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North Carolina ranger district
Planning a hunt on Tusquittee Ranger District (Nantahala National Forest)
Public hunting ground in Cherokee County and 1 more: rules, permit hunts, zones, harvest and nearby land.
Photo: ncwetlands.org (CC0 1.0)
Getting to Tusquittee Ranger District (Nantahala National Forest)
Parking, trailheads and gates near Tusquittee Ranger District (Nantahala National Forest)
- Parking areaParking · 2.5 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 3.8 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 3.8 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 3.9 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 3.9 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 areaParking · 4.1 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.
Tusquittee Ranger District land base and management
Our records class Tusquittee Ranger District (Nantahala National Forest) as a national forest ranger district hunted under game land rules; it lies in Cherokee and Clay counties. It is a District 9 property in NCWRC terms. The USDA Forest Service runs the property. Its 159,278 acres come from USFS ranger district page ("159,278 acres"). That ranks 6th of the 8 North Carolina ranger districts we list with a size.
From USFS tusquitee ranger district nantahala na; acreage USFS ranger district page ("159,278 acres"); checked October 25, 2026.
Nearby
Places to hunt and shoot around Tusquittee Ranger District (Nantahala National Forest)
The quarry at Tusquittee Ranger District
Main game on Tusquittee Ranger District: white-tailed deer, black bear, wild turkey, red and gray fox and rabbit.
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 tusquitee ranger district nantahala na; checked October 25, 2026.
Nearby public land, measured from Tusquittee Ranger District
Tusquittee Ranger District is the large pin; 1 other public place within 45 miles get small ones. The neighbors hold 5,237 acres between them.
| Name | Type | Size (ac) | Designation | Away | Bearing |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Needmore | Game land | 5,237 | 7 days | 23 mi | northeast |
Points: USFS EDW Lands Area Statistics (Forest Service ownership in the district) (point inside polygon (centroid falls outside) of the largest part). Straight-line distances. Statewide public land map.
Tusquittee Ranger District: open days and site rules
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).
Tusquittee Ranger District: 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 |
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).
Your hunting license already includes game land use on Tusquittee Ranger District. A $20 Game Land License is only for the non-hunting uses the digest lists.
From USFS tusquitee ranger district nantahala na; checked October 25, 2026.
Which season zones cover Tusquittee Ranger District
2026-27 deer seasons that reach Tusquittee Ranger District, zone by zone.
| Zone | Counties | Bow season | Blackpowder | Gun season | Antlerless |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Western C | Cherokee, Clay | Sep 12–Nov 13 | Nov 14–Nov 27 | Nov 28–Jan 1 | Nov. 28, 2026 only |
When bear opens around Tusquittee Ranger District
| Bear unit or zone | Counties | Dates |
|---|---|---|
| Mountain BMU | Cherokee, Clay | 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.
County harvest data behind Tusquittee Ranger District
Game lands gave up 233 of the 1,339 deer reported in Cherokee County in 2025-26.
| Season | Deer | Bucks | On game lands | Gun | Bow and crossbow |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019-20 | 702 | 524 | 117 | 378 | 295 |
| 2020-21 | 768 | 545 | 122 | 410 | 321 |
| 2021-22 | 875 | 648 | 138 | 458 | 384 |
| 2022-23 | 907 | 646 | 132 | 457 | 404 |
| 2023-24 | 900 | 665 | 164 | 479 | 376 |
| 2024-25 | 1,227 | 740 | 190 | 471 | 424 |
| 2025-26 | 1,339 | 844 | 233 | 549 | 455 |
Cherokee County bear harvest
| Year | Bears |
|---|---|
| 2020 | 47 |
| 2021 | 35 |
| 2022 | 42 |
| 2023 | 36 |
| 2024 | 51 |
| 2025 | 49 |
Cherokee County spring birds by year
| Year | Adult gobblers | Jakes | On game lands | All birds |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 218 | 13 | 78 | 231 |
| 2024 | 167 | 20 | 64 | 187 |
| 2025 | 133 | 24 | 53 | 157 |
| 2026 | 166 | 12 | 59 | 178 |
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 Tusquittee Ranger District
Tusquittee Ranger District hunts deer on the Western C dates and bear on the Mountain BMU dates. The 53 rows below are the dated hunts the 2026-27 digest puts there.
| Game | Season | Where | Begins | Through | Right 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.
Tusquittee Ranger District: parent, districts and links
Read these with Tusquittee Ranger District; they share boundaries or rules.
Local acts around Tusquittee Ranger District
The digest prints these Cherokee County local acts; each one makes it unlawful to:
- To take or kill any wild animal or wild bird with the use of a firearm or to discharge a firearm from, on, or across the right-of-way of a public road, street, highway or other public vehicular area.
Local laws by county, 2026-27 digest; checked October 25, 2026. All county local laws.
Where to stay and shop for Tusquittee Ranger District
Each town below has its own hunting page.
| Town | County | Straight line | 2024 pop. | Public acres near |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hayesville | Clay | 4.1 mi | 481 | 52,699 |
| Andrews | Cherokee | 6.5 mi | 1,762 | 97,883 |
| Marble | Cherokee | 8.0 mi | – | 79,848 |
| Murphy | Cherokee | 12 mi | 1,693 | 44,432 |
Tusquittee Ranger District touches these county pages: Cherokee County, Clay County.
Gear and processing near Tusquittee Ranger District
NCWRC and federal offices near Tusquittee Ranger District
Call Justin McVey, district biologist for Cherokee County, at (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.
Events tied to Tusquittee Ranger District (Nantahala National Forest)
Held on this ground or close by: 1 NCWRC class, covering hunter education course.
Classes and workshops
| On | Class | Distance | Time | Where held | Register | Found at |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nov 17, 2026 | Hunter Education Certification (D9, A5) ⋅ hunter education course | 4 | 6:00 PM–9:00 PM | Clay County Sheriff's Office ⋅ Hayesville ⋅ Clay Co. | Register on GONC | Source |
Nearest NCWRC range for Tusquittee Ranger District (Nantahala National Forest) hunters
Wayne E. Smith Cold Mountain Shooting Range is the nearest NCWRC public range to Tusquittee Ranger District (Nantahala National Forest), about 53 miles away. Closer club ranges are shown too.
Covers rifle, handgun
Covers rifle, handgun, smallbore rimfire
From the NCWRC shooting range pages and directory listings, checked October 25, 2026.
Tusquittee Ranger District shooting hours by key date
The NCWRC gives a Charlotte table with a +13 minute correction for Tusquittee Ranger District; 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 | 7:10 a.m. | 7:59 p.m. | 6:40 a.m. to 8:29 p.m. | 6:40 a.m. to 7:59 p.m. |
| Sep 12, 2026 | Archery deer opener | 7:15 a.m. | 7:49 p.m. | 6:45 a.m. to 8:19 p.m. | 6:45 a.m. to 7:49 p.m. |
| Oct 17, 2026 | Eastern gun opener | 7:43 a.m. | 7:00 p.m. | 7:13 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. | 7:13 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. |
| Nov 14, 2026 | Central gun opener | 7:09 a.m. | 5:32 p.m. | 6:39 a.m. to 6:02 p.m. | 6:39 a.m. to 5:32 p.m. |
| Nov 28, 2026 | Western gun opener | 7:22 a.m. | 5:26 p.m. | 6:52 a.m. to 5:56 p.m. | 6:52 a.m. to 5:26 p.m. |
| Dec 26, 2026 | Late December | 7:41 a.m. | 5:32 p.m. | 7:11 a.m. to 6:02 p.m. | 7:11 a.m. to 5:32 p.m. |
| Jan 1, 2027 | Deer gun close | 7:43 a.m. | 5:36 p.m. | 7:13 a.m. to 6:06 p.m. | 7:13 a.m. to 5:36 p.m. |
| Apr 17, 2027 | Spring turkey opener | 7:00 a.m. | 8:11 p.m. | 6:30 a.m. to 8:41 p.m. | 6:30 a.m. to 8:11 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 Tusquittee Ranger District
Tusquittee Ranger District questions for 2026-27
What can I hunt on Tusquittee Ranger District this season?
The list names white-tailed deer, black bear, wild turkey, red and gray fox, rabbit and raccoon.
How long is gun deer season at Tusquittee Ranger District?
The Western C dates apply: gun Nov 28, 2026 to Jan 1, 2027.
Which bear season segment applies to Tusquittee Ranger District?
Oct 3 to Nov 21, 2026, Dec 12, 2026 to Jan 1, 2027, under Mountain BMU.
Do I need the Game Land License to hunt Tusquittee Ranger District?
Just your license and privileges; game land use comes with it.
Which town is nearest Tusquittee Ranger District?
The nearest is Hayesville, 4.1 mi.
Does Sunday hunting apply on Tusquittee Ranger District?
Sunday is legal with limits: no guns 9:30 to 12:30, no waterfowl or doves.
Who runs the hunting program at Tusquittee Ranger District?
Rules come from the USDA Forest Service.
Which counties does the Tusquittee Ranger District boundary reach?
The county overlay gives Cherokee and Clay counties.
Who is allowed to hunt Tusquittee 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.
What size figure do the sources print for Tusquittee Ranger District?
159,278 acres (USFS ranger district page ("159,278 acres")).
Last checks before a trip to Tusquittee Ranger District
Use this page to plan, then check the official map and notices for Tusquittee Ranger District the week you go.
Sources: USFS tusquitee 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: sarahstierch (CC BY 2.0); Drew de F Fawkes (CC BY 2.0); ncwetlands.org (CC0 1.0); U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service – Midwest Region (Public domain).