Types of Hunts

General Hunts

General hunts are offered on various areas across the state for dove, deer, bear, waterfowl, tundra swan, turkey, small game, and furbearer trapping. Maps of the areas can be found online at www.ncwildlife.org/gamelandmaps. Rules and regulations can be found in the North Carolina Inland Fishing, Hunting and Trapping Regulations Digest.

Youth Hunts

Various hunting opportunities are available for youth hunters, including several Commission-facilitated youth hunts. All youth hunts, along with age and orientation requirements, are listed in the description of the hunt item. Commission-facilitated and Refuge hunts will be indicated as such in the hunt description. General rules follow:

General Youth Hunts:

Youth must be less than 16years of age on the day of the hunt. Hunter Education Certification is not required for youth participating in adult-supervised permit hunting opportunities.
Each youth must be accompanied by a properly licensed adult at least 18 years of age. The adult is not allowed to hunt and does not need a permit. The adult must maintain a proximity that enables them to monitor the activities of the youth by remaining within sight and hearing distance at all times, without the use of electronic devices.
An adult may supervise up to two youths on small game and waterfowl hunts and only one youth on deer hunts. There is no limit on the number of youth an adult can supervise on turkey hunts.

Commission-Facilitated Youth Hunts:

Youth must be at least 12 (at time of application), but less than 16 years of age on the day of the hunt.Unless otherwise stated, Hunter Education Certification is required for youth participating in Commission-facilitated permit hunting opportunities.
Youth must be accompanied by a properly licensed adult at least 18 years of age. The adult is notallowed to hunt and does not need a permit. The adult must remain within range to take immediate control of hunting device.
An adult may supervise up to two youths on waterfowl hunts and only one youth on big game hunts.•If orientation is required, the youth and adult must attend for the permit to be valid.

National Wildlife Refuge Youth Hunts:

Youth must be less than 16 years of age on the day of the hunt. Hunter Education Certification is required for youth participating in refuge permit hunting opportunities.
Youth must be accompanied by a properly licensed adult at least 21 years of age. The adult is not allowed to hunt and does not need a permit. The adult must remain within sight and easy voice contact of the young hunter at all times.

Youth & Adult Hunts

Youth & Adult hunts allow both a properly licensed adult and youth to hunt together as a party. Youth & Adult hunts, along with youth age requirements, are listed in the description of the hunt item. General rules are as follows:
Youth must be less than 16 years of age on the day of the hunt. The adult must be at least 18 years of age by the application deadline. Unless otherwise stated, Hunter Education Certification is not required for youth participating in youth and adult permit hunting opportunities.
Both the youth and properly licensed adult must apply for hunts as a party (Refer to Application Information). Applicants who apply separately (not as a party) will not be eligible for the draw.
Both the youth and adult may hunt if awarded permits. The adult must maintain a proximity that enables them to monitor the activities of the youth by remaining within sight and hearing distance at all times, without the use of electronic devices.

Disabled Sportsman Hunts

The Commission has developed a three-tier hunting system for disabled hunters. This tier system is designed to offer a variety of hunting levels for disabled hunters.

Tier I hunts are those on game lands where areas and access have been designated for disabled hunters. These hunts are not a part of the Permit Hunting Opportunities Program and do not require a special hunt permit, but may require a Disabled Access Permit as outlined in the Regulations Digest. Refer to the Regulations Digest for information regarding regulations and hunting/game land license requirements.

Tier II hunts are those on game lands and refuges that are included in the Permit Hunting Opportunities Program and allow managed participation for disabled hunters and their companion to provide unique hunting opportunities. A permit is required for these hunts. Some may have designated blinds. Refer to the Application Information section for more information on applying for permits.

Tier III hunts are Commission-facilitated and assisted hunts located on a game land within each region. These hunts offer managed participation for disabled hunters and their companion in areas where blinds are provided and offer a unique hunting opportunity. A permit and orientation is required for these hunts.

To qualify for a disabled hunt permit, you must possess one of the following: A Disabled Veteran or Totally Disabled License or a Disabled Sportsman Hunt Certification. The Disabled Sportsman Hunt Certification is not a license; therefore, a valid hunting license, in addition to the hunt permit, is required when participating in permit hunt opportunities.

Applicants will be charged a $10 nonrefundable administrative fee that covers all disabled hunts applied for in one transaction. General rules follow:

Unless otherwise stated, permit holders may bring a companion to assist and hunt. The companion must carry the companion card received with the permit and must hunt alongside the permit holder at all times. There is no fee or application required for the companion. Companions may not apply for disabled hunts individually.
On multiple day hunts, the companion may be different for each hunt day as long as they have the companion card.
If orientation is required, the disabled hunter must attend in order for the permit to be valid.