North Carolina · License · 2026 Edition
North Carolina Hunting License Cost 2026: Fees, Deer & Turkey Permits
A year costs $32 for residents and $124 for nonresidents. The cheapest short-term option for nonresidents is the Nonresident State Hunting License (10-day) at $99 — Discounted reciprocal rates apply for GA/SC/TN/VA residents.
North Carolina sells hunting privileges separately from the base license. The plain State Hunting License ($32/$124) does NOT include deer, turkey, bear or waterfowl — residents typically buy the Comprehensive Hunting License instead, which bundles the Big Game Privilege and State Waterfowl Privilege for one price. The Big Game Privilege itself covers deer, turkey AND bear together (bear hunters also need the separate Bear Management E-Stamp, and nonresident bear hunters need a further Nonresident Bear License).
01 — Base hunting license
| Type | Total | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| State Hunting License | $32 | Small game only — does not include big game or waterfowl privileges. |
| Comprehensive Hunting License | $49 | Bundles the Big Game Privilege and State Waterfowl Privilege. Excludes the Bear Management E-Stamp and Federal Duck Stamp. |
| Lifetime Comprehensive Hunting License | $326 | |
| Nonresident State Hunting License | $124 | Small game only — does not include big game or waterfowl privileges. |
| Nonresident State Hunting License (10-day) | $99 | Discounted reciprocal rates apply for GA/SC/TN/VA residents. |
02 — Deer permits
| Permit | Total | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Big Game Privilege (deer, turkey & bear) | $18 | One privilege covers deer, turkey and bear together — not sold per species. Included in the Comprehensive Hunting License. |
| Nonresident Big Game Privilege (deer, turkey & bear) | $124 | |
| Bonus Antlerless Deer License | $15 | Same price for residents and nonresidents. Urban Archery Season municipalities only. |
03 — Turkey permits
| Permit | Total | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Big Game Privilege (deer, turkey & bear) | $18 | Same privilege as the deer listing above — one purchase covers deer, turkey and bear. |
| Nonresident Big Game Privilege (deer, turkey & bear) | $124 |
04 — Waterfowl & migratory bird permits
| Stamp | Total | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| State Migratory Waterfowl Hunting License | $18 | Same price for residents and nonresidents. Included in the Comprehensive Hunting License. |
| Federal Duck Stamp | $29 | Same price for residents and nonresidents. |
Waterfowl hunters 16 and older also need HIP registration and a Federal Duck Stamp. North Carolina duck season dates →
05 — Hunter education
North Carolina requires a hunter education certificate for most first-time license buyers. No birth-year cutoff — anyone without a hunter education certificate, a prior NC hunting license from before July 1, 2013, or a free Hunting Heritage Apprentice Permit (mentored hunting) cannot buy a license (N.C.G.S. 113-270.1A).
North Carolina hunter safety course — options, costs and where to register →
06 — Where to buy
Licenses and permits are sold through Go Outdoors North Carolina, the state's official portal.
Where to hunt public land in North Carolina — WMAs by county & access rules →
North Carolina hunting licenses are valid July 1, 2026 through June 30, 2027. NCWRC's own fee-schedule page points to eRegulations.com as its designated fee reference (no in-house price table); figures below were cross-checked there, last updated by eRegulations on 2026-07-14.
FAQ
Can I hunt on my own land in North Carolina without a license?
A North Carolina landholder — owner, or a lessee who mainly cultivates the land — plus their spouse and dependents under 18 living with them, may hunt, trap, and fish it without a license. Elk, alligator, and the bear stamp aren't included, and deer, bear, or turkey still need a free License-Exempt Big Game Harvest Report Card.
How much is a hunting license in North Carolina?
A resident annual North Carolina hunting license costs $32, and the nonresident annual license costs $124. Species permits for deer, turkey and waterfowl are charged on top — see the tables above. Prices are set by North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission and were read from their own license document on Aug 6, 2026.
How much is a nonresident hunting license in North Carolina?
$124 for the annual nonresident license. The cheapest short-term option is the Nonresident State Hunting License (10-day) at $99 — Discounted reciprocal rates apply for GA/SC/TN/VA residents. Species permits come on top of the base license.
How much is a deer permit in North Carolina?
Big Game Privilege (deer, turkey & bear) — $18. Nonresident Big Game Privilege (deer, turkey & bear) — $124. Bonus Antlerless Deer License — $15. A deer permit is charged on top of the base hunting license.
What do I need to get a hunting license in North Carolina?
North Carolina requires a hunter education certificate for most first-time license buyers. Licenses are sold through Go Outdoors North Carolina, the state's official portal. North Carolina hunting licenses are valid July 1, 2026 through June 30, 2027. NCWRC's own fee-schedule page points to eRegulations.com as its designated fee reference (no in-house price table); figures below were cross-checked there, last updated by eRegulations on 2026-07-14.
Do I need a hunter safety course to buy a North Carolina hunting license?
Yes, for most first-time buyers. No birth-year cutoff — anyone without a hunter education certificate, a prior NC hunting license from before July 1, 2013, or a free Hunting Heritage Apprentice Permit (mentored hunting) cannot buy a license (N.C.G.S. 113-270.1A).
Verified · North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission · Last verified 2026-08-06
Publisher's note. Prices read from the NCWRC license offerings document, retrieved 2026-08-06. Review due 2027-05-15. Fees are set by the state and change without notice — confirm current prices before purchase.