A favorite pastime of many individuals in the Carolinas is deer hunting. Some enjoy the pure sport, while others are likewise drawn to the opportunity to enjoy nature. According to the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission (NCWRC), an estimated 1.1 million white-tail deer inhabit the North Carolina. According to the NCWRC, around 250,000 hunters take approximately 2.9 million trips annually into the wilderness on hunting excursions. MaconNews.com, Rifle hunting season on deer opens in N.C., 11/23/10

The particular dates for bow / muzzleloader / gun seasons in North Carolina vary according to the region in the state. A listing of the pertinent dates can be found at NCdeerHunting.com

Gun season is currently in effect across the state, and the NCWRC indicates that injuries / fatalities continue to rise due to hunting related accidents. According to a 2004-2005 Report, the number of accidents rose sharply approximately 1990. The number of accidents has unfortunately remained steady. The 2004-2005 data indicates that more of the accidents occurred while hunting deer than other species. The data further reflects that most accidents occurred early in the day or later in the evening, suggesting a possible correlation with lack of vision. The report reveals that hunter safety training does seem to work, in that 71% of those involved in the accidents had not taken such classes versus 29% of individuals involved who had taken the courses.

NCWRC Report Of Hunting Related Accidents