2006-07 hunting seasons in North Carolina

BIG GAME

BEAR: Western season, Oct. 16-Nov. 18, Dec. 11-Jan. 1; Beaufort, Craven, Dare, Hyde, Jones, Pamlico, Tyrrell, Washington counties, Nov. 13-18, Dec. 11-23; Bertie, Camden, Chowan, Currituck, Gates, Pasquotank, Nov. 11-18, Dec. 11-23; Northampton, Halifax, Hertford, Martin counties, Nov. 13-18, Dec. 11-13; southeastern counties, Nov. 13-Jan. 1; Brunswick, Columbus counties, Dec. 4-23; daily limit one, possession limit one, season limit one

BOAR: Oct. 16-Nov. 18, Dec. 11-Jan. 1; daily limit one, possession one, season two

WILD TURKEY: spring (bearded turkeys only), April 14-May 12; youth-only hunt (bearded turkeys only), April 7; winter (either-sex), Jan. 15-20 in selected counties; daily limit one, possession two, annually two (only one may be taken during winter either-sex season)

SMALL GAME

RACCOON: Oct. 16-Feb. 28; daily three, possession six, season 30 (In and west of Stokes, Forsyth, Davidson, Stanly and Union counties, daily limit is one -- maximum of two per hunting party -- possession limit is two, season limit is 20.)

OPOSSUM: Oct. 16-Feb. 28; no limits

SQUIRREL (GRAY, RED): Closes Jan. 31; daily eight, possession 16, season 75

SQUIRREL (FOX): Closes Dec. 31 (select counties only); daily one, possession two, season 10

RABBIT: Nov. 18-Feb. 28; daily five, possession 10, season 75

QUAIL: Nov. 18-Feb. 28; daily six, possession 12, no season limit

GROUSE: Closes Feb. 28; daily three, possession six, season 30

BOBCAT: Closes Feb. 28; no limits

FOX: Jan. 6-27 (limited to certain counties); daily two, season 10

CROW: Wednesday, Friday and Saturday of each week through Feb. 28, plus Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day

PHEASANT: Nov. 18-Feb. 1

DEER

EASTERN: gun, closes Jan. 1

CENTRAL: archery, closes Nov. 3; muzzle-loading. Nov. 4-10; gun, Nov. 11-Jan. 1

WESTERN: archery, closes Nov. 18; gun, Nov. 20-Dec. 9 (in Cleveland and Rutherford counties, season runs to Dec. 23)

NORTHWESTERN: archery, closes Nov. 10; muzzle-loading, Nov. 11-17; gun, Nov. 18-Dec. 16, 2006

BAG LIMITS: In Central areas where deer hunting with dogs is allowed and in all of Eastern season, daily limit two and season limit is six, two of which must be antlerless. In all other areas, daily limit two and possession/season limit six, four of which must be antlerless.

EITHER-SEX SEASONS: See regulations digest.

WEBLESS MIGRATORY GAME BIRDS

DOVE: Nov. 20-25, Dec. 18-Jan. 13; daily 12, possession 24 (shooting hours half-hour before sunrise until sunset)

RAILS (KING, CLAPPER): Closes Nov. 9; daily 15, possession 30

RAILS (SORA, VIRGINIA): Closes Nov. 9; daily 25; possession 25

GALLINULE, MOORHENS: Closes Nov. 9; daily 15, possession 30

WOODCOCK: Dec. 15-Jan. 13; daily three, possession six

COMMON SNIPE: Nov. 14-Feb. 28; daily eight, season 16

WATERFOWL

Possession limit is twice the daily limit, except where noted.

DUCKS: Nov. 11-Dec. 2, Dec. 16-Jan. 27; conventional bag, six ducks with no more than one black or mottled duck (no black or mottled duck shall be taken until Dec. 1), four mallards with no more than two hen mallards, two wood ducks, two redheads, two scaup, four scoters, one fulvous tree duck, one pintail or one canvasback. Season for harlequin ducks is closed.

MERGANSERS: Nov. 11-Dec. 2, Dec. 16-Jan. 27; limit five (only 2 can be hooded mergansers)

COOTS: Nov. 11-Dec. 2, Dec. 16-Jan. 27; limit 15

SEA DUCKS: closes Jan. 27; limit seven in special sea duck areas only; in other areas, sea ducks are part of regular duck bag limit; no more than four scoters per day may be taken in either season

DARK GEESE (includes Canada, white-fronted): Resident Population Zone, Nov. 11-Dec. 2, Dec. 16-Jan. 27; limit five birds. Southern James Bay Hunt Zone, Nov. 11 - Dec. 30; limit two birds (Gaddy Goose refuge closed). Northeast Hunt Zone: Dec. 25-Jan. 27 (permit only; 1,000 issued); limit one per season (permit-holders only); limit two in Dare County Special Zone.

LIGHT GEESE (includes snow, blue, Ross's): Oct. 18-28, Nov. 11-March 3; daily limit 15, no possession limit

BRANT: Dec. 25-Jan. 27; daily two

TUNDRA SWAN: Nov. 4-Jan. 31 (by permit only; 5,000 issued)

YOUTH WATERFOWL DAY: Feb. 3, adult-supervised hunt for ducks, geese, mergansers (does not include tundra swans). Ages: 15-younger; must be accompanied by an adult 21-older, who is not allowed to hunt.