North Carolina deer hunters dream of fall and deer hunting. Statistics show that:

• NC's whitetail deer population is around one million with 144,315 deer taken in 2005
• NC deer hunters enjoy a near 50% success rate
• NC has large areas with more than three antlered bucks are harvested per square mile and with many of those being trophy quality. There are NC areas with over 45 deer per square mile.

The above stats clearly show dramatic success in herd management by NC Wildlife Management. These stats make it easy to understand why deer hunting is so hugely popular in North Carolina. With such a strong deer herd NC is able to host a broad deer season which starts in mid September and lasts until very early January in some locations (see NC regulations for exact days and rules). Also, NC has lots of good public and to hunt and a very good number of quality hunt clubs in which to belong. How could NC deer hunting not be popular?

Recent North Carolina deer seasons have been great and 2007 may be the best season yet. -- Productive deer hunting means being where the deer are. Some NC areas are better than others. North Carolina Deer distributions are shown below.

Graphic courtesy North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission, Division of Wildlife Management

Some understanding of the breeding cycle will also benefit your hunt; especially, if you are after trophy size deer. The breeding cycle for NC deer varies somewhat each year, but is reasonably constant -- "The majority of the breeding activity occurs in a 3 to 4 week period in all NC regions. The peak breeding periods by region are:

• Lower Coastal Plain -- last week of October;
• Upper Coastal Plain -- first week in November;
• Piedmont and Foothills -- third week in November; and
• Mountains -- first week of December."

To be successful a hunter must be where deer are. Good scouting and good stand location is very important. A wisely conducted scout will prepare a hunter for the season open and help a hunter adapt as the season progresses. If a hunter does not consider how deer patterns may shift due to hunting pressure then scouting has not been conducted to its best advantage. Once a stand is located hints on stealth will offer tips on how move before and after the season without spooking deer.

Enjoy hunting deer in NC.