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North Carolina game land
Planning a hunt on William H. Silver Game Land
Public hunting ground in Haywood County: designation, rules, permit hunts, zones, harvest and nearby land.
Photo: GregGilbert1 (CC BY 2.0)
Getting to William H. Silver Game Land
Parking, trailheads and gates near William H. Silver Game Land
- Parking areaParking · 1.7 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 1.8 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 1.9 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 1.9 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 1.9 mi from the centreDirections
- Horse Trough OverlookParking · 2.0 mi from the centreDirections
- Rough Fork Trail TrailheadTrailhead · 2.2 mi from the centreDirections
- Polls Gap Trail ParkingParking · 2.2 mi from the centreDirections
- Hemphill Bald Trail TrailheadTrailhead · 2.2 mi from the centreDirections
- Lake Junaluska OverlookParking · 2.2 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 2.2 mi from the centreDirections
- Jonathan Creek OverlookParking · 2.6 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.
William H. Silver Game Land land base and management
Our records class William H. Silver Game Land as a NCWRC game land; it lies in Haywood County. It is a District 9 property in NCWRC terms. The NCWRC runs the property. Its 2,030 acres come from NCWRC Game Lands – general GIS SUM_ACRES. That ranks 64th of the 95 North Carolina game lands we list with a size.
Mapped tracts (6): Maggot Springs Gap, Malvagno, Mashie Stomp, Sheepback Mountain, Silvers-Williams, Wycle Fork.
From NC digest regulations for specific game lands; acreage NCWRC Game Lands – general GIS SUM_ACRES; checked October 25, 2026.
Nearby
Places to hunt and shoot around William H. Silver Game Land
The quarry at William H. Silver Game Land
Main game on William H. Silver Game Land: 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 NC digest regulations for specific game lands; checked October 25, 2026.
Nearby public land, measured from William H. Silver Game Land
William H. Silver Game Land is the large pin; 10 other public places within 45 miles get small ones. The neighbors hold 1,133,270 acres between them.
| Name | Type | Size (ac) | Designation | Away | Bearing |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cold Mountain | Game land | 3,630 | 7 days | 16 mi | southeast |
| Appalachian | Ranger district | 161,400 | – | 24 mi | northeast |
| Pisgah | Ranger district | 163,168 | – | 26 mi | southeast |
| Needmore | Game land | 5,237 | 7 days | 26 mi | southwest |
| Sandy Mush | Game land | 2,862 | 3 days | 29 mi | northeast |
| Toxaway | Game land | 5,633 | 7 days | 35 mi | south |
| Nantahala | Ranger district | 245,487 | – | 35 mi | southwest |
| Headwaters State Forest | Game land | 6,208 | 6 days | 38 mi | southeast |
| DuPont State Forest | Game land | 11,949 | Permit only | 38 mi | southeast |
| Nantahala | Game land | 527,696 | 7 days | 39 mi | southwest |
Points: NCWRC Game Land Centroids layer (GL_points Lat/Long). Straight-line distances. Statewide public land map.
William H. Silver Game Land: open days and site rules
William H. Silver Game Land is open every day of the week during open seasons, Sundays under the state Sunday rules.
Antlerless deer by firearm (William H. Silver Game Land): Nov. 28.
William H. Silver Game Land: 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 |
Your hunting license already includes game land use on William H. Silver Game Land. A $20 Game Land License is only for the non-hunting uses the digest lists.
From NC digest regulations for specific game lands, general game land rules, regional game land tables; checked October 25, 2026.
Which season zones cover William H. Silver Game Land
2026-27 deer seasons that reach William H. Silver Game Land, zone by zone.
| Zone | Counties | Bow season | Blackpowder | Gun season | Antlerless |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Western C | Haywood | Sep 12–Nov 13 | Nov 14–Nov 27 | Nov 28–Jan 1 | Nov. 28, 2026 only |
When bear opens around William H. Silver Game Land
| Bear unit or zone | Counties | Dates |
|---|---|---|
| Mountain BMU | Haywood | 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.
William H. Silver Game Land zones, units and maps
Printable maps: William H. Silver
From NC digest regulations for specific game lands and the NCWRC game land GIS; checked October 25, 2026.
County harvest data behind William H. Silver Game Land
Game lands gave up 53 of the 767 deer reported in Haywood County in 2025-26.
| Season | Deer | Bucks | On game lands | Gun | Bow and crossbow |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019-20 | 394 | 332 | 45 | 307 | 80 |
| 2020-21 | 474 | 386 | 54 | 356 | 103 |
| 2021-22 | 438 | 359 | 45 | 343 | 85 |
| 2022-23 | 590 | 468 | 56 | 416 | 147 |
| 2023-24 | 613 | 478 | 60 | 448 | 143 |
| 2024-25 | 702 | 523 | 57 | 386 | 170 |
| 2025-26 | 767 | 571 | 53 | 464 | 179 |
Haywood County bear harvest
| Year | Bears |
|---|---|
| 2020 | 139 |
| 2021 | 123 |
| 2022 | 161 |
| 2023 | 143 |
| 2024 | 154 |
| 2025 | 139 |
Haywood County spring birds by year
| Year | Adult gobblers | Jakes | On game lands | All birds |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 147 | 30 | 22 | 177 |
| 2024 | 167 | 24 | 24 | 191 |
| 2025 | 137 | 34 | 21 | 171 |
| 2026 | 125 | 33 | 16 | 158 |
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 William H. Silver Game Land
William H. Silver Game Land 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.
Local acts around William H. Silver Game Land
The digest prints these Haywood County local acts; each one makes it unlawful to:
- Discharge of a firearm from, on or across the right-of-way of any public road without written permission from the owner of the abutting lands.
Local laws by county, 2026-27 digest; checked October 25, 2026. All county local laws.
Where to stay and shop for William H. Silver Game Land
Each town below has its own hunting page.
| Town | County | Straight line | 2024 pop. | Public acres near |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Maggie Valley | Haywood | 4.4 mi | 1,742 | 5,919 |
| Waynesville | Haywood | 8.6 mi | 10,709 | 29,261 |
| Lake Junaluska | Haywood | 9.3 mi | – | 11,227 |
| Sylva | Jackson | 12 mi | 2,694 | 33,573 |
William H. Silver Game Land touches these county pages: Haywood County.
Gear and processing near William H. Silver Game Land
NCWRC and federal offices near William H. Silver Game Land
Call Justin McVey, district biologist for Haywood 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.
Nearest NCWRC range for William H. Silver Game Land hunters
Wayne E. Smith Cold Mountain Shooting Range is the nearest NCWRC public range to William H. Silver Game Land, about 16 miles away. Closer club ranges are shown too.
Covers rifle, handgun
Covers handgun, rifle
Covers sporting clays, shotgun
From the NCWRC shooting range pages and directory listings, checked October 25, 2026.
William H. Silver Game Land shooting hours by key date
The NCWRC gives a Charlotte table with a +9 minute correction for William H. Silver Game Land; 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 | 7:06 a.m. | 7:55 p.m. | 6:36 a.m. to 8:25 p.m. | 6:36 a.m. to 7:55 p.m. |
| Sep 12, 2026 | Archery deer opener | 7:11 a.m. | 7:45 p.m. | 6:41 a.m. to 8:15 p.m. | 6:41 a.m. to 7:45 p.m. |
| Oct 17, 2026 | Eastern gun opener | 7:39 a.m. | 6:56 p.m. | 7:09 a.m. to 7:26 p.m. | 7:09 a.m. to 6:56 p.m. |
| Nov 14, 2026 | Central gun opener | 7:05 a.m. | 5:28 p.m. | 6:35 a.m. to 5:58 p.m. | 6:35 a.m. to 5:28 p.m. |
| Nov 28, 2026 | Western gun opener | 7:18 a.m. | 5:22 p.m. | 6:48 a.m. to 5:52 p.m. | 6:48 a.m. to 5:22 p.m. |
| Dec 26, 2026 | Late December | 7:37 a.m. | 5:28 p.m. | 7:07 a.m. to 5:58 p.m. | 7:07 a.m. to 5:28 p.m. |
| Jan 1, 2027 | Deer gun close | 7:39 a.m. | 5:32 p.m. | 7:09 a.m. to 6:02 p.m. | 7:09 a.m. to 5:32 p.m. |
| Apr 17, 2027 | Spring turkey opener | 6:56 a.m. | 8:07 p.m. | 6:26 a.m. to 8:37 p.m. | 6:26 a.m. to 8:07 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 William H. Silver Game Land
William H. Silver Game Land questions for 2026-27
Which bear season segment applies to William H. Silver Game Land?
Oct 3 to Nov 21, 2026, Dec 12, 2026 to Jan 1, 2027, under Mountain BMU.
Can hunters pitch a tent on William H. Silver Game Land?
The regional table says camping: none.
Do I need the Game Land License to hunt William H. Silver Game Land?
Just your license and privileges; game land use comes with it.
Which town is nearest William H. Silver Game Land?
The nearest is Maggie Valley, 4.4 mi.
Does Sunday hunting apply on William H. Silver Game Land?
Sunday is legal with limits: no guns 9:30 to 12:30, no waterfowl or doves.
Who runs the hunting program at William H. Silver Game Land?
Rules come from the NCWRC.
Which counties does the William H. Silver Game Land boundary reach?
The county overlay gives Haywood County.
Which days of the week can I hunt William H. Silver Game Land?
William H. Silver Game Land is open every day of the week during open seasons, Sundays under the state Sunday rules.
What size figure do the sources print for William H. Silver Game Land?
2,030 acres (NCWRC Game Lands – general GIS SUM_ACRES).
Which animals top the William H. Silver Game Land species list?
The list names white-tailed deer, black bear, wild turkey, red and gray fox, rabbit and raccoon.
How long is gun deer season at William H. Silver Game Land?
The Western C dates apply: gun Nov 28, 2026 to Jan 1, 2027.
Last checks before a trip to William H. Silver Game Land
Use this page to plan, then check the official map and notices for William H. Silver Game Land the week you go.
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: James St. John (CC BY 2.0); btrentler (CC BY 2.0); cwwycoff1 (CC BY 2.0); msprague (CC BY-SA 2.0).