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Hunting days, permits and rules on Van Swamp Game Land
A 2026-27 hunter guide to this game land in Washington County and 1 more, 5,504 acres.
Photo: pburka (CC BY-SA 2.0)
Getting to Van Swamp Game Land
Who owns and runs Van Swamp Game Land
Van Swamp Game Land sits in Washington and Beaufort counties and is listed as a NCWRC game land. For NCWRC staffing it belongs to District 1. The manager of record is the NCWRC. 5,504 acres are on file, per NCWRC Game Lands – general GIS SUM_ACRES. Line up all 95 game lands by acreage and it lands 42nd.
From NC digest regulations for specific game lands; acreage NCWRC Game Lands – general GIS SUM_ACRES; checked October 25, 2026.
Van Swamp Game Land deer and bear zone dates
Deer dates for Van Swamp Game Land by season zone (1), from the 2026-27 digest.
| Deer zone | Counties here | Archery | Blackpowder | Gun | Doe days (gun) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Southeastern | Washington, Beaufort | Sep 12–Oct 2 | Oct 3–Oct 16 | Oct 17–Jan 1 | All open days |
Van Swamp Game Land: bear unit dates
| Bear unit | County list | Dates |
|---|---|---|
| Coastal BMU Zone 3 | Washington, Beaufort | Nov 14–Nov 22, Dec 12–Dec 27 |
Zones from deer seasons, bear seasons and duck and goose zone map in the 2026-27 digest; checked October 25, 2026.
Van Swamp Game Land regulations in plain terms
Van Swamp Game Land carries the seven-days-per-week designation, so the calendar alone sets your days.
Gun-season antlerless days on Van Swamp Game Land: Oct. 17 – Jan. 1.
Van Swamp Game Land special regulations
- Bear may only be taken on Nov. 14, 16, 17 and Dec. 19, 21, 22.
General game land rules for Van Swamp 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 Van Swamp 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 Van Swamp Game Land
Download the maps: Van Swamp
From NC digest regulations for specific game lands and the NCWRC game land GIS; checked October 25, 2026.
Van Swamp Game Land game species
The source names white-tailed deer, black bear, wild turkey and red and gray fox and more for Van Swamp Game Land.
White-tailed deer
Southeastern zone
Black bear
Coastal BMU Zone 3
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 Van Swamp Game Land, row by row
Private land and game land share these dates in Van Swamp 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 | Archery | Southeastern | Sep 12, 2026 | Oct 2, 2026 | |
| White-tailed deer | Youth Deer Hunting Days | Statewide | Sep 26, 2026 | Sep 27, 2026 | |
| White-tailed deer | Blackpowder | Southeastern | Oct 3, 2026 | Oct 16, 2026 | |
| White-tailed deer | Gun | Southeastern | Oct 17, 2026 | Jan 1, 2027 | |
| Black bear | Part 1 | Coastal BMU Zone 3 | Nov 14, 2026 | Nov 22, 2026 | |
| Black bear | Part 2 | Coastal BMU Zone 3 | Dec 12, 2026 | Dec 27, 2026 | |
| 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 | |
| Teal | September teal season | East of U.S. 17 | Sep 10, 2026 | Sep 19, 2026 | |
| Ducks | Split 1 | Coastal zone | Oct 23, 2026 | Oct 24, 2026 | |
| Ducks | Split 2 | Coastal zone | Nov 7, 2026 | Nov 28, 2026 | |
| Ducks | Split 3 | Coastal zone | Dec 17, 2026 | Jan 30, 2027 | |
| Canada goose | September Canada goose season | Statewide in September | Sep 1, 2026 | Sep 30, 2026 | |
| Canada goose | Northeast Hunt Zone | Northeast Hunt Zone | Dec 28, 2026 | Jan 30, 2027 | |
| White-fronted goose | Northeast Hunt Zone | Northeast Hunt Zone | Dec 28, 2026 | Jan 30, 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 Van Swamp Game Land
Van Swamp Game Land and the 10 nearest public places, straight-line. Combined, 192,472 acres.
| Public land | Type | Acres | Days | Distance | Direction |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bachelor Bay | Game land | 2,786 | 7 days | 13 mi | north |
| Bertie County | Game land | 4,238 | 6 days | 18 mi | north |
| Lower Roanoke River Wetlands | Game land | 31,620 | Permit only | 20 mi | northwest |
| Voice of America | Game land | 2,818 | Permit only | 20 mi | west |
| Pungo River | Game land | 350 | 6 days | 22 mi | southeast |
| Pocosin Lakes NWR | Wildlife refuge | 110,106 | – | 24 mi | east |
| Roanoke River NWR | Wildlife refuge | 21,306 | – | 27 mi | northwest |
| Lantern Acres | Game land | 1,831 | 6 days | 28 mi | east |
| Swanquarter NWR | Wildlife refuge | 16,000 | – | 31 mi | southeast |
| New Lake | Game land | 1,417 | 7 days | 32 mi | east |
Points: NCWRC Game Land Centroids layer (GL_points Lat/Long). Straight-line distances. Statewide public land map.
Local hunting laws by Van Swamp Game Land
Washington County has local acts that reach hunters on and around Van Swamp Game Land. It is unlawful to:
- Use a firearm, bow and arrow or crossbow on, from or across the right-of-way of any state-maintained road.
- Possess a loaded shotgun or centerfire rifle while on the right-of-way of any state-maintained road or highway outside the confines of the passenger area of a vehicle (not applicable to the owner of the land).
- Hunt, take or kill a wild animal or wild bird with firearms and dogs, or to possess a loaded firearm outside the confines of the passenger area of a vehicle on the land of another, without the permission of the landowner or lessee.
- Hunt, take or kill any wild animal or wild bird with a firearm, bow and arrow or crossbow on, from or across the right-of-way of any state-maintained road or highway.
Local laws by county, 2026-27 digest; checked October 25, 2026. All county local laws.
Harvest reports around Van Swamp Game Land
Washington County hunters reported 934 deer in 2025-26, 62 of them on game lands (6.6%).
| Season | Total | Bucks | Game land share | Gun | Archery tackle |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019-20 | 1,094 | 369 | 37 | 1,013 | 35 |
| 2020-21 | 1,139 | 430 | 52 | 1,037 | 57 |
| 2021-22 | 1,109 | 427 | 52 | 1,013 | 49 |
| 2022-23 | 976 | 372 | 47 | 875 | 39 |
| 2023-24 | 994 | 413 | 62 | 901 | 41 |
| 2024-25 | 988 | 418 | 55 | 908 | 44 |
| 2025-26 | 934 | 405 | 62 | 862 | 35 |
Washington County bears, recent years
| Season | Bears |
|---|---|
| 2020 | 99 |
| 2021 | 120 |
| 2022 | 114 |
| 2023 | 132 |
| 2024 | 91 |
| 2025 | 116 |
Washington County spring turkey reports
| Year | Gobblers | Jakes | Game lands | Birds |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 107 | 12 | 10 | 119 |
| 2024 | 85 | 18 | 5 | 103 |
| 2025 | 90 | 19 | 10 | 109 |
| 2026 | 85 | 8 | 9 | 93 |
County figures from NCWRC harvest statistics, bear harvest report, spring turkey report and CWD testing; checked October 25, 2026.
Base camp towns for Van Swamp Game Land
Nearest towns with pages of their own, then businesses.
| Town | County | Miles | Population | Public land near |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pinetown | Beaufort | 8.1 mi | – | 4,983 |
| Jamesville | Martin | 9.4 mi | 410 | 18,306 |
| Plymouth | Washington | 10 mi | 3,190 | 12,188 |
| Roper | Washington | 15 mi | 469 | 9,570 |
Counties under Van Swamp Game Land, each with a page: Washington County, Beaufort County.
Who can cut or mount a deer from Van Swamp Game Land
NCWRC and federal offices near Van Swamp Game Land
Biology questions for Washington County go to Dallas Shoemaker ((910) 417-7359).
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.
Van Swamp Game Land hunting-hour table from the digest
Legal light at Van Swamp 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 | 6:42 a.m. | 7:31 p.m. | 6:12 a.m. to 8:01 p.m. | 6:12 a.m. to 7:31 p.m. |
| Sep 12, 2026 | Archery deer opener | 6:47 a.m. | 7:21 p.m. | 6:17 a.m. to 7:51 p.m. | 6:17 a.m. to 7:21 p.m. |
| Oct 17, 2026 | Eastern gun opener | 7:15 a.m. | 6:32 p.m. | 6:45 a.m. to 7:02 p.m. | 6:45 a.m. to 6:32 p.m. |
| Nov 14, 2026 | Central gun opener | 6:41 a.m. | 5:04 p.m. | 6:11 a.m. to 5:34 p.m. | 6:11 a.m. to 5:04 p.m. |
| Nov 28, 2026 | Western gun opener | 6:54 a.m. | 4:58 p.m. | 6:24 a.m. to 5:28 p.m. | 6:24 a.m. to 4:58 p.m. |
| Dec 26, 2026 | Late December | 7:13 a.m. | 5:04 p.m. | 6:43 a.m. to 5:34 p.m. | 6:43 a.m. to 5:04 p.m. |
| Jan 1, 2027 | Deer gun close | 7:15 a.m. | 5:08 p.m. | 6:45 a.m. to 5:38 p.m. | 6:45 a.m. to 5:08 p.m. |
| Apr 17, 2027 | Spring turkey opener | 6:32 a.m. | 7:43 p.m. | 6:02 a.m. to 8:13 p.m. | 6:02 a.m. to 7:43 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.
Sighting in before a hunt on Van Swamp Game Land
From Van Swamp Game Land, Odom Shooting Range is the closest public range the NCWRC lists (59 miles). Nearby gun clubs fill the remaining cards.
Lanes for skeet, shotgun
Lanes for sporting clays, 5-stand, shotgun
From the NCWRC shooting range pages and directory listings, checked October 25, 2026.
Scenes from around Van Swamp Game Land
Van Swamp Game Land: short answers from the data
On what days does Van Swamp Game Land allow hunting?
Van Swamp Game Land carries the seven-days-per-week designation, so the calendar alone sets your days.
Is Van Swamp Game Land big enough for a full season of scouting?
NCWRC Game Lands – general GIS SUM_ACRES gives 5,504 acres.
What game is Van Swamp Game Land 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 Van Swamp Game Land?
Southeastern zone: gun Oct 17, 2026 to Jan 1, 2027.
What are the 2026-27 bear dates near Van Swamp Game Land?
Bear dates for Coastal BMU Zone 3: Nov 14 to Nov 22, 2026, Dec 12 to Dec 27, 2026.
Is overnight camping allowed for hunters on Van Swamp Game Land?
Digest camping rule: none.
What do I buy before hunting Van Swamp Game Land?
No extra pass: a hunting license includes game land use.
Which town with a page is closest to Van Swamp Game Land?
Pinetown (8.1 mi).
What changes on Sundays at Van Swamp Game Land?
Sunday firearm hunting pauses 9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. and migratory birds stay closed.
Whose rules apply on Van Swamp Game Land?
The record names the NCWRC.
What county is Van Swamp Game Land in, and does it cross county lines?
Mostly Washington County, plus 1 more by overlay.
Before loading the truck for Van Swamp Game Land
Report your harvest through Go Outdoors North Carolina after a day on Van Swamp 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: MarkDoliner (CC BY-SA 2.0); mbarrison (CC BY-SA 2.0); PierreSelim (CC BY 3.0); sarahstierch (CC BY 2.0).