Pocosin Lakes National Wildlife Refuge
Pocosin Lakes National Wildlife 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.
More than 100,000 acres of the refuge are open to hunting. The vast majority of the refuge is pocosin, a type of wetland with a dense shrub layer. For newcomers to the Refuge, the impenetrable vegetation and remoteness often catch them unaware. First time hunters should consult with a Refuge staff member or another hunter before venturing off the beaten path. Other habitats on the refuge include marshes, mixed hardwoods, and swamp forest.
While some refuge roads are gravel, many, particularly those on the Pungo Unit, are dirt or grass and can become impassable during wet periods. 170 miles of unimproved roads across the refuge are closed to vehicles, but open to walking and bicycling for hunting. In addition, three roads are designated ATV routes for hunters during the hunting season only.
Permit Requirements
All hunters on the refuge must be in possession of digital or physical copies of the following:
1) a refuge seasonal hunting permit, purchased below;
2) a valid state hunting license and any other required state permits; and
3) a signed, current refuge hunting regulations brochure, found on the refuge website.
This pass is only valid for hunting at Pocosin Lakes National Wildlife Refuge. All hunters are required to purchase and possess a digital or physical copy of this permit when hunting on the refuge.
Hunters are required to read all refuge-specific hunting regulations and carry a digital or physical signed copy of the hunting regulations, found on the refuge website.
Hunters must also possess a state hunting license and any other required state permits.
We allow the following to be hunted/taken in accordance with all applicable Federal and State regulations:
• Migratory Birds: duck, goose, swan, mourning dove, woodcock, rail, and snipe
• Upland Game: quail, squirrel, rabbit, raccoon, opossum, beaver, and nutria
• Big Game: white-tailed deer
• Feral Hogs
The take or possession of any game species not specifically listed above is prohibited on the refuge, except when transporting same along NC State road or US highway.
We allow hunting in accordance with all applicable Federal, State, and refuge regulations on all refuge lands except those areas designated as No Hunting Areas.
The Pungo Unit is open ONLY to limited deer and feral hog hunting as described below:
• During the state Archery Season using archery equipment authorized by the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission,
• During the state Blackpowder Season using blackpowder firearms and archery equipment authorized by the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission,
• From the start of the state Gun Season through the end of October using shotguns, archery equipment, and blackpowder firearms, and
• During November using archery equipment.
We prohibit all hunting on the Pungo Unit from December 1st until the start of the next deer hunting season to help protect wintering waterfowl from disturbance.
When a designated area is open to hunting, we allow hunters to enter and remain in the hunting area between two hours before legal sunrise (90 minutes before dawn) and two hours after legal sunset (90 minutes after dark) provided that during non-daylight hours (before dawn and after dusk) the hunter is engaged in hunting-related activities such as traveling to and from a hunting location, setting up a stand, hunting, and tracking/retrieving game.
Hunting is not authorized on the refuge on Sundays.
Print out or download the pass on your mobile device in advance of your visit as cellular service may be limited.
Passes are non-refundable and non-transferable. Permits are only sold through Recreation.gov. The refuge will not sell permits in-person or by phone. Passes are valid only for the named individual on the permit. If purchasing multiple passes, make sure that each pass has the correct person listed.