North Carolina · Squirrel · 2026–27 Edition
North Carolina Squirrel Season 2026–27: Dates & Bag Limits
01 — Seasons
| Season | Zone | Dates |
|---|---|---|
| Gray & red squirrel | Statewide | Oct 12 – Feb 28 |
| Fox squirrel | Statewide | Oct 12 – Jan 31 |
| Spring gray squirrel | Statewide, including Game Lands (new for 2026-27) | May 17 – May 31 |
02 — Bag limits
| Gray & red squirrel — daily | 8, no possession limit stated |
|---|---|
| Fox squirrel — daily | 1 |
| Fox squirrel — possession | 2 in the field, 10 for the season |
03 — Shooting hours
Legal light on opening day (October 12, 2026) 06:52 — 19:15
Rule: Game birds and animals may be taken only between 30 minutes before sunrise and 30 minutes after sunset — NCWRC's single rule for all game birds and animals, which covers squirrel. Sunrise/sunset shift daily — the times above are computed for opening day; use your local North Carolina sun times for any other date.
04 — License
Squirrel hunters in North Carolina need a North Carolina hunting license.
North Carolina hunting license cost →
Where to hunt public land in North Carolina — WMAs by county & access rules →
05 — FAQ
When does squirrel season start in North Carolina?
The 2026–27 opener is October 12, 2026. See the table above for the full window.
When does squirrel season end in North Carolina?
The 2026–27 closing date is May 31, 2027.
Is there a difference between fox and gray squirrel rules in North Carolina?
See the bag limit table above — most states run one combined limit across both species, but this is worth confirming against North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission before you hunt.
How many squirrels can you shoot in North Carolina per day?
2026–27 bag limits: Gray & red squirrel — daily — 8, no possession limit stated. Fox squirrel — daily — 1. Fox squirrel — possession — 2 in the field, 10 for the season. Limits are set per zone and per permit — check the agency's own regulations before you hunt.
What time can you start shooting squirrel in North Carolina?
On opening day (October 12, 2026) legal light runs 06:52 to 19:15. The rule is: Game birds and animals may be taken only between 30 minutes before sunrise and 30 minutes after sunset — NCWRC's single rule for all game birds and animals, which covers squirrel. Sunrise and sunset shift daily, so work the offset against your local North Carolina sun times for any other date.
Can I hunt squirrels 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.
Verified · North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission · Last verified 2026-08-13
Publisher's note. NCWRC's own official 2026-27 Inland Fishing, Hunting & Trapping Regulations digest, page 71 (digital flippingbook edition — the standalone 'season dates at a glance' PDF exists but could not be text-extracted, so the full digest was used instead; still an NCWRC-published primary document). Fox squirrel runs a far tighter limit than gray/red, reflecting its more limited North Carolina range and conservation status. The spring gray squirrel season was moved later for 2026-27 to avoid overlapping the adjusted spring turkey season, and for the first time includes Game Lands.