Turkey hunting continues growing in popularity across North Carolina. The spring gobbler season provides exciting camaraderie and challenge that many hunters eagerly await. But regulations surrounding Sunday hunting have caused confusion in the past. So what are the updated rules for 2023 – can you legally hunt wild turkeys in North Carolina on Sundays?
The short answer is yes, with some restrictions. In 2020, North Carolina lifted its longstanding prohibition on Sunday hunting for all game species, including turkeys. This opened new opportunities for hunters who previously struggled to fit hunting around weekday work schedules.
However, there are specific regulations and limitations in place for Sunday turkey hunting in NC. Here is a complete guide to the current rules for 2023 and how they impact your hunting opportunities.
Overview of North Carolina’s Sunday Hunting Law
In 2020, North Carolina passed the “Outdoor Heritage Enhanced” law which expanded Sunday hunting in the state. Here are key details:
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Sunday turkey hunting is permitted on private lands statewide, with some restrictions. Public land rules vary.
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On private land, you must remain 500 yards from residences and places of worship
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Shooting hours are limited. No turkey hunting with firearms from 9:30 AM to 12:30 PM on Sundays.
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Archery equipment may be used to hunt turkeys on Sundays without firearm time restrictions.
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Additional public land restrictions may apply. Always check regulations for specific game lands before hunting there on Sundays.
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Sunday hunting for migratory birds, including waterfowl, remains prohibited statewide.
By following these rules, you can now hunt wild turkeys on private lands in North Carolina on Sundays, within the limitations. Public land rules differ, so confirm regulations first.
Benefits of Expanded Sunday Hunting
Lifting the statewide Sunday hunting ban yielded several benefits:
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Allows hunters more flexibility around work and family commitments.
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Boosts business for rural tourism industries through increased activity.
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Provides additional options for managing overpopulated game species.
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Lets hunters better work around variable weather conditions week-to-week.
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Generates more conservation funding through license sales and excise taxes.
Tips for Hunting Turkeys on Sundays
If you plan to hunt wild turkeys on Sundays in North Carolina, keep these tips in mind:
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Obtain landowner permission and scout areas thoroughly in advance.
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Take a hunter safety course if new to turkey hunting.
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Use turkey calls and decoys ethically. Don’t over-call.
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Choose appropriate weapons and ammunition. Pattern your shotgun.
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Wear camo and sit still against a tree or blind to stay hidden.
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Follow all regulations carefully, including Sunday-specific rules.
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Let others know where you’ll be hunting and when to expect your return.
Outlook for the Future
While the updated law was a major step forward, some hunters continue pushing for further expanded Sunday hunting opportunities in North Carolina, including:
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Allowing Sunday hunting on game lands through an inclusive public input process
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Lifting timing restrictions for Sunday turkey hunting on private lands
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Opening Sundays to migratory bird hunting once federal approvals are obtained
The NC Wildlife Resources Commission continues working with hunters, landowners and stakeholders to evaluate additional options.
Hunting Wild Turkeys on Sundays Legally and Safely
Sunday turkey hunting can provide an excellent opportunity to enjoy time outdoors in the spring woods. But be sure to follow all regulations carefully. Confirm rules for the specific land you’ll be hunting. Use ethical practices, avoid conflicts with others, and prioritize safety.
With thoughtful preparation and care, North Carolina’s expanded Sunday hunting law allows hunters to better fit this cherished tradition around weekend commitments. You can now legally hunt wild turkeys on many private lands on Sundays within the established framework. This provides more chances to get out there while supporting conservation and local economies.
The regulations around Sunday turkey hunting in North Carolina have evolved in recent years to provide hunters with more opportunities. Make sure to stay up to date on the latest rules for both private and public lands in 2023. With proper planning and safe practices, Sunday turkey hunting can be an exciting new weekend option.
State Fish Hatcheries
It is unlawful to possess a loaded fireÂarm within a posted restricted zone on any state-owned fish hatchÂery or to discharge a firearm into or across such a restricted zone.
General Restrictions
- Lawful seasons and bag limits for each species apply beginning with the first day of the listed season and continuing through the last day of the listed season with Sunday hunting restrictions listed in the next paragraph.
On Sundays the following apply:
- Hunting with firearms between 9:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. is prohibited except on controlled hunting preserves;
- Hunting migratory birds is prohibited;
- The use of firearms to take deer that are run or chased by dogs is prohibited;
- Hunting with a firearm within 500 yards of a place of worship or any accessory structure thereof is prohibited;
- Archery equipment may be used to hunt on Sundays without the restrictions applied to hunting with firearms.
- Shooting hours: Game birds and animals may be taken only between 30 minutes before sunrise and 30 minutes after sunset with rifle, pistol, shotgun, archery equipment, dogs or by means of falÂconry with the following exceptions: raccoons, feral swine and opossums may be taken at night. Coyotes may be taken at night in all counties except Beaufort, Dare, Hyde, Tyrrell and Washington. Migratory game birds may be taken only during the hours and in the manner permitted by federal regulations. See Migratory Game Bird Seasons for shooting hours for migratory birds.
- If a hunter kills or wounds a big game animal during legal shootÂing hours the hunter may use a portable light source and a single dog on a leash to assist the hunter in retrieving the dead or woundÂed big game animal and may dispatch a wounded big game animal using a .22-caliber rimfire pistol, archery equipment, or a handÂgun otherwise legal for that hunting season. If necessary, the hunter may also retrieve wounded big game in this manner from 30 minÂutes after sunset to 11:00 p.m. The hunter may not use a motorÂized vehicle when searching for the wounded animal.
- When used for hunting in North Carolina archery equipment is defined as any device that has a solid stationary handle with two limbs and a string that uses non-pneumatic means to propel a single arrow or bolt.
- Longbows, recurved bows, compound bows and crossbows are legal for hunting all species with an open hunting season.
- When used to hunt bear, deer, elk, wild turkey, alligator and feral swine:
- Longbows and recurved bows must have a minimum pull of 40 pounds
- Compound bows must have a minimum pull of 35 pounds.
- Crossbows must have a minimum pull of 100 pounds
- Only arrows and bolts with a fixed minimum broadhead width of seven-eighths of an inch or a mechanically opening broadhead with a width of at least seven-eighths of an inch in the open position shall be used.
- Slingbows having a minimum pull of 40 pounds may be used during legal hunting seasons for hunting deer, wild turkey, small game animals, nongame animals and nongame fish.
- Blunt-type arrow heads may be used in taking small game animals and birds, including rabbits, squirrels, quail and grouse.
- Poisonous, drugged, or explosive arrowheads shall not be used for taking any wildlife.
- Shotguns must be no larger than 10-gauge.
- When hunting migratory game birds, shotguns must be plugged so as to limit their maximum capacity to three shells.
- During the open hunting season for rabbits, squirrels, opossums, raccoons, furbearing animals and legal nongame animals and birds, these species may be taken with a pistol. There are no restrictions on caliber and barrel length.
- Deer and bear may be taken with a handgun during the established gun hunting season. There are no restrictions on barrel length or caliber.
- A hunter or trapper lawfully taking wildlife by another method may use a pistol to dispatch the animal or bird taken, except as noted below.
- It is unlawful to hunt or take wild turkeys with pistols.
- During established archery season only a .22-caliber rimfire pistol may be used to dispatch deer (see “Retrievalâ€).
- Fully automatic rifles are unlawful. All other rifles are legal except:
- Rifles are prohibited by federal law in hunting migratory game birds.
- Local laws prohibit or restrict rifles in some counties. See the “Local Laws†section.
- It is unlawful to hunt or take wild turkeys with rifles.
- During the blackpowder deer season, the only lawful firearms are blackpowder shotguns, rifles and handguns. The Commission defines a blackpowder firearm as any firearm — including any firearm with a matchlock, flintlock, percussion cap, or similar type of ignition system — manufactured in or before 1898, that cannot use fixed ammunition; any replica of this type of firearm if such replica is not designed or redesigned for using rimfire or conventional centerfire fixed ammunition; and any muzzle-loading rifle, muzzle-loading shotgun, or muzzle-loading or cylinder-loading handgun that is designed to use blackpowder, blackpowder substitute, or any other propellant loaded through the muzzle, cylinder, or breech and that cannot use fixed ammunition.
OPENING WEEKEND TURKEY HUNT!!!! AFTERNOON TURKEY HUNTING IN NORTH CAROLINA!!!!
FAQ
Can you turkey hunt game lands on Sunday in NC?
The North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission announced last Wednesday that there will be Sunday hunting for the first time on 51 different state game lands in limited capacity starting August 1st, 2021.
What time can you hunt in NC on Sunday?
On Sundays the following apply: Hunting with firearms between 9:30 a.m.and 12:30 p.m. is prohibited except on controlled hunting preserves; Hunting migratory birds is prohibited; The use of firearms to take deer that are.
Can you hunt turkeys all day in NC?
Hunting times are 30 minutes before sunrise until 30 minutes after sunset. Turkeys may not be taken with the use of dogs or with a pistol or rifle.Mar 16, 2021
Can you hunt on Sunday in NC on private property near?
Restriction #4: Hunting on Sunday within 500 yards of a place of worship or any accessory structure thereof, or within 500 yards of a residence not owned by the landowner, is prohibited.
When is turkey hunting allowed in North Carolina?
Turkey hunting in North Carolina is allowed from half an hour before sunrise until half an hour after sunset. John Lewis, the passionate founder of HuntingSeasons.org, is committed to promoting responsible hunting and a profound love for the wilderness.
Where to hunt turkeys in North Carolina?
Northern Piedmont and the foothills are two of the best places to go hunting in the state, although you can find turkeys in any county. You must be less than 18 to take part in the youth season in North Carolina. A hunting license is required for participants who are 16 or 17 years old.
Can you hunt on Sunday in North Carolina?
North Carolina also has strict rules for firearms and archery equipment ¹ that apply to hunting on Sundays. It is any device with a stationary handle, two limbs, and a string that can propel arrows or bolts. Longbows, compound bows, crossbows, and recurve bows are allowed for hunting in an open hunting season.
Can you shoot a wild turkey in North Carolina?
Shooting a wild turkey in North Carolina, whether it be with a handgun or a rifle, is illegal. Pursuing within 300 yards of a bait location are forbidden. In this case, the baited status will last 10 days after the bait has been consumed or removed.
How many turkeys can a hunter take in North Carolina?
Each hunter in North Carolina can only take two turkeys throughout the season. During the youth season, reserved for hunters under 18, they may take just one of these. This means a hunter may only take one additional turkey during the standard seaso n (April 10 to May 8) if they took one during the youth season.
When is Turkey season in North Carolina?
This means a hunter may only take one additional turkey during the standard seaso n (April 10 to May 8) if they took one during the youth season. North Carolina’s turkey season will run from April 8 through May 6 in 2023. There is also a “Youth-only” season from April 1 to April 7 for hunters under 18.