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. Just visiting? Nonresident State Hunting License (10-day) costs $99.
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 |
|---|---|
| Big Game Privilege (deer, turkey & bear) | $18 |
| Nonresident Big Game Privilege (deer, turkey & bear) | $124 |
| Bonus Antlerless Deer License | $15 |
03 — Turkey permits
| Permit | Total |
|---|---|
| Big Game Privilege (deer, turkey & bear) | $18 |
| Nonresident Big Game Privilege (deer, turkey & bear) | $124 |
04 — Waterfowl stamp
| Stamp | Total |
|---|---|
| State Migratory Waterfowl Hunting License | $18 |
| Federal Duck Stamp | $29 |
Waterfowl hunters 16+ also need the free federal 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).
06 — Where to buy
Licenses and permits 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.
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.