If you’re planning your next hunt, you’ll want the facts so you don’t miss that last legal day. In North Carolina, squirrel season usually wraps up on February 28, but local rules or special dates can shift things for certain lands or species. Double-check the exact end date for your county before you head out.
You’ll find info here about daily limits, where to hunt, and the rules for gray, red, and fox squirrels. The next few sections break down season end dates, key regulations, and where and how you can hunt so you stay safe and legal.
Squirrel Season End Dates and Key Regulations
North Carolina sets specific end dates, daily and possession limits, and different spring rules for private lands. The North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission sets hunting hours, licensing, and equipment rules, so you’ll need to follow those.
Fall and Winter Squirrel Season Closing Dates
Fall and winter squirrel season in North Carolina ends on February 28. The statewide gray and red squirrel season runs from October 13 through February 28.
Fox squirrel season ends earlier, on January 31 in most places. These dates come from the official NC small game calendar and cover public and private lands unless your local rules say otherwise.
Legal shooting hours start half an hour before sunrise and end half an hour after sunset. You need to carry the right hunting license and any small game or migratory bird stamps.
Before you head out, check the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission for any county-specific changes.
Spring Squirrel Season on Private Lands
North Carolina offers a short spring gray squirrel season, but only on private lands. In 2026, that spring season ran from May 11–25.
This spring hunt is just for gray squirrels and doesn’t apply to public game lands or state WMAs unless they post otherwise. Always get landowner permission before hunting private property during the spring season.
The same hunting hours and licensing rules apply. Dates can change by year and county, so check the NCWRC regulations online for the most current info.
Hunting Regulations and Restrictions
State laws spell out where and how you can hunt squirrels. You can’t carry firearms or climbing irons while training dogs when the season is closed.
Axes and saws aren’t allowed when hunting raccoon or opossum, and similar gear rules might apply to other small-game hunts—so check the regulations for details.
Some counties add local ordinances that tweak season length or hunting methods. NCWRC conservation officers enforce these rules and can cite you for hunting without a license, hunting in closed areas, or breaking gear and hours rules.
Check the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission website for the latest rules before you hunt.
Bag and Possession Limits
Bag limits depend on the squirrel species. For gray and red squirrels, you can take up to 8 per day, and there’s no season or possession limit.
Fox squirrels have a daily limit of 1, a possession limit of 2, and a season limit of 10. These numbers come from the NC small game regulations and apply statewide unless you see something different for your area.
You can only carry one daily bag limit while you’re heading out of the field, even if you hunted multiple days. Selling squirrels you’ve taken isn’t allowed.
Stick to the posted limits and have your license handy if an officer asks. For the most current numbers, check the NCWRC small game pages.
Where and How to Hunt Squirrels in North Carolina
You can hunt squirrels on both public game lands and private property in North Carolina. Make sure you know the rules for each spot, bring the right license, and look for oak flats, hardwood ridges, or creek bottoms—those are squirrel hotspots.
Hunting on Public Game Lands
Public game lands are open, but rules change from area to area. Check each tract for allowed species, season dates, and Sunday hunting rules before you go.
Some game lands don’t allow squirrel hunting at all; others are open within the season limits. The state’s game-land map will help you find areas open to small game.
Bring a map and blaze orange if it’s required. Know the boundaries, park where you’re supposed to, and follow posted hours.
Game lands with mixed hardwoods and oak flats often hold gray and fox squirrels. Move slowly along edges and ridgelines—squirrels use these travel routes between mast trees.
Respect posted signs and be courteous to other users.
Hunting on Private Land and Sunday Restrictions
On private land, you need landowner permission and must follow state laws. You can hunt on Sundays, but you can’t fire a gun between 9:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. near churches or accessory structures within 500 yards.
Always double-check these restrictions before planning a Sunday hunt. Private timberlands, farm edges, and backyard woodlots can be great for squirrel hunting.
Use quiet approaches, sit near oak flats or nut trees, and try early morning or late afternoon when squirrels feed. Take ethical shots, retrieve your game quickly, and leave the property just as you found it.
Hunting Licenses and Hunter Education
You need a valid North Carolina hunting license to hunt squirrels. Both residents and nonresidents need the right small-game license—there are youth and apprentice options, too.
You can check current fees and buy licenses online through the NC Wildlife Resources Commission. New hunters born after a certain year must complete hunter education or a state-approved alternative.
Always carry your license and proof of hunter education in the field. If you plan to trap or use special methods, review trapping rules and permit requirements first.
Popular Squirrel Habitats and Species
Across the state, hunters usually go after gray squirrels and fox squirrels. Gray squirrels stick to dense hardwood forests and creek bottoms.
Fox squirrels, on the other hand, like open pine-hardwood edges and oak flats in the Piedmont. I always check for mast-producing trees—oaks, hickories, or beech—since those are their favorite food sources.
You’ll notice that squirrels feed mostly at dawn and dusk. They tend to use the same trails and feeding spots over and over.
Try using calls, but don’t overdo it—just a few excited chip notes or a tree knock can work. I like to stand or sit quietly near trees with lots of activity and watch for any movement along the limbs.
Stick to ethical hunting. Only take shots you know you can make, and always follow bag limits and possession rules.
For official rules and maps about game lands and seasons, check out the North Carolina small game seasons and maps.
