The N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission is accepting public comments on the 2026-27 migratory game bird hunting seasons for waterfowl, webless migratory species and extended falconry.
Comments may be submitted through the WRC’s online comment portal through 5 p.m. March 4.
Supporter Spotlight
The commission may choose hunting season dates within guidelines established by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service each year.
The season frameworks for waterfowl and webless migratory species, extended falconry guidelines and Canada goose and duck hunting zones are available on the commission’s comment portal.
Submitted comments will be considered along with staff-recommended season dates and bag limits before the final season dates are approved. Wildlife Resources commissioners are expected to set the dates during their April 16 business meeting.
Season dates being considered include compensatory days, or those allowed for states that do not allow migratory bird hunting on Sunday, for waterfowl and webless migratory species.
In other business, the the commission continues to track highly pathogenic avian influenza, or HPAI, in birds across North Carolina. New cases of this illness occur because of the large numbers of migratory waterfowl that congregate throughout the winter in the state, particularly in the Outer Banks, according to an agency release.
Supporter Spotlight
So far, suspected or confirmed cases of the bird flu have been reported in 25 of the state’s 100 counties during the 2025-26 sampling season. But the number of cases in wild birds are down compared to this time last year.
“Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza will continue to circulate through our bird populations, however, more birds are developing antibodies against the virus which creates a ‘herd immunity’ which means we will likely see fewer impacts to bird populations from the flu,” Miranda Turner, a Wildlife Resources Commission wildlife health biologist, stated in a release.
Birds most likely to be found with avian influenza include waterfowl, raptors and shorebirds. Cases can also occur in songbirds and wild mammal species.
To help prevent the spread, remove food sources that encourage birds to congregate in one location.
To report dead wild animals, especially five or more dead birds in one area within a week, contact the N.C. Wildlife Helpline at 866-318-2401 between 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. Mon.-Fri. or anytime by email at HWI@ncwildlife.gov.
