2023 DEER SEASON (EASTERN) DATES
ARCHERY: 9 - 29 SEPTEMBER
BLACKPOWDER: 30 SEPTEMBER - 13 OCTOBER
RIFLE: 14 OCTOBER - 1 JANUARY 2024
Deer hunting on the installation is very popular, as we usually record approximately 10,000 hunting attempts on Fort Liberty and Camp Mackall every year. We fall within the Eastern Season, as designated by the NC Wildlife Resources Commission. This designation outlines the duration of archery, muzzleloader, and rifle seasons, as well as harvest restrictions.
The Commission does not set the dates for the upcoming season until the end of June, but archery season typically runs for three weeks beginning in mid-September, followed by a two week muzzleloader season. Rifle season begins in mid-October and concludes on 1 January.
We begin scouting on the second Saturday in August. Archery hunts are run concurrently with military training; that is, one may check in to hunt an area that may potentially have units actively training. Therefore, we do NOT have an open area list for archery hunting. Instead, the hunter may simply check in to any lettered training area (unless explicitly closed) or archery only area, even during gun season. Hunting with a muzzleloader or rifle is authorized only in those areas that have been approved by Range Control, i.e. areas that have not been reserved for military training. The areas available to hunt deer with a gun change daily; the open area sheet is posted on the main hunting page as well as on our Facebook page. All hunters are required to check in to a specific lettered training area, which authorizes him or her to hunt anywhere within that area. Upon completion of the hunt, every hunter must check out no later than 90 minutes after official sunset.
For more information on deer hunting and deer management, email ronnie.c.brown6.civ@army.mil