Deer Season Opens Saturday

Conventional deer season opens in Columbus County and across the southeast Saturday.

All deer hunters must wear a hat, cap or other outer garment of safety orange at all times. Baiting is allowed for deer, except on Gamelands and in areas under surveillance with Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD). Currently, two areas of the state are under surveillance for CWD after confirmed and suspected cases of the disease last year. Robeson and Bladen counties are included in the secondary Cumberland surveillance area, but Columbus County has not had any suspected or confirmed cases.

State laws have also changed regarding some types of natural deer excretions, due to the possibility of spreading CWD.

In Columbus County, six deer may be taken per season, of which two may be antlered, with four antlerless. Deer taken under Bonus Antlerless Harvest Report Cards do not count toward the regular season’s harvest. Antlerless deer taken through the Deer Management Assistance Program (DMAP) that are tagged are not included in the normal statewide bag limits.

Antlerless deer are defined as deer that do not have buttons or knobs protruding from the skin. Buttons covered in skin are not considered antlers. Spotted fawns may not be harvested.

Any legal weapon may be used for harvesting deer during the regular season, including rifles, shotguns, handguns, blackpowder arms, crossbows, slingbows, and other legal archery equipment.

Hunters must also have permission of a landowner to hunt any property or enter it for any reason, including recovering deer or hunting dogs. Anyone entering property that are marked with purple paint as described by state law  must have written permission from the landowner.

Firearms may not be used for hunting any species on Sundays between 9:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. Dogs may not be used to hunt deer or other species on Sundays, and hunting with firearms within 500 yards of a church or adjacent structure is prohibited on Sunday. Archery equipment may be used on Sunday without restriction.

Hunting for all species is allowed from roadsides in Columbus County, but must have written permission of the landowner or lessee of the property abutting the roadways.

Shooting hours for most species are from 30 minutes before sunrise until 30 minutes after legal sunset, except for raccoons, possums, coyotes, possums and feral swine.

For more information on seasons, dates and bag limits, go to ncwildlife.org.