Two-day special season is for antlered deer
The North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission (NCWRC) has announced a special early hunting season for antlered deer on August 22-23, 2026, in seven counties identified as part of the state’s Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) Management Areas.
These counties include Cumberland, Forsyth, Sampson, Stokes, Surry, Wilkes, and Yadkin. During this special season, hunters can use any legal weapon, though it’s important to note that baiting remains off-limits in these areas until September 1.
Additionally, blackpowder and gun seasons will commence a week earlier than usual in some of these counties. That specifically affects Forsyth, Stokes, Surry, Wilkes, and Yadkin.
Other notable updates for hunters include changes regarding deer carcass transportation. The previous restrictions in CWD Surveillance and Management Areas have been lifted, with new statewide guidelines for disposing of deer carcasses. Hunters must dispose of non-edible parts of deer in one of the following ways:
- Disposing of in a lined landfill;
- Burial at least three feet underground and at least 300 feet from any waterbody;
- Lawfully leaving the remains on the ground within the county where they were harvested.
The updated hunting regulations will be available in the North Carolina Inland Fishing, Hunting and Trapping Regulations Digest and can also be viewed online starting August 1. NCWRC emphasizes that following these new rules is crucial for preventing the spread of CWD.
Furthermore, under the CWD Management Assistance Program (CWDMAP), landowners and hunters with exclusive rights to hunt on private land can apply for extra tags to harvest more deer in certain designated areas, particularly in CWD Management and Surveillance Areas or within ten miles of a CWD-positive detection. Applications for these tags will open on July 1.
“Hunters play a significant role in managing CWD,” noted Deer Biologist April Boggs Pope. “They can help slow the disease’s spread while also preserving quality hunting experiences across the state. We believe these new regulations will shift the buck harvest earlier in the season, potentially reducing CWD’s spread by limiting the movement of young bucks during the rut.”
For more detailed information, check out this link.
