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Hunting days, permits and rules on Paynes Branch Game Land
A 2026-27 hunter guide to this game land in Forsyth County and 1 more, 211 acres.
Photo: w_lemay (CC0 1.0)
Getting to Paynes Branch Game Land
Parking, trailheads and gates near Paynes Branch Game Land
- Parking areaParking · 1.0 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 1.0 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 1.0 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 1.1 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 1.1 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 1.1 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 1.2 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 1.2 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 1.2 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 1.2 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 1.2 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 1.2 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 Paynes Branch Game Land
Paynes Branch Game Land sits in Forsyth and Stokes counties and is listed as a NCWRC game land. For NCWRC staffing it belongs to District 7. The manager of record is the NCWRC. 211 acres are on file, per NCWRC Game Lands – detail GIS: sum of ACRES (general layer SUM_ACRES is null). Line up all 95 game lands by acreage and it lands 91st.
1 tract names appear in the NCWRC layer: Arrowood/Payne.
From NC digest regulations for specific game lands; acreage NCWRC Game Lands – detail GIS: sum of ACRES (general layer SUM_ACRES is null); checked October 25, 2026.
Nearby
Places to hunt and shoot around Paynes Branch Game Land
Paynes Branch Game Land deer and bear zone dates
Deer dates for Paynes Branch Game Land by season zone (1), from the 2026-27 digest.
| Deer zone | Counties here | Archery | Blackpowder | Gun | Doe days (gun) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Northwestern CWD Management Area | Forsyth, Stokes | Sep 12–Oct 30 | Oct 31–Nov 13 | Nov 14–Jan 1 | All open days |
Paynes Branch Game Land: bear unit dates
| Bear unit | County list | Dates |
|---|---|---|
| Piedmont BMU (group 3) | Forsyth, Stokes | Nov 21–Jan 1 |
The CWD area rules cover Paynes Branch Game Land; check the testing and carcass rules first. CWD zones.
Zones from deer seasons, bear seasons and duck and goose zone map in the 2026-27 digest; checked October 25, 2026.
Paynes Branch Game Land regulations in plain terms
Paynes Branch Game Land is a three-day game land: Mondays, Wednesdays and Saturdays, plus Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's days.
Gun-season antlerless days on Paynes Branch Game Land: Nov. 14 – Nov. 25.
Paynes Branch Game Land special regulations
- Horseback riding prohibited.
- Target shooting prohibited.
- Deer with antlers may be taken on August 22.
General game land rules for Paynes Branch Game Land
| 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 |
Hunters on Paynes Branch Game Land use their regular license; the $20 Game Land License exists for field trials, dog training, riding and license-less campers.
From NC digest regulations for specific game lands, general game land rules, regional game land tables; checked October 25, 2026.
The finer map of Paynes Branch Game Land
Download the maps: Paynes Branch
From NC digest regulations for specific game lands and the NCWRC game land GIS; checked October 25, 2026.
Paynes Branch Game Land game species
The source names white-tailed deer, wild turkey, red and gray fox and rabbit and more for Paynes Branch Game Land.
White-tailed deer
Northwestern CWD MA zone
Wild turkey
Season dates
Red and gray fox
Season dates
Rabbit
Season dates
Raccoon
Season dates
Squirrel
Season dates
Species from NC digest regulations for specific game lands; checked October 25, 2026.
What is in season at Paynes Branch Game Land, row by row
Private land and game land share these dates in Paynes Branch Game Land unless a game land rule says otherwise; refuges and bases set their own.
| Animal | Segment | Area | Starts | Ends | Open 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 | Group 3 | Piedmont BMU group 3 | Nov 21, 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 Paynes Branch Game Land
Paynes Branch Game Land and the 6 nearest public places, straight-line. Combined, 7,265 acres.
| Public land | Type | Acres | Days | Distance | Direction |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hill Farm | Game land | 157 | Permit only | 19 mi | north |
| Perkins | Game land | 1,696 | 4 days | 30 mi | south |
| Dan River | Game land | 1,705 | 3 days | 30 mi | northeast |
| Mitchell River | Game land | 2,432 | 4 days | 34 mi | west |
| Linwood | Game land | 169 | 7 days | 37 mi | south |
| Second Creek | Game land | 1,106 | Permit only | 44 mi | southwest |
Points: NCWRC Game Land Centroids layer (GL_points Lat/Long). Straight-line distances. Statewide public land map.
Harvest reports around Paynes Branch Game Land
Forsyth County hunters reported 1,475 deer in 2025-26, 0 of them on game lands (0.0%).
| Season | Total | Bucks | Game land share | Gun | Archery tackle |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019-20 | 1,481 | 743 | 0 | 744 | 472 |
| 2020-21 | 1,380 | 678 | 0 | 747 | 423 |
| 2021-22 | 1,148 | 615 | 0 | 596 | 371 |
| 2022-23 | 847 | 488 | 0 | 459 | 254 |
| 2023-24 | 1,374 | 763 | 0 | 798 | 410 |
| 2024-25 | 1,310 | 726 | 0 | 715 | 374 |
| 2025-26 | 1,475 | 871 | 0 | 804 | 461 |
Forsyth County spring turkey reports
| Year | Gobblers | Jakes | Game lands | Birds |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 94 | 20 | 0 | 114 |
| 2024 | 108 | 13 | 0 | 121 |
| 2025 | 110 | 25 | 0 | 135 |
| 2026 | 118 | 23 | 0 | 141 |
County figures from NCWRC harvest statistics, bear harvest report, spring turkey report and CWD testing; checked October 25, 2026.
Base camp towns for Paynes Branch Game Land
Nearest towns with pages of their own, then businesses.
| Town | County | Miles | Population | Public land near |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Winston-Salem | Forsyth | 11 mi | 255,769 | – |
| Danbury | Stokes | 12 mi | 188 | – |
| Yadkinville | Yadkin | 22 mi | 3,026 | – |
| High Point | Guilford | 25 mi | 118,601 | – |
Counties under Paynes Branch Game Land, each with a page: Forsyth County, Stokes County.
Who can cut or mount a deer from Paynes Branch Game Land
NCWRC and federal offices near Paynes Branch Game Land
Biology questions for Forsyth County go to Jason Smith ((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.
Paynes Branch Game Land hunting-hour table from the digest
Legal light at Paynes Branch Game Land: 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 | 6:56 a.m. | 7:45 p.m. | 6:26 a.m. to 8:15 p.m. | 6:26 a.m. to 7:45 p.m. |
| Sep 12, 2026 | Archery deer opener | 7:01 a.m. | 7:35 p.m. | 6:31 a.m. to 8:05 p.m. | 6:31 a.m. to 7:35 p.m. |
| Oct 17, 2026 | Eastern gun opener | 7:29 a.m. | 6:46 p.m. | 6:59 a.m. to 7:16 p.m. | 6:59 a.m. to 6:46 p.m. |
| Nov 14, 2026 | Central gun opener | 6:55 a.m. | 5:18 p.m. | 6:25 a.m. to 5:48 p.m. | 6:25 a.m. to 5:18 p.m. |
| Nov 28, 2026 | Western gun opener | 7:08 a.m. | 5:12 p.m. | 6:38 a.m. to 5:42 p.m. | 6:38 a.m. to 5:12 p.m. |
| Dec 26, 2026 | Late December | 7:27 a.m. | 5:18 p.m. | 6:57 a.m. to 5:48 p.m. | 6:57 a.m. to 5:18 p.m. |
| Jan 1, 2027 | Deer gun close | 7:29 a.m. | 5:22 p.m. | 6:59 a.m. to 5:52 p.m. | 6:59 a.m. to 5:22 p.m. |
| Apr 17, 2027 | Spring turkey opener | 6:46 a.m. | 7:57 p.m. | 6:16 a.m. to 8:27 p.m. | 6:16 a.m. to 7:57 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.
Paynes Branch Game Land, events on and around the property
3 NCWRC classes here or close by, as of October 25, 2026.
NCWRC classes
| Date | Course | Away | Hours | Place | Seat | Source page |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nov 7, 2026 | Hunter Education Certification (D7) ⋅ hunter education course | 9 | 9:30 AM–4:30 PM | Walnut Cove Library ⋅ Walnut Cove ⋅ Stokes Co. | Register on GONC | Source |
| Dec 5, 2026 | Hunter Education Certification (D7) ⋅ hunter education course | 9 | 9:30 AM–4:30 PM | Walnut Cove Library ⋅ Walnut Cove ⋅ Stokes Co. | Register on GONC | Source |
| Dec 9, 2026 | Hunter Education Certification (D7) ⋅ hunter education course | 2 | 6:00 PM–9:00 PM | Rural Hall Fire Dept ⋅ Rural Hall ⋅ Forsyth Co. | Register on GONC | Source |
Sighting in before a hunt on Paynes Branch Game Land
From Paynes Branch Game Land, Van Camp Family Shooting Range at YMCA Camp Hanes is the closest public range the NCWRC lists (8 miles). Nearby gun clubs fill the remaining cards.
Lanes for smallbore rimfire, archery
Lanes for handgun, smallbore rimfire
From the NCWRC shooting range pages and directory listings, checked October 25, 2026.
Scenes from around Paynes Branch Game Land
Paynes Branch Game Land: short answers from the data
Which town with a page is closest to Paynes Branch Game Land?
Winston-Salem (11 mi).
What changes on Sundays at Paynes Branch Game Land?
Sunday firearm hunting pauses 9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. and migratory birds stay closed.
Whose rules apply on Paynes Branch Game Land?
The record names the NCWRC.
What county is Paynes Branch Game Land in, and does it cross county lines?
Mostly Forsyth County, plus 1 more by overlay.
On what days does Paynes Branch Game Land allow hunting?
Paynes Branch Game Land is a three-day game land: Mondays, Wednesdays and Saturdays, plus Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's days.
Is Paynes Branch Game Land big enough for a full season of scouting?
NCWRC Game Lands – detail GIS: sum of ACRES (general layer SUM_ACRES is null) gives 211 acres.
What game is Paynes Branch Game Land managed for?
Primary species are white-tailed deer, wild turkey, red and gray fox, rabbit, raccoon and squirrel.
When can I hunt deer with a rifle near Paynes Branch Game Land?
Northwestern CWD Management Area zone: gun Nov 14, 2026 to Jan 1, 2027.
Is overnight camping allowed for hunters on Paynes Branch Game Land?
Digest camping rule: none.
What do I buy before hunting Paynes Branch Game Land?
No extra pass: a hunting license includes game land use.
Before loading the truck for Paynes Branch Game Land
Report your harvest through Go Outdoors North Carolina after a day on Paynes Branch Game Land.
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: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service – Midwest Region (Public domain); Jim, the Photographer (CC BY 2.0); James Willamor (CC BY-SA 2.0); npdoty (CC BY 2.0).