When Does Squirrel Season Open in NC? 
If you are looking for the perfect time to go squirrel hunting in North Carolina, the first two months of fall are the best months to hunt. The winter months are not the best time to hunt squirrels as their activity decreases. In the spring, the best time to hunt is when the squirrels are more active and can be easily caught with a bow and arrow. However, there are several important things that you need to know before heading out to hunt squirrels in North Carolina.
Spring gray squirrel hunting season
Fall and spring are great months to go gray squirrel hunting in North Carolina. This species has a relatively short lifespan, which makes it ideal for first-time hunters. While you can use a bow and arrow, you’ll probably find that gray squirrels are easiest to spot in their nests, which resemble crows. The gray squirrel season lasts for about 10 days, but be aware that you may also be able to catch fox squirrels during the same time.
Spring gray squirrel hunting season in North Carolina starts on the second Monday of May 2023 and lasts for two weeks. It’s only allowed on private land, and the bag limit is eight squirrels per hunter. While spring gray squirrel hunting is relatively new in North Carolina, it’s common in several other Southeast states. In addition to the gray squirrel, striped bass fishermen can also keep hybrids and striped bass as long as they’re at least 20 inches long. The creel limit remains four fish per day.
Bag limit is one (1) per day
While the bag limit for squirrel hunting is one (1) per day, there are several regulations to follow. These regulations cover hunting on private lands and on authorized state and federal lands. In addition, a trapper must harvest the wildlife he or she has trapped. The seasons for trapping are different on private and public lands. The minimum age for trapping is twelve years old. For more information about trapping, please visit Virginia Department of Natural Resources.
Hunting on Sundays
If you’re looking for a fun way to spend Sunday mornings, consider hunting for squirrels on Sundays when the state’s squirrel season opens in NC. While most squirrels prefer bright, sunny days, a slight drizzle might be just the right temperature. Squirrels use the elements to protect themselves from predators, so you’ll have better success if you wait for the weather to be a little bit cloudy.
While the WRC is the authority to regulate Sunday hunting, many hunters rely on public land for their squirrel hunts. Sunday prohibitions can limit access to popular game lands and weekend hunters who don’t have private property. While the ban applies to most public lands in the state, the decision was postponed for one year as staff worked to assess public input. The process gathered significant input on Sunday hunting, including concerns about safety and potential conflicts with other recreational activities.
Getting squirrels to feed in traps
Squirrels are fun to watch, photograph, and hunt. They are well-adapted to living near humans. There are three main species of squirrels in North Carolina: the Eastern Gray Squirrel, the Southern Flying Squirrel, and the Red Squirrel. While they are fairly common in North Carolina, they are quite rare in other states, such as Georgia.
You can catch squirrels with a variety of traps. Squirrels feed on a variety of foods, including corn plants and stored corn. They also destroy the growing tips of young trees. These pests also feed on tree seeds and nuts. You may notice broken nutshells beneath pecan trees, indicating squirrel or blue jay depredation. Although squirrels typically eat nutshells, they also dig up them to feed on. If left unattended, these nuts can germinate.
Hunting with a shotgun
In North Carolina, hunting with a shotgun is legal only when the season is open for that species. However, it is important to note that the seasons vary based on animal type and season. Licensed hunters may not use shotguns with lead, which is prohibited for waterfowl. However, unplugged shotguns are permitted during the hunting of geese and ducks in the state. Hunting with a shotgun when squirrel season opens in North Carolina should not be attempted until after the season has started.
The New Sunday Hunting Regulations do not allow hunting in public parks or on private land on Sunday. However, private land managers can allow gun hunting on Sundays on their properties. This decision would be made by the local land agency. However, hunters would be prohibited from using guns on Sundays within 500 yards of a church or house. Moreover, dogs are not allowed while hunting. These restrictions are in place to protect the welfare of wildlife.
When does squirrel season open in NC?
Answer: October 1st
How many squirrels can I kill per day?
Answer: 10
Do I need a license to hunt squirrels?
Answer: Yes
What type of weapon can I use to hunt squirrels?
Answer: Any legal weapon
Where can I hunt squirrels?
Answer: On public game lands or with permission of the landowner on private property
Can I use a trap to hunt squirrels?
Answer: No
Can I use bait to hunt squirrels?
Answer: Yes
Can I shoot a squirrel out of a tree?
Answer: Yes
Can I shoot a squirrel that is running on the ground?
Answer: Yes
Can I shoot a squirrel that is in its nest?
Answer: No
Can I use a dog to hunt squirrels?
Answer: Yes
What are the hours I can hunt squirrels?
Answer: One-half hour before sunrise to one-half hour after sunset
Do I have to check my squirrels in with the Wildlife Commission?
Answer: No
What is the bag limit for squirrels?
Answer: 10 per day
Can I hunt squirrels with a crossbow?
Answer: Yes
Jessica Watson is a PHD holder from the University of Washington. She studied behavior and interaction between squirrels and has presented her research in several wildlife conferences including TWS Annual Conference in Winnipeg.
