What to Hunt

State Classifications

To understand the law governing the hunting of wildlife, one must know and understand the definitions of certain key terms as they are used in the text of the statutes and rules dealing with this subject. These definitions may vary substantially from common usage. N.C.G.S. ß113-129 lists a number of the basic ones. Those relevant to these subjects are:

  • Game status includes species that can be hunted in North Carolina.
  • Nongame status includes species that are not classified as game or furbearer. These species are regulated by the NCWRC and may be hunted or trapped with the appropriate licenses/permits.
  • Big Game status includes species that can be hunted and must be registered with the NCWRC upon harvest.
  • Furbearer status includes species that can be trapped in North Carolina.

Migratory Bird and Waterfowl Information
Tab/Accordion Items

 

A class of warm-blooded animals with fur or hair on their bodies. Mammals are vertebrates. The young are born live and feed on milk from their mothers.

Image Species Scientific Name State Classification Additional Information
Image Armadillo, Nine-banded Dasypus novemcinctus NonGame More Information
Image Bear, Black Ursus americanus Big Game More Information
Image Bobcat Lynx rufus Game & Furbearer More Information
Image Coyote Canis latrans NonGame More Information
Image Fox, Gray Urocyon cinereoargenteus Game More Information
Image Groundhog Marmota monax NonGame Profile
Image Nutria Myocastor coypus NonGame Profile
Image Opossum, Virginia Didelphis virginiana Game & Furbearer Profile
Image Raccoon Procyon lotor Game & Furbearer More Information
Image Fox, Red Vulpes vulpes Game More Information
Image Skunk, Striped Mephitis mephitis Furbearer Profile
Image Deer, White-tailed Odocoileus virginianus Big Game More Information
Image Squirrel, Fox Sciurus niger Game More Information 
Image Squirrel, Gray Sciurus carolinensis Game More Information 
Image Feral Swine Sus scrofa NonGame More Information
Image Rabbit, Eastern Cottontail
 		 Sylvilagus floridanus Game More Information 
Image Rabbit, Marsh Sylvilagus palustris Game More Information 

 

A class of warm-blooded, egg-laying vertebrates. Birds are covered in feathers, have wings and a beak. Many birds are able to fly.

Image Species Scientific Name State Classification Additional Information
Image Bobwhite quail, Northern Colinus virginianus Game Species Additional Information
Image Dove, Mourning Zenaida macroura Game Species Additional Information 

 
Image Duck, Black Anas rubripes Game Species Profile 
Image Duck, Canvasback Aythya valisineria Game Species Profile 
Image Duck, Mallard Anas platyrhynchos Game Species

Profile 

Sandy Mush Game Land Birding Check List (PDF)
Image Goose, Canada Branta canadensis Game Species

Additional Information 

 
Image Rail, Clapper Rallus longirostris Game Species Additional Information 
Image Turkey, Wild Meleagris gallopavo Big Game Additional Information 
Image Swan, Tundra Cygnus columbianus Game Species Additional Information
Image Grouse, Ruffed Bonasa umbelius Game Species Additional Information
Image Pintail, Northern Anas acuta Game Species Additional Information
Image Waterfowl in North Carolina N/A Game Species Additional Information
Image Wigeon, American Anas americana Game Species Additional Information
Image Woodcock, American Scolopax minor Game Species Additional information
Image Duck, Wood Aix sponsa Game Species

Profile 

North Carolina Wood Ducks Natural History and Management (PDF