The refuge offers excellent hunting for deer, very good hunting for quail and rabbits, and opportunities for raccoons, ducks, opossums, woodcocks, squirrels, rails, and snipe. The refuge also allows the take of feral hogs in most areas.
170 miles of unimproved roads all across the refuge are closed to vehicles, but open to walking and bicycling for hunting. Refuge staff try to mow about a third of these roads each year.
Of the many game species that may be hunted on Pocosin Lakes, deer hunting is the most popular. North Carolina state season and bag limits apply for deer hunting, with the exception of the 12,350-acre Pungo Unit. Archery hunting for deer on the Pungo Unit opens during state seasons and closes at the end of November. Black powder and certain modern firearms may be used to take deer on the Pungo Unit during the state seasons through the end of October. The Pungo Unit was established to provide waterfowl sanctuary, and hundreds of thousands of swans, geese and ducks winter there. Hunting, and other activities that could disturb them, are curtailed when the birds are there in large numbers.
Refer to our Hunt Brochure (below) for all the details. Brochures for the upcoming hunting season are usually available by early August each year. In addition to refuge regulations, all federal and state regulations apply. Additional details about hunting in North Carolina, including seasons and bag limits, may be found on the NC Wildlife Resources Commission website.
Refuge Hunt Fees
There is a $15.00 annual fee for hunting on Pocosin Lakes National Wildlife Refuge. This covers all hunting, including the limited deer hunting opportunities on the Pungo Unit of the Refuge. Use this link to pay by credit card for your hunt permit fee for the 2024-2025 hunting season.
Lead-free Incentive Program
This 2024-25 fall hunting season, Pocosin Lakes National Wildlife Refuge is participating in a pilot lead-free ammunition incentive program. Deer hunters on the Pungo Unit may be able to submit receipts to receive a gift card for up to $25/box for lead-free shotgun ammunition. First come, first served. Limit 2 boxes of lead-free ammunition per eligible hunter. Additional information for submitting receipts is forthcoming. Find out more about the lead-free initiative.
