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Hunting days, permits and rules on Nantahala Ranger District (Nantahala National Forest)
A 2026-27 hunter guide to this ranger district in Macon County and 2 more, 245,487 acres.
Photo: ChattOconeeNF (CC BY 2.0)
Getting to Nantahala Ranger District (Nantahala National Forest)
Parking, trailheads and gates near Nantahala Ranger District (Nantahala National Forest)
- Rufus Morgan Trailhead ParkingParking · 1.0 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 1.7 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 2.2 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 2.7 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 2.7 mi from the centreDirections
- Wayah Crest TrailheadParking · 2.8 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 2.9 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 2.9 mi from the centreDirections
- Harrison GapParking · 3.0 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 4.1 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 4.1 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 4.1 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 Nantahala Ranger District
Nantahala Ranger District (Nantahala National Forest) sits in Macon, Jackson and Swain counties and is listed as a national forest ranger district hunted under game land rules. For NCWRC staffing it belongs to District 9. The manager of record is the USDA Forest Service. 245,487 acres are on file, per USFS ranger district page ("245,487 acres"). Line up all 8 ranger districts by acreage and it lands 1st.
From USFS nantahala ranger district nantahala na; acreage USFS ranger district page ("245,487 acres"); checked October 25, 2026.
Nearby
Places to hunt and shoot around Nantahala Ranger District (Nantahala National Forest)
Nantahala Ranger District deer and bear zone dates
Deer dates for Nantahala Ranger District by season zone (1), from the 2026-27 digest.
| Deer zone | Counties here | Archery | Blackpowder | Gun | Doe days (gun) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Western C | Macon, Jackson, Swain | Sep 12–Nov 13 | Nov 14–Nov 27 | Nov 28–Jan 1 | Nov. 28, 2026 only |
Nantahala Ranger District: bear unit dates
| Bear unit | County list | Dates |
|---|---|---|
| Mountain BMU | Macon, Jackson, Swain | Oct 3–Nov 21, Dec 12–Jan 1 |
Zones from deer seasons, bear seasons and duck and goose zone map in the 2026-27 digest; checked October 25, 2026.
Nantahala Ranger District regulations in plain terms
National forest land in North Carolina is managed for hunting as an NCWRC game land (seven-days-per-week): NCWRC game land rules, seasons and licenses apply (game land use is included with most hunting licenses). USFS: hunting license must be on your person; 36 CFR 261.10(d) bans discharging a firearm within 150 yards of a residence, building, campsite, developed recreation site or occupied area, across or on a forest road or body of water, or into a cave; permanent structures (permanent stands/blinds) are prohibited on federal land; camping only where allowed (NCWRC: designated areas on Nantahala/Pisgah, unrestricted on Uwharrie and Croatan per the regulations digest tables).
General game land rules for Nantahala Ranger District
| 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 |
National forest land in North Carolina is managed for hunting as an NCWRC game land (seven-days-per-week): NCWRC game land rules, seasons and licenses apply (game land use is included with most hunting licenses). USFS: hunting license must be on your person; 36 CFR 261.10(d) bans discharging a firearm within 150 yards of a residence, building, campsite, developed recreation site or occupied area, across or on a forest road or body of water, or into a cave; permanent structures (permanent stands/blinds) are prohibited on federal land; camping only where allowed (NCWRC: designated areas on Nantahala/Pisgah, unrestricted on Uwharrie and Croatan per the regulations digest tables).
Hunters on Nantahala Ranger District use their regular license; the $20 Game Land License exists for field trials, dog training, riding and license-less campers.
From USFS nantahala ranger district nantahala na; checked October 25, 2026.
Nantahala Ranger District game species
The source names white-tailed deer, black bear, wild turkey and red and gray fox and more for Nantahala Ranger District.
White-tailed deer
Western C zone
Black bear
Mountain BMU
Wild turkey
Season dates
Red and gray fox
Season dates
Rabbit
Season dates
Raccoon
Season dates
Squirrel
Season dates
Ruffed grouse
Season dates
Species from USFS nantahala ranger district nantahala na; checked October 25, 2026.
What is in season at Nantahala Ranger District, row by row
Private land and game land share these dates in Nantahala Ranger District unless a game land rule says otherwise; refuges and bases set their own.
| Animal | Segment | Area | Starts | Ends | Open now? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| White-tailed deer | Archery | Western C | Sep 12, 2026 | Nov 13, 2026 | |
| White-tailed deer | Youth Deer Hunting Days | Statewide | Sep 26, 2026 | Sep 27, 2026 | |
| White-tailed deer | Blackpowder | Western C | Nov 14, 2026 | Nov 27, 2026 | |
| White-tailed deer | Western youth days | Western zone | Nov 26, 2026 | Nov 27, 2026 | |
| White-tailed deer | Gun | Western C | Nov 28, 2026 | Jan 1, 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 | |
| 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 Nantahala Ranger District
Nantahala Ranger District and the 6 nearest public places, straight-line. Combined, 185,906 acres.
| Public land | Type | Acres | Days | Distance | Direction |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Needmore | Game land | 5,237 | 7 days | 12 mi | north |
| Toxaway | Game land | 5,633 | 7 days | 33 mi | east |
| William H. Silver | Game land | 2,030 | 7 days | 35 mi | northeast |
| Cold Mountain | Game land | 3,630 | 7 days | 39 mi | northeast |
| Pisgah | Ranger district | 163,168 | – | 43 mi | east |
| Headwaters State Forest | Game land | 6,208 | 6 days | 45 mi | east |
Points: USFS EDW Lands Area Statistics (Forest Service ownership in the district) (polygon centroid of the largest part). Straight-line distances. Statewide public land map.
Local hunting laws by Nantahala Ranger District
Macon County has local acts that reach hunters on and around Nantahala Ranger District. It is unlawful to:
- Hunt, take or kill white-tailed deer from, on or across the right-of-way of any public road, street or highway.
- Shine a light intentionally upon any wild animal, including, but not limited to, deer, coyotes, or feral swine, from the right-of-way of any public road, street, or highway between the hours of one-half hour after sunset and one-half hour before sunrise.
Local laws by county, 2026-27 digest; checked October 25, 2026. All county local laws.
Harvest reports around Nantahala Ranger District
Macon County hunters reported 1,232 deer in 2025-26, 273 of them on game lands (22.2%).
| Season | Total | Bucks | Game land share | Gun | Archery tackle |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019-20 | 903 | 666 | 200 | 516 | 359 |
| 2020-21 | 941 | 676 | 201 | 511 | 377 |
| 2021-22 | 819 | 613 | 173 | 451 | 318 |
| 2022-23 | 920 | 667 | 187 | 462 | 412 |
| 2023-24 | 913 | 700 | 242 | 552 | 328 |
| 2024-25 | 1,252 | 870 | 246 | 661 | 353 |
| 2025-26 | 1,232 | 889 | 273 | 735 | 314 |
Macon County bears, recent years
| Season | Bears |
|---|---|
| 2020 | 77 |
| 2021 | 66 |
| 2022 | 95 |
| 2023 | 91 |
| 2024 | 106 |
| 2025 | 82 |
Macon County spring turkey reports
| Year | Gobblers | Jakes | Game lands | Birds |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 117 | 17 | 44 | 134 |
| 2024 | 133 | 15 | 54 | 148 |
| 2025 | 107 | 25 | 53 | 132 |
| 2026 | 142 | 18 | 67 | 160 |
County figures from NCWRC harvest statistics, bear harvest report, spring turkey report and CWD testing; checked October 25, 2026.
Base camp towns for Nantahala Ranger District
Nearest towns with pages of their own, then businesses.
| Town | County | Miles | Population | Public land near |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Franklin | Macon | 8.8 mi | 4,362 | 64,857 |
| Andrews | Cherokee | 17 mi | 1,762 | 97,883 |
| Hayesville | Clay | 18 mi | 481 | 52,699 |
| Robbinsville | Graham | 20 mi | 578 | 106,003 |
Counties under Nantahala Ranger District, each with a page: Macon County, Jackson County, Swain County.
Who can cut or mount a deer from Nantahala Ranger District
NCWRC and federal offices near Nantahala Ranger District
Biology questions for Macon County go to Justin McVey ((828) 273-7980).
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 Nantahala Ranger District picture
These records cover the same ground as Nantahala Ranger District or sit above or beside it.
Nantahala Ranger District hunting-hour table from the digest
Legal light at Nantahala Ranger District: 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 | 7:07 a.m. | 7:56 p.m. | 6:37 a.m. to 8:26 p.m. | 6:37 a.m. to 7:56 p.m. |
| Sep 12, 2026 | Archery deer opener | 7:12 a.m. | 7:46 p.m. | 6:42 a.m. to 8:16 p.m. | 6:42 a.m. to 7:46 p.m. |
| Oct 17, 2026 | Eastern gun opener | 7:40 a.m. | 6:57 p.m. | 7:10 a.m. to 7:27 p.m. | 7:10 a.m. to 6:57 p.m. |
| Nov 14, 2026 | Central gun opener | 7:06 a.m. | 5:29 p.m. | 6:36 a.m. to 5:59 p.m. | 6:36 a.m. to 5:29 p.m. |
| Nov 28, 2026 | Western gun opener | 7:19 a.m. | 5:23 p.m. | 6:49 a.m. to 5:53 p.m. | 6:49 a.m. to 5:23 p.m. |
| Dec 26, 2026 | Late December | 7:38 a.m. | 5:29 p.m. | 7:08 a.m. to 5:59 p.m. | 7:08 a.m. to 5:29 p.m. |
| Jan 1, 2027 | Deer gun close | 7:40 a.m. | 5:33 p.m. | 7:10 a.m. to 6:03 p.m. | 7:10 a.m. to 5:33 p.m. |
| Apr 17, 2027 | Spring turkey opener | 6:57 a.m. | 8:08 p.m. | 6:27 a.m. to 8:38 p.m. | 6:27 a.m. to 8:08 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.
Nantahala Ranger District (Nantahala National Forest), events on and around the property
1 upcoming event and 1 NCWRC class here or close by, as of October 25, 2026.
On the calendar
| When | Event | Away | Location | Tickets or entry | Read at |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| May 15, 2027 | Nantahala Longbeards Banquet ⋅ NWTF banquet | 9 | Franklin ⋅ Macon Co. | Event details | Source |
NCWRC classes
| Date | Course | Away | Hours | Place | Seat | Source page |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nov 4, 2026 | Hunter Education Certification (D9) ⋅ hunter education course | 9 | 6:00 PM–9:00 PM | SWCC ⋅ Franklin ⋅ Macon Co. | Register on GONC | Source |
Closest ranges to Nantahala Ranger District (Nantahala National Forest)
From Nantahala Ranger District (Nantahala National Forest), Wayne E. Smith Cold Mountain Shooting Range is the closest public range the NCWRC lists (37 miles). Nearby gun clubs fill the remaining cards.
Lanes for rifle, handgun
Lanes for rifle, handgun, smallbore rimfire
From the NCWRC shooting range pages and directory listings, checked October 25, 2026.
Scenes from around Nantahala Ranger District
Nantahala Ranger District: short answers from the data
How is hunting on Nantahala Ranger District arranged?
National forest land in North Carolina is managed for hunting as an NCWRC game land (seven-days-per-week): NCWRC game land rules, seasons and licenses apply (game land use is included with most hunting licenses). USFS: hunting license must be on your person.
Is Nantahala Ranger District big enough for a full season of scouting?
USFS ranger district page ("245,487 acres") gives 245,487 acres.
What game is Nantahala Ranger District managed for?
Primary species are white-tailed deer, black bear, wild turkey, red and gray fox, rabbit and raccoon.
When can I hunt deer with a rifle near Nantahala Ranger District?
Western C zone: gun Nov 28, 2026 to Jan 1, 2027.
What are the 2026-27 bear dates near Nantahala Ranger District?
Bear dates for Mountain BMU: Oct 3 to Nov 21, 2026, Dec 12, 2026 to Jan 1, 2027.
What do I buy before hunting Nantahala Ranger District?
No extra pass: a hunting license includes game land use.
Which town with a page is closest to Nantahala Ranger District?
Franklin (8.8 mi).
What changes on Sundays at Nantahala Ranger District?
Sunday firearm hunting pauses 9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. and migratory birds stay closed.
Whose rules apply on Nantahala Ranger District?
The record names the USDA Forest Service.
What county is Nantahala Ranger District in, and does it cross county lines?
Mostly Macon County, plus 2 more by overlay.
Before loading the truck for Nantahala Ranger District
Report your harvest through Go Outdoors North Carolina after a day on Nantahala Ranger District.
Sources: USFS nantahala ranger district nantahala na · USFS hunting shooting · USFS EDW · USFS EDW; regulations from the 2026-27 NCWRC regulations digest. Checked October 25, 2026.
Other photos on this page: davidwilson1949 (CC BY 2.0); Ligocsicnarf89 (CC BY 4.0); william_mckeehan (CC BY-SA 2.0); GlacierNPS (Public domain).