The black bear is the only bear species found in north carolina or anywhere in. If youre hunting in north carolina, expect to find seasons for black bears, wild turkey and whitetailed deer. In the other 94 counties of the state, feral hogs are not considered to be wild boars, and the commission does not regulate them. North carolina bear hunting guides doa outfitters 410. Most visitors are surprised to learn that much of eastern north carolina is sparsely populated and not developed. Everything you need to plan your north carolina hunting trips for 2020.
Government lands % 12% private lands 30,334,640 acres. Eastern north carolina black bears are active all year long because we have a longer growing season and an abundance of high protein crops that are grown in our coastal plains. North carolinas black bear hunting is the best on the planet. See the game lands section for specific game land rules. Tennessee black bear hunting regulations refer to the tennessee hunting and trapping guide for more information. Wildlife resources commission has suspended the sale of. Black bear north carolina wildlife resources commission. Jan 08, 2018 two weeks would be added to the current seven weeks of black bear season in the mountains. Hyde county, north carolina where hunting isnt just a sport its a way of life. It is the continents smallest and most widely distributed bear species. The black bear is an omnivore with a diet of both plants and animals. This page will generate realtime reported big game harvest counts for the current hunting season from the north carolina wildlife resource electronic reporting system. There are an estimated 18,00020,000 black bears in north carolina, including 6,0008,000 in the.
The american black bear breeding season begins sometime in may and can actually continue throughout the summer season. Nc black bear festival in eastern nc tours bear habitats. There are an estimated 18,00020,000 black bears in. More black bears reported living in eastern north carolina. North carolina is home to the largest black bear in the world. According to north carolinas state bear biologist, colleen olfenbuttel, hyde county has the highest black bear density in north america. No matter what you think about bears, when someone says, i saw a bear, you listen. Instead, huge tracts of timber, expansive farms, and massive swamps dominate the landscape.
Aug 12, 2018 the tradition of nc bear hunting is front and center on carolina all out. Terrain mountains in the west and coastal plains in the far east. We have some of the largest black bears on the east coast rite in our back yards. This includes bears harvested during the archery season. Come and see why jim shockey hunts black bear in eastern nc. Lily pond creek hunting lodge lily pond creek hunting lodge. What you will get if you hunt with us at gull rock bear and duck hunting we are dedicated to see that you get the hunting experience you have always wanted at reasonable rates. Spot and stalk, still hunting, and hunting with hounds all available.
Eastern time, and also call 18008581549 within 24 hours of harvest to arrange for a physical check of the animal and receive a tag issued by kentucky fish and wildlife. In the eastern united states, black bear range is continuous throughout new england but becomes increasingly fragmented from the midatlantic down through the southeast. There have been no changes to north carolina hunting or fishing license requirements, seasons, or bagcreel limits. The black bear is the only bear species found in north carolina or anywhere in the eastern united states. There were only around 2,000 black bears in eastern north carolina in 1980. The successful comeback of the american black bear in north carolina represents one of wildlife managements greatest achievements. In one of the articles i read, eastern north carolina was said to have the highest black bear population of all the states. Watch from a safe distance, but do not feed the wildlife drive on alligator river national wildlife refuge is a popular place to view black bears safely year round. Learn more by reading the black bear species profile. North carolina black bear hunting guides, outfitters and. Keep an eye out for more species and how to hunt them. The eastern nc bass challenge is a bass tournament series operated by jeffrey davis, jr. One of the reasons i loved the idea of living in the mountains of north carolina is the presence of black bears.
North carolina whitetail deer hunting rules and regulations. The american black bear ursus americanus is a mediumsized bear native to north america. Doa outfitters has offered great professionally guided black bear hunting in north carolina and maryland for years. Bear hunting in north carolina for over 300 years, north carolina bear hunters have pursued the most challenging and formidable creature of the wilderness. East coast outfitters is your place to go hunting in eastern nc hunting in pitt county for hunting trophey whitetail deer hunting black bear hunting, and turkey hunting hunting trips in nc hunting preserve in north carolina hunting rabbit hunts racoon hunts guided. Photographing black bear of eastern north carolina. With a 90% success rate on trophy black bears and a guaranteed opportunity at a 300 pound or larger trophy black bear, its crazy to consider anywhere else. The home range of female cottontails is about 20 acres during breeding season and 15 acres in fall and winter. With no shortage of black bears in the area, currituck county is one of the most popular destinations on the east coast for black bear hunting. But there is new data being released that black bears in eastern north carolina are growing larger, thanks to an abundant food supply from crops like corn, peanuts and soybeans. Lily pond creek hunting lodge is located in northampton county, north carolina. Heres how to set up on eastern north carolinas many game lands for a black bear. Bears physically checked during any hunting season must include a carcass or an intact.
They typically live in largely forested areas, but do leave forests in search. Black bears reside in every province in canada except for prince edward isle, and in at least 40 of the 50 states in the us. Instead, a 640pound male black bear lumbered out of the bushes, 15 steps away. North carolina early season bow hunt 2019 adams point buck duration.
Black bears are similar to most species in that the males actively pursue the females as they begin to come into estrus. Its hunting seasons provide ample bounties for hunters close to the appalachian mountains and further east. Our trophy bear average harvest weight in 2018 was 511 pounds. Known for deer hunting and exceptional black bear hunting. Visit the north carolina wildlife resources commission website for specific county dates. Nc hunt becomes tale of a life time when 640pound bear. Doityourself carolina bear hunting carolina sportsman. No state offers its biggame hunters the opportunity to tangle with the biggest. More black bears now in eastern north carolina and are.
We harvested 69 total bears in 2018 and we look forward to 2019 being our best season, yet. Increasingly, we are beginning to see bears here in eastern north carolina. Most north carolina bears emerge from their dens in march or early april, depending on the weather and mobility of their cubs. Feb 28, 2019 north carolina early season bow hunt 2019 adams point buck duration. The tradition of hounds in north carolina can be dated back to the early settlers and the tradition is alive and.
To provide a standardized in season comparison with past hunting seasons, checking the include past 3year comparisons option will. Deer bear hog turkey coyote bobcat fox pheasant quail duck goose dove grouse. Commission clarifies bearbaiting prohibition big game hunt. A cub is defined as any bear weighing seventyfive 75 pounds or less.
The tar heel state is known for its dense forests and beautiful, rugged landscape in many areas. Black bears are making a comeback in north carolina, according to the daily reflector of greenville. Billys north carolina record black bear had an official weight of 647 pounds and was estimated to be nine years, nine months old. To comply with the governors stay at home order and help prevent the spread of covid19, the n. Black bear tour, alligator river, north carolina travel. In other areas of north america, black bears can be a very common brown color or a more rare blue and white. Being in close proximity with a bear that is being bayed by hounds is an adrenaline pumping experience that any dangers game hunter will enjoy. Cubs or female bears with cubs at the side may not be taken at any time. It is illegal to take cubs less than 75 pounds or female bears with cubs. Two weeks would be added to the current seven weeks of black bear season in the mountains. There are two 2 seasons for bear hunting in currituck county 1 week in mid. North carolina central section whitetail deer hunting season. They typically live in largely forested areas, but do leave forests in search of food. In all other counties, unprocessed foods may be used to aid in taking of bear during any open season for bear.
Guided black bear hunts in northeastern north carolina. During the open deer bowandarrow season, muzzleloader season, gun season and any small game season, only weapons legal for that season may be used to take wild boar. They are present in the southern appalachian mountains and the coastal bays and swamps of north carolina. When you book a black bear guided hunting trip with captain brynner you dont have to worry about a thing. Hunters who harvest a bear during any bear hunting season must telecheck it by 8 p. You can find out more about liscenses, permits and anything else nc offers to hunters and fishermen.
North carolina grows big black bears, much bigger than the black bears in canada. Since i started in 2008 i have averaged about six black bear sightings and encounters a year. They are mostly in the mountains and coastal regions bears love our coastal pocosin habitat. The boars fight and chase of smaller or younger boars to establish dominance. Trophy north carolina black bear hunting with north.
Nc hunting season deer, turkey, bear, boar and small game. Processed food products are any food substance or flavoring that has been modified by the addition of ingredients or by treatment to modify its chemical composition. Some bear hunters and guides had circumvented the bearbaiting statute by hauling and dumping blocks of candy weighing up to 2,000 pounds onto their leased hunting tracts during the offseason, allowing black bears to get hooked on the candy, then removing. When you travel around the mountains, you see black bear touristy stuff everywhere. Wildlife resources commission estimates there are 6,0008,000 black bears in the mountains of western north carolina, including an. In the remaining deer hunting x zones, bear season begins october 12, 2019.
Camden county bears carolina all out s2ep 7 youtube. General bear season closes on december 29, 2019, or earlier, if the department determines that 1,700 bears have been reported taken. Taylor and the bear made eye contact, and it began to move on a parallel path. Bear mugs, bear tshirts, roadside motels with bears on their signs, black bear this, black bear that. To provide a standardized inseason comparison with past hunting seasons, checking the include past 3year comparisons option will. North carolina whitetail deer hunting, black bear hunting turkey hunting hog hunts cutawhiskie creek outfitters. Northampton county is one of the top deer and turkey producing counties in nc and is tops for the number of bucks per square mile. Its much safer for bears and people if the viewing takes place away from a busy highway. Eastern nc bass challenge, williamston, north carolina. Join dare to hydes experienced guides for a guaranteed opportunity trophy nc black bear hunt of a lifetime. Black bears are normally found in forested landscapes, but within such areas they are highly adaptable.
Season limit 1 season dates applicable county or counties mountain bear management unit seasons oct. Trophy north carolina black bear hunting with north americas. North carolina hunting seasons, 20192020 hunting season hq. Bear hunting california department of fish and wildlife. This information was gathered from the north carolina wildlife resources commission. With the dietary preferences of a labrador retriever and the survival. Hunting seasons and limits north carolina wildlife. The state has the highest number of acres in bear sanctuaries in the lower 48 states, giving a boost to bear numbers and bear sizes.
Nov 20, 2017 gun season for deer opens monday, nov. Wildlife resources commission has suspended the sale of all field trial permits until further notice. April 4 10 limit 2 gobblers per hunt 202021 waterfowl hunting season. North carolina has some of the biggest black bears in the world and there are those in our state who live and breathe for. Over 30,000 acres of prime habitat under management, and the best guides in the industry. Known fordeer hunting and exceptional black bear hunting. If youre hunting in north carolina, expect to find seasons for. I have to say when i first started backpacking solo, i had similar dreams of being attacked in the night and not being able to scream. The areas hunting tradition follows a long lineage of hunting enthusiasts that gathered in the area around the currituck sound to track and hunt these magnificent creatures since the early 1700s. Eastern nc bears north comes south carolina all out s1 ep11. Deer season eastern archeryseptember 7 september 27.
Ncwrc license, vessel registration, and wildlife helpline call centers are. Black bears were once restricted to remote areas and reached very low population levels in the mid1900s. Working with wildlife series links click on the topic of interest bats. Gun season for deer opens in western north carolina. American black bears are omnivores, with their diets varying greatly depending on season and location. Taxidermy services are available for an additional fee. North carolina black bear hunting at huckle berry ridge. The unspoiled land is completely private and is home to some of the highest black bear populations in eastern north carolina.
Over 5,000 acres of hunting ground is set up for north carolina black bear. We have one opening left for the november hunt and two openings for our december hunt, for the 2019 season. Eastern nc is now the go to place for the large black bear. Waynesville, north carolinabased ncbha is dedicated to the proper conservation and management of north carolinas black bears, as well as public education and protection of. North carolina state university extension forestry. More black bears reported living in eastern north carolina by bob townsend june 28, 2017 at 11. North carolina guided hunts located in greenville we offer bear. Youll have two experienced, professional trackers to help you find the bears and then skinners ready to. Legal during the monday on or nearest october 15 to the saturday before thanksgiving in and west of surry, wilkes, caldwell, burke and cleveland counties.
70 972 213 231 1600 1341 164 24 1604 955 346 1445 17 1364 39 576 1592 812 1284 142 98 1464 1198 29 58 775 1337 423 927 897 412 1096 550 944 325 16 601 1111 627 468 64 701 1034 1230 1443 527 467 874