Question:
Any info. about the states heard population, best regions, rifle or
shotgun laws etc.
Thinking of moving to west/central North Carolina.
Answer:
The deer population in NC is thriving. The limit of 2 per day / 5 per year (6
in the Eastern portion of the state) reflects the expanding deer numbers.
Does are legal with a bow and 1 or more can be taken (depending on the area)
with blackpowder. In the Eastern portion of the state, one doe can be taken
at any time during the regular gun season and the "doe season" runs for a
month, starting around the first of December. Doe seasons vary elsewhere in
the state and are shorter than in the East. Most deer in NC are small - most
4-6 point bucks weigh (on a scale) 115-130 lbs "on the hoof;" does weigh
100-115 lbs in round numbers. A 160 lb deer in NC is a monster. Genuine
trophy racks are hard to come by, especially in Eastern NC. The central
Piedmont turns out a few wall hangers each year. As more hunters harvest
does for meat and become more selective about taking adolescent bucks,
the number of mature bucks should improve somewhat. Prime hunting peaks in
mid-November in conjunction with the rut. Bow season opens in early
September and a one week black powder (only) season precedes the rifle
season. The rifle season opens in October in the East and the week before
Thanksgiving week in the central part of the state; I don't hunt in the
mountain areas so don't pay much attention to opening dates out that way. A
few counties restrict the use of rifles and are "shotgun only" and there are
other local/county laws which apply; read all the fine print in the
regulations booklet. There is plenty of public land available for hunting of
all types. The "best" hunting is on private land and there are innumerable
hunt clubs and leases that you might eventually choose to join after you get
to know people. I've looked over probably 150+ deer this year and elected to
shoot only one but I have 3 sons that keep our freezer full; we rarely eat
beef. You'll have fun deer hunting in NC! Call the NC Wildlife Commission in
Raleigh (919-733-3391) and ask them to send you a copy of the current
regulations as well as a copy of the Game Lands map book.
