Hunting Regulations AND INFORMATION
2025–2026 Bear Seasons
Alleghany
Northampton
Gates
Ashe
Surry
Stokes
Rockingham
Caswell
Warren
Person
21
Vance
Hertford
Halifax
Watauga
Wilkes
13
7
Yadkin
Forsyth
Avery
17
Bertie
Orange
Franklin
Guilford
Caldwell
Nash
10
Yancey
Davie
1
Edgecombe
Madison
4
Tyrrell
Dare
Iredell
Martin
Wake
Davidson
12
Washington
Burke
Randolph
Wilson
Chatham
McDowell
Catawba
5
Rowan
Buncombe
16
Haywood
Pitt
Beaufort
Swain
18
Hyde
Johnston
Lincoln
Greene
Lee
Jackson
Graham
Henderson
Rutherford
9
Cabarrus
14 15
Harnett
Wayne
Polk
Cleveland
Macon
Stanly
Gaston
Moore
22
Lenoir
Cherokee
6
Clay
Pamlico
Jones
Cumberland
19
Hoke
Union
Sampson
20
Anson
Duplin
Craven
Onslow
3
– Oct. 4 – Nov. 22 and Dec. 13 – Jan. 1 – Nov. 22 – Jan. 1 – Nov. 15 – Jan. 1 – Oct. 18 – Jan. 1 – Nov. 10 – Jan. 1 – Nov. 15 – Dec. 14
Robeson
Bladen
Pender
2
Columbus
8
Brunswick
11
Designated Bear Management Areas 1. Bachelor Bay 2. Columbus County 3. Croatan 4. Daniel Boone* 5. Dare* 6. Fires Creek 7. Flat Top 8. Green Swamp 9. Gull Rock 10. Harmon Den 11. Juniper Creek 12. Mount Mitchell*
13. North River 14. Panthertown – Bonas Defeat* 15. Pisgah* 16. Pungo River 17. Rich Mountain
18. Sherwood 19. Standing Indian* 20. Suggs Mill Pond 21. Thurmond Chatham 22. Wayah
– Nov. 8 – 16 and Dec. 13 – 28 – Nov. 8 – 16 and Dec. 13 – 28 – Nov. 7 – 16 and Dec. 13 – 28 – Nov. 8 – 23 and Dec. 13 – 28
*Bear hunting by permit only on these areas. It is unlawful to hunt bear on other Designated Bear Management Areas.
Hunting Bear with Dogs and Using Unprocessed Foods
– Unprocessed food allowed all season, and use of dogs allowed all season – Unprocessed food allowed all season, but use of dogs prohibited
DOGS. Hunting bears with dogs is prohibited in the following counties or parts of counties: Alamance south of I-85, Anson west of N.C. Hwy 742, Cabarrus, Chatham, Davie, Davidson, Forsyth, Gaston, Guilford, Lee, Lincoln, Mecklenburg, Montgomery, Orange south of I-85, Pamlico (per local law), Randolph, Rocking- ham, Rowan, Stanly, Union, and Wake south of N.C. Hwy 98. In all other counties, hunting bears with the use of dogs is legal during open bear seasons, but restric- tions may apply on game lands. See “Game Land” section for further information. UNPROCESSED FOODS. In all counties unprocessed foods may be used to aid in the taking of bear during any open season for bear. * Dogs may not be released in the vicinity of any commercially available mineral supplement whether placed for the purpose of attracting deer or otherwise.
It is unlawful to: • Take a bear while in the act of consuming unprocessed foods; or with use or aid of any animal, animal part or product, salt, salt lick, honey, sugar, sugar- based material, syrups, candy, pastry, gum, candy block, oils, spices, peanut butter, grease; or extract of such substances; or any substance modified by any of the above substances or extract of above substance; or any bear bait attractant, including scented sprays, aerosols, scent balls, and scent powders; or processed food products. Processed food products are any food substance or flavoring that has been modified by the addition of ingredients or by treat- ment to modify its chemical composition or form or to enhance its aroma or taste. This includes: food products enhanced by sugar, honey, syrups, oils, salts, spices, peanut butter, grease, meat, bones, or blood; candies, pastries, gum, and sugar blocks; and extracts of such products; and to place any sort of processed or unprocessed foods on game lands. • Place processed food products as bait in any area of the state with an estab- lished season for taking black bears.
2025–2026 61
North Carolina Inland Fishing, Hunting & Trapping Regulations
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