Permit Hunting Opportunities

Unless otherwise specified, hunters may apply for hunts on or after July 1. Each draw hunt item will indicate the deadline for which applications must be submitted. Permit hunt applications and point-of-sale permits are non-refundable.

1. Permit hunt items are randomly drawn each year. They are not drawn in any specific order.
2. The odds in favor of being selected as a party are no different than those of being selected as an individual. Applying as a party ensures all applicants in the party will be selected or not selected.
3. When drawing hunt items, the system draws Party ID numbers, not individual names. Each party, whether it has one member or five, is assigned one unique Party ID number.
4. Hunters may only apply once per hunt area per species.
5. Hunt choices are awarded in order of preference. Where applicable, you should apply for hunt choices in order of preference.
6. Hunters will not be awarded multiple permits for the same day. When applying, you should keep this in mind to avoid potential date conflicts.
7. To join another’s hunt party, you must have the Party ID number that was provided to you by the hunter who started the party.
8. Hunters wishing to join another’s hunt party should not select “Create Party” during the application process. They should select “Join Party” and enter the Party ID number provided to them by the hunt party organizer.
9. Hunters wishing to create a hunt party should select “Create Party” during the application process. Those hunters starting a new party will be given a Party ID number to provide others wishing to join the party hunt.
10. All members of a party hunt must submit their application prior to the application deadline. Hunters cannot add other hunters to their party after the application deadline or after the drawing is complete.
11. Hunt items categorized as Youth/Adult require both the youth and adult to apply as a party and both must have a permit to hunt. Single party applications for Youth/Adult hunts will be disqualified from the drawing.
12. At the time of application, it is important the you confirm your mailing and email address are correct. You will not be notified when the drawing is complete or receive your electronic permit if your email address is incorrect. Permits will not be mailed (with the exception of the Tundra Swan Permit). Please note: if selected your electronic permit will also be available on the Go Outdoors mobile app under the “Award Permits” sub tab found within the “My Licenses” home screen tab.
13. Applicants should always review their purchase receipt or order confirmation carefully. If a valid email address is on file, applicants will receive an email confirmation of their permit application.  Applicants may also review their applications and awarded permits in their GONC account under Permit Hunt Applications & Awards. Contact the Commission immediately at 833-950-0575 Mon.-Fri., 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. if there are problems. Changes may not be made after the application deadline has passed.

The Permit Hunting Opportunities Program was established by the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission (referred to as the Commission) to provide permit hunting opportunities across the state to licensed hunters. These permits allow for managed participation and provide unique hunting opportunities for special areas or species such as dove, deer, bear, waterfowl, tundra swan, turkey, small game, and furbearer trapping. This program also includes special opportunities for youth and persons with disabilities. The program offers both quota and non-quota (point-of-sale) hunts. 

This program is comprised of state-owned game lands, private lands, and federal lands. The Commission administers the hunts on game lands and some private lands. It also administers the permit application and draw process. Non-Commission program participants, such as the U. S. Fish & Wildlife Service–National Wildlife Refuges (NWR), facilitate and administer the hunts they have listed in this program. Hunts taking place on private or federal lands may have separate rules and regulations pertaining to their hunts. For more information, refer to the Refuge Area Reference Information at ncwildlife.gov/permithunt. These program participants include: Currituck NWR, Mattamuskeet NWR, Roanoke River NWR, Turnbull Creek Educational State Forest, and Mecklenburg County Park & Recreation. Quota hunt permit recipients are selected by drawing. There is a limit on the number of hunters participating in quota hunts. The quotas are generally determined by estimating the number of hunters the area can support and still provide quality hunting experiences. For hunts without a quota, permits will be issued at the point-of-sale (POS). Unless otherwise specified, there is a $8 nonrefundable fee for each permit hunt application except for disabled hunts. Disabled sportsmen will be charged a $10 nonrefundable fee that covers all disabled hunts applied for in one transaction. Additionally, a $5 transaction fee may be applied to the total order (NCGS 113-264). Unless otherwise specified, a permit is required for all individuals wanting to hunt or trap on permit-only lands, including youth, regardless of age. Permits are nontransferable and allow hunting on specific dates or for species requiring strict harvest and hunter participation information. All bag limits, possession limits and appropriate reporting requirements as outlined in the North Carolina Inland Fishing, Hunting and Trapping Regulations Digest apply. 

Leftover permits are those that are not awarded after the drawing has taken place. If applicable, leftover permits will be listed for sale at GoOutDoorsNorthCarolina.com and selecting the POS Permit/Buy Leftover icon. Some of the waterfowl hunts are scheduled to occur on impounded wetlands. The Commission will make every effort to have water on these areas in time to attract waterfowl. In some years, however, drought, unforeseen dike repairs, and other unexpected events may result in the impoundments not being ready by the hunt date. Refunds will not be issued in these situations. Apply only if you are willing to accept this possibility. IMPORTANT: Hunters and trappers should always refer to the North Carolina Inland Fishing, Hunting and Trapping Regulations Digest for regulations and local laws

Types of Hunts

What are the eligibility requirements for a tundra swan permit? Each applicant, regardless of residency, must hold a valid N.C. hun􀆟ng and N.C. waterfowl privilege license at the time of application for the tundra swan permit to be eligible in the drawing. A youth hunter, under 16 years of age on September 1, 2025, who is not properly licensed, must apply for a Tundra Swan Permit as a member of a party with a properly licensed adult at least 18 years of age. Additionally, applicants who received a permit the previous year must have submitted their tundra swan permit survey by the April 1, 2025 deadline. Applicants who fail to meet the eligibility requirements and their party members will be disqualified from the drawing.

Where can I apply for a tundra swan permit? You can apply online at Go Outdoors North Carolina, by calling 833-950-0575, Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.—5 p.m., or at a wildlife service agent. The application deadline is September 1.

How many applicants were there for the 4,721 available tundra swan permits in 2024-25? There was a total of 9,356 applicants.

Has the number of applicants increased over time? Yes, over the last 5 years, the number of applicants has increased by approximately 6%. Most of this increase represents an increase in the number of resident hunter applications.

How many non-resident applicants receive a tundra swan permit? Non-residents receive, on average, approximately 12% of the available permits.

Are my chances better if I apply individually or as a party? The odds in favor of being selected as a party are no different than those of being selected as an individual. Applying as a party ensures all applicants in the party well be selected or not selected.

Do I get preference in the next season’s drawing if I apply for and am not selected for a tundra swan permit the prior season? Yes. The Wildlife Resources Commission offers a preference point system for the Tundra Swan Permit Hunt Program. Eligible applicants not awarded a tundra swan permit in the 2024-25 season will be eligible for a preference point in the 2025-26 permit draw process.

If I fail to return my tundra swan permit survey, how long is it before I am eligible for another swan permit? Those who fail to return their tundra swan permit survey by the April 1 deadline will be disqualified during the draw process the following swan season only.

How will I know if I was awarded a tundra swan permit? Results of the tundra swan drawing can be found by accessing your account at Go Outdoors North Carolina or by telephone at 833-950-0575, Monday-Friday, 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.

How long before I receive my permit after I have been selected in the drawing? Permits are mailed to successful applicants approximately 45 days from the completion of the tundra swan drawing.

Can I give my permit to someone else if I am not able to hunt? No, the permit/tag is nontransferable and valid only for the person whose name appears on the permit. The permit/tag must also be signed to be valid.

Do I need the physical tag with me when I am hunting tundra swan? Can I tag it later? The permit/tag must be carried on your person while hunting or in possession of a tundra swan. Immediately after harvesting a tundra swan, the permit/tag must be validated by punching out both the month and day of kill and affixing the tag to the swan.

Can I bring someone with me who will not be hunting to photograph, film, watch, etc. if they do not have a permit? Yes, however the observer cannot assist in any activities associated with the hunt, such as setting decoys, calling or retrieving birds, building a blind, working a dog, etc.

Can a tundra swan be harvested while hunting other animals or utilizing other permits? Yes, as long as you have a tundra swan permit/tag and the harvest occurs within the tundra swan season. You must use weapons that are consistent with that of the waterfowl season.

Can youth, Veterans and active duty Military use their tundra swan permit/tag on Youth and Veterans/Military Waterfowl Days? Yes, refer to the NC Inland Fishing, Hunting & Trapping Regulations Digest for season information and requirements.

How is harvest management of tundra swans decided? Harvest management of tundra swans is guided by an Eastern Population Tundra Swan Management Plan developed and approved by all 4 flyway councils. Flyway councils are formal organizations that provide for collaboration among public wildlife agencies for the purpose of migratory bird conservation. 

Is there a population goal? Yes. The population goal is to maintain the population at 80,000 birds as measured by the mid-winter survey in the Atlantic and Mississippi flyways. 

What is population trend over the long-term? The population has trended upward since comprehensive mid-winter surveys have been conducted since the late 1950’s. 

What is population trend over the last 10-15 years? The population appears relatively stable or slightly increasing over much of this time period. 

How many permits are issued and is there a harvest objective? Currently, the approved management plan recommends that the sport harvest rate remain at or below 5%. The harvest rate is the percentage of the population that is harvested. Over the last 3 years, the average sport harvest rate has been 4%. Currently, the plan allows 9,600 permits to be issued among the 6 states (MT, ND, SD, DE, VA, NC) that hunt tundra swans. 

Is there a provision in the plan to increase the current number of permits allocated? Yes, the number of permits will be increased by 25% if the 3-year average of the mid-winter survey count exceeds 110,000 swans. After completion of the January 2016 survey, the 3-year average was 111,892, and the total number of available permits for swan hunting states increased from 9,600 to 12,000 permits for the 2017-18 season. The 3-year average remained above 110,000 until 2019, when it dropped to 107,907.

Is there a provision in the plan to decrease the number of permits? Yes, permits will be reduced by 25% if the 3-year average falls below 110,000 (i.e. a reduction from 12,000 to 9,600 permits) and will remain at reduced numbers until the population increases above 110,000. If the population falls below 70,000 another 25% reduction will occur. Further, the season will be closed if the 3-year average falls below 50,000 and will remain closed until it increases to 70,000. Currently, NC is allocated 4,853 permits for the season. 

What impact would an increase in harvest have on the population? Based on 2 separate population modeling exercises, the current permit limit of 12,000 appears in line with what the current population can support. Given the population appears stable over much of the last 10-15 years and that population modeling suggests that current levels of harvest are appropriate, managers are comfortable with current harvest and permit levels.

The preference point system for the Tundra Swan Permit Program gives applicants who are not awarded a swan permit an increased chance of drawing a permit the following year. Eligible applicants not awarded a tundra swan permit the prior hunting season will be awarded a preference point, which can be utilized the next time they apply for a swan permit.

Applicant Eligibility to Receive a Tundra Swan Preference Point

• All applicants for tundra swan permits apply as a “party” and are assigned a Party-ID number at the time of application. The Wildlife Resources Commission allows
  applicants to apply for a tundra swan permit individually (i.e. a party consisting of 1 individual applicant), or as a multi-person party consisting of no more than 5 individual applicants.
• Each member of a party (1-5 individual applicants) must meet all eligibility requirements prior to the drawing or the party (and each of its members) is disqualified during the draw process.
• To meet all the eligibility requirements individual party members 1) must hold a valid NC hunting license and NC waterfowl privilege license at the time of the drawing, 2) must have returned the tundra swan harvest survey by the April 1 deadline (if they received a tundra swan permit the previous year), and 3) must not have submitted a duplicate application.
• Youth hunters <16 years of age who are not licensed must apply as a party with a properly licensed adult AND the adult party member(s) must have met the eligibility
  requirements as referenced above. To meet the eligibility requirements, youth hunters are also required to have returned the tundra swan harvest survey by the April 1
  deadline if they received a tundra swan permit the previous year.
• If all party members meet the eligibility requirements, but the party is unsuccessful in the drawing, each member of the party (including youth hunters) will be awarded a
  preference point. Parties who are disqualified during the draw process will not be awarded a preference point.