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North Carolina’s bear harvest sets record for 2022 season

ncwildlife org harvest report

Results from the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission’s 2022 annual bear harvest summary show that hunters statewide recorded the highest harvest total on record at 4,056 bears — an 11% increase compared to the previous season.

Record-breaking harvest totals were recorded in the Coastal and Mountain Bear Management Units (BMU), 2,533 and 1,468 respectively. The Piedmont BMU experienced its third-highest recorded harvest of 55 bears.

“The increase in the harvest in the Mountain BMU likely reflects the influence of the poor acorn crop we observed in the fall 2022 in this region,” said Colleen Olfenbuttel, the black bear & furbearer biologist for the Commission. “Acorn production has been surveyed by the Wildlife Commission for 40 years and when acorn production is poor, bears will move more in search of fall foods, making them more vulnerable to both vehicle mortality and legal hunter harvest.

For the Coastal BMU, the record harvest reflects the continued interest, both locally and nationally, in bear hunting in this region due to its reputation for large bears and, in some areas, high bear densities.”

Most of the bear harvest occurred in the Coastal BMU (63%), followed by the Mountain BMU (36%) and Piedmont BMU (1%). This is a trend that has stayed the course since the mid-1990s.

Other season results showed:

  • Statewide, most bears were harvested on private lands with 16% of the harvest occurring on Commission game lands.
  • In the Mountain MBU, 34% of the harvest occurred on Commission game lands.
  • Most successful hunters used the assistance of dogs for harvesting bears; however, the number of still hunters increased, with 41% of successful bear hunters reporting they used still hunting to harvest their bear in 2022. This is the highest percentage since the Commission started requesting this information via the Big Game Harvest Report in 2009.

“Bear hunting seasons are highly regulated and play a key role managing local bear populations, helping to resolve agricultural damage, reinforce a bear’s natural fear of people, and providing wild game meat to communities and families,” Olfenbuttel said “The 2022 bear harvest produced an estimated 591,700 plates of food, providing an important source of sustenance for many North Carolinians.”

Commission staff closely monitor trends in the harvest, including the female bear harvest, which was up 11% in 2022, comprising 40% of the statewide reported harvest. Since the 2015 bear season, the Coastal BMU had the highest ratio of females (43%) comprising the harvest among the three BMUs.

“The Commission works continuously to assure bear hunting seasons remain sustainable so that we can continue to maintain our successfully restored bear population,” Olfenbuttel said. “Based on our most current data, we are meeting the population objective for the Coastal BMU, which is to stabilize population growth.”

Biologists conduct research and monitoring efforts in all BMUs to have the best science to evaluate and inform current and future management decisions. This includes a bear population and density study they recently conducted in the Mountain BMU and a similar study currently being conducted in the Coastal BMU.

“These studies, in addition to other data, will assure our continued success in meeting our goal for the bear population, which is to use science-based decision making and biologically sound management principles to manage black bear populations in balance with available habitats and human expectations to assure long-term existence and hunting opportunities,” Olfenbuttel said.

Mandatory Bear Tooth Submission Program Helps Biologists Monitor Bear Population Trends

In 2021, with support from the N.C. Bear Hunters Association and the state’s bear hunters, the agency began requiring bear hunters to submit a premolar tooth from their harvested bear. The data gained from the tooth provides the Commission with information about the age structure of the harvest, which is used to monitor trends in the bear population and evaluate impacts of current and proposed changes to hunting season structures. After submitting their harvested bear tooth, hunters receive a hat and the age of their harvested bear.

“The mandatory tooth program has been enthusiastically embraced by our bear hunters, who for decades, have played a key role in assisting with our agency’s efforts to restore, and now manage, North Carolina’s bear populations,” said Olfenbuttel.

The Commission posts its annual harvest summaries on the black bear webpage under the Surveys and Reports section. A comprehensive Bear Annual Report is published in the late fall. The report is available on the agency’s website https://www.ncwildlife.org/Portals/0/Hunting/Documents/Bear/NCWRC_Annual_Bear_Report_data_through_2021.pdf .

About the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission

Since 1947, the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission has been dedicated to the conservation and sustainability of the state’s fish and wildlife resources through research, scientific management, wise use and public input. The Commission is the state regulatory agency responsible for the enforcement of fishing, hunting, trapping and boating laws and provides programs and opportunities for wildlife-related educational, recreational and sporting activities.

Purchase or a renew a fishing, trapping and hunting license and renew a vessel registration online at ncwildlife.org .

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WataugaOnline.com

North Carolina’s Bear Harvest Sets Record for 2022 Season

ncwildlife org harvest report

Last Updated on June 7, 2023 3:59 pm

RALEIGH, N.C. (June 7, 2023)  — Results from the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission’s 2022 annual bear harvest summary show that hunters statewide recorded the highest harvest total on record at 4,056 bears — an 11% increase compared to the previous season.

Record-breaking harvest totals were recorded in the Coastal and Mountain Bear Management Units (BMU), 2,533 and 1,468 respectively. The Piedmont BMU experienced its third-highest recorded harvest of 55 bears.

“The increase in the harvest in the Mountain BMU likely reflects the influence of the poor acorn crop we observed in the fall 2022 in this region,” said Colleen Olfenbuttel, the black bear & furbearer biologist for the Commission. “Acorn production has been surveyed by the Wildlife Commission for 40 years and when acorn production is poor, bears will move more in search of fall foods, making them more vulnerable to both vehicle mortality and legal hunter harvest.

For the Coastal BMU, the record harvest reflects the continued interest, both locally and nationally, in bear hunting in this region due to its reputation for large bears and, in some areas, high bear densities.”

Most of the bear harvest occurred in the Coastal BMU (63%), followed by the Mountain BMU (36%) and Piedmont BMU (1%). This is a trend that has stayed the course since the mid-1990s.

Other season results showed:

  • Statewide, most bears were harvested on private lands with 16% of the harvest occurring on Commission game lands.
  • In the Mountain MBU, 34% of the harvest occurred on Commission game lands.
  • Most successful hunters used the assistance of dogs for harvesting bears; however, the number of still hunters increased, with 41% of successful bear hunters reporting they used still hunting to harvest their bear in 2022. This is the highest percentage since the Commission started requesting this information via the  Big Game Harvest Report  in 2009.

“Bear hunting seasons are highly regulated and play a key role managing local bear populations, helping to resolve agricultural damage, reinforce a bear’s natural fear of people, and providing wild game meat to communities and families,” Olfenbuttel said “The 2022 bear harvest produced an estimated 591,700 plates of food, providing an important source of sustenance for many North Carolinians.”

Commission staff closely monitor trends in the harvest, including the female bear harvest, which was up 11% in 2022, comprising 40% of the statewide reported harvest. Since the 2015 bear season, the Coastal BMU had the highest ratio of females (43%) comprising the harvest among the three BMUs.

“The Commission works continuously to assure bear hunting seasons remain sustainable so that we can continue to maintain our successfully restored bear population,” Olfenbuttel said. “Based on our most current data, we are meeting the population objective for the Coastal BMU, which is to stabilize population growth.”

Biologists conduct research and monitoring efforts in all BMUs to have the best science to evaluate and inform current and future management decisions. This includes a bear population and density study they recently conducted in the Mountain BMU and a similar study currently being conducted in the Coastal BMU.

“These studies, in addition to other data, will assure our continued success in meeting our goal for the bear population, which is to use science-based decision making and biologically sound management principles to manage black bear populations in balance with available habitats and human expectations to assure long-term existence and hunting opportunities,” Olfenbuttel said.

Mandatory Bear Tooth Submission Program Helps Biologists Monitor Bear Population Trends

In 2021, with support from the N.C. Bear Hunters Association and the state’s bear hunters, the agency began requiring bear hunters to submit a premolar tooth from their harvested bear. The data gained from the tooth provides the Commission with information about the age structure of the harvest, which is used to monitor trends in the bear population and evaluate impacts of current and proposed changes to hunting season structures. After submitting their harvested bear tooth, hunters receive a hat and the age of their harvested bear.

“The mandatory tooth program has been enthusiastically embraced by our bear hunters, who for decades, have played a key role in assisting with our agency’s efforts to restore, and now manage, North Carolina’s bear populations,” said Olfenbuttel.

The Commission posts its annual harvest summaries on the  black bear webpage  under the Surveys and Reports section. A comprehensive Bear Annual Report is published in the late fall. The report is available on the agency’s website  https://www.ncwildlife.org/Portals/0/Hunting/Documents/Bear/NCWRC_Annual_Bear_Report_data_through_2021.pdf .

ncwildlife org harvest report

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North Carolina Wildlife Federation

News & Press

North Carolina Wild Turkey Season Opens April 1 : Here’s What You Need To Know

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The days have gotten longer, spring temperatures are steadily rising, new leaves are on the trees, and wildlife is out and about… which means that turkey season is just around the corner.

Wild turkey season opens on April 1 in North Carolina and hunters across the state will be getting into the woods under the cover of early morning darkness to try their hand at encountering one of these notoriously elusive game birds.

During the mid 1900’s, North Carolina’s native wild turkeys were nearly eliminated as a result of heavy market hunting and habitat loss. However, through active recovery and restoration work spearheaded by the NCWRC , the turkey has rebounded to a healthy population status in North Carolina.

According to NCWRC assistant chief Chris Kreh, 20,576 turkeys were harvested in 2022, including 1,777 birds in the youth season. While these numbers may seem startling to some, NCWRC says that they are lower than the totals from the previous two years, and that harvest numbers are always tracked to ensure that they both reach and do not exceed conservation goals.

Compared to other state hunting seasons throughout the year, the turkey season is incredibly short, opening on April 1 and closing May 6 with a youth-only season from April 1-7. According to Kreh, while this season increases the challenge of harvesting a turkey, the timing of the season is also strategic for the birds.

“The season dates offer considerable opportunity for breeding before males are harvested. Hens are able to nest and raise poults as they always do.”

Turkey Season Regulations

As with every state hunting season, the NCWRC has science-based regulations in place to ensure population health and also safety for hunters, including but not limited to the following.

  • Hunters throughout the state are limited to two bearded turkeys per year, and a daily limit of one turkey, meaning hunters may not tag out in one day. 
  • Shooting a wild turkey with a handgun or rifle is illegal.
  • Turkeys may not be hunted within 300 yards of a baiting site; however, turkey decoys and calls are allowed.
  • A hunting license is required for participants who are 16 or 17 years old. 
  • If they are accompanied by a licensed adult at least 18 years old, hunters under 16 are excused from having a hunting license. 
  • Young hunters with a hunting license or hunter education card are permitted to hunt unaccompanied by an adult.
  • Every teen must record their captures on a Big Game Harvest Report Card and submit it according to these standards. License-exempt hunters should utilize the Big Game Harvest Report Card to record their captures.

For information about turkey hunting, including hunter safety and where to hunt, visit ncwildlife.org.

Bates Whitaker, Communications & Marketing Manager

–  Written by   Bates Whitaker, NCWF Communications & Marketing Manager 

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North Carolina Hunting and Fishing Forums

  • Big Game Hunting
  • Deer Hunting

Live harvest report

  • Thread starter johnnyk2000
  • Start date Oct 7, 2023
  • Oct 7, 2023

johnnyk2000

johnnyk2000

Eight pointer.

With Alvin you could see the live harvest reports. I do not see anything on the new app for such a thing. Anybody know where I can find it or am I SOL?  

team muddy creek

Twelve pointer.

I'm sure the new SUPER APP has it somewhere, #goingbackwards!  

Hunterreed

johnnyk2000 said: With Alvin you could see the live harvest reports. I do not see anything on the new app for such a thing. Anybody know where I can find it or am I SOL? Click to expand...

woodmoose

Administrator

Big game harvest reporting.

Thanks guys  

oldest school

Old mossy horns.

If you want comparisons from other seasons just change the year on the date drop down. No auto comparisons like old system  

  • Oct 8, 2023

1stgenHunter

1stgenHunter

Six pointer.

Hunterreed said: You can see harvest reports by county on the ncwildlife website under harvest reports but not sure if its updated live or every 24 hours Click to expand...

looks like reported numbers are up from last year so far: 11.7k 2022 12.4k 2023  

  • Oct 15, 2023

17,691- 2022 18,794- 2023 edited to include more reported kills from today. Original was from midday.  

JoeSam1975

Delete  

  • Oct 16, 2023

Loganwayne

Ten Pointer

not that it really matters i guess but the live data for my county is only showing bucks or antlerless bucks being harvested. but if you look at the total harvest on another page its showing does as well.  

Loganwayne said: not that it really matters i guess but the live data for my county is only showing bucks or antlerless bucks being harvested. but if you look at the total harvest on another page its showing does as well. Click to expand...

nccatfisher

nccatfisher

Kill is up, sick deer are easier to kill!  

Helium

nccatfisher said: Kill is up, sick deer are easier to kill OVER CORN Click to expand...

😂

Helium said: Fixed it for ya Click to expand...
  • Oct 22, 2023

2022- 24,698 2023- 26,233 total reported in state thru this morning trying to match time of season to 2022, more will roll in today for sure.  

  • Nov 5, 2023

2022-39,403- 2023-48,888- Total reported kill-same point in season (I think)  

  • Nov 25, 2023
  • Nov 26, 2023

😉

Winchester 73'

Burke County Deer Harvest from 20 Nov till today 430 antlered buck 19 antlerless buck 185 doe 634 total I need a new hobby!  

  • Dec 5, 2023

2023- 131,512 2022- 116,984 Total reported kill same time period YTY.  

  • Dec 25, 2023

2023-165,521 2022-140,899 Total reported kill YTY - same time period.  

  • Jan 3, 2024

2023-189,484 2022-163, 504 Complete yr to yr comparison. Up 15.8 %. I may be looking at it wrong but this seems to be all time high? Beating 2013 by a thousand or so. https://www.ncwildlife.org/Portals/0/1978-2022-NC-Reported-Deer-Harvest-By-County.pdf?ver=jTTfKKzwJ4RdiK5BW0FLYw%3d%3d  

pcbuckhunter

pcbuckhunter

It would appear that folks get trigger happy the last week of the season....  

dubbeltap69

pcbuckhunter said: It would appear that folks get trigger happy the last week of the season.... Click to expand...

No acorns I think definitely contributed to higher harvest this year  

  • Jan 4, 2024

turkeyfoot

dubbeltap69 said: Very much so... almost 25k in one week.... Click to expand...

😁

turkeyfoot said: Them late season taggers calling in ones shot month earlier Click to expand...
oldest school said: You may be on to something It was a big number last year as well. Click to expand...

IMAGES

  1. Fillable Online ncwildlife BMAP 21th Annual Report

    ncwildlife org harvest report

  2. NC Wildlife Commission to Conduct Nine Public Hearings

    ncwildlife org harvest report

  3. Http://ncwildlife.org

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  4. Access ncwildlife.org. Home

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  5. DEER FARMING in NORTH CAROLINA

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  6. State Wildlife Action Plan Receives Federal Go-Ahead

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VIDEO

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  5. deer tracks everywhere #northcarolina #ncwildlife #deer

  6. Harvest Highlights #168

COMMENTS

  1. Big Game Harvest Reporting

    Report a harvest by logging into your Go Outdoors North Carolina customer account. You can also call 800-I-Got-One (800-446-8663) to report your harvest. If you do not have your Big Game Harvest Report Card, call 833-950-0575 M-F, 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. View My Past Harvests

  2. White-tailed Deer Harvest Reports

    White-tailed Deer Harvest Reports *LIVE Current Season Reported Harvest Totals* By County; By Game Land; By Urban Archery; By Use of Dog; By Weapon Type; Hunter Harvest Survey Estimates; 2022-23. 2021-22. 2020-21. ... Report Website Issues with NCWildlife.org. Staff Login.

  3. Survey Results and Harvest Reports

    Mailing Address: 1701 Mail Service Center. Raleigh, NC 27699-1700. Report Wildlife Violations: 800-662-7137. Turn In Poachers. Careers. Work With Us. Law Enforcement Careers.

  4. Black Bear Harvest Reports

    Statewide Bear Harvest Graph 1976-2022. Statewide Bear Harvest Table 1976-2022. Bear Harvest By Method 2009-2022. 2022 Bear Harvest by Method and County. 2021 Bear Harvest by Method & County. 2020 Bear Harvest By Method. 2019 Bear Harvest By Method. 2018 Bear Harvest By Method

  5. Big Game Harvest Reporting

    By calling 800-I-GOT-ONE (800-446-8663). A touch tone telephone is required. By clicking the "Report a Big Game Harvest" link located on the NCWRC home page at gooutdoorsnorthcarolina.com. By reporting the harvest to a participating wildlife service agent location at gooutdoorsnorthcarolina.com.

  6. North Carolina's 2021-22 Deer Harvest Summaries Now Available

    Results from the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission's annual deer harvest summary indicate hunters across the state reported harvesting 168,427 deer during the 2021-22 hunting season — a 6.3% increase compared to the average harvest the last three seasons. Of the deer harvested, 53% were antlered bucks, 4.4% were button bucks and 42.6% were ...

  7. North Carolina's Deer Harvest Increased in 2020-21 Season

    RALEIGH, N.C. (April 27, 2021) — Results from the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission's annual deer harvest summary indicate hunters across the state reported harvesting 169,973 deer during the 2020-21 hunting season — a 9.1 percent increase compared to the average harvest the last three seasons. Of the deer harvested, 50.8 percent were antlered bucks, 4.7 percent were button bucks and 44 ...

  8. Validating Your Big Game Harvest Report Card in North Carolina

    NC Wildlife Law Enforcement Officer O'Hare explains NC hunting laws as they relate to validating big game report cards and reporting a harvest.

  9. 15a Ncac 10b .0113 Big Game Harvest Reports Reporting 4

    9 Commission's mobile app, online at www.ncwildlife.org or www.ncwildlife.org, by calling 1-800-446-8663. 1-800-10 446-8663, or as described in the DMAP license. Harvested big game shall be registered before the animal is: ... 25 Deer Harvest Report Card, the[ ] The authorization number shall be recorded record the authorization number in the ...

  10. PDF 15a Ncac 10b .0113 Big Game Harvest Reporting

    Deer Harvest Report Card or affix a Commission-issued DMAP tag before moving a big game animal from the site of kill. (d) Field Dressing. ... www.ncwildlife.org, by calling 1-800-446-8663, or as described in the DMAP license. Harvested big game shall be registered before the animal is:

  11. NCWRC Hunter Harvest Survey

    NCWRC Hunter Harvest Survey Welcome to the 2023 - 2024 North Carolina Hunter Harvest Survey! Please enter your survey access code: Continue

  12. Daily Trout Stockings

    February 12 thru February 16, 2024 The NC Wildlife Resources Commission stocks trout within its Public Mountain Trout Waters program. This page will help you find the schedule of upcoming stockings in either Hatchery Supported or Delayed Harvest Trout Waters, as well as a list of recently stocked waters. Planning Your Trip Stocking Schedules

  13. North Carolina's bear harvest sets record for 2022 season

    Results from the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission's 2022 annual bear harvest summary show that hunters statewide recorded the highest harvest total on record at 4,056 bears — an 11% increase compared to the previous season.

  14. NC deer harvest rises in hunting season 2020-21, including in Carteret

    The WRC annual deer harvest summary indicates hunters across the state reported harvesting 169,973 deer during the 2020-21 hunting season — a 9.1% increase compared to the average harvest the ...

  15. 15a Ncac 10b .0113 Big Game Harvest Reports Reporting 4

    5 Commission's mobile app, online at www.ncwildlife.org or www.ncwildlife.org, by calling 1-800-446-8663. 1-800-6 446-8663, or as described in the DMAP license. Harvested big game shall be registered before the animal is: ... 20 Deer Harvest Report Card, theThe authorization number shall be recorded in the space provided for the appropriate

  16. North Carolina's Bear Harvest Sets Record for 2022 Season

    This is the highest percentage since the Commission started requesting this information via the Big Game Harvest Report in 2009. ... Purchase or a renew a fishing, trapping and hunting license and renew a vessel registration online at ncwildlife.org. Get N.C. Wildlife Update — news including season dates, bag limits, legislative updates and ...

  17. Harvest Statistics

    White-tailed Deer Harvest Reports *LIVE Current Season Reported Harvest Totals* By County; By Game Land; By Urban Archery; By Use of Dog; By Weapon Type; Hunter Harvest Survey Estimates; 2022-23. 2021-22. 2020-21. ... Report Website Issues with NCWildlife.org. Staff Login.

  18. North Carolina's Bear Harvest Sets Record for 2022 Season

    RALEIGH, N.C. (June 7, 2023) — Results from the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission's 2022 annual bear harvest summary show that hunters statewide recorded the highest harvest total on record at 4,056 bears — an 11% increase compared to the previous season. Record-breaking harvest totals were recorded in the Coastal and Mountain Bear Management Units (BMU), 2,533 …

  19. WRC reports second-highest wild turkey harvest in 2021

    According to results from the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission's 2021 Wild Turkey Harvest Summary report, announced June 25, show that hunters statewide still recorded the second highest ...

  20. North Carolina Wild Turkey Season Opens April 1 : Here's What You Need

    Every teen must record their captures on a Big Game Harvest Report Card and submit it according to these standards. License-exempt hunters should utilize the Big Game Harvest Report Card to record their captures. For information about turkey hunting, including hunter safety and where to hunt, visit ncwildlife.org.

  21. Live harvest report

    #1 johnnyk2000 Eight Pointer With Alvin you could see the live harvest reports. I do not see anything on the new app for such a thing. Anybody know where I can find it or am I SOL? Oct 7, 2023 #2 team muddy creek Twelve Pointer I'm sure the new SUPER APP has it somewhere, #goingbackwards! Oct 7, 2023 #3 Hunterreed Twelve Pointer johnnyk2000 said: