2018 Chatham County NC Deer Hunting Season

The 2018 deer hunting season in Chatham County NC is as follows:

  • Archery: Sept. 8 – Oct. 26, 2018
  • Blackpowder: Oct. 27 – Nov. 9, 2018
  • Gun: Nov. 10, 2018 – Jan. 1, 2019

Not to be confused with the neighboring counties such Harnett or Wake, Chatham County is located in the “Central Deer Zone”. I don’t know why they call it the “central” zone though, as other counties in the center of the state are excluded, such as Moore, Richmond, Hoke and Scotland. But.. Whatever.

The 2018 deer hunting scene in Chatham County

As of the time of this article, November 7, 2018, there have already been bowhunters out and about on the game lands around Jordan Lake for a month or two.

Gun season opens November 10, and it happens to be the coldest weekend we’ve had in a very long time. Get those shotguns and rifles ready.

Of course, there are very few good places to hunt. You can buy hunting land down in Bennett or Bonlee or you can hunt the game lands.

This year I was finally lucky enough to get someone to lend me their 110 acre tract of land to hunt. So far my trail cameras have picked up dozens of small fawns, some does with their rib cages showing and a couple of smaller 8 point bucks.

I have no idea how the acorns will do this year. I saw a lot on the ground already. I don’t know how that cycle works but it’s been so hot and wet here I can’t imagine that the nuts would be doing well as many farmers have had a really hard time this year. You can read more about how nut harvests work here.

Shoot the deer!

Ticks were down this year, so hopefully the deer aren’t covered in them. But anyways, please shoot the deer. As someone who has a car in my driveway with a smashed front fender and has had lyme disease before, I beg you to do your part. I’ll take a few out. Big, small, male, female, whatever. Shoot them, eat them.

Consider donating to the Tiger Rescue

Did you know that the Carolina Tiger Resuce will take your leftover deer carcasses? They do not need the guts but if you bring them, they’ll take them.

I personally hate to see an ounce of any one of God’s creatures go to waste. Religion aside, I am just very respectful towards all living things. Sure, I say shoot the deer, but I only take kill shots. And I always put 100% of the animal to use.

There’s a bin at the front of the Tiger Rescue when you can drop off the carcass. If you pull into the employee’s only area, someone may run out to you. You get a tax deductible donation form too, if that kind of thing happens to help you with the IRS.

The volunteers and tigers are very grateful for yummy deer treats!

The rescue is at 1940 Hanks Chapel Rd, Pittsboro, NC 27312.

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