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Ranger district · 2026-27
Pisgah Ranger District (Pisgah National Forest) on the 2026-27 hunting calendar
Ranger district of 163,168 acres in Transylvania County and 3 more, for white-tailed deer, black bear and wild turkey.
Photo: USDAgov (Public Domain Mark 1.0)
Getting to Pisgah Ranger District (Pisgah National Forest)
Parking, trailheads and gates near Pisgah Ranger District (Pisgah National Forest)
- Sliding Rock Parking AreaParking · 0.7 mi from the centreDirections
- Sliding Rock Parking AreaParking · 0.7 mi from the centreDirections
- Moore Cove Falls Trailhead ParkingParking · 0.8 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 0.9 mi from the centreDirections
- North Face TrailheadTrailhead · 0.9 mi from the centreDirections
- Sunwall TrailheadTrailhead · 0.9 mi from the centreDirections
- Looking Glass Rock TrailheadTrailhead · 1.0 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 1.0 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 1.0 mi from the centreDirections
- Looking Glass Falls ParkingParking · 1.1 mi from the centreDirections
- Fish Hatchery ParkingParking · 1.3 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.
The size and owners of Pisgah Ranger District
Hunters reach Pisgah Ranger District (Pisgah National Forest), a national forest ranger district hunted under game land rules, in Transylvania, Haywood, Henderson and Buncombe counties. Biologists for District 9 cover it. Oversight of the hunting belongs to the USDA Forest Service. The size used here is 163,168 acres, taken from USFS ranger district page ("163,168 acres"). Among 8 ranger districts with a figure, it places 4th.
From USFS pisgah ranger district pisgah national; acreage USFS ranger district page ("163,168 acres"); checked October 25, 2026.
Nearby
Places to hunt and shoot around Pisgah Ranger District (Pisgah National Forest)
Know the rules before Pisgah Ranger District
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).
Game land basics on Pisgah Ranger District
| 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 |
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).
No add-on is needed to hunt Pisgah Ranger District beyond your license and privileges; the $20 Game Land License serves non-hunters.
From USFS pisgah ranger district pisgah national; checked October 25, 2026.
Species found on Pisgah Ranger District
Hunters come to Pisgah Ranger District for white-tailed deer, black bear and wild turkey above all.
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 pisgah ranger district pisgah national; checked October 25, 2026.
Deer zone groups and bear units over Pisgah Ranger District
Match the county you stand in to its zone group for deer dates on Pisgah Ranger District.
| Season zone | Counties | Archery | Blackpowder | Gun | Antlerless gun days |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Western C | Transylvania, Haywood | Sep 12–Nov 13 | Nov 14–Nov 27 | Nov 28–Jan 1 | Nov. 28, 2026 only |
| Western B | Henderson, Buncombe | Sep 12–Nov 13 | Nov 14–Nov 27 | Nov 28–Jan 1 | Nov. 28 – Dec. 5, 2026 (all open days of the gun season in the parts of Buncombe east of N.C. 191, south of the French Broad and Swannanoa rivers, west of U.S. 25 and north of N.C. 280, and of Henderson east of N.C. 191 and north and west of N.C. 280) |
Bear season for Pisgah Ranger District
| Bear unit | Counties | Season |
|---|---|---|
| Mountain BMU | Transylvania, Haywood, Henderson, Buncombe | 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.
Pisgah Ranger District pinned with nearby tracts
Pins show Pisgah Ranger District plus 9 nearby public places. The listed tracts add 298,260 acres.
| Nearby | Kind | Acres | Open days | Miles | Heading |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cold Mountain | Game land | 3,630 | 7 days | 10 mi | northwest |
| DuPont State Forest | Game land | 11,949 | Permit only | 13 mi | southeast |
| Headwaters State Forest | Game land | 6,208 | 6 days | 14 mi | south |
| Toxaway | Game land | 5,633 | 7 days | 19 mi | southwest |
| William H. Silver | Game land | 2,030 | 7 days | 26 mi | northwest |
| Green River | Game land | 15,224 | 6 days | 28 mi | east |
| Sandy Mush | Game land | 2,862 | 3 days | 30 mi | north |
| Needmore | Game land | 5,237 | 7 days | 41 mi | west |
| Nantahala | Ranger district | 245,487 | – | 43 mi | west |
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.
Pisgah Ranger District season calendar from Transylvania County rows
For Pisgah Ranger District, 53 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 | 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.
Pisgah Ranger District: the county harvest record
In 2025-26 the Transylvania County deer count was 763, against 482 in 2019-20.
| Year | Deer | Bucks | Game lands | Guns | Bows |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019-20 | 482 | 382 | 144 | 324 | 148 |
| 2020-21 | 478 | 381 | 163 | 313 | 146 |
| 2021-22 | 462 | 361 | 118 | 294 | 158 |
| 2022-23 | 551 | 394 | 139 | 312 | 206 |
| 2023-24 | 480 | 343 | 167 | 305 | 155 |
| 2024-25 | 553 | 423 | 174 | 293 | 166 |
| 2025-26 | 763 | 529 | 195 | 393 | 260 |
Recent bear harvest, Transylvania County
| Year | Reported bears |
|---|---|
| 2020 | 53 |
| 2021 | 45 |
| 2022 | 59 |
| 2023 | 53 |
| 2024 | 63 |
| 2025 | 65 |
Spring turkey harvest near Pisgah Ranger District
| Spring | Gobblers | Jakes | Game lands | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 56 | 12 | 25 | 68 |
| 2024 | 75 | 12 | 40 | 87 |
| 2025 | 50 | 18 | 31 | 68 |
| 2026 | 72 | 8 | 33 | 80 |
County figures from NCWRC harvest statistics, bear harvest report, spring turkey report and CWD testing; checked October 25, 2026.
Transylvania County local laws near Pisgah Ranger District
Local laws passed for Transylvania County apply here too. In the county it is unlawful to:
- Hunt, take or kill any wild animal or bird from, on or across the right-of-way of a public road, street, highway or other vehicular area.
- Hunt on the land of another without having written permission from the landowner or lessee dated within the previous 12 months.
Local laws by county, 2026-27 digest; checked October 25, 2026. All county local laws.
Ground that overlaps Pisgah Ranger District
Hunting on Pisgah Ranger District ties into the pages below.
Pisgah Ranger District: nearby towns and services
Towns first, measured straight-line, then shops and agency offices.
| Base town | County | Away | Residents | Public acres near |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brevard | Transylvania | 5.0 mi | 7,973 | 97,059 |
| Rosman | Transylvania | 11 mi | 751 | 61,862 |
| Etowah | Henderson | 11 mi | – | 45,433 |
| Bent Creek | Buncombe | 17 mi | – | 31,295 |
For county seasons around Pisgah Ranger District, see Transylvania County, Haywood County, Henderson County, Buncombe County.
Shops that serve Pisgah Ranger District hunters
NCWRC and federal offices near Pisgah Ranger District
Justin McVey is the Transylvania County district biologist, (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.
Trials, classes and dinners near Pisgah Ranger District (Pisgah National Forest)
2 NCWRC classes on the property or within about 10 miles of it (hunter education course). Read October 25, 2026.
Hunter education classes
| Date | Course | Miles | Hours | Place | Seat | Source page |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nov 24, 2026 | Hunter Education Certification (D9) ⋅ hunter education course | 5 | 6:00 PM–9:00 PM | Brevard Fire Department ⋅ Brevard ⋅ Transylvania Co. | Register on GONC | Source |
| Jan 26, 2027 | Hunter Education Certification (D9) ⋅ hunter education course | 5 | 6:00 PM–9:00 PM | Brevard Fire Department ⋅ Brevard ⋅ Transylvania Co. | Register on GONC | Source |
Sighting in before a hunt on Pisgah Ranger District (Pisgah National Forest)
Wayne E. Smith Cold Mountain Shooting Range, 10 miles off, is the NCWRC range nearest Pisgah Ranger District (Pisgah National Forest). Private and club ranges within 30 miles come after it.
What you can shoot: rifle, handgun
What you can shoot: trap, skeet, sporting clays, 5-stand, shotgun
From the NCWRC shooting range pages and directory listings, checked October 25, 2026.
Pisgah Ranger District 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 | 7:05 a.m. | 7:54 p.m. | 6:35 a.m. to 8:24 p.m. | 6:35 a.m. to 7:54 p.m. |
| Sep 12, 2026 | Archery deer opener | 7:10 a.m. | 7:44 p.m. | 6:40 a.m. to 8:14 p.m. | 6:40 a.m. to 7:44 p.m. |
| Oct 17, 2026 | Eastern gun opener | 7:38 a.m. | 6:55 p.m. | 7:08 a.m. to 7:25 p.m. | 7:08 a.m. to 6:55 p.m. |
| Nov 14, 2026 | Central gun opener | 7:04 a.m. | 5:27 p.m. | 6:34 a.m. to 5:57 p.m. | 6:34 a.m. to 5:27 p.m. |
| Nov 28, 2026 | Western gun opener | 7:17 a.m. | 5:21 p.m. | 6:47 a.m. to 5:51 p.m. | 6:47 a.m. to 5:21 p.m. |
| Dec 26, 2026 | Late December | 7:36 a.m. | 5:27 p.m. | 7:06 a.m. to 5:57 p.m. | 7:06 a.m. to 5:27 p.m. |
| Jan 1, 2027 | Deer gun close | 7:38 a.m. | 5:31 p.m. | 7:08 a.m. to 6:01 p.m. | 7:08 a.m. to 5:31 p.m. |
| Apr 17, 2027 | Spring turkey opener | 6:55 a.m. | 8:06 p.m. | 6:25 a.m. to 8:36 p.m. | 6:25 a.m. to 8:06 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.
Pisgah Ranger District in pictures
Answers on Pisgah Ranger District days, permits and seasons
Which game species does the source list for Pisgah Ranger District?
White-tailed deer, black bear, wild turkey, red and gray fox, rabbit and raccoon top the list.
Is Pisgah Ranger District big enough for a full season of scouting?
Acreage used here: 163,168, per USFS ranger district page ("163,168 acres").
When does bear season open around Pisgah Ranger District?
Yes, in season: Oct 3 to Nov 21, 2026, Dec 12, 2026 to Jan 1, 2027 (Mountain BMU).
What deer zone group applies to Pisgah Ranger District?
Gun season in the Western C zone runs Nov 28, 2026 to Jan 1, 2027.
What is the closest town to Pisgah Ranger District?
Brevard, 5.0 mi straight-line.
Do I need anything extra for Pisgah Ranger District beyond a license?
Most hunting licenses include game land use; add the privileges your game needs.
Which office oversees Pisgah Ranger District for hunters?
The USDA Forest Service holds that role.
Are guns allowed on Pisgah Ranger District on Sunday?
No firearms 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., no migratory birds, and game land day rules still apply.
How is hunting on Pisgah 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.
What county is Pisgah Ranger District in, and does it cross county lines?
Transylvania, Haywood, Henderson and Buncombe counties, in the mountains.
Pisgah Ranger District: what to double-check
Seasons and closures on Pisgah Ranger District can change mid-season; the NCWRC notices and posted signs have the final word.
Sources: USFS pisgah ranger district pisgah national · USFS hunting shooting · USFS EDW · USFS EDW; regulations from the 2026-27 NCWRC regulations digest. Checked October 25, 2026.
Other photos on this page: fishhawk (CC BY 2.0); Jim, the Photographer (CC BY 2.0); Osajus Photography (CC BY 2.0); USDAgov (Public Domain Mark 1.0).