199,770
reported white-tailed deer harvest
North Carolina's reported total for the 2025-26 deer season.
Source: 2025-2026 Reported White-tailed Deer Harvest (2026)2026 Reference Page
North Carolina Deer Hunting Statistics
A source-backed roundup of the numbers shaping deer hunting in North Carolina, from the latest statewide harvest to participation and chronic wasting disease monitoring.
Last updated September 1, 2026. Each statistic names its source and data date.
199,770Reported deer harvest
in 2025-26
in 2025-26
Latest harvest figures
North Carolina's 2025-26 deer harvest at a glance.
North Carolina requires deer harvest reporting. These reported-harvest figures come from the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission's county report for the 2025-26 season.
103,737
reported antlered bucks
The antlered-buck portion of the state's 2025-26 reported harvest.
Source: 2025-2026 Reported White-tailed Deer Harvest (2026)87,321
reported antlerless females
The antlerless-female portion of the state's 2025-26 reported harvest.
Source: 2025-2026 Reported White-tailed Deer Harvest (2026)2.87
reported deer per square mile
The statewide reported-harvest density listed for the 2025-26 deer season.
Source: 2025-2026 Reported White-tailed Deer Harvest (2026)The scale of deer hunting
Deer remain a major part of North Carolina's outdoor life.
About 1 million
white-tailed deer in North Carolina
The North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission's current statewide population estimate.
Source: NC Wildlife: White-tailed Deer (Current agency species profile)About 250,000
people who hunt deer in North Carolina each year
The state agency also estimates more than 2.9 million deer-hunting trips each year.
Source: NC Wildlife: White-tailed Deer (Current agency species profile)$311 million
estimated annual deer-hunting expenses
The estimate covers spending by North Carolina sportsmen and women on deer-related hunting.
Source: NC Wildlife: White-tailed Deer (Current agency species profile)11.5 million
U.S. big-game hunters
Big-game hunters made $15.6 billion in hunting-related trip and equipment expenditures in 2022.
Source: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service: Big-Game Hunters (2022 data, published February 20, 2025)CWD monitoring
Current North Carolina CWD facts for the 2026-27 season.
Chronic wasting disease rules can change by county and season. The figures below reflect the Commission's May 1, 2026 update. Check the current state guidance before hunting or using any attractant or scent product.
33
deer that tested positive for CWD in 2025-26
That brought North Carolina's total since the disease was first detected in 2022 to 67 positive deer.
Source: NC Wildlife CWD surveillance update (May 1, 2026)7 counties
in CWD Management Areas
Cumberland, Forsyth, Sampson, Stokes, Surry, Wilkes, and Yadkin are listed for the 2026-27 season.
Source: NC Wildlife CWD surveillance update (May 1, 2026)4 counties
in CWD Surveillance Areas
Edgecombe, Halifax, Martin, and Pitt are listed for the 2026-27 season.
Source: NC Wildlife CWD surveillance update (May 1, 2026)23,000+
CWD samples collected in 2025-26
The state says voluntary testing remains available, with no mandatory-sampling dates for the 2026-27 deer season.
Source: NC Wildlife CWD surveillance update (May 1, 2026)Methodology and sources
How to use these statistics.
This page uses published figures from the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Harvest figures are reported harvests, not a statewide population count. Participation and spending figures are agency estimates and retain the source's own data year or publication date.
Numbers and regulations can change. For a current season decision, use the linked state source as the final authority.
Suggested citation: Carolina Outdoor Supply. “North Carolina Deer Hunting Statistics: 2026 Facts.” Updated September 1, 2026. https://carolinaoutdoorsupply.com/north-carolina-deer-hunting-statistics