2022 | 12 |
| 2023 | 30 |
| 2024 | 31 |
| 2025 | 15 |
Surry County spring birds by year
| Year | Adult gobblers | Jakes | On game lands | All birds |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 205 | 24 | 1 | 229 |
| 2024 | 201 | 30 | 0 | 231 |
| 2025 | 145 | 46 | 2 | 191 |
| 2026 | 189 | 37 | 4 | 226 |
County figures from NCWRC harvest statistics, bear harvest report, spring turkey report and CWD testing; checked October 25, 2026.
All 2026-27 dates that reach Mitchell River Game Land
Mitchell River Game Land hunts deer on the Northwestern CWD Management Area dates and bear on the Mountain BMU dates. The 56 rows below are the dated hunts the 2026-27 digest puts there.
| Game | Season | Where | Begins | Through | Right now |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| White-tailed deer | CWD early season | Northwest CWD Management Area | Aug 22, 2026 | Aug 23, 2026 | |
| White-tailed deer | Archery | Northwestern CWD Management Area | Sep 12, 2026 | Oct 30, 2026 | |
| White-tailed deer | Youth Deer Hunting Days | Statewide | Sep 26, 2026 | Sep 27, 2026 | |
| White-tailed deer | Blackpowder | Northwestern CWD Management Area | Oct 31, 2026 | Nov 13, 2026 | |
| White-tailed deer | Gun | Northwestern CWD Management Area | Nov 14, 2026 | Jan 1, 2027 | |
| White-tailed deer | Urban Archery Season | Urban archery towns only | Jan 9, 2027 | Feb 14, 2027 | |
| Black bear | Part 1 | Mountain BMU | Oct 3, 2026 | Nov 21, 2026 | |
| Black bear | Part 2 | Mountain BMU | Dec 12, 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.
Local acts around Mitchell River Game Land
The digest prints these Surry County local acts; each one makes it unlawful to:
- Hunt any animal with a firearm from a public road, highway or street.
Local laws by county, 2026-27 digest; checked October 25, 2026. All county local laws.
Where to stay and shop for Mitchell River Game Land
Each town below has its own hunting page.
| Town | County | Straight line | 2024 pop. | Public acres near |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lowgap | Surry | 7.5 mi | – | 2,517 |
| Dobson | Surry | 8.7 mi | 1,469 | 1,342 |
| Sparta | Alleghany | 15 mi | 1,894 | 3,825 |
| Yadkinville | Yadkin | 23 mi | 3,026 | – |
Mitchell River Game Land touches these county pages: Surry County, Alleghany County.
Gear and processing near Mitchell River Game Land
NCWRC and federal offices near Mitchell River Game Land
Call Jason Smith, district biologist for Surry County, at (704) 546-5130; (336) 830-9794.
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.
Nearest NCWRC range for Mitchell River Game Land hunters
Van Camp Family Shooting Range at YMCA Camp Hanes is the nearest NCWRC public range to Mitchell River Game Land, about 29 miles away. Closer club ranges are shown too.
Covers smallbore rimfire, archery
Covers archery, 3D archery
Covers trap, sporting clays, benchrest, shotgun
From the NCWRC shooting range pages and directory listings, checked October 25, 2026.
Mitchell River Game Land shooting hours by key date
The NCWRC gives a Charlotte table with a +2 minute correction for Mitchell River Game Land; the game and waterfowl columns are worked out from it.
| Date | Why | Sunrise | Sunset | Legal for game | Legal for ducks |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sep 5, 2026 | Dove opener | 6:59 a.m. | 7:48 p.m. | 6:29 a.m. to 8:18 p.m. | 6:29 a.m. to 7:48 p.m. |
| Sep 12, 2026 | Archery deer opener | 7:04 a.m. | 7:38 p.m. | 6:34 a.m. to 8:08 p.m. | 6:34 a.m. to 7:38 p.m. |
| Oct 17, 2026 | Eastern gun opener | 7:32 a.m. | 6:49 p.m. | 7:02 a.m. to 7:19 p.m. | 7:02 a.m. to 6:49 p.m. |
| Nov 14, 2026 | Central gun opener | 6:58 a.m. | 5:21 p.m. | 6:28 a.m. to 5:51 p.m. | 6:28 a.m. to 5:21 p.m. |
| Nov 28, 2026 | Western gun opener | 7:11 a.m. | 5:15 p.m. | 6:41 a.m. to 5:45 p.m. | 6:41 a.m. to 5:15 p.m. |
| Dec 26, 2026 | Late December | 7:30 a.m. | 5:21 p.m. | 7:00 a.m. to 5:51 p.m. | 7:00 a.m. to 5:21 p.m. |
| Jan 1, 2027 | Deer gun close | 7:32 a.m. | 5:25 p.m. | 7:02 a.m. to 5:55 p.m. | 7:02 a.m. to 5:25 p.m. |
| Apr 17, 2027 | Spring turkey opener | 6:49 a.m. | 8:00 p.m. | 6:19 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. | 6:19 a.m. to 8:00 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.
Country like Mitchell River Game Land
Mitchell River Game Land questions for 2026-27
Who runs the hunting program at Mitchell River Game Land?
Rules come from the NCWRC.
Which counties does the Mitchell River Game Land boundary reach?
The county overlay gives Surry and Alleghany counties.
Which days of the week can I hunt Mitchell River Game Land?
Hunt Mitchell River Game Land on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays, and on the three winter holidays.
What size figure do the sources print for Mitchell River Game Land?
2,432 acres (NCWRC Game Lands – general GIS SUM_ACRES).
What can I hunt on Mitchell River Game Land this season?
The list names white-tailed deer, wild turkey, rabbit, raccoon and squirrel.
How long is gun deer season at Mitchell River Game Land?
The Northwestern CWD Management Area dates apply: gun Nov 14, 2026 to Jan 1, 2027.
Can hunters pitch a tent on Mitchell River Game Land?
The regional table says camping: none.
Do I need the Game Land License to hunt Mitchell River Game Land?
Just your license and privileges; game land use comes with it.
Which town is nearest Mitchell River Game Land?
The nearest is Lowgap, 7.5 mi.
Does Sunday hunting apply on Mitchell River Game Land?
Sunday is legal with limits: no guns 9:30 to 12:30, no waterfowl or doves.
Last checks before a trip to Mitchell River Game Land
Use this page to plan, then check the official map and notices for Mitchell River Game Land the week you go.
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: Ligocsicnarf89 (CC BY 4.0); Charles Patrick Ewing (CC BY 2.0); Chris_Short (CC BY-SA 2.0); Chris Hunkeler (CC BY-SA 2.0).